Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; 2015 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic Yellowtail Snapper, 65970-65971 [2015-27421]

Download as PDF 65970 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 208 / Wednesday, October 28, 2015 / Rules and Regulations Flooding source(s) Location of referenced elevation *Elevation in feet (NGVD) + Elevation in feet (NAVD) # Depth in feet above ground ∧ Elevation in meters (MSL) Modified Communities affected Unincorporated Areas of Ouachita Parish Maps are available for inspection at the Ray Oliver Wright Health Unit, 1650 Desiard Street, Suite 202, Monroe, LA 71201. Dated: October 8, 2015. Roy E. Wright, Deputy Associate Administrator for Insurance and Mitigation, Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency. [FR Doc. 2015–27469 Filed 10–27–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110–12–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 622 [Docket No. 100812345–2142–03] RIN 0648–XE216 Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; 2015 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic Yellowtail Snapper National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. AGENCY: NMFS implements accountability measures (AMs) for the yellowtail snapper commercial sector in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic for the 2015 fishing year through this temporary rule. Commercial landings for yellowtail snapper, as estimated by the Science and Research Director, are projected to reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) on October 31, 2015. Therefore, NMFS closes the yellowtail snapper commercial sector on October 31, 2015, through the remainder of the fishing year in the South Atlantic EEZ. This closure is necessary to protect the South Atlantic yellowtail snapper resource. DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m., local time, October 31, 2015, until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2016. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Vara, NMFS Southeast Regional Office, telephone: 727–824–5305, email: mary.vara@noaa.gov. Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:03 Oct 27, 2015 Jkt 238001 The snapper-grouper fishery of the South Atlantic, which includes yellowtail snapper, 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. The yellowtail snapper commercial ACL is 1,596,510 lb (725,686 kg), round weight. Under 50 CFR 622.193(n)(1)(i), NMFS is required to close the yellowtail snapper commercial sector when the commercial ACL has been reached, or is projected to be reached, by filing a notification to that effect with the Office of the Federal Register. NMFS has determined that the yellowtail snapper commercial sector is projected to reach the ACL on October 31, 2015. Therefore, this temporary rule implements an AM to close the yellowtail snapper commercial sector in the South Atlantic EEZ, effective 12:01 a.m., local time, October 31, 2015. The operator of a vessel with a valid commercial vessel permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper having yellowtail snapper on board must have landed and bartered, traded, or sold such species prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, October 31, 2015. During the closure, the bag limit specified in 50 CFR 622.187(b)(4) and the possession limits specified in 50 CFR 622.187(c) apply to all harvest or possession of yellowtail snapper in or from the South Atlantic EEZ. These bag and possession limits apply 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. During the closure, the sale or purchase of yellowtail snapper taken from the EEZ is prohibited. The prohibition on sale or purchase does not apply to the sale or purchase of yellowtail snapper that were harvested, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00090 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, October 31, 2015, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor. Classification The Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS, has determined this temporary rule is necessary for the conservation and management of yellowtail snapper, a component of 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(n)(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 Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), finds that the need to immediately implement this action to close the yellowtail snapper 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 procedures are unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. Such procedures are unnecessary because the rule itself has 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 of the need to immediately implement this action to protect yellowtail snapper 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. E:\FR\FM\28OCR1.SGM 28OCR1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 208 / Wednesday, October 28, 2015 / Rules and Regulations Dated: October 22, 2015. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015–27421 Filed 10–26–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 141021887–5172–02] RIN 0648–XE269 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation. AGENCY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amounts of Pacific cod from catcher vessels greater than 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using pot gear, American Fisheries Act (AFA) trawl catcher processors (C/Ps), and catcher vessels using trawl gear to Amendment 80 (A80) C/Ps, C/Ps using hook-and-line gear, and C/Ps using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to allow the 2015 total allowable catch of Pacific cod to be harvested. DATES: Effective October 23, 2015, through 2400 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 31, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 907–586–7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Regulations governing fishing by Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:03 Oct 27, 2015 Jkt 238001 U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. The 2015 Pacific cod TAC specified for catcher vessels greater than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot gear in the BSAI is 17,641 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015) and reallocation (80 FR 57105, September 22, 2015). The Regional Administrator has determined that catcher vessels greater than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot gear in the BSAI will not be able to harvest 1,000 mt of the remaining 2015 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(5). The 2015 Pacific cod TAC specified for catcher vessels using trawl gear in the BSAI is 43,224 mt as established by the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015) and reallocation (80 FR 57105, September 22, 2015). The Regional Administrator has determined that catcher vessels using trawl gear will not be able to harvest 3,870 mt of the remaining 2015 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(9). The 2015 Pacific cod TAC specified for AFA trawl C/Ps in the BSAI is 5,623 mt as established by the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015) and reallocation (80 FR 57105, September 22, 2015). The Regional Administrator has determined that AFA trawl C/Ps will not be able to harvest 1,000 mt of the remaining 2015 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(7). Therefore, in accordance with § 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A) and § 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(B), NMFS reallocates 5,870 mt of Pacific cod to A80 C/Ps, C/Ps using hook-and-line gear, and C/Ps using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. The harvest specifications for Pacific cod included in the final 2015 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015, 80 FR 51757, August 26, 2015, and 80 FR 57105, September 22, 2015) are revised as follows: 16,641 mt for catcher vessels greater than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot gear, 39,354 mt for catcher vessels PO 00000 Frm 00091 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 65971 using trawl gear, 4,623 mt to AFA trawl C/Ps, 32,216 mt to A80 C/Ps, 111,071 mt for C/Ps using hook-and-line, and 5,829 mt for C/Ps using pot gear. Classification This action responds to the best available information recently obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. This requirement is impracticable and contrary to the public interest as it would prevent NMFS from responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and would delay the reallocation of Pacific cod specified from multiple sectors to A80 C/Ps, C/Ps using hook-and-line gear, and C/Ps using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. Since these fisheries are currently open, it is important to immediately inform the industry as to the revised allocations. Immediate notification is necessary to allow for the orderly conduct and efficient operation of this fishery, to allow the industry to plan for the fishing season, and to avoid potential disruption to the fishing fleet as well as processors. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of October 19, 2015. The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the effective date of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and opportunity for public comment. This action is required by § 679.20 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: October 23, 2015. Alan D. Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015–27429 Filed 10–23–15; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\28OCR1.SGM 28OCR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 208 (Wednesday, October 28, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65970-65971]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-27421]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 100812345-2142-03]
RIN 0648-XE216


Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; 2015 Commercial 
Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic Yellowtail 
Snapper

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS implements accountability measures (AMs) for the 
yellowtail snapper commercial sector in the exclusive economic zone 
(EEZ) of the South Atlantic for the 2015 fishing year through this 
temporary rule. Commercial landings for yellowtail snapper, as 
estimated by the Science and Research Director, are projected to reach 
the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) on October 31, 2015. Therefore, 
NMFS closes the yellowtail snapper commercial sector on October 31, 
2015, through the remainder of the fishing year in the South Atlantic 
EEZ. This closure is necessary to protect the South Atlantic yellowtail 
snapper resource.

DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m., local time, October 31, 2015, 
until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Vara, NMFS Southeast Regional 
Office, telephone: 727-824-5305, email: mary.vara@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The snapper-grouper fishery of the South 
Atlantic, which includes yellowtail snapper, 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.
    The yellowtail snapper commercial ACL is 1,596,510 lb (725,686 kg), 
round weight. Under 50 CFR 622.193(n)(1)(i), NMFS is required to close 
the yellowtail snapper commercial sector when the commercial ACL has 
been reached, or is projected to be reached, by filing a notification 
to that effect with the Office of the Federal Register. NMFS has 
determined that the yellowtail snapper commercial sector is projected 
to reach the ACL on October 31, 2015. Therefore, this temporary rule 
implements an AM to close the yellowtail snapper commercial sector in 
the South Atlantic EEZ, effective 12:01 a.m., local time, October 31, 
2015.
    The operator of a vessel with a valid commercial vessel permit for 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper having yellowtail snapper on board must 
have landed and bartered, traded, or sold such species prior to 12:01 
a.m., local time, October 31, 2015. During the closure, the bag limit 
specified in 50 CFR 622.187(b)(4) and the possession limits specified 
in 50 CFR 622.187(c) apply to all harvest or possession of yellowtail 
snapper in or from the South Atlantic EEZ. These bag and possession 
limits apply 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. During the closure, the sale or purchase of 
yellowtail snapper taken from the EEZ is prohibited. The prohibition on 
sale or purchase does not apply to the sale or purchase of yellowtail 
snapper that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 
a.m., local time, October 31, 2015, and were held in cold storage by a 
dealer or processor.

Classification

    The Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS, has determined 
this temporary rule is necessary for the conservation and management of 
yellowtail snapper, a component of 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(n)(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 Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), finds that the 
need to immediately implement this action to close the yellowtail 
snapper 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 
procedures are unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. Such 
procedures are unnecessary because the rule itself has 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 of 
the need to immediately implement this action to protect yellowtail 
snapper 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.


[[Page 65971]]


    Dated: October 22, 2015.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-27421 Filed 10-26-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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