Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2015 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for Blueline Tilefish in the South Atlantic Region, 18551-18552 [2015-07946]
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18551
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 66 / Tuesday, April 7, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
SOUTH CAROLINA—2012 ANNUAL PM 2.5 NAAQS—Continued
[Primary]
Designation
Classification
Designated area 1
Date 2
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Oconee County ................................................................
Orangeburg County .........................................................
Pickens County ................................................................
Richland County ..............................................................
Saluda County .................................................................
Spartanburg County .........................................................
Sumter County .................................................................
Union County ...................................................................
Williamsburg County ........................................................
York County .....................................................................
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2 This
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areas of Indian country located in each county or area, except as otherwise specified.
date is April 15, 2015, unless otherwise noted.
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[FR Doc. 2015–07948 Filed 4–6–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE CODE 6560–50–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 140501394–5279–02]
RIN 0648–XD869
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of
Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2015
Commercial Accountability Measure
and Closure for Blueline Tilefish in the
South Atlantic Region
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
AGENCY:
NMFS implements
accountability measures (AMs) for
commercial blueline tilefish in the
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the
South Atlantic. Commercial landings for
blueline tilefish, as estimated by the
Science and Research Director, have
reached the commercial annual catch
limit (ACL). Therefore, NMFS is closing
the commercial sector for blueline
tilefish in the South Atlantic EEZ at
12:01 a.m., local time, April 7, 2015,
and it will remain closed until the start
of the next fishing season, January 1,
2016. This closure is necessary to
protect the blueline tilefish resource.
DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m.,
local time, April 7, 2015, until 12:01
a.m., local time, January 1, 2016.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Britni LaVine, NMFS Southeast Region,
rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:31 Apr 06, 2015
Jkt 235001
telephone: 727–824–5305, email:
britni.lavine@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
snapper-grouper fishery of the South
Atlantic includes blueline tilefish and is
managed under the Fishery
Management Plan for the SnapperGrouper Fishery of the South Atlantic
Region (FMP). The South Atlantic
Fishery Management Council and
NMFS prepared the FMP, and the FMP
is implemented under the authority of
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act
(Magnuson-Stevens Act) by regulations
at 50 CFR part 622.
NMFS implemented management
measures in Amendment 32 to the FMP
for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the
South Atlantic Region (Amendment 32).
The final rule published in the Federal
Register, and was effective, on March
30, 2015 (80 FR 16583). Amendment 32
contains management measures that end
overfishing of blueline tilefish in the
South Atlantic.
NMFS is required to close the
commercial sector for blueline tilefish
when the commercial ACL is reached,
or is projected to be reached, by filing
a notification to that effect with the
Office of the Federal Register, as
specified in 50 CFR 622.193(z)(1)(i). The
commercial ACL for blueline tilefish is
17,841 lb (8,093 kg), round weight.
NMFS has determined that the
commercial ACL for South Atlantic
blueline tilefish has been reached.
Accordingly, the commercial sector for
South Atlantic blueline tilefish is closed
effective April 7, 2015, until 12:01 a.m.,
local time, January 1, 2016.
The operator of a vessel with a valid
commercial vessel permit for South
Atlantic snapper-grouper having
blueline tilefish onboard must have
landed and bartered, traded, or sold
such blueline tilefish prior to April 7,
PO 00000
Frm 00033
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
2015. During the closure, all sale or
purchase of blueline tilefish is
prohibited and harvest or possession of
blueline tilefish in or from the South
Atlantic EEZ is limited to the bag and
possession limits specified in 50 CFR
622.187(b)(2)(iv) and 622.187(c)(1),
respectively. These bag and possession
limits apply in the South Atlantic on
board a vessel for which a valid Federal
commercial or charter vessel/headboat
permit for South Atlantic snappergrouper has been issued, without regard
to where such species were harvested,
i.e., in state or Federal waters.
Note that the recreational sector for
blueline tilefish opened on January 1
and closed March 30, 2015, when the
final rule for Amendment 32 became
effective, because Amendment 32
implemented a seasonal closure for the
recreational sector for blueline tilefish
that extends from September 1 through
April 30. Currently, the recreational
sector for blueline tilefish is scheduled
to reopen on May 1, 2015, and stay open
through August 31, 2015, if the
recreational ACL has not been met.
Classification
The Regional Administrator,
Southeast Region, NMFS, has
determined this temporary rule is
necessary for the conservation and
management of blueline tilefish and the
South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery
and is consistent with the MagnusonStevens Act and other applicable laws.
This action is taken under 50 CFR
622.193(z)(1)(i) 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
E:\FR\FM\07APR1.SGM
07APR1
18552
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 66 / Tuesday, April 7, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,
NOAA (AA), finds that the need to
immediately implement this action to
close the commercial sector for blueline
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 prior notice
and opportunity for public comment are
unnecessary and contrary to the public
interest. Such procedures are
unnecessary because the regulations at
50 CFR 622.193(z)(1)(i) 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
blueline tilefish, since the capacity of
the fishing fleet allows for rapid harvest
of the commercial ACL. Prior notice and
opportunity for public comment would
require time and would potentially
result in a harvest well in excess of the
established commercial ACL.
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.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015–07946 Filed 4–2–15; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 150105013–5291–02]
RIN 0648–BE62
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of
Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish
Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Red
Grouper Recreational Management
Measures
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule.
rljohnson on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES
AGENCY:
NMFS issues this final rule to
implement management measures
described in a framework action to the
Fishery Management Plan for the Reef
Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico
(FMP), as prepared by the Gulf of
Mexico Fishery Management Council
(Council). This final rule revises the
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:31 Apr 06, 2015
Jkt 235001
daily bag limit for red grouper in the
Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) and removes the
recreational post-season bag limit
reduction accountability measure (AM)
for Gulf red grouper. Additionally, this
rule corrects an error in the Gulf
individual fishing quota (IFQ) multi-use
provisions for the Grouper/Tilefish IFQ
program. The purpose of this final rule
is to modify the Gulf red grouper
recreational management measures to
improve recreational fishing
opportunities by achieving optimal
yield for the red grouper resource.
DATES: This rule is effective May 7,
2015.
ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the
framework action, which includes an
environmental assessment, a regulatory
impact review, and a Regulatory
Flexibility Act analysis may be obtained
from the Southeast Regional Office Web
site at https://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/
sustainable_fisheries/gulf_fisheries/
reef_fish/.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Richard Malinowski, telephone: 727–
824–5305, email: rich.malinowski@
noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf
reef fish fishery is managed under the
FMP. The FMP was prepared by the
Council and is implemented through
regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management
Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
On January 27, 2015, NMFS
published a proposed rule for the
framework action and requested public
comment (80 FR 4240). The proposed
rule and framework action outline the
rationale for the actions contained in
this final rule. A summary of the actions
implemented by this final rule is
provided below.
Management Measures Contained in
This Final Rule
This final rule reduces the Gulf red
grouper recreational bag limit from four
fish to two fish within the four-fish
aggregate grouper bag limit, and
removes the post-season AM that
reduces the daily bag limit the next
fishing season when the previous
fishing year’s annual catch limit (ACL)
is exceeded. The other post-season AMs
currently codified in the regulations
remain in effect without change.
Additional Change to Codified Text
In addition, this final rule corrects a
mistake in the regulations that was
implemented in the final rule for
Amendment 32 to the FMP. NMFS
changes ‘‘red grouper multi-use
allocation’’ to ‘‘gag multi-use allocation’’
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Frm 00034
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
in § 622.22(a)(5)(ii)(B), where it
erroneously stated that if red grouper is
under a rebuilding plan, then ‘‘red
grouper multi-use allocation’’ should be
set to zero. This change is not related to
the framework action.
Comments and Responses
NMFS received 28 comment
submissions on the framework action
and the proposed rule; 1 from a sport
fishing club, 1 from a state agency, and
26 from individuals. All comments
received were in regard to the bag limit
reduction; no comments were received
directly addressing the removal of the
accountability measure. Fourteen
submissions supported the bag limit
reduction, which is expected to alleviate
the need for in-season closures. Eight
individuals specifically opposed the bag
limit reduction. Other submissions were
outside the scope of the rule, offering
suggestions for alternative management
options, such as different size and bag
limits, regionalized regulations, or a tag
system. These are options the Council
has considered in the past, and could
consider again. A summary of the
comments addressing the actions being
implemented by this rulemaking and
NMFS’ responses to those comments
appears below.
Comment 1: The new regulation could
lead to overfishing of the Gulf red
grouper resource.
Response: NMFS disagrees that either
the bag limit reduction or the removal
of the post-season AM could lead to
overfishing of Gulf red grouper. The
two-fish bag limit, although primarily
intended to extend the length of the
open season, should reduce the
probability of exceeding the ACL by the
recreational sector. The AM that
reduced the bag limit by one fish if the
ACL was exceeded in the previous year
was also intended to extend the length
of the open season and to avoid inseason closures. However, it is difficult
to implement this in-season bag limit
reduction in a timely manner and the
bag limit change in the middle of the
season created confusion. The Council
determined, and NMFS agrees, that
removing this AM would increase the
efficiency of operating in this
recreational sector and reduce public
confusion without increasing the risk of
exceeding the ACL because there are
other AMs that will remain in place.
Comment 2: The two-fish bag limit is
unnecessary and unreasonable because
the Gulf red grouper stock is healthy
and abundant; there is no shortage of
red grouper.
Response: NMFS agrees the stock is
healthy. The latest stock assessment
indicates the stock is not overfished or
E:\FR\FM\07APR1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 7, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18551-18552]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-07946]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 140501394-5279-02]
RIN 0648-XD869
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic;
2015 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for Blueline
Tilefish in the South Atlantic Region
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS implements accountability measures (AMs) for commercial
blueline tilefish in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South
Atlantic. Commercial landings for blueline tilefish, as estimated by
the Science and Research Director, have reached the commercial annual
catch limit (ACL). Therefore, NMFS is closing the commercial sector for
blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic EEZ at 12:01 a.m., local time,
April 7, 2015, and it will remain closed until the start of the next
fishing season, January 1, 2016. This closure is necessary to protect
the blueline tilefish resource.
DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m., local time, April 7, 2015,
until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2016.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Britni LaVine, NMFS Southeast Region,
telephone: 727-824-5305, email: britni.lavine@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The snapper-grouper fishery of the South
Atlantic includes blueline tilefish and is managed under the Fishery
Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic
Region (FMP). The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and NMFS
prepared the FMP, and the FMP is implemented under the authority of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-
Stevens Act) by regulations at 50 CFR part 622.
NMFS implemented management measures in Amendment 32 to the FMP for
the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (Amendment
32). The final rule published in the Federal Register, and was
effective, on March 30, 2015 (80 FR 16583). Amendment 32 contains
management measures that end overfishing of blueline tilefish in the
South Atlantic.
NMFS is required to close the commercial sector for blueline
tilefish when the commercial ACL is reached, or is projected to be
reached, by filing a notification to that effect with the Office of the
Federal Register, as specified in 50 CFR 622.193(z)(1)(i). The
commercial ACL for blueline tilefish is 17,841 lb (8,093 kg), round
weight. NMFS has determined that the commercial ACL for South Atlantic
blueline tilefish has been reached. Accordingly, the commercial sector
for South Atlantic blueline tilefish is closed effective April 7, 2015,
until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2016.
The operator of a vessel with a valid commercial vessel permit for
South Atlantic snapper-grouper having blueline tilefish onboard must
have landed and bartered, traded, or sold such blueline tilefish prior
to April 7, 2015. During the closure, all sale or purchase of blueline
tilefish is prohibited and harvest or possession of blueline tilefish
in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is limited to the bag and possession
limits specified in 50 CFR 622.187(b)(2)(iv) and 622.187(c)(1),
respectively. These bag and possession limits apply in the South
Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid Federal commercial or
charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has
been issued, without regard to where such species were harvested, i.e.,
in state or Federal waters.
Note that the recreational sector for blueline tilefish opened on
January 1 and closed March 30, 2015, when the final rule for Amendment
32 became effective, because Amendment 32 implemented a seasonal
closure for the recreational sector for blueline tilefish that extends
from September 1 through April 30. Currently, the recreational sector
for blueline tilefish is scheduled to reopen on May 1, 2015, and stay
open through August 31, 2015, if the recreational ACL has not been met.
Classification
The Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS, has determined
this temporary rule is necessary for the conservation and management of
blueline tilefish and the South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery and is
consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable laws.
This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.193(z)(1)(i) 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
[[Page 18552]]
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), finds that the need
to immediately implement this action to close the commercial sector for
blueline 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 prior notice and
opportunity for public comment are unnecessary and contrary to the
public interest. Such procedures are unnecessary because the
regulations at 50 CFR 622.193(z)(1)(i) 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
blueline tilefish, since the capacity of the fishing fleet allows for
rapid harvest of the commercial ACL. Prior notice and opportunity for
public comment would require time and would potentially result in a
harvest well in excess of the established commercial ACL.
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.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-07946 Filed 4-2-15; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE CODE 3510-22-P
