Revisions to Framework Adjustment 56 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan, 51778-51781 [2017-24346]
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51778
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 215 / Wednesday, November 8, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES
and bartered, traded, or sold such gray
triggerfish prior to 12:01 a.m., local
time, November 8, 2017. During the
closure, the bag limit specified in 50
CFR 622.187(b)(8), and the possession
limits specified in 50 CFR 622.187(c),
apply to all harvest or possession of gray
triggerfish in or from the South Atlantic
EEZ. Also, during the closure, the sale
or purchase of gray triggerfish taken
from the South Atlantic EEZ is
prohibited. The prohibition on the sale
or purchase does not apply to gray
triggerfish that were harvested, landed
ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m.,
local time, November 8, 2017, and were
held in cold storage by a dealer or
processor.
For a person onboard a vessel for
which a Federal commercial or charter
vessel/headboat permit for the South
Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery has
been issued, the bag and possession
limits and sale and purchase
prohibitions applicable after the
commercial quota closure for gray
triggerfish apply regardless of whether
the fish are harvested in state or Federal
waters, as specified in 50 CFR
622.193(q)(1)(i).
Classification
The Regional Administrator,
Southeast Region, NMFS, has
determined this temporary rule is
necessary for the conservation and
management of gray triggerfish 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(q)(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
NOAA Assistant Administrator for
Fisheries (AA), finds that the need to
immediately implement this action to
close the commercial sector for gray
triggerfish 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 implementing Amendment 29,
which established the split commercial
seasons and quotas for gray triggerfish,
and the accountability measures have
already been subject to notice and
comment, and all that remains is to
notify the public of the closure. Such
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procedures are contrary to the public
interest because of the need to
immediately implement this action to
protect gray triggerfish since the
capacity of the fishing fleet allows for
rapid harvest of the commercial quota.
Prior notice and opportunity for public
comment would require time and could
potentially result in a harvest well in
excess of the established commercial
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: November 3, 2017.
Emily Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017–24311 Filed 11–3–17; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 648
[Docket No. 161017970–6999–02]
RIN 0648–XF806
Fisheries of the Northeastern United
States; Summer Flounder Fishery;
Quota Transfer
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; quota transfer.
AGENCY:
NMFS announces that the
State of Maine is transferring a portion
of its 2017 commercial summer flounder
quota to the State of Connecticut. This
quota adjustment is necessary to comply
with the Summer Flounder, Scup, and
Black Sea Bass Fishery Management
Plan quota transfer provisions. This
announcement informs the public of the
revised commercial quotas for Maine
and Connecticut.
DATES: Effective November 7, 2017,
through December 31, 2017.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Cynthia Hanson, Fishery Management
Specialist, (978) 281–9180.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Regulations governing the summer
flounder fishery are found in 50 CFR
648.100 through 648.110. These
regulations require annual specification
of a commercial quota that is
apportioned among the coastal states
from Maine through North Carolina. The
SUMMARY:
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process to set the annual commercial
quota and the percent allocated to each
state is described in § 648.102, and the
initial 2017 allocations were published
on December 22, 2016 (81 FR 93842).
The final rule implementing
Amendment 5 to the Summer Flounder
Fishery Management Plan, as published
in the Federal Register on December 17,
1993 (58 FR 65936), provided a
mechanism for transferring summer
flounder commercial quota from one
state to another. Two or more states,
under mutual agreement and with the
concurrence of the NMFS Greater
Atlantic Regional Administrator, can
transfer or combine summer flounder
commercial quota under § 648.102(c)(2).
The Regional Administrator is required
to consider the criteria in
§ 648.102(c)(2)(i)(A) through (C) in the
evaluation of requests for quota transfers
or combinations.
Maine is transferring 2,500 lb (1,134
kg) of summer flounder commercial
quota to Connecticut. This transfer was
requested by state officials in
Connecticut to ensure their commercial
summer flounder quota is not exceeded.
The revised summer flounder quotas for
calendar year 2017 are now: Maine, 192
lb (87 kg); and Connecticut, 130,234 lb
(59,073 kg); based on the initial quotas
published in the 2017 Summer
Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass
Specifications and subsequent transfers.
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: November 3, 2017.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017–24321 Filed 11–7–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 648
[Docket No. 170919911–7911–01]
RIN 0648–XF710
Revisions to Framework Adjustment
56 to the Northeast Multispecies
Fishery Management Plan
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
AGENCY:
E:\FR\FM\08NOR1.SGM
08NOR1
51779
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 215 / Wednesday, November 8, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
Final rule; adjustment to
specifications.
ACTION:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
We are adjusting the 2017
fishing year Georges Bank cod allocation
for the common pool and making minor
corrections to the 2017 sector carryover
and annual catch entitlement. This
action is necessary to respond to a 2016
overage of the Georges Bank cod
allocation for the common pool fishery
and correct an error in the carryover and
annual catch entitlement available to
sectors in 2017. These adjustments are
routine and formulaic and are intended
to ensure that final allocations are based
on the best scientific information
available.
Emily Keiley, Fishery Management
Specialist, (978) 281–9116.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We
recently approved Framework
Adjustment 56 to the Northeast
Multispecies Fishery Management Plan
(FMP), which set annual catch limits
(ACLs) for groundfish stocks and three
jointly managed U.S./Canada stocks for
the 2017 fishing year. This action
became effective on August 1, 2017 (82
FR 16133). The possibility of minor
adjustments and corrections was noted
in the Framework 56 proposed and final
rules because final allocations are not
always available at the time of the
rulemaking for the upcoming fishing
year. This action revises the Georges
Bank (GB) cod common pool sub-ACL
due to a 2016 overage as required by
SUMMARY:
Effective November 8, 2017,
through April 30, 2018.
DATES:
regulation and corrects an error in the
2017 sector carryover and annual catch
entitlement (ACE) included in the
Framework 56 final rule.
Georges Bank Cod Common Pool SubAnnual Catch Limit
If the common pool sub-ACL for any
stock is exceeded, we are required to
reduce the common pool sub-ACL by
the amount of the overage in the next
fishing year. The fishing year 2016
common pool sub-ACL for GB cod was
exceeded by 2.8 mt. Therefore, this
action reduces the fishing year 2017 GB
cod common pool sub-ACL by 2.8 mt
resulting in a sub-ACL of 7.0 mt. The
revised trimester total allowable catches
(TACs), based on the overage deduction,
are provided in Table 1.
TABLE 1—INITIAL AND REVISED GEORGES BANK COD TRIMESTER TACS
Trimester 1
Allocation Percentage .................................................................................................................
Initial Trimester TAC ...................................................................................................................
Revised Trimester TAC ..............................................................................................................
Correction to Sector Carryover
The Framework 56 final rule included
the amount of allocation that sectors
may carry over from the 2016 to the
2017 fishing year based on the final
2016 sector catch. An error was made
when calculating the de minimis
amount of GB haddock carryover and
the total Eastern GB haddock ACE
available to sectors in 2017. The
corrected Eastern GB haddock ACE
available to sectors in 2017 and the
Trimester 2
25% ................
2.4 mt .............
1.7 mt .............
37% ................
3.6 mt .............
2.6 mt .............
Trimester 3
38%
3.7 mt
2.7 mt
revised de minimis carryover ACE for
GB haddock are provided in Tables 2
and 3. These adjustments are minor,
increase available catch, will not affect
fishery operations, and have already
been provided to sectors.
TABLE 2—COMPARISON OF DE MINIMIS GB HADDOCK CARRYOVER ACE FROM FISHING YEAR 2016 TO FISHING YEAR
2017 (lb) PUBLISHED IN FRAMEWORK 56 AND THE CORRECTED VALUES
Framework 56
Table 14
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Sector
Revised
Fixed Gear Sector .................................................................................................................................................
MCCS 1 ..................................................................................................................................................................
NCCS 1 ...................................................................................................................................................................
NEFS 1 ..................................................................................................................................................................
NEFS 2 ..................................................................................................................................................................
NEFS 3 ..................................................................................................................................................................
NEFS 4 ..................................................................................................................................................................
NEFS 5 ..................................................................................................................................................................
NEFS 6 ..................................................................................................................................................................
NEFS 7 ..................................................................................................................................................................
NEFS 8 ..................................................................................................................................................................
NEFS 9 ..................................................................................................................................................................
NEFS 10 ................................................................................................................................................................
NEFS 11 ................................................................................................................................................................
NEFS 12 ................................................................................................................................................................
NEFS 13 ................................................................................................................................................................
Sustainable Harvest Sector 1 ................................................................................................................................
Sustainable Harvest Sector 2 ................................................................................................................................
Sustainable Harvest Sector 3 ................................................................................................................................
60,981
2,679
3,379
0
102,574
486
51,454
7,843
28,146
13,006
57,191
108,123
1,583
358
904
193,422
24,260
3863
287,713
73,563
2,679
4,076
0
123,738
586
62,071
9,461
33,953
15,690
68,991
130,432
1,910
432
1,091
233,331
29,265
4,659
347,077
Sectors Total ..................................................................................................................................................
947,965
1,143,005
1 Maine
Coast Community Sector (MCCS), Northeast Coastal Community Sector (NCCS).
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 215 / Wednesday, November 8, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 3—COMPARISON OF TOTAL EASTERN GB HADDOCK ACE AVAILABLE TO SECTORS IN FISHING YEAR 2017 WITH
FINALIZED CARRYOVER (mt AND 1,000 lb) PUBLISHED IN FRAMEWORK 56 AND AS REVISED
Total ACE available to sectors in fishing year 2017 with finalized
carryover
Sector
(mt)
Framework 56
Table 15
(1,000 lb)
Framework 56
Table 16
Revised
Revised
Fixed Gear Sector .......................................................................................
MCCS ..........................................................................................................
Maine Permit Bank ......................................................................................
NCCS ...........................................................................................................
NEFS 1 ........................................................................................................
NEFS 2 ........................................................................................................
NEFS 3 ........................................................................................................
NEFS 4 ........................................................................................................
NEFS 5 ........................................................................................................
NEFS 6 ........................................................................................................
NEFS 7 ........................................................................................................
NEFS 8 ........................................................................................................
NEFS 9 ........................................................................................................
NEFS 10 ......................................................................................................
NEFS 11 ......................................................................................................
NEFS 12 ......................................................................................................
NEFS 13 ......................................................................................................
New Hampshire Permit Bank ......................................................................
Sustainable Harvest Sector 1 ......................................................................
Sustainable Harvest Sector 2 ......................................................................
Sustainable Harvest Sector 3 ......................................................................
1,300
197
9
72
0
2,187
10
1,097
167
600
277
1,219
2,305
34
8
19
4,123
0
517
82
6,133
1,871
283
13
104
0
3,147
15
1,578
241
863
399
1,754
3,317
49
11
28
5,934
0
744
118
8,826
2,866
434
20
159
0
4,821
23
2,418
369
1,323
611
2,688
5,081
74
17
42
9,090
0
1,140
182
13,522
4,124
625
29
228
0
6,937
33
3,480
530
1,903
880
3,868
7,312
107
24
61
13,081
0
1,641
261
19,458
Sectors Total ........................................................................................
20,375
29,295
44,880
64,583
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Classification
The NMFS Assistant Administrator
has determined that this final rule is
consistent with the FMP, other
provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management
Act, and other applicable law.
This action is exempt from the
procedures of Executive Order (E.O.)
12866 because this action contains no
implementing regulations.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B), we
find good cause to waive prior public
notice and opportunity for public
comment on the catch limit and
allocation adjustments because allowing
time for notice and comment is
impracticable, unnecessary, and
contrary to the public interest. We also
find good cause to waive the 30-day
delay in effectiveness pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553(d)(3), so that this final rule
may become effective upon publication.
There are several reasons that notice
and comment are impracticable,
unnecessary, and contrary to the public
interest. The proposed and final rules
for Framework 56 explained the
possibility of minor adjustments and
corrections because final allocations are
not always available at the time of the
rulemaking for the upcoming fishing
year. These adjustments are routine and
formulaic, required by regulation, and
necessary to ensure that overfishing
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:22 Nov 07, 2017
Jkt 244001
does not occur. Because these
adjustments are part of the annual
allocation process, and are highlighted
in the proposed and final rules for the
upcoming fishing year, industry
anticipates an annual adjustment rule.
No comments were received on the
potential for these adjustments, which
provide an accurate accounting of a
sector and common pool allocations.
Additionally, the adjustments in this
rule are based on either a predetermined accountability measure, and
are not subject to NMFS’ discretion, or
a need to correct an error, so there
would be no benefit to allowing time for
prior notice and comment. Data
regarding final 2016 catch only became
available after publication of the
Framework 56 final rule.
If this rule is not effective
immediately, common pool and sector
vessels will be operating under incorrect
information on the catch limits for each
stock. The adjustment of the common
pool GB cod TAC requires immediate
action to ensure that additional overages
do not occur. TAC overages have
negative economic impacts, as well as
increasing the risk of overfishing.
Fishermen may make both short- and
long-term business decisions based on
the catch limits in a given sector or the
common pool. Any delays in adjusting
these limits may cause the affected
PO 00000
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fishing entities to slow down or speed
up their fishing activities during the
interim period before this rule becomes
effective. Both of these reactions could
negatively affect the fishery and the
businesses and communities that
depend on them. Therefore, it is
important to implement adjusted catch
limits and allocations as soon as
possible. For these reasons, we are
waiving the public comment period and
delay in effectiveness for this rule,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B) and
(d), respectively.
The Chief Counsel for Regulation,
Department of Commerce, previously
certified to the Chief Counsel for
Advocacy of the Small Business
Administration at the proposed rule
stage that Framework 56 would not have
a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities.
These minor adjustments will not
change the conclusions drawn from that
framework. Because advanced notice
and the opportunity for public comment
are not required for the correction under
the Administrative Procedure Act, or
any other law, the analytical
requirements of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq., do
not apply to this rule. Therefore, no new
regulatory flexibility analysis is required
and none has been prepared.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
E:\FR\FM\08NOR1.SGM
08NOR1
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 215 / Wednesday, November 8, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
Dated: November 3, 2017.
Samuel D. Rauch, III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017–24346 Filed 11–7–17; 8:45 am]
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BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 215 (Wednesday, November 8, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51778-51781]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-24346]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 648
[Docket No. 170919911-7911-01]
RIN 0648-XF710
Revisions to Framework Adjustment 56 to the Northeast
Multispecies Fishery Management Plan
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
[[Page 51779]]
ACTION: Final rule; adjustment to specifications.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adjusting the 2017 fishing year Georges Bank cod
allocation for the common pool and making minor corrections to the 2017
sector carryover and annual catch entitlement. This action is necessary
to respond to a 2016 overage of the Georges Bank cod allocation for the
common pool fishery and correct an error in the carryover and annual
catch entitlement available to sectors in 2017. These adjustments are
routine and formulaic and are intended to ensure that final allocations
are based on the best scientific information available.
DATES: Effective November 8, 2017, through April 30, 2018.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Emily Keiley, Fishery Management
Specialist, (978) 281-9116.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We recently approved Framework Adjustment 56
to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP), which set
annual catch limits (ACLs) for groundfish stocks and three jointly
managed U.S./Canada stocks for the 2017 fishing year. This action
became effective on August 1, 2017 (82 FR 16133). The possibility of
minor adjustments and corrections was noted in the Framework 56
proposed and final rules because final allocations are not always
available at the time of the rulemaking for the upcoming fishing year.
This action revises the Georges Bank (GB) cod common pool sub-ACL due
to a 2016 overage as required by regulation and corrects an error in
the 2017 sector carryover and annual catch entitlement (ACE) included
in the Framework 56 final rule.
Georges Bank Cod Common Pool Sub-Annual Catch Limit
If the common pool sub-ACL for any stock is exceeded, we are
required to reduce the common pool sub-ACL by the amount of the overage
in the next fishing year. The fishing year 2016 common pool sub-ACL for
GB cod was exceeded by 2.8 mt. Therefore, this action reduces the
fishing year 2017 GB cod common pool sub-ACL by 2.8 mt resulting in a
sub-ACL of 7.0 mt. The revised trimester total allowable catches
(TACs), based on the overage deduction, are provided in Table 1.
Table 1--Initial and Revised Georges Bank Cod Trimester TACs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trimester 1 Trimester 2 Trimester 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Allocation Percentage............. 25%..................... 37%..................... 38%
Initial Trimester TAC............. 2.4 mt.................. 3.6 mt.................. 3.7 mt
Revised Trimester TAC............. 1.7 mt.................. 2.6 mt.................. 2.7 mt
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Correction to Sector Carryover
The Framework 56 final rule included the amount of allocation that
sectors may carry over from the 2016 to the 2017 fishing year based on
the final 2016 sector catch. An error was made when calculating the de
minimis amount of GB haddock carryover and the total Eastern GB haddock
ACE available to sectors in 2017. The corrected Eastern GB haddock ACE
available to sectors in 2017 and the revised de minimis carryover ACE
for GB haddock are provided in Tables 2 and 3. These adjustments are
minor, increase available catch, will not affect fishery operations,
and have already been provided to sectors.
Table 2--Comparison of De Minimis GB Haddock Carryover ACE From Fishing Year 2016 to Fishing Year 2017 (lb)
Published in Framework 56 and the Corrected Values
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Framework 56
Sector Table 14 Revised
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed Gear Sector.............................................................. 60,981 73,563
MCCS \1\....................................................................... 2,679 2,679
NCCS \1\....................................................................... 3,379 4,076
NEFS 1......................................................................... 0 0
NEFS 2......................................................................... 102,574 123,738
NEFS 3......................................................................... 486 586
NEFS 4......................................................................... 51,454 62,071
NEFS 5......................................................................... 7,843 9,461
NEFS 6......................................................................... 28,146 33,953
NEFS 7......................................................................... 13,006 15,690
NEFS 8......................................................................... 57,191 68,991
NEFS 9......................................................................... 108,123 130,432
NEFS 10........................................................................ 1,583 1,910
NEFS 11........................................................................ 358 432
NEFS 12........................................................................ 904 1,091
NEFS 13........................................................................ 193,422 233,331
Sustainable Harvest Sector 1................................................... 24,260 29,265
Sustainable Harvest Sector 2................................................... 3863 4,659
Sustainable Harvest Sector 3................................................... 287,713 347,077
--------------------------------
Sectors Total.............................................................. 947,965 1,143,005
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Maine Coast Community Sector (MCCS), Northeast Coastal Community Sector (NCCS).
[[Page 51780]]
Table 3--Comparison of Total Eastern GB Haddock ACE Available to Sectors in Fishing Year 2017 With Finalized
Carryover (mt and 1,000 lb) Published in Framework 56 and as Revised
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total ACE available to sectors in fishing year 2017 with
finalized carryover
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Sector (mt) (1,000 lb)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Framework 56 Framework 56
Table 15 Revised Table 16 Revised
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed Gear Sector............................. 1,300 1,871 2,866 4,124
MCCS.......................................... 197 283 434 625
Maine Permit Bank............................. 9 13 20 29
NCCS.......................................... 72 104 159 228
NEFS 1........................................ 0 0 0 0
NEFS 2........................................ 2,187 3,147 4,821 6,937
NEFS 3........................................ 10 15 23 33
NEFS 4........................................ 1,097 1,578 2,418 3,480
NEFS 5........................................ 167 241 369 530
NEFS 6........................................ 600 863 1,323 1,903
NEFS 7........................................ 277 399 611 880
NEFS 8........................................ 1,219 1,754 2,688 3,868
NEFS 9........................................ 2,305 3,317 5,081 7,312
NEFS 10....................................... 34 49 74 107
NEFS 11....................................... 8 11 17 24
NEFS 12....................................... 19 28 42 61
NEFS 13....................................... 4,123 5,934 9,090 13,081
New Hampshire Permit Bank..................... 0 0 0 0
Sustainable Harvest Sector 1.................. 517 744 1,140 1,641
Sustainable Harvest Sector 2.................. 82 118 182 261
Sustainable Harvest Sector 3.................. 6,133 8,826 13,522 19,458
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Sectors Total............................. 20,375 29,295 44,880 64,583
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Classification
The NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that this final
rule is consistent with the FMP, other provisions of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and other applicable
law.
This action is exempt from the procedures of Executive Order (E.O.)
12866 because this action contains no implementing regulations.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B), we find good cause to waive
prior public notice and opportunity for public comment on the catch
limit and allocation adjustments because allowing time for notice and
comment is impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to the public
interest. We also find good cause to waive the 30-day delay in
effectiveness pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), so that this final rule
may become effective upon publication.
There are several reasons that notice and comment are
impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to the public interest. The
proposed and final rules for Framework 56 explained the possibility of
minor adjustments and corrections because final allocations are not
always available at the time of the rulemaking for the upcoming fishing
year. These adjustments are routine and formulaic, required by
regulation, and necessary to ensure that overfishing does not occur.
Because these adjustments are part of the annual allocation process,
and are highlighted in the proposed and final rules for the upcoming
fishing year, industry anticipates an annual adjustment rule. No
comments were received on the potential for these adjustments, which
provide an accurate accounting of a sector and common pool allocations.
Additionally, the adjustments in this rule are based on either a pre-
determined accountability measure, and are not subject to NMFS'
discretion, or a need to correct an error, so there would be no benefit
to allowing time for prior notice and comment. Data regarding final
2016 catch only became available after publication of the Framework 56
final rule.
If this rule is not effective immediately, common pool and sector
vessels will be operating under incorrect information on the catch
limits for each stock. The adjustment of the common pool GB cod TAC
requires immediate action to ensure that additional overages do not
occur. TAC overages have negative economic impacts, as well as
increasing the risk of overfishing. Fishermen may make both short- and
long-term business decisions based on the catch limits in a given
sector or the common pool. Any delays in adjusting these limits may
cause the affected fishing entities to slow down or speed up their
fishing activities during the interim period before this rule becomes
effective. Both of these reactions could negatively affect the fishery
and the businesses and communities that depend on them. Therefore, it
is important to implement adjusted catch limits and allocations as soon
as possible. For these reasons, we are waiving the public comment
period and delay in effectiveness for this rule, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
553(b)(3)(B) and (d), respectively.
The Chief Counsel for Regulation, Department of Commerce,
previously certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small
Business Administration at the proposed rule stage that Framework 56
would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of
small entities. These minor adjustments will not change the conclusions
drawn from that framework. Because advanced notice and the opportunity
for public comment are not required for the correction under the
Administrative Procedure Act, or any other law, the analytical
requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq.,
do not apply to this rule. Therefore, no new regulatory flexibility
analysis is required and none has been prepared.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
[[Page 51781]]
Dated: November 3, 2017.
Samuel D. Rauch, III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-24346 Filed 11-7-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
