Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2015 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic Golden Tilefish Longline Component, 8559-8560 [2015-03317]
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 32 / Wednesday, February 18, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
poverty rate for the State of North
Dakota is 12.1%. Supporting
documentation is included in the
docket.
EPA’s policy on environmental justice
is to ensure the fair treatment and
meaningful involvement of all people
regardless of race, color, national origin,
or income with respect to the
development, implementation, and
enforcement of environmental laws,
regulations, and policies. Our review
here for this reconsideration action is
consistent with EPA’s policy. This
section, along with the supporting
documentation in the docket, constitute
EPA’s full analysis of environmental
justice for this action.
J. Congressional Review Act
This action is subject to the
Congressional Review Act, and EPA will
submit a rule report to each House of
the Congress and to the Comptroller
General of the United States. This action
is not a ‘‘major rule’’ as defined by 5
U.S.C. 804(2).
K. Petitions for Judicial Review
Under section 307(b)(1) of the CAA,
petitions for judicial review of this
action must be filed in the United States
Court of Appeals for the appropriate
circuit by April 20, 2015. Filing a
petition for reconsideration by the
Administrator of this final rule does not
affect the finality of this action for the
purposes of judicial review nor does it
extend the time within which a petition
for judicial review may be filed, and
shall not postpone the effectiveness of
such rule or action. This action may not
be challenged later in proceedings to
enforce its requirements. (See section
307(b)(2).)
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Incorporation by
reference, Intergovernmental relations,
Nitrogen dioxides, Particulate matter,
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Sulfur dioxide, Volatile
organic compounds.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES
Dated: February 6, 2015.
Gina McCarthy,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2015–03177 Filed 2–17–15; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 120404257–3325–02]
RIN 0648–XD735
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of
Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2015
Commercial Accountability Measure
and Closure for South Atlantic Golden
Tilefish Longline Component
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
AGENCY:
NMFS implements an
accountability measure for the
commercial longline component for
golden tilefish in the exclusive
economic zone (EEZ) of the South
Atlantic. Commercial longline landings
for golden tilefish are projected to reach
the longline component’s commercial
annual catch limit (ACL; commercial
quota) on February 19, 2015. Therefore,
NMFS closes the commercial longline
component for golden tilefish in the
South Atlantic EEZ on February 19,
2015, and it will remain closed until the
start of the next fishing season, January
1, 2016. This closure is necessary to
protect the golden tilefish resource.
DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m.,
local time, February 19, 2015, until
12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2016.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Britni LaVine, telephone: 727–824–
5305, email: britni.lavine@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
snapper-grouper fishery of the South
Atlantic includes golden tilefish and is
managed under the Fishery
Management Plan for the SnapperGrouper Fishery of the South Atlantic
Region (FMP). The FMP was prepared
by the South Atlantic Fishery
Management Council 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.
On April 23, 2013, NMFS published
a final rule to implement Amendment
18B to the FMP (78 FR 23858).
Amendment 18B to the FMP established
a longline endorsement program for the
commercial golden tilefish component
of the snapper-grouper fishery and
allocated the commercial golden tilefish
ACL among two gear groups, the
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00049
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
8559
longline and hook-and-line components
as commercial quotas.
The commercial quota for the longline
component for golden tilefish in the
South Atlantic is 405,971 lb (184,145
kg), gutted weight, for the current
fishing year, January 1 through
December 31, 2015, as specified in 50
CFR 622.190(a)(2)(iii).
Under 50 CFR 622.193(a)(1)(ii), NMFS
is required to close the commercial
longline component for golden tilefish
when the longline component’s
commercial quota has been reached, or
is projected to be reached, by filing a
notification to that effect with the Office
of the Federal Register. After the
commercial quota for the longline
component is reached or projected to be
reached, golden tilefish may not be
fished for or possessed by a vessel with
a golden tilefish longline endorsement.
NMFS has determined that the
commercial quota for the longline
component for golden tilefish in the
South Atlantic will be reached on
February 19, 2015. Accordingly, the
commercial longline component for
South Atlantic golden tilefish is closed
effective 12:01 a.m., local time, February
19, 2015, until 12:01 a.m., local time,
January 1, 2016.
During the commercial longline
closure, golden tilefish may still be
harvested commercially using hookand-line gear. However, a vessel with a
golden tilefish longline endorsement is
not eligible to fish for or possess golden
tilefish using hook-and-line gear under
the hook-and-line trip limit, as specified
in 50 CFR 622.191(a)(2)(ii). The operator
of a vessel with a valid commercial
vessel permit for South Atlantic
snapper-grouper and a valid commercial
longline endorsement for golden tilefish
having golden tilefish on board must
have landed and bartered, traded, or
sold such golden tilefish prior to 12:01
a.m., local time, February 19, 2015.
During the commercial longline closure,
the bag limit and possession limits
specified in 50 CFR 622.187(b)(2)(iii)
and (c)(1), respectively, apply to all
harvest or possession of golden tilefish
in or from the South Atlantic EEZ by a
vessel with a golden tilefish longline
endorsement, and the sale or purchase
of longline-caught golden tilefish taken
from the EEZ is prohibited. The
prohibition on sale or purchase does not
apply to the sale or purchase of
longline-caught golden tilefish that were
harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior
to 12:01 a.m., local time, February 19,
2015, and were held in cold storage by
a dealer or processor. Additionally, the
bag and possession limits and the sale
and purchase provisions of the
commercial closure apply to a person on
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8560
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 32 / Wednesday, February 18, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
board a vessel with a golden tilefish
longline endorsement, regardless of
whether the golden tilefish are
harvested in state or Federal waters, as
specified in 50 CFR 622.190(c)(1).
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES
Classification
The Regional Administrator,
Southeast Region, NMFS, has
determined this temporary rule is
necessary for the conservation and
management of South Atlantic golden
tilefish and is consistent with the
Magnuson-Stevens Act, the FMP, and
other applicable laws.
This action is taken under 50 CFR
622.193(a)(1)(ii) 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.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:46 Feb 17, 2015
Jkt 235001
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 commercial longline
component for golden tilefish
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 procedures for
this temporary rule would be
unnecessary and contrary to the public
interest. Such procedures are
unnecessary, because the regulations at
50 CFR 622.193(a)(1)(ii) itself 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
PO 00000
Frm 00050
Fmt 4700
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immediately implement this action to
protect the golden tilefish resource since
the capacity of the fishing fleet allows
for rapid harvest of the commercial
quota for the longline component. Prior
notice and opportunity for public
comment would require time and would
potentially result in a harvest well in
excess of the established commercial
quota for the longline component.
For the aforementioned reasons, the
AA also finds good cause to waive the
30-day delay in the effectiveness of this
action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: February 12, 2015.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015–03317 Filed 2–12–15; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 18, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8559-8560]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-03317]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 120404257-3325-02]
RIN 0648-XD735
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic;
2015 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic
Golden Tilefish Longline Component
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS implements an accountability measure for the commercial
longline component for golden tilefish in the exclusive economic zone
(EEZ) of the South Atlantic. Commercial longline landings for golden
tilefish are projected to reach the longline component's commercial
annual catch limit (ACL; commercial quota) on February 19, 2015.
Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial longline component for golden
tilefish in the South Atlantic EEZ on February 19, 2015, and it will
remain closed until the start of the next fishing season, January 1,
2016. This closure is necessary to protect the golden tilefish
resource.
DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m., local time, February 19,
2015, until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2016.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Britni LaVine, telephone: 727-824-
5305, email: britni.lavine@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The snapper-grouper fishery of the South
Atlantic includes golden tilefish and is managed under the Fishery
Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic
Region (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the South Atlantic Fishery
Management Council 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.
On April 23, 2013, NMFS published a final rule to implement
Amendment 18B to the FMP (78 FR 23858). Amendment 18B to the FMP
established a longline endorsement program for the commercial golden
tilefish component of the snapper-grouper fishery and allocated the
commercial golden tilefish ACL among two gear groups, the longline and
hook-and-line components as commercial quotas.
The commercial quota for the longline component for golden tilefish
in the South Atlantic is 405,971 lb (184,145 kg), gutted weight, for
the current fishing year, January 1 through December 31, 2015, as
specified in 50 CFR 622.190(a)(2)(iii).
Under 50 CFR 622.193(a)(1)(ii), NMFS is required to close the
commercial longline component for golden tilefish when the longline
component's commercial quota has been reached, or is projected to be
reached, by filing a notification to that effect with the Office of the
Federal Register. After the commercial quota for the longline component
is reached or projected to be reached, golden tilefish may not be
fished for or possessed by a vessel with a golden tilefish longline
endorsement. NMFS has determined that the commercial quota for the
longline component for golden tilefish in the South Atlantic will be
reached on February 19, 2015. Accordingly, the commercial longline
component for South Atlantic golden tilefish is closed effective 12:01
a.m., local time, February 19, 2015, until 12:01 a.m., local time,
January 1, 2016.
During the commercial longline closure, golden tilefish may still
be harvested commercially using hook-and-line gear. However, a vessel
with a golden tilefish longline endorsement is not eligible to fish for
or possess golden tilefish using hook-and-line gear under the hook-and-
line trip limit, as specified in 50 CFR 622.191(a)(2)(ii). The operator
of a vessel with a valid commercial vessel permit for South Atlantic
snapper-grouper and a valid commercial longline endorsement for golden
tilefish having golden tilefish on board must have landed and bartered,
traded, or sold such golden tilefish prior to 12:01 a.m., local time,
February 19, 2015. During the commercial longline closure, the bag
limit and possession limits specified in 50 CFR 622.187(b)(2)(iii) and
(c)(1), respectively, apply to all harvest or possession of golden
tilefish in or from the South Atlantic EEZ by a vessel with a golden
tilefish longline endorsement, and the sale or purchase of longline-
caught golden tilefish taken from the EEZ is prohibited. The
prohibition on sale or purchase does not apply to the sale or purchase
of longline-caught golden tilefish that were harvested, landed ashore,
and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, February 19, 2015, and were
held in cold storage by a dealer or processor. Additionally, the bag
and possession limits and the sale and purchase provisions of the
commercial closure apply to a person on
[[Page 8560]]
board a vessel with a golden tilefish longline endorsement, regardless
of whether the golden tilefish are harvested in state or Federal
waters, as specified in 50 CFR 622.190(c)(1).
Classification
The Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS, has determined
this temporary rule is necessary for the conservation and management of
South Atlantic golden tilefish and is consistent with the Magnuson-
Stevens Act, the FMP, and other applicable laws.
This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.193(a)(1)(ii) 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 commercial
longline component for golden tilefish 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 procedures for this temporary rule would be unnecessary and
contrary to the public interest. Such procedures are unnecessary,
because the regulations at 50 CFR 622.193(a)(1)(ii) itself 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 golden tilefish resource since the capacity of the
fishing fleet allows for rapid harvest of the commercial quota for the
longline component. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment
would require time and would potentially result in a harvest well in
excess of the established commercial quota for the longline component.
For the aforementioned reasons, the AA also finds good cause to
waive the 30-day delay in the effectiveness of this action under 5
U.S.C. 553(d)(3).
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: February 12, 2015.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-03317 Filed 2-12-15; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P