Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2017 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic Golden Tilefish Hook-and-Line Component, 55952-55953 [2017-25559]
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55952
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 226 / Monday, November 27, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
based upon the proposed action also
published on October 5, 2017 (82 FR
46433).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Best available retrofit
technology, Incorporation by reference,
Intergovernmental relations, Nitrogen
oxides, Particulate matter, Reporting
and recordkeeping requirements,
Regional haze, Sulfur dioxide,
Visibility, Volatile organic compounds.
Dated: November 16, 2017.
James B. Gulliford,
Regional Administrator, Region 7.
Accordingly, the direct final rule
published at 82 FR 46415, October 5,
2017, is withdrawn effective November
27, 2017.
■
[FR Doc. 2017–25428 Filed 11–24–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 120404257–3325–02]
RIN 0648- XF854
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of
Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2017
Commercial Accountability Measure
and Closure for South Atlantic Golden
Tilefish Hook-and-Line Component
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
AGENCY:
NMFS implements
accountability measures for the
commercial hook-and-line component
for golden tilefish in the exclusive
economic zone (EEZ) of the South
Atlantic. NMFS projects commercial
hook-and-line landings for golden
tilefish will reach the hook-and-line
component’s commercial annual catch
limit (ACL) on November 29, 2017.
Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial
hook-and-line component for golden
tilefish in the South Atlantic EEZ on
November 29, 2017, and it will remain
closed until the start of the next fishing
year on January 1, 2018. This closure is
necessary to protect the golden tilefish
resource.
DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m.,
local time, November 29, 2017, until
12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2018.
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SUMMARY:
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15:11 Nov 24, 2017
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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.
On April 23, 2013, NMFS published
a final rule for Amendment 18B to the
FMP (78 FR 23858). Amendment 18B to
the FMP established a longline
endorsement program for the
commercial golden tilefish component
of the snapper-grouper fishery and
allocated the commercial golden tilefish
ACL among two gear types, the longline
and hook-and-line components.
The commercial ACL (equivalent to
the commercial quota) for the hook-andline component for golden tilefish in the
South Atlantic is 135, 324 lb (61,382
kg), gutted weight, for the current
fishing year, January 1 through
December 31, 2017, as specified in 50
CFR 622.190(a)(2)(ii).
Under 50 CFR 622.193(a)(1)(i), NMFS
is required to close the commercial
hook-and-line component for golden
tilefish when the hook-and-line
component’s 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 commercial
ACL for the hook-and-line component
for golden tilefish in the South Atlantic
will be reached by November 29, 2017.
Accordingly, the commercial hook-andline component for South Atlantic
golden tilefish is closed effective 12:01
a.m., local time, November 29, 2017,
until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1,
2018.
The commercial longline component
for South Atlantic golden tilefish closed
on May 9, 2017, for the remainder of the
current fishing year, until 12:01 a.m.,
local time, January 1, 2018 (82 FR
21316; May 8, 2017). Therefore, because
the commercial longline component is
already closed, and NMFS is closing the
commercial hook-and-line component
through this temporary rule, all
commercial fishing for South Atlantic
golden tilefish is closed effective 12:01
a.m., local time, November 29, 2017,
until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1,
2018.
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Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
The operator of a vessel with a valid
Federal commercial vessel permit for
South Atlantic snapper-grouper having
golden tilefish on board must have
landed and bartered, traded, or sold
such golden tilefish prior to 12:01 a.m.,
local time, November 29, 2017. During
the closure, the sale or purchase of
golden tilefish taken from the EEZ is
prohibited. The prohibition on sale or
purchase does not apply to the sale or
purchase of golden tilefish that were
harvested by hook-and-line, landed
ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m.,
local time, November 29, 2017, and
were held in cold storage by a dealer or
processor. For a person on board a
vessel for which a Federal commercial
or charter vessel/headboat permit for the
South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery
has been issued, the sale and purchase
provisions of the commercial closure for
golden tilefish would apply regardless
of whether the fish are harvested in state
or Federal waters, as specified in 50
CFR 622.190(c).
Classification
The Regional Administrator,
Southeast Region, NMFS, 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)(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 commercial hook-and-line
component for golden tilefish
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 the capacity of the fishing fleet
allows for rapid harvest of the
commercial ACL for the hook-and-line
component, and there is a need to
immediately implement this action to
protect golden tilefish. Prior notice and
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 226 / Monday, November 27, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
opportunity for public comment would
require time and could potentially result
in a harvest well in excess of the
established commercial ACL for the
hook-and-line component.
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 21, 2017.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017–25559 Filed 11–21–17; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 161020985–7181–02]
RIN 0648–XF851
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch
in the Bering Sea Subarea of the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
AGENCY:
NMFS is prohibiting directed
fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the
Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea
and Aleutian Islands management area
(BSAI). This action is necessary to
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SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:11 Nov 24, 2017
Jkt 244001
prevent exceeding the 2017 Pacific
Ocean perch total allowable catch (TAC)
in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local
time (A.l.t.), November 21, 2017,
through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31,
2017.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh
Keaton, 907–586–7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
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 U.S.
vessels in accordance with the FMP
appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600
and 50 CFR part 679.
The 2017 Pacific ocean perch TAC in
the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI is
9,350 metric tons (mt) as established by
the final 2017 and 2018 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the
BSAI (82 FR 11826, February 27, 2017).
The Regional Administrator has
determined that the 2017 TAC for
Pacific Ocean perch in the Bering Sea
subarea of the BSAI will soon be
reached. Therefore, the Regional
Administrator is establishing a directed
fishing allowance of 9,335 mt, and is
setting aside the remaining 15 mt as
bycatch to support other anticipated
groundfish fisheries. Consequently, in
accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii),
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for
Pacific ocean perch in the Bering Sea
subarea of the BSAI.
After the effective date of this closure
the maximum retainable amounts at
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55953
§ 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time
during a trip.
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 directed fishing closure of
Pacific Ocean perch in the Bering Sea
subarea of the BSAI. NMFS was unable
to publish a notice providing time for
public comment because the most
recent, relevant data only became
available as November 14, 2017.
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: November 21, 2017.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017–25562 Filed 11–21–17; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 226 (Monday, November 27, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55952-55953]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-25559]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 120404257-3325-02]
RIN 0648- XF854
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic;
2017 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic
Golden Tilefish Hook-and-Line Component
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS implements accountability measures for the commercial
hook-and-line component for golden tilefish in the exclusive economic
zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. NMFS projects commercial hook-and-
line landings for golden tilefish will reach the hook-and-line
component's commercial annual catch limit (ACL) on November 29, 2017.
Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial hook-and-line component for
golden tilefish in the South Atlantic EEZ on November 29, 2017, and it
will remain closed until the start of the next fishing year on January
1, 2018. This closure is necessary to protect the golden tilefish
resource.
DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m., local time, November 29,
2017, until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2018.
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 Snapper-Grouper 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.
On April 23, 2013, NMFS published a final rule for Amendment 18B to
the FMP (78 FR 23858). Amendment 18B to the FMP established a longline
endorsement program for the commercial golden tilefish component of the
snapper-grouper fishery and allocated the commercial golden tilefish
ACL among two gear types, the longline and hook-and-line components.
The commercial ACL (equivalent to the commercial quota) for the
hook-and-line component for golden tilefish in the South Atlantic is
135, 324 lb (61,382 kg), gutted weight, for the current fishing year,
January 1 through December 31, 2017, as specified in 50 CFR
622.190(a)(2)(ii).
Under 50 CFR 622.193(a)(1)(i), NMFS is required to close the
commercial hook-and-line component for golden tilefish when the hook-
and-line component's 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 commercial ACL
for the hook-and-line component for golden tilefish in the South
Atlantic will be reached by November 29, 2017. Accordingly, the
commercial hook-and-line component for South Atlantic golden tilefish
is closed effective 12:01 a.m., local time, November 29, 2017, until
12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2018.
The commercial longline component for South Atlantic golden
tilefish closed on May 9, 2017, for the remainder of the current
fishing year, until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2018 (82 FR
21316; May 8, 2017). Therefore, because the commercial longline
component is already closed, and NMFS is closing the commercial hook-
and-line component through this temporary rule, all commercial fishing
for South Atlantic golden tilefish is closed effective 12:01 a.m.,
local time, November 29, 2017, until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1,
2018.
The operator of a vessel with a valid Federal commercial vessel
permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper having golden tilefish on
board must have landed and bartered, traded, or sold such golden
tilefish prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, November 29, 2017. During the
closure, the sale or purchase of golden tilefish taken from the EEZ is
prohibited. The prohibition on sale or purchase does not apply to the
sale or purchase of golden tilefish that were harvested by hook-and-
line, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, November
29, 2017, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor. For a
person on board a vessel for which a Federal commercial or charter
vessel/headboat permit for the South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery
has been issued, the sale and purchase provisions of the commercial
closure for golden tilefish would apply regardless of whether the fish
are harvested in state or Federal waters, as specified in 50 CFR
622.190(c).
Classification
The Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS, 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)(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 commercial hook-
and-line component for golden tilefish 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 the capacity of the fishing fleet allows for rapid
harvest of the commercial ACL for the hook-and-line component, and
there is a need to immediately implement this action to protect golden
tilefish. Prior notice and
[[Page 55953]]
opportunity for public comment would require time and could potentially
result in a harvest well in excess of the established commercial ACL
for the hook-and-line component.
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 21, 2017.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-25559 Filed 11-21-17; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
