Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Skate Complex; Adjustment to the Skate Bait Inseason Possession Limit, 71641 [2016-25139]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 201 / Tuesday, October 18, 2016 / Rules and Regulations immediate action to be effective on the fishing grounds and thus efficiently manage the fishery. NMFS could not effectively react to this data if, in implementing the retention limit, it allowed a public comment period, which, for both the quota transfers, would preclude fishermen from harvesting BFT that are legally available consistent with all of the regulatory criteria. Delays in adjusting the retention limit may result in the available quota being exceeded and NMFS needing to close the fishery earlier than otherwise would be necessary under a lower limit. This could adversely affect those General and HMS Charter/Headboat category vessels that would otherwise have an opportunity to harvest BFT under retention limits set in response to the most recent data available. Limited opportunities to harvest the respective quotas may have negative social and economic impacts for U.S. fishermen that depend upon catching the available quota within the time periods designated in the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP, as amended. Adjustment of the retention limit needs to be effective as soon as possible to extend fishing opportunities for fishermen in geographic areas with access to the fishery only during this time period. Therefore, the AA finds good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) to waive prior notice and the opportunity for public comment. For these reasons, there is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d) to waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness. This action is being taken under §§ 635.23(a)(4) and 635.27(a)(9), and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801 et seq. Dated: October 14, 2016. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016–25309 Filed 10–14–16; 4:15 pm] Lhorne on DSK30JT082PROD with RULES BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 [Docket No. 160301164–6694–02] RIN 0648–XE955 Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Skate Complex; Adjustment to the Skate Bait Inseason Possession Limit National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason adjustment. AGENCY: We announce the reduction of the commercial per-trip skate bait possession limit from 25,000 lb (11,340 kg) to 9,307 lb (4,222 kg) whole weight through October 31, 2016. This action is required to prevent the skate bait Season 2 quota from being exceeded. This announcement informs the public that the skate bait possession limit is reduced. DATES: Effective October 17, 2016, through October 31, 2016. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Whitmore, Fishery Policy Analyst, 978–281–9182. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Background The bait skate fishery is managed primarily through the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan. The regulations describing the process to adjust inseason commercial possession limits of skate bait are described at 50 CFR 648.322(b) and (d). When the National Marine Fisheries Service Regional Administrator, Greater Atlantic Region projects that 90 percent of the skate bait fishery seasonal quota has been landed, the Regional Administrator is required to reduce the skate bait trip limit unless such a reduction would be expected to prevent attainment of the seasonal quota or annual TAL. The current skate bait trip limit is 25,000 lb (11,340 kg) and the current skate wing trip limit is 9,307 lb (4,222 kg) whole weight, 4,100 lb (1,860 kg) skate wings. Inseason Action Based on commercial landings data reported through October 1, 2016, the skate bait fishery is projected to reach or exceed 90 percent of the Season 2 quota on or around October 15, 2016. Further, catch projections indicate that retaining the current skate bait possession limits VerDate Sep<11>2014 12:31 Oct 17, 2016 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 71641 would result in 109 percent of the Season 2 quota being harvested. Additional projections indicate that the annual TAL is likely to be attained in Season 3, even with this season 2 possession limit reduction. Therefore, consistent with § 648.322(b) and (d) we are reducing the skate wing trip limit from 25,000 lb (11,340 kg) to 9,307 lb (4,222 kg) whole weight [4,100 lb (1,860 kg) skate wings] to prevent the season 2 quota from being exceeded. Beginning October 17, 2016, no person may possess on board or land more than 9,307 lb (4,222 kg) of skate bait per trip for the remainder of Season 2 (i.e., through October 31, 2016). The 25,000 lb (11,340 kg) skate bait trip limit is reinstated on November 1, 2016, the start of Season 3. Classification This action is taken under 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: October 13, 2016. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016–25139 Filed 10–13–16; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 150818742–6210–02] RIN 0648–XE966 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. AGENCY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of the incidental catch allowance for Pacific Ocean perch in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the 2016 total allowable catch of Pacific Ocean perch apportioned to the incidental catch allowance in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached. DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 14, 2016, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2016. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\18OCR1.SGM 18OCR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 201 (Tuesday, October 18, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 71641]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-25139]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 160301164-6694-02]
RIN 0648-XE955


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Skate 
Complex; Adjustment to the Skate Bait Inseason Possession Limit

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason adjustment.

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SUMMARY: We announce the reduction of the commercial per-trip skate 
bait possession limit from 25,000 lb (11,340 kg) to 9,307 lb (4,222 kg) 
whole weight through October 31, 2016. This action is required to 
prevent the skate bait Season 2 quota from being exceeded. This 
announcement informs the public that the skate bait possession limit is 
reduced.

DATES: Effective October 17, 2016, through October 31, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Whitmore, Fishery Policy 
Analyst, 978-281-9182.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The bait skate fishery is managed primarily through the Northeast 
Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan. The regulations describing the 
process to adjust inseason commercial possession limits of skate bait 
are described at 50 CFR 648.322(b) and (d). When the National Marine 
Fisheries Service Regional Administrator, Greater Atlantic Region 
projects that 90 percent of the skate bait fishery seasonal quota has 
been landed, the Regional Administrator is required to reduce the skate 
bait trip limit unless such a reduction would be expected to prevent 
attainment of the seasonal quota or annual TAL. The current skate bait 
trip limit is 25,000 lb (11,340 kg) and the current skate wing trip 
limit is 9,307 lb (4,222 kg) whole weight, 4,100 lb (1,860 kg) skate 
wings.

Inseason Action

    Based on commercial landings data reported through October 1, 2016, 
the skate bait fishery is projected to reach or exceed 90 percent of 
the Season 2 quota on or around October 15, 2016. Further, catch 
projections indicate that retaining the current skate bait possession 
limits would result in 109 percent of the Season 2 quota being 
harvested. Additional projections indicate that the annual TAL is 
likely to be attained in Season 3, even with this season 2 possession 
limit reduction. Therefore, consistent with Sec.  648.322(b) and (d) we 
are reducing the skate wing trip limit from 25,000 lb (11,340 kg) to 
9,307 lb (4,222 kg) whole weight [4,100 lb (1,860 kg) skate wings] to 
prevent the season 2 quota from being exceeded. Beginning October 17, 
2016, no person may possess on board or land more than 9,307 lb (4,222 
kg) of skate bait per trip for the remainder of Season 2 (i.e., through 
October 31, 2016). The 25,000 lb (11,340 kg) skate bait trip limit is 
reinstated on November 1, 2016, the start of Season 3.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from 
review under Executive Order 12866.

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: October 13, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-25139 Filed 10-13-16; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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