Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; 2016 Recreational Fishing Seasons for Red Snapper in the Gulf of Mexico, 25583-25584 [2016-09907]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 82 / Thursday, April 28, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
is effective for only the 2015, 2016, and
2017 fishing years. For the 2018 and
subsequent fishing years, the applicable
total recreational quota specified in
§ 622.39(a)(2)(i)(A) will apply to the
recreational sector.
(1) For fishing year 2015—2.964
million lb (1.344 million kg), round
weight.
(2) For fishing year 2016—3.042
million lb (1.380 million kg), round
weight.
(3) For fishing year 2017—2.993
million lb (1.358 million kg), round
weight.
(C) Private angling component quota.
The private angling component quota
applies to vessels that fish under the bag
limit and have not been issued a Federal
charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf
reef fish any time during the fishing
year. This component quota is effective
for only the 2015, 2016, and 2017
fishing years. For the 2018 and
subsequent fishing years, the applicable
total recreational quota specified in
§ 622.39(a)(2)(i)(A) will apply to the
recreational sector.
(1) For fishing year 2015—4.043
million lb (1.834 million kg), round
weight.
(2) For fishing year 2016—4.150
million lb (1.882 million kg), round
weight.
(3) For fishing year 2017—4.083
million lb (1.852 million kg), round
weight.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 3. In § 622.41, revise (q)(2)(iii) to read
as follows:
subsequent fishing years, the applicable
total recreational quota specified in
§ 622.39(a)(2)(i)(A) will apply to the
recreational sector.
(1) For fishing year 2015—2.371
million lb (1.075 million kg), round
weight.
(2) For fishing year 2016—2.434
million lb (1.104 million kg), round
weight.
(3) For fishing year 2017—2.395
million lb (1.086 million kg), round
weight.
(C) Private angling component ACT.
The private angling component ACT
applies to vessels that fish under the bag
limit and have not been issued a Federal
charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf
reef fish any time during the fishing
year. This component ACT is effective
for only the 2015, 2016, and 2017
fishing years. For the 2018 and
subsequent fishing years, the applicable
total recreational quota specified in
§ 622.39(a)(2)(i)(A) will apply to the
recreational sector.
(1) For fishing year 2015—3.234
million lb (1.467 million kg), round
weight.
(2) For fishing year 2016—3.320
million lb (1.506 million kg), round
weight.
(3) For fishing year 2017—3.266
million lb (1.481 million kg), round
weight.
[FR Doc. 2016–09892 Filed 4–27–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
*
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
§ 622.41 Annual catch limits (ACLs),
annual catch targets (ACTs), and
accountability measures (AMs).
50 CFR Part 622
*
*
*
*
(q) * * *
(2) * * *
(iii) Recreational ACT for red
snapper—(A) Total recreational ACT
(Federal charter vessel/headboat and
private angling component ACTs
combined)—(1) For fishing year 2015—
5.606 million lb (2.543 million kg),
round weight.
(2) For fishing year 2016—5.754
million lb (2.610 million kg), round
weight.
(3) For fishing year 2017 and
subsequent fishing years—5.661 million
lb (2.568 million kg), round weight.
(B) Federal charter vessel/headboat
component ACT. The Federal charter
vessel/headboat component ACT
applies to vessels that have been issued
a valid Federal charter vessel/headboat
permit for Gulf reef fish any time during
the fishing year. This component ACT is
effective for only the 2015, 2016, and
2017 fishing years. For the 2018 and
VerDate Sep<11>2014
21:32 Apr 27, 2016
Jkt 238001
[Docket No. 140818679–5356–02]
RIN 0648–XE575
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of
Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish
Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; 2016
Recreational Fishing Seasons for Red
Snapper in the Gulf of Mexico
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closures.
AGENCY:
NMFS announces the 2016
recreational fishing seasons for the
private angling and Federal charter
vessel/headboat (for-hire) components
for red snapper in the exclusive
economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of
Mexico (Gulf) through this temporary
rule. The Federal recreational seasons
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 4700
25583
for red snapper in the Gulf EEZ begin
at 12:01 a.m., local time, on June 1,
2016. For recreational harvest by the
private angling component, the season
closes at 12:01 a.m., local time, on June
10, 2016. For recreational harvest by the
Federal for-hire component, the season
closes at 12:01 a.m., local time, on July
17, 2016. These closures are necessary
to prevent the private angling and
Federal for-hire components from
exceeding their respective quotas
(annual catch limits (ACLs)) for the
fishing year and prevent overfishing of
the Gulf red snapper resource.
DATES: The closure is effective at 12:01
a.m., local time, June 10, 2016, until
12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2017,
for the private angling component. The
closure is effective at 12:01 a.m., local
time, July 17, 2016, until 12:01 a.m.,
local time, January 1, 2017, for the
Federal for-hire component. The 2017
Federal recreational fishing seasons for
the respective components begin on
June 1, 2017.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Peter Hood, NMFS Southeast Regional
Office, telephone: 727–824–5305, email:
peter.hood@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf
reef fish fishery, which includes red
snapper, is managed under the Fishery
Management Plan for the Reef Fish
Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP).
The FMP was prepared by the Gulf of
Mexico Fishery Management Council
(Council) and is implemented by NMFS
under the authority of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens
Act) by regulations at 50 CFR part 622.
The final rule implementing
Amendment 40 to the FMP established
two components within the recreational
sector fishing for Gulf red snapper, the
private angling component and the
Federal for-hire component (80 FR
22422, April 22, 2015). Amendment 40
also allocated the red snapper
recreational ACL and annual catch
target (ACT) between the components,
and established separate seasonal
closures for the two components. The
seasonal closures are projected from the
component ACTs (set 20 percent less
than the component ACLs) to reduce the
likelihood of harvests exceeding the
component ACLs and total recreational
ACL. Published in the same issue of the
Federal Register is the final rule for
Amendment 28 to the FMP to
implement revised ACLs for the
commercial sector and revised ACLs
and ACTs for the private angling and
Federal for-hire components of the
recreational sector for 2016 and 2017.
For 2016, the Amendment 28 final rule
E:\FR\FM\28APR3.SGM
28APR3
25584
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 82 / Thursday, April 28, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
set the private angling ACL at 4.150
million lb (1.882 million kg), round
weight, and ACT at 3.320 million lb
(1.506 million kg), round weight. The
ACL and ACT for the Federal for-hire
component in 2016 are 3.042 and 2.434
million lb (1.380 and 1.104 million kg),
round weight, respectively.
To project the 2016 recreational red
snapper seasons for the private angling
and Federal for-hire components, a
tiered projection approach was taken for
forecasting Gulf recreational red
snapper average weight and catch rates
for 2016. To account for Gulf state
recreational red snapper seasons in 2016
that are inconsistent with Federal
recreational seasons, state average
weights and daily catch rates for 2016
were based on observed values from the
2014 and 2015 seasons. Ten projection
scenarios were developed for
determining Federal season lengths for
the private angler component and
Federal for-hire component; five
projection scenarios were based on
recent years’ data and five were based
on regression methods using year, year
of rebuilding, spawning stock biomass,
fuel prices, per capita gross domestic
product, and state and Federal season
lengths as predictive covariates. As a
result of the assumed inconsistent
recreational season lengths for Gulf
states in 2016, NMFS projects that
landings from recreational harvest in
state waters will be approximately half
of the 2016 private angler component
ACT. The results from the ten projection
scenarios as well as additional details
about the calculation of the 2016
projections can be viewed in a report
located at https://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/
sustainable_fisheries/gulf_fisheries/red_
snapper/.
Based upon the mean of projection
scenarios using 2014 and 2015 observed
catch rates and mean weights, NMFS
VerDate Sep<11>2014
21:32 Apr 27, 2016
Jkt 238001
determines that the season for the
private angling component will be 9
days and the season for the Federal forhire component will be 46 days.
Therefore, the Federal season for the
private angling component will begin at
12:01 a.m., local time, June 1, 2016, and
close at 12:01 a.m., local time, June 10,
2016. The Federal season for the Federal
for-hire component will begin at 12:01
a.m., local time, June 1, 2016, and close
at 12:01 a.m., local time, July 17, 2016.
The 2017 Federal recreational fishing
seasons for the respective components
begin on June 1, 2017.
On and after the effective date of a
recreational component closure, the bag
and possession limits for red snapper in
the respective component are zero.
When the Federal charter vessel/
headboat component or entire
recreational sector is closed, these bag
and possession limits apply in the Gulf
on board a vessel for which a valid
Federal charter vessel/headboat permit
for Gulf reef fish has been issued,
without regard to where such species
were harvested, i.e., in state or Federal
waters.
Classification
The Regional Administrator for the
NMFS Southeast Region has determined
this temporary rule is necessary for the
conservation and management of Gulf
red snapper and is consistent with the
Magnuson-Stevens Act and other
applicable laws.
This action is taken under 50 CFR
622.41(q)(2)(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 NOAA
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 4701
Sfmt 9990
Fisheries (AA), finds that the need to
immediately implement this action to
close the private angling and Federal
for-hire components for the red snapper
recreational sector constitute good cause
to waive the requirements to provide
prior notice and opportunity for public
comment on this temporary rule
pursuant to the authority set forth in 5
U.S.C. 553(b)(B), because such
procedures are unnecessary and
contrary to the public interest. Such
procedures are unnecessary because the
rule implementing the recreational red
snapper ACLs and ACTs, and the rule
implementing the requirement to close
the recreational components when the
ACTs are projected to be reached have
already been subject to notice and
comment, and all that remains is to
notify the public of the closures.
Providing prior notice and opportunity
for public comment are contrary to the
public interest because of the need to
immediately implement this action to
protect Gulf red snapper. Prior notice
and opportunity for public comment
would require time and many of those
affected by the length of the recreational
fishing seasons, particularly charter
vessel and headboat operations that
book trips for clients in advance, need
as much advance notice as NMFS is able
to provide to adjust their business plans
to account for the recreational fishing
seasons.
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: April 22, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–09907 Filed 4–27–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
E:\FR\FM\28APR3.SGM
28APR3
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 82 (Thursday, April 28, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25583-25584]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-09907]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 140818679-5356-02]
RIN 0648-XE575
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic;
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; 2016 Recreational Fishing
Seasons for Red Snapper in the Gulf of Mexico
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closures.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS announces the 2016 recreational fishing seasons for the
private angling and Federal charter vessel/headboat (for-hire)
components for red snapper in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the
Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) through this temporary rule. The Federal
recreational seasons for red snapper in the Gulf EEZ begin at 12:01
a.m., local time, on June 1, 2016. For recreational harvest by the
private angling component, the season closes at 12:01 a.m., local time,
on June 10, 2016. For recreational harvest by the Federal for-hire
component, the season closes at 12:01 a.m., local time, on July 17,
2016. These closures are necessary to prevent the private angling and
Federal for-hire components from exceeding their respective quotas
(annual catch limits (ACLs)) for the fishing year and prevent
overfishing of the Gulf red snapper resource.
DATES: The closure is effective at 12:01 a.m., local time, June 10,
2016, until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2017, for the private
angling component. The closure is effective at 12:01 a.m., local time,
July 17, 2016, until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2017, for the
Federal for-hire component. The 2017 Federal recreational fishing
seasons for the respective components begin on June 1, 2017.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Hood, NMFS Southeast Regional
Office, telephone: 727-824-5305, email: peter.hood@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf reef fish fishery, which includes
red snapper, is managed under the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef
Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) and is implemented
by NMFS under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by regulations
at 50 CFR part 622.
The final rule implementing Amendment 40 to the FMP established two
components within the recreational sector fishing for Gulf red snapper,
the private angling component and the Federal for-hire component (80 FR
22422, April 22, 2015). Amendment 40 also allocated the red snapper
recreational ACL and annual catch target (ACT) between the components,
and established separate seasonal closures for the two components. The
seasonal closures are projected from the component ACTs (set 20 percent
less than the component ACLs) to reduce the likelihood of harvests
exceeding the component ACLs and total recreational ACL. Published in
the same issue of the Federal Register is the final rule for Amendment
28 to the FMP to implement revised ACLs for the commercial sector and
revised ACLs and ACTs for the private angling and Federal for-hire
components of the recreational sector for 2016 and 2017. For 2016, the
Amendment 28 final rule
[[Page 25584]]
set the private angling ACL at 4.150 million lb (1.882 million kg),
round weight, and ACT at 3.320 million lb (1.506 million kg), round
weight. The ACL and ACT for the Federal for-hire component in 2016 are
3.042 and 2.434 million lb (1.380 and 1.104 million kg), round weight,
respectively.
To project the 2016 recreational red snapper seasons for the
private angling and Federal for-hire components, a tiered projection
approach was taken for forecasting Gulf recreational red snapper
average weight and catch rates for 2016. To account for Gulf state
recreational red snapper seasons in 2016 that are inconsistent with
Federal recreational seasons, state average weights and daily catch
rates for 2016 were based on observed values from the 2014 and 2015
seasons. Ten projection scenarios were developed for determining
Federal season lengths for the private angler component and Federal
for-hire component; five projection scenarios were based on recent
years' data and five were based on regression methods using year, year
of rebuilding, spawning stock biomass, fuel prices, per capita gross
domestic product, and state and Federal season lengths as predictive
covariates. As a result of the assumed inconsistent recreational season
lengths for Gulf states in 2016, NMFS projects that landings from
recreational harvest in state waters will be approximately half of the
2016 private angler component ACT. The results from the ten projection
scenarios as well as additional details about the calculation of the
2016 projections can be viewed in a report located at https://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_fisheries/red_snapper/.
Based upon the mean of projection scenarios using 2014 and 2015
observed catch rates and mean weights, NMFS determines that the season
for the private angling component will be 9 days and the season for the
Federal for-hire component will be 46 days. Therefore, the Federal
season for the private angling component will begin at 12:01 a.m.,
local time, June 1, 2016, and close at 12:01 a.m., local time, June 10,
2016. The Federal season for the Federal for-hire component will begin
at 12:01 a.m., local time, June 1, 2016, and close at 12:01 a.m., local
time, July 17, 2016. The 2017 Federal recreational fishing seasons for
the respective components begin on June 1, 2017.
On and after the effective date of a recreational component
closure, the bag and possession limits for red snapper in the
respective component are zero. When the Federal charter vessel/headboat
component or entire recreational sector is closed, these bag and
possession limits apply in the Gulf on board a vessel for which a valid
Federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef fish has been
issued, without regard to where such species were harvested, i.e., in
state or Federal waters.
Classification
The Regional Administrator for the NMFS Southeast Region has
determined this temporary rule is necessary for the conservation and
management of Gulf red snapper and is consistent with the Magnuson-
Stevens Act and other applicable laws.
This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.41(q)(2)(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 NOAA Fisheries (AA), finds that the
need to immediately implement this action to close the private angling
and Federal for-hire components for the red snapper recreational sector
constitute good cause to waive the requirements to provide prior notice
and opportunity for public comment on this temporary rule pursuant to
the authority set forth in 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), because such procedures
are unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. Such procedures
are unnecessary because the rule implementing the recreational red
snapper ACLs and ACTs, and the rule implementing the requirement to
close the recreational components when the ACTs are projected to be
reached have already been subject to notice and comment, and all that
remains is to notify the public of the closures. Providing prior notice
and opportunity for public comment are contrary to the public interest
because of the need to immediately implement this action to protect
Gulf red snapper. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment would
require time and many of those affected by the length of the
recreational fishing seasons, particularly charter vessel and headboat
operations that book trips for clients in advance, need as much advance
notice as NMFS is able to provide to adjust their business plans to
account for the recreational fishing seasons.
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: April 22, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-09907 Filed 4-27-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
