Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2015 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic, 6464-6465 [2015-02321]
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
comments already received. There will
be no additional opportunity to
comment.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 300
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Chemicals, Hazardous
substances, Hazardous waste,
Intergovernmental relations, Penalties,
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Superfund, Water
pollution control, Water supply.
Dated: January 23, 2015.
Shaun L. McGrath,
Regional Administrator, Region 8.
For the reasons set out in this
document, 40 CFR part 300 is amended
as follows:
PART 300—NATIONAL OIL AND
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
POLLUTION CONTINGENCY PLAN
1. The authority citation for part 300
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321(c)(2); 42 U.S.C.
9601–9657; E.O. 13626, 77 FR 56749, 3 CFR,
2013 Comp., p.306; E.O. 12777, 56 FR 54757,
3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p.351; E.O. 12580, 52 FR
2923, 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., p.193.
Appendix B to Part 300—[Amended]
2. Table 1 of Appendix B to part 300
is amended by removing the entry for
‘‘UT’’, ‘‘Midvale Slag’’, ‘‘Midvale’’.
■
[FR Doc. 2015–02326 Filed 2–4–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 001005281–0369–02]
RIN 0648–XD709
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of
Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2015
Commercial Accountability Measure
and Closure for Coastal Migratory
Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of
Mexico and South Atlantic
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES
AGENCY:
NMFS implements an
accountability measure (AM) to close
the hook-and-line component of the
commercial sector for king mackerel in
the Florida west coast southern
subzone. This closure is necessary to
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
14:41 Feb 04, 2015
Jkt 235001
protect the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) king
mackerel resource.
DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m.,
local time, February 5, 2015, through
June 30, 2015.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Susan Gerhart, telephone: 727–824–
5305, email: susan.gerhart@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
fishery for coastal migratory pelagic fish
(king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and
cobia) is managed under the Fishery
Management Plan for the Coastal
Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf
of Mexico and Atlantic Region (FMP).
The FMP was prepared by the Gulf of
Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery
Management Councils (Councils) and is
implemented under the authority of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act
(Magnuson-Stevens Act) by regulations
at 50 CFR part 622.
The Gulf migratory group king
mackerel is divided into western and
eastern zones. The Gulf’s eastern zone
for king mackerel is further divided into
the Florida west coast northern and
southern subzones that have separate
commercial quotas. On January 30,
2012, NMFS implemented the final rule
(76 FR 82058, December 29, 2011) that
established annual catch limits (ACLs).
The 2014 to 2015 fishing year quota for
the hook-and-line component of the
commercial sector in the Florida west
coast southern subzone is 551,448 lb
(250,133 kg) (50 CFR
622.384(b)(1)(i)(B)(1)).
From November 1 through March 31,
the southern subzone encompasses an
area of the exclusive economic zone
(EEZ) south of a line extending due west
of the Lee and Collier County, FL,
boundary on the Florida west coast, and
south of a line extending due east of the
Monroe and Miami-Dade County, FL,
boundary on the Florida east coast,
which includes the EEZ off Collier and
Monroe Counties, FL. From April 1
through October 31, the southern
subzone is reduced to the EEZ off
Collier County, and the EEZ off Monroe
County becomes part of the Atlantic
migratory group area.
On January 24, 2015, NMFS
implemented a 500-lb (227-kg) trip limit
for vessels in the hook-and-line
component of the commercial king
mackerel sector in this subzone, because
75 percent of quota had been reached
(622.385(a)(2)(ii)(B)).
Under 50 CFR 622.8(b) and
622.388(a)(1), NMFS is required to close
any component of the king mackerel
commercial sector when its quota has
been reached, or is projected to be
reached, by filing a notification at the
PO 00000
Frm 00036
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
Office of the Federal Register. NMFS has
determined the quota for the hook-andline component of the commercial
sector for Gulf migratory group king
mackerel in the southern Florida west
coast subzone has been reached.
Accordingly, the hook-and-line
component of the commercial sector for
Gulf migratory group king mackerel in
the southern Florida west coast subzone
is closed effective 12:01 a.m., local time,
February 5, 2015, through June 30, 2015,
the end of the fishing year.
As specified in 50 CFR 622.384(e),
during the closure period no person
aboard a vessel for which a commercial
permit for king mackerel has been
issued may harvest or possess Gulf
migratory group king mackerel in or
from Federal waters of the closed
subzone. However, there is one
exception that a person aboard a vessel
that has a valid charter/headboat permit
and also has a commercial king
mackerel permit for coastal migratory
pelagic fish may continue to retain king
mackerel in or from the closed subzone
under the 2-fish daily bag limit,
provided the vessel is operating as a
charter vessel or headboat. Charter
vessels or headboats that hold a
commercial king mackerel permit are
considered to be operating as a charter
vessel or headboat when they carry a
passenger who pays a fee or when more
than three persons are aboard, including
operator and crew.
Classification
The Regional Administrator,
Southeast Region, NMFS, has
determined this temporary rule is
necessary for the conservation and
management of Gulf migratory group
king mackerel and is consistent with the
Magnuson-Stevens Act and other
applicable laws.
This action is taken under 50 CFR
622.8(b) and 622.388(a)(1) and is
exempt from review under Executive
Order 12866.
These measures are exempt from the
procedures of the Regulatory Flexibility
Act because the temporary rule is issued
without opportunity for prior notice and
comment.
This action responds to the best
scientific information available. The
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,
NOAA (AA), finds that the need to
immediately implement this action to
close the hook-and-line component of
the commercial sector constitutes good
cause to waive the requirements to
provide prior notice and opportunity for
public comment pursuant to the
authority set forth in 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B),
as such prior notice and opportunity for
public comment are unnecessary and
E:\FR\FM\05FER1.SGM
05FER1
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 24 / Thursday, February 5, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES
contrary to the public interest. Such
procedures are unnecessary, because the
regulations at 50 CFR 622.388(a)(1) have
already been subject to notice and
comment, and all that remains is to
notify the public of the closure. Such
procedures are contrary to the public
interest, because there is a need to
immediately implement this action to
VerDate Sep<11>2014
14:41 Feb 04, 2015
Jkt 235001
protect the king mackerel resource since
the capacity of the fishing fleet allows
for rapid harvest of the quota. Prior
notice and opportunity for public
comment on this action would require
time and would potentially result in a
harvest well in excess of the established
quota.
For the aforementioned reasons, the
AA also finds good cause to waive the
PO 00000
Frm 00037
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
6465
30-day delay in effectiveness of the
action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: February 2, 2015.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015–02321 Filed 2–2–15; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
E:\FR\FM\05FER1.SGM
05FER1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 24 (Thursday, February 5, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6464-6465]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-02321]
=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 001005281-0369-02]
RIN 0648-XD709
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic;
2015 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for Coastal
Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) to close the
hook-and-line component of the commercial sector for king mackerel in
the Florida west coast southern subzone. This closure is necessary to
protect the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) king mackerel resource.
DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m., local time, February 5, 2015,
through June 30, 2015.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Gerhart, telephone: 727-824-
5305, email: susan.gerhart@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The fishery for coastal migratory pelagic
fish (king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and cobia) is managed under the
Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of
the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region (FMP). The FMP was prepared by
the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils
(Councils) and is implemented under the authority of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act)
by regulations at 50 CFR part 622.
The Gulf migratory group king mackerel is divided into western and
eastern zones. The Gulf's eastern zone for king mackerel is further
divided into the Florida west coast northern and southern subzones that
have separate commercial quotas. On January 30, 2012, NMFS implemented
the final rule (76 FR 82058, December 29, 2011) that established annual
catch limits (ACLs). The 2014 to 2015 fishing year quota for the hook-
and-line component of the commercial sector in the Florida west coast
southern subzone is 551,448 lb (250,133 kg) (50 CFR
622.384(b)(1)(i)(B)(1)).
From November 1 through March 31, the southern subzone encompasses
an area of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) south of a line extending
due west of the Lee and Collier County, FL, boundary on the Florida
west coast, and south of a line extending due east of the Monroe and
Miami-Dade County, FL, boundary on the Florida east coast, which
includes the EEZ off Collier and Monroe Counties, FL. From April 1
through October 31, the southern subzone is reduced to the EEZ off
Collier County, and the EEZ off Monroe County becomes part of the
Atlantic migratory group area.
On January 24, 2015, NMFS implemented a 500-lb (227-kg) trip limit
for vessels in the hook-and-line component of the commercial king
mackerel sector in this subzone, because 75 percent of quota had been
reached (622.385(a)(2)(ii)(B)).
Under 50 CFR 622.8(b) and 622.388(a)(1), NMFS is required to close
any component of the king mackerel commercial sector when its quota has
been reached, or is projected to be reached, by filing a notification
at the Office of the Federal Register. NMFS has determined the quota
for the hook-and-line component of the commercial sector for Gulf
migratory group king mackerel in the southern Florida west coast
subzone has been reached. Accordingly, the hook-and-line component of
the commercial sector for Gulf migratory group king mackerel in the
southern Florida west coast subzone is closed effective 12:01 a.m.,
local time, February 5, 2015, through June 30, 2015, the end of the
fishing year.
As specified in 50 CFR 622.384(e), during the closure period no
person aboard a vessel for which a commercial permit for king mackerel
has been issued may harvest or possess Gulf migratory group king
mackerel in or from Federal waters of the closed subzone. However,
there is one exception that a person aboard a vessel that has a valid
charter/headboat permit and also has a commercial king mackerel permit
for coastal migratory pelagic fish may continue to retain king mackerel
in or from the closed subzone under the 2-fish daily bag limit,
provided the vessel is operating as a charter vessel or headboat.
Charter vessels or headboats that hold a commercial king mackerel
permit are considered to be operating as a charter vessel or headboat
when they carry a passenger who pays a fee or when more than three
persons are aboard, including operator and crew.
Classification
The Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS, has determined
this temporary rule is necessary for the conservation and management of
Gulf migratory group king mackerel and is consistent with the Magnuson-
Stevens Act and other applicable laws.
This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.8(b) and 622.388(a)(1) and is
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
These measures are exempt from the procedures of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act because the temporary rule is issued without
opportunity for prior notice and comment.
This action responds to the best scientific information available.
The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), finds that the
need to immediately implement this action to close the hook-and-line
component of the commercial sector constitutes good cause to waive the
requirements to provide prior notice and opportunity for public comment
pursuant to the authority set forth in 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), as such
prior notice and opportunity for public comment are unnecessary and
[[Page 6465]]
contrary to the public interest. Such procedures are unnecessary,
because the regulations at 50 CFR 622.388(a)(1) have already been
subject to notice and comment, and all that remains is to notify the
public of the closure. Such procedures are contrary to the public
interest, because there is a need to immediately implement this action
to protect the king mackerel resource since the capacity of the fishing
fleet allows for rapid harvest of the quota. Prior notice and
opportunity for public comment on this action would require time and
would potentially result in a harvest well in excess of the established
quota.
For the aforementioned reasons, the AA also finds good cause to
waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness of the action under 5 U.S.C.
553(d)(3).
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: February 2, 2015.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-02321 Filed 2-2-15; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
