Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Resources of the South Atlantic; Trip Limit Reduction, 58411-58412 [2016-20414]
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 165 / Thursday, August 25, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
This action is required by 50 CFR
300.223(a) and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.
Dated: August 22, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–20420 Filed 8–24–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 120403249–2492–02]
RIN 0648–XE829
Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South
Atlantic; 2016 Recreational
Accountability Measure and Closure
for South Atlantic Golden Tilefish
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
AGENCY:
NMFS implements
accountability measures (AMs) for the
golden tilefish recreational sector in the
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the
South Atlantic for the 2016 fishing year
through this temporary rule. NMFS
estimates recreational landings of
golden tilefish in 2016 have exceeded
the recreational annual catch limit
(ACL). Therefore, NMFS closes the
golden tilefish recreational sector in the
South Atlantic EEZ on August 27, 2016.
This closure is necessary to protect the
golden tilefish resource.
DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m.,
local time, August 27, 2016, until 12:01
a.m., local time, January 1, 2017.
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 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 by NMFS under the
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management
Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by
regulations at 50 CFR part 622.
Lhorne on DSK30JT082PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
13:55 Aug 24, 2016
Jkt 238001
The recreational ACL for golden
tilefish is 3,019 fish. In accordance with
regulations at 50 CFR 622.193(a)(2)(i), if
recreational landings of golden tilefish
reach the recreational ACL, the
Assistant Administrator for NOAA
Fisheries (AA) will file a notification
with the Office of the Federal Register
to close the recreational sector for the
remainder of the fishing year. Landings
data from the NMFS Southeast Fisheries
Science Center in 2016 indicate that the
golden tilefish recreational ACL has
been exceeded. Therefore, this
temporary rule implements an AM to
close the golden tilefish recreational
sector of the snapper-grouper fishery for
the remainder of the 2016 fishing year.
As a result, the recreational sector for
golden tilefish in the South Atlantic
EEZ will be closed effective 12:01 a.m.,
local time August 27, 2016.
During the closure, the bag and
possession limits for golden tilefish in
or from the South Atlantic EEZ are zero.
The recreational sector for golden
tilefish will reopen on January 1, 2017,
the beginning of the 2017 recreational
fishing season.
Classification
The Regional Administrator for the
NMFS Southeast Region 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 and
other applicable laws.
This action is taken under 50 CFR
622.193(a)(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 AA
finds that the need to immediately
implement this action to close the
recreational sector for golden tilefish
constitutes good cause to waive the
requirements to provide prior notice
and opportunity for public comment on
this temporary rule pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
553(b)(B), because such procedures are
unnecessary and contrary to the public
interest. Such procedures are
unnecessary because the AMs
established by Regulatory Amendment
12 to the FMP (77 FR 61295, October 9,
2012) have already been subject to
notice and comment. All that remains is
to notify the public of the recreational
closure for golden tilefish for the
remainder of the 2016 fishing year. Prior
notice and opportunity for comment are
contrary to the public interest because
of the need to immediately implement
PO 00000
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Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
58411
this action to protect the golden tilefish
resource. Time required for notice and
public comment would allow for
continued recreational harvest and
further exceedance of the recreational
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.
Dated: August 22, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–20412 Filed 8–22–16; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 130312235–3658–02]
RIN 0648–XE824
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of
Mexico, and South Atlantic; SnapperGrouper Resources of the South
Atlantic; Trip Limit Reduction
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; trip limit
reduction.
AGENCY:
NMFS reduces the
commercial trip limit for vermilion
snapper in or from the exclusive
economic zone (EEZ) of the South
Atlantic to 500 lb (227 kg), gutted
weight, 555 lb (252 kg), round weight.
This trip limit reduction is necessary to
protect the South Atlantic vermilion
snapper resource.
DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m.,
local time, August 28, 2016, until 12:01
a.m., local time, January 1, 2017.
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 in the South
Atlantic includes vermilion snapper and
is managed under the Fishery
Management Plan for the SnapperGrouper Fishery of the South Atlantic
Region (FMP). The South Atlantic
Fishery Management Council prepared
the FMP. The FMP is implemented by
NMFS under the authority of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\25AUR1.SGM
25AUR1
58412
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 165 / Thursday, August 25, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
Lhorne on DSK30JT082PROD with RULES
Conservation and Management Act
(Magnuson-Stevens Act) by regulations
at 50 CFR part 622.
The commercial ACL (commercial
quota) for vermilion snapper in the
South Atlantic is divided into two 6month time periods, January through
June, and July through December. For
the July 1 through December 31, 2016,
fishing season, the commercial quota is
388,703 lb (176,313 kg), gutted weight,
431,460 lb (195,707 kg), round weight
(50 CFR 622.190(a)(4)(ii)(D)). As
specified in 50 CFR 622.190(a)(4)(iii),
any unused portion of the commercial
quota from the January through June
2016, fishing season would be added to
the commercial quota for the July
through December 2016, fishing season.
However, in 2016, there was no unused
commercial quota for the January
through June period as the commercial
sector reached its quota during the first
6-month period. Accordingly, the
commercial sector was closed on March
29, 2016, through June 30, 2016 (81 FR
16095, March 25, 2016).
Under 50 CFR 622.191(a)(6)(ii), NMFS
is required to reduce the commercial
trip limit for vermilion snapper from
1,000 lb (454 kg), gutted weight, 1,110
lb (503 kg), round weight, when 75
percent of the fishing season
commercial quota is reached or
projected to be reached, by filing a
notification to that effect with the Office
of the Federal Register, as established by
Regulatory Amendment 18 to the FMP
(78 FR 47574, August 6, 2013). The
reduced commercial trip limit is 500 lb
(227 kg), gutted weight, 555 lb (252 kg),
VerDate Sep<11>2014
13:55 Aug 24, 2016
Jkt 238001
round weight. Based on current
information, NMFS has determined that
75 percent of the available commercial
quota for the July through December
2016 fishing season for vermilion
snapper will be reached by August 28,
2016. Accordingly, NMFS is reducing
the commercial trip limit for vermilion
snapper to 500 lb (227 kg), gutted
weight, 555 lb (252 kg), round weight,
in or from the South Atlantic EEZ at
12:01 a.m., local time, on August 28,
2016. This reduced commercial trip
limit will remain in effect until the start
of the next commercial fishing season
on January 1, 2017, or until the
commercial quota is reached and the
commercial sector closes, whichever
occurs first.
Classification
The Regional Administrator,
Southeast Region, NMFS, has
determined this temporary rule is
necessary for the conservation and
management of South Atlantic
vermilion snapper and is consistent
with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and
other applicable laws.
This action is taken under 50 CFR
622.191(a)(6)(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 NOAA
Fisheries (AA) finds that the need to
immediately implement this
PO 00000
Frm 00032
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
commercial trip limit reduction
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), because prior notice
and opportunity for public comment on
this temporary rule is unnecessary and
contrary to the public interest. Such
procedures are unnecessary, because the
rule establishing the trip limit has
already been subject to notice and
comment, and all that remains is to
notify the public of the trip limit
reduction. Prior notice and opportunity
for public comment is contrary to the
public interest, because any delay in
reducing the commercial trip limit
could result in the commercial quota
being exceeded. There is a need to
immediately implement this action to
protect the vermilion snapper resource,
since the capacity of the fishing fleet
allows for rapid harvest of the
commercial quota. Prior notice and
opportunity for public comment on this
action would require time and increase
the probability that the commercial
sector could exceed its quota.
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: August 22, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–20414 Filed 8–22–16; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
E:\FR\FM\25AUR1.SGM
25AUR1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 165 (Thursday, August 25, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58411-58412]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-20414]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 130312235-3658-02]
RIN 0648-XE824
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic;
Snapper-Grouper Resources of the South Atlantic; Trip Limit Reduction
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; trip limit reduction.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS reduces the commercial trip limit for vermilion snapper
in or from the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic to
500 lb (227 kg), gutted weight, 555 lb (252 kg), round weight. This
trip limit reduction is necessary to protect the South Atlantic
vermilion snapper resource.
DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m., local time, August 28, 2016,
until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2017.
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 in the South
Atlantic includes vermilion snapper 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 prepared
the FMP. The FMP is implemented by NMFS under the authority of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
[[Page 58412]]
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by regulations
at 50 CFR part 622.
The commercial ACL (commercial quota) for vermilion snapper in the
South Atlantic is divided into two 6-month time periods, January
through June, and July through December. For the July 1 through
December 31, 2016, fishing season, the commercial quota is 388,703 lb
(176,313 kg), gutted weight, 431,460 lb (195,707 kg), round weight (50
CFR 622.190(a)(4)(ii)(D)). As specified in 50 CFR 622.190(a)(4)(iii),
any unused portion of the commercial quota from the January through
June 2016, fishing season would be added to the commercial quota for
the July through December 2016, fishing season. However, in 2016, there
was no unused commercial quota for the January through June period as
the commercial sector reached its quota during the first 6-month
period. Accordingly, the commercial sector was closed on March 29,
2016, through June 30, 2016 (81 FR 16095, March 25, 2016).
Under 50 CFR 622.191(a)(6)(ii), NMFS is required to reduce the
commercial trip limit for vermilion snapper from 1,000 lb (454 kg),
gutted weight, 1,110 lb (503 kg), round weight, when 75 percent of the
fishing season commercial quota is reached or projected to be reached,
by filing a notification to that effect with the Office of the Federal
Register, as established by Regulatory Amendment 18 to the FMP (78 FR
47574, August 6, 2013). The reduced commercial trip limit is 500 lb
(227 kg), gutted weight, 555 lb (252 kg), round weight. Based on
current information, NMFS has determined that 75 percent of the
available commercial quota for the July through December 2016 fishing
season for vermilion snapper will be reached by August 28, 2016.
Accordingly, NMFS is reducing the commercial trip limit for vermilion
snapper to 500 lb (227 kg), gutted weight, 555 lb (252 kg), round
weight, in or from the South Atlantic EEZ at 12:01 a.m., local time, on
August 28, 2016. This reduced commercial trip limit will remain in
effect until the start of the next commercial fishing season on January
1, 2017, or until the commercial quota is reached and the commercial
sector closes, whichever occurs first.
Classification
The Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS, has determined
this temporary rule is necessary for the conservation and management of
South Atlantic vermilion snapper and is consistent with the Magnuson-
Stevens Act and other applicable laws.
This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.191(a)(6)(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 NOAA Fisheries (AA) finds that the need
to immediately implement this commercial trip limit reduction
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), because prior notice and opportunity for
public comment on this temporary rule is unnecessary and contrary to
the public interest. Such procedures are unnecessary, because the rule
establishing the trip limit has already been subject to notice and
comment, and all that remains is to notify the public of the trip limit
reduction. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment is contrary
to the public interest, because any delay in reducing the commercial
trip limit could result in the commercial quota being exceeded. There
is a need to immediately implement this action to protect the vermilion
snapper resource, since the capacity of the fishing fleet allows for
rapid harvest of the commercial quota. Prior notice and opportunity for
public comment on this action would require time and increase the
probability that the commercial sector could exceed its quota.
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: August 22, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-20414 Filed 8-22-16; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
