Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder Fishery; Quota Transfer, 5735-5736 [2018-02660]

Download as PDF 5735 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 28 / Friday, February 9, 2018 / Rules and Regulations Therefore, we conclude that critical habitat is not determinable for the Texas hornshell at this time. Required Determinations National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) We have determined that environmental assessments and environmental impact statements, as defined under the authority of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), need not be prepared in connection with listing a species as an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. We published a notice outlining our reasons for this determination in the Federal Register on October 25, 1983 (48 FR 49244). Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes In accordance with the President’s memorandum of April 29, 1994 (Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal Governments; 59 FR 22951), Executive Order 13175 (Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments), and the Department of the Interior’s manual at 512 DM 2, we readily acknowledge our responsibility to communicate meaningfully with recognized Federal Tribes on a government-to-government basis. In Common name accordance with Secretarial Order 3206 of June 5, 1997 (American Indian Tribal Rights, Federal-Tribal Trust Responsibilities, and the Endangered Species Act), we readily acknowledge our responsibilities to work directly with tribes in developing programs for healthy ecosystems, to acknowledge that tribal lands are not subject to the same controls as Federal public lands, to remain sensitive to Indian culture, and to make information available to tribes. The Kickapoo Indian Reservation of Texas owns 1.3 km (0.8 mi) adjacent to the Rio Grande, downstream of Eagle Pass, Texas. We sent notification letters to the tribe on August 10, 2016, and June 1, 2017, inviting their review and comment on the proposed rule. We did not receive a response. We also sent notification letters on August 10, 2016, to the following tribes with interests in the Black and Delaware River watersheds: Comanche, Hopi, Isleta, Mescalero Apache, Oklahoma Apache, Tesuque, and Ysleta del Sur tribes, and we did not receive a response. References Cited A complete list of references cited is available in Appendix A of the SSA report (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2018. Species status assessment report for the Texas hornshell (Popenaias popeii), Version 1.2. Albuquerque, NM), available online at https:// Scientific name * * Where listed * Status * www.regulations.gov under Docket Number FWS–R2–ES–2016–0077. Authors The primary authors of this final rule are the staff members of the Texas Coastal Ecological Services Field Office. List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17 Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation. Regulation Promulgation Accordingly, we amend part 17, subchapter B of chapter I, title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as follows: PART 17—ENDANGERED AND THREATENED WILDLIFE AND PLANTS 1. The authority citation for part 17 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361–1407; 1531– 1544; and 4201–4245; unless otherwise noted. 2. Amend § 17.11(h) by adding an entry for ‘‘Hornshell, Texas’’ to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife in alphabetical order under CLAMS to read as follows: ■ § 17.11 Endangered and threatened wildlife. * * * (h) * * * * * Listing citations and applicable rules * * * CLAMS * Hornshell, Texas ............ * * * Popenaias popeii ......... Wherever found ........... * * * * * * * * * E * * DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Dated: December 19, 2017. James W. Kurth, Deputy Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Exercising the Authority of the Director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2018–02672 Filed 2–8–18; 8:45 am] 50 CFR Part 648 SUMMARY: [Docket No. 170828822–70999–02] sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder Fishery; Quota Transfer National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and AGENCY: Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 * Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: RIN 0648–XG001 15:59 Feb 08, 2018 * National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration BILLING CODE 4333–15–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 * * 83 FR [insert Federal Register page where the document begins], 2/9/2018. Temporary rule; quota transfer. NMFS announces that the State of North Carolina is transferring a portion of its 2018 commercial summer flounder quota to the State of Rhode Island. 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 North Carolina and Rhode Island. E:\FR\FM\09FER1.SGM 09FER1 5736 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 28 / Friday, February 9, 2018 / Rules and Regulations Effective February 6, 2018, through December 31, 2018. DATES: DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 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 process to set the annual commercial quota and the percent allocated to each state is described in § 648.102, and the initial 2018 allocations were published on December 22, 2017 (82 FR 60682), and corrected January 30, 2018 (83 FR 4165). 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. North Carolina is transferring 5,008 lb (2,272 kg) of summer flounder commercial quota to Rhode Island. This transfer was requested to repay landings by North Carolina-permitted vessels that landed in Rhode Island under safe harbor agreements. The revised summer flounder quotas for calendar year 2018 are now: North Carolina, 1,761,439 lb (798,975 kg); and Rhode Island, 1,001,381 lb (454,219 kg); based on the initial quotas published in the 2018 Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Specifications and subsequent adjustments. Classification sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES 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: February 6, 2018. Jennifer M. Wallace, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018–02660 Filed 2–6–18; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:59 Feb 08, 2018 Jkt 244001 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 160920866–7167–02] RIN 0648–XF940 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by NonAmerican Fisheries Act Crab Vessels Operating as Catcher Vessels Using Pot Gear 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 directed fishing for Pacific cod by non-American Fisheries Act (AFA) crab vessels that are subject to sideboard limits, and operating as catcher vessels (CVs) using pot gear, in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2018 Pacific cod sideboard limit established for nonAFA crab vessels that are operating as CVs using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 6, 2018, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2018. SUMMARY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907–586–7228. NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the GOA exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the MagnusonStevens 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. Regulations governing sideboard protections for GOA groundfish fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR part 680. The A season allowance of the 2018 Pacific cod sideboard limit established for non-AFA crab vessels, and that are operating as CVs using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA, is 174 metric tons (mt), as established by the final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017) and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 one inseason adjustment (82 FR 60327, December 20, 2017). In accordance with § 680.22(e)(2)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has determined that the A season allowance of the 2018 Pacific cod sideboard limit established for non-AFA crab vessels that are operating as CVs using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a sideboard directed fishing allowance of 164 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 10 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In accordance with § 680.22(e)(3), the Regional Administrator finds that this sideboard directed fishing allowance has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by non-AFA crab vessels that are operating as CVs using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. After the effective date of this closure the maximum retainable amounts at § 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 sideboard directed fishing closure of Pacific cod for non-AFA crab vessels that are subject to sideboard limits, and that are operating as CVs using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of February 5, 2018. 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 § 680.22 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. E:\FR\FM\09FER1.SGM 09FER1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 28 (Friday, February 9, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5735-5736]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-02660]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 170828822-70999-02]
RIN 0648-XG001


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder 
Fishery; Quota Transfer

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; quota transfer.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the State of North Carolina is 
transferring a portion of its 2018 commercial summer flounder quota to 
the State of Rhode Island. 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 North Carolina and Rhode Island.

[[Page 5736]]


DATES: Effective February 6, 2018, through December 31, 2018.

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 process 
to set the annual commercial quota and the percent allocated to each 
state is described in Sec.  648.102, and the initial 2018 allocations 
were published on December 22, 2017 (82 FR 60682), and corrected 
January 30, 2018 (83 FR 4165).
    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 Sec.  648.102(c)(2). The Regional 
Administrator is required to consider the criteria in Sec.  
648.102(c)(2)(i)(A) through (C) in the evaluation of requests for quota 
transfers or combinations.
    North Carolina is transferring 5,008 lb (2,272 kg) of summer 
flounder commercial quota to Rhode Island. This transfer was requested 
to repay landings by North Carolina-permitted vessels that landed in 
Rhode Island under safe harbor agreements. The revised summer flounder 
quotas for calendar year 2018 are now: North Carolina, 1,761,439 lb 
(798,975 kg); and Rhode Island, 1,001,381 lb (454,219 kg); based on the 
initial quotas published in the 2018 Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black 
Sea Bass Specifications and subsequent adjustments.

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: February 6, 2018.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-02660 Filed 2-6-18; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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