Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Vermilion Snapper Management Measures; Amendment 47, 60168-60169 [2017-27283]

Download as PDF 60168 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 242 / Tuesday, December 19, 2017 / Proposed Rules disproportionately high and adverse human health impacts or environmental effects from exposure to the pesticides discussed in this document, compared to the general population. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS EPA is announcing receipt of a pesticide petition filed under section 408 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), 21 U.S.C. 346a, requesting the modification of regulations in 40 CFR part 180 for residues of pesticide chemicals in or on various food commodities. The Agency is taking public comment on the request before responding to the petitioner. EPA is not proposing any particular action at this time. EPA has determined that the pesticide petition described in this document contains data or information prescribed in FFDCA section 408(d)(2), 21 U.S.C. 346a(d)(2); however, EPA has not fully evaluated the sufficiency of the submitted data at this time or whether the data supports granting of the pesticide petition. After considering the public comments, EPA intends to evaluate whether and what action may be warranted. Additional data may be needed before EPA can make a final determination on this pesticide petition. Pursuant to 40 CFR 180.7(f), a summary of the petition that is the subject of this document, prepared by the petitioner, is included in a docket EPA has created for this rulemaking. The docket for this petition is available at https://www.regulations.gov. As specified in FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21 U.S.C. 346a(d)(3), EPA is publishing notification of the petition so that the public has an opportunity to comment on this request for the modification of regulations for residues of pesticides in or on food commodities. Further information on the petition may be obtained through the petition summary referenced in this unit. PP 6F8517. (EPA–HQ–OPP–2016– 0639). Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc., 2255 N. 44th St., Suite 300, Phoenix, AZ 85008, requests to amend the tolerance in 40 CFR 180.415 for residues of the fungicide, aluminum tris (Oethylphosphonate), in or on fruit, citrus, group 10 from 5.0 parts per million (ppm) to fruit, citrus, Group 10–10 at 9.0 ppm. Adequate enforcement methodology available in the Pesticide Analytical Manual (PAM II, Method II) is used to measure and evaluate the chemical aluminum tris (Oethylphosphonate). Contact: RD. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:10 Dec 18, 2017 Jkt 244001 [FR Doc. 2017–27099 Filed 12–18–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P II. What action is the Agency taking? Authority: 21 U.S.C. 346a. Dated: November 27, 2017. Michael L. Goodis, Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 713 [EPA–HQ–OPPT–2017–0421; FRL–9971–82] RIN 2070–AK22 period established in the Federal Register document of October 26, 2017 (82 FR 49564) (FRL–9970–07). EPA is hereby extending the comment period, which was set to end on December 26, 2017, to January 11, 2018. To submit comments, or access the docket, please follow the detailed instructions provided under ADDRESSES in the Federal Register document of October 26, 2017 (82 FR 49564) (FRL– 9970–07). If you have questions, consult the technical person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 713 Mercury; Reporting Requirements for the TSCA Mercury Inventory; Extension of Comment Period Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period. AGENCY: EPA issued a document in the Federal Register of October 26, 2017, concerning proposed reporting requirements for applicable persons to provide information to assist in the preparation of an ‘‘inventory of mercury supply, use, and trade in the United States.’’ This document extends the comment period for 16 days, from December 26, 2017 to January 11, 2018. EPA received requests to extend the comment period and believes it is appropriate to do so in order to give stakeholders additional time to assess the impacts of the proposal, review technical documents in the docket, and prepare comments. DATES: Comments, identified by docket identification number EPA–HQ–OPPT– 2017–0421, must be received on or before January 11, 2018. ADDRESSES: Follow the detailed instructions provided under ADDRESSES in the Federal Register document of October 26, 2017 (82 FR 49564) (FRL– 9970–07). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical information contact: Thomas Groeneveld, National Program Chemicals Division, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460–0001; telephone number: (202) 566–1188; email address: groeneveld.thomas@ epa.gov. For general information contact: The TSCA-Hotline, ABVI-Goodwill, 422 South Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14620; telephone number: (202) 554– 1404; email address: TSCA-Hotline@ epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This document extends the public comment SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Environmental protection, Mercury, Elemental mercury, Mercury compounds, Inventory, Supply, Use, Trade, Manufacture, Import, Export. Dated: December 6, 2017. Charlotte Bertrand, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator. [FR Doc. 2017–27217 Filed 12–18–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 622 RIN 0648–BH07 Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Vermilion Snapper Management Measures; Amendment 47 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments. AGENCY: The Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 47 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP), for review, approval, and implementation by NMFS. Amendment 47 would establish a proxy for the estimate of the stock maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and revise the stock annual catch limit (ACL) for Gulf vermilion snapper. The purpose of Amendment 47 is to ensure that the MSY and ACL values for vermilion snapper are consistent with the results of the most recent stock assessment. DATES: Written comments must be received on or before February 20, 2018. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\19DEP1.SGM 19DEP1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 242 / Tuesday, December 19, 2017 / Proposed Rules You may submit comments on the amendment identified by ‘‘NOAA–NMFS–2017–0106’’ by either of the following methods: • Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-20170106, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. • Mail: Submit written comments to Lauren Waters, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). Electronic copies of Amendment 47, which includes an environmental assessment, a fishery impact statement, a Regulatory Flexibility Act analysis, and a regulatory impact review, may be obtained from the Southeast Regional Office website at: https:// sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_ fisheries/gulf_fisheries/reef_fish/2017/ am47/docs/PDFs/gulf_reef_am47_ vermilion_final.pdf. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lauren Waters, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, telephone: 727–824– 5305; email: Lauren.Waters@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) requires each regional fishery management council to submit any FMP or amendment to NMFS for review and approval, partial approval, or disapproval. The Magnuson-Stevens Act also requires that NMFS, upon receiving an FMP or amendment, publish an announcement in the Federal Register notifying the public that the FMP or amendment is available for review and comment. The FMP being revised by Amendment 47 was prepared by the Council and implemented by NMFS through regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the authority of the MagnusonStevens Act. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS ADDRESSES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:10 Dec 18, 2017 Jkt 244001 Background The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires the Council to specify the MSY for managed stocks. The National Standard 1 Guidelines state that the Council should adopt a reasonable proxy for MSY if data are insufficient to estimate MSY directly. Status of the Vermilion Snapper Stock Amendment 23 to the FMP established MSY for vermilion snapper as the yield associated with FMSY when the stock is at equilibrium, where F is defined as fishing mortality (70 FR 109; June 8, 2005). The final rule for the Generic Annual Catch Limit (ACL) and Accountability Measures (AM) Amendment established the vermilion snapper stock ACL and set it equal to the ABC at 3.42 million lb (1.55 million kg), round weight (76 FR 82044, December 29, 2011). In 2016, a standard assessment for vermilion snapper was conducted (SEDAR 45) and the stock status was evaluated using several MSY proxies. Under all proxies evaluated in SEDAR 45, overfishing was not occurring and the stock was not overfished. The Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) determined that the most appropriate proxy for MSY is the yield when fishing at a mortality rate corresponding to 30 percent spawning potential ratio (F30% SPR). SEDAR 45 also included projections for the overfishing limit and the ABC. The SSC provided the Council two recommendations for ABC: One that is derived from fishing at 75 percent of the MSY proxy (F30% SPR) and results in a declining ABC from 2017 through 2021, and one that is derived using the average of 2017–2021 ABCs and results in a constant ABC. The two ABC recommendations are equivalent in terms of maintaining the stock status and the Council selected the constant catch scenario that yielded an ABC of 3.11 million lb (1.41 million kg). Actions Contained in Amendment 47 Amendment 47 includes measures to establish a proxy for the estimate of the stock MSY and revise the stock ACL for Gulf vermilion snapper consistent with the results of SEDAR 45 and the SSC’s new ABC recommendation. MSY Proxy For vermilion snapper, the Council’s SSC recommended that a proxy be used for MSY. The Council’s SSC recommended F30% SPR as the MSY proxy for SEDAR 45, and the Council agreed. Under this proxy, the stock is not overfished or undergoing overfishing. PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 9990 60169 Stock ACL The current ACL of 3.42 million lb (1.55 million kg), round weight, exceeds the ABCs recommended by the Council’s SSC. Therefore, the Council determined that the ACL for vermilion snapper should be decreased to equal the constant catch ABC and Amendment 47 would set the stock ACL at 3.11 million lb (1.41 million kg), round weight. The current accountability measures for vermilion snapper require NMFS to close the commercial and recreational fishing seasons if the combined commercial and recreational landings reach or are projected to reach the stock ACL. Since 2013, combined landings have been less than 3.00 million lb (1.36 million kg), round weight, every year. Therefore, NMFS does not expect the combined landings of vermilion snapper to reach the proposed stock ACL and result in a closure before the end of the fishing year. Proposed Rule for Amendment 47 A proposed rule that would implement Amendment 47 has been drafted. In accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Act, NMFS is evaluating the proposed rule to determine whether it is consistent with the FMP, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable law. If that determination is affirmative, NMFS will publish the proposed rule in the Federal Register for public review and comment. Consideration of Public Comments The Council has submitted Amendment 47 for Secretarial review, approval, and implementation. Comments on Amendment 47 must be received by February 20, 2018. Comments received during the respective comment periods, whether specifically directed to Amendment 47 or the proposed rule, will be considered by NMFS in its decision to approve, partially approve, or disapprove Amendment 47 and will be addressed in the final rule. All comments received by NMFS on Amendment 47 or the proposed rule during their respective comment periods will be addressed in the final rule. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: December 14, 2017. Alan D. Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017–27283 Filed 12–18–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\19DEP1.SGM 19DEP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 242 (Tuesday, December 19, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60168-60169]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-27283]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

RIN 0648-BH07


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Vermilion Snapper Management 
Measures; Amendment 47

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

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) Fishery Management Council (Council) 
has submitted Amendment 47 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef 
Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP), for review, approval, and 
implementation by NMFS. Amendment 47 would establish a proxy for the 
estimate of the stock maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and revise the 
stock annual catch limit (ACL) for Gulf vermilion snapper. The purpose 
of Amendment 47 is to ensure that the MSY and ACL values for vermilion 
snapper are consistent with the results of the most recent stock 
assessment.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before February 20, 
2018.

[[Page 60169]]


ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the amendment identified by 
``NOAA-NMFS-2017-0106'' by either of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to 
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-0106, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to Lauren Waters, Southeast 
Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous).
    Electronic copies of Amendment 47, which includes an environmental 
assessment, a fishery impact statement, a Regulatory Flexibility Act 
analysis, and a regulatory impact review, may be obtained from the 
Southeast Regional Office website at: https://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_fisheries/reef_fish/2017/am47/docs/PDFs/gulf_reef_am47_vermilion_final.pdf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lauren Waters, Southeast Regional 
Office, NMFS, telephone: 727-824-5305; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 
and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) requires each regional 
fishery management council to submit any FMP or amendment to NMFS for 
review and approval, partial approval, or disapproval. The Magnuson-
Stevens Act also requires that NMFS, upon receiving an FMP or 
amendment, publish an announcement in the Federal Register notifying 
the public that the FMP or amendment is available for review and 
comment.
    The FMP being revised by Amendment 47 was prepared by the Council 
and implemented by NMFS through regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under 
the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

Background

    The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires the Council to specify the MSY 
for managed stocks. The National Standard 1 Guidelines state that the 
Council should adopt a reasonable proxy for MSY if data are 
insufficient to estimate MSY directly.

Status of the Vermilion Snapper Stock

    Amendment 23 to the FMP established MSY for vermilion snapper as 
the yield associated with FMSY when the stock is at 
equilibrium, where F is defined as fishing mortality (70 FR 109; June 
8, 2005). The final rule for the Generic Annual Catch Limit (ACL) and 
Accountability Measures (AM) Amendment established the vermilion 
snapper stock ACL and set it equal to the ABC at 3.42 million lb (1.55 
million kg), round weight (76 FR 82044, December 29, 2011).
    In 2016, a standard assessment for vermilion snapper was conducted 
(SEDAR 45) and the stock status was evaluated using several MSY 
proxies. Under all proxies evaluated in SEDAR 45, overfishing was not 
occurring and the stock was not overfished. The Council's Scientific 
and Statistical Committee (SSC) determined that the most appropriate 
proxy for MSY is the yield when fishing at a mortality rate 
corresponding to 30 percent spawning potential ratio (F30% 
SPR).
    SEDAR 45 also included projections for the overfishing limit and 
the ABC. The SSC provided the Council two recommendations for ABC: One 
that is derived from fishing at 75 percent of the MSY proxy (F30% 
SPR) and results in a declining ABC from 2017 through 2021, and one 
that is derived using the average of 2017-2021 ABCs and results in a 
constant ABC. The two ABC recommendations are equivalent in terms of 
maintaining the stock status and the Council selected the constant 
catch scenario that yielded an ABC of 3.11 million lb (1.41 million 
kg).

Actions Contained in Amendment 47

    Amendment 47 includes measures to establish a proxy for the 
estimate of the stock MSY and revise the stock ACL for Gulf vermilion 
snapper consistent with the results of SEDAR 45 and the SSC's new ABC 
recommendation.

MSY Proxy

    For vermilion snapper, the Council's SSC recommended that a proxy 
be used for MSY. The Council's SSC recommended F30% SPR as 
the MSY proxy for SEDAR 45, and the Council agreed. Under this proxy, 
the stock is not overfished or undergoing overfishing.

Stock ACL

    The current ACL of 3.42 million lb (1.55 million kg), round weight, 
exceeds the ABCs recommended by the Council's SSC. Therefore, the 
Council determined that the ACL for vermilion snapper should be 
decreased to equal the constant catch ABC and Amendment 47 would set 
the stock ACL at 3.11 million lb (1.41 million kg), round weight.
    The current accountability measures for vermilion snapper require 
NMFS to close the commercial and recreational fishing seasons if the 
combined commercial and recreational landings reach or are projected to 
reach the stock ACL. Since 2013, combined landings have been less than 
3.00 million lb (1.36 million kg), round weight, every year. Therefore, 
NMFS does not expect the combined landings of vermilion snapper to 
reach the proposed stock ACL and result in a closure before the end of 
the fishing year.

Proposed Rule for Amendment 47

    A proposed rule that would implement Amendment 47 has been drafted. 
In accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Act, NMFS is evaluating the 
proposed rule to determine whether it is consistent with the FMP, the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable law. If that determination 
is affirmative, NMFS will publish the proposed rule in the Federal 
Register for public review and comment.

Consideration of Public Comments

    The Council has submitted Amendment 47 for Secretarial review, 
approval, and implementation. Comments on Amendment 47 must be received 
by February 20, 2018. Comments received during the respective comment 
periods, whether specifically directed to Amendment 47 or the proposed 
rule, will be considered by NMFS in its decision to approve, partially 
approve, or disapprove Amendment 47 and will be addressed in the final 
rule.
    All comments received by NMFS on Amendment 47 or the proposed rule 
during their respective comment periods will be addressed in the final 
rule.

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

    Dated: December 14, 2017.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-27283 Filed 12-18-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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