Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2018 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic Golden Tilefish, 12280-12281 [2018-05714]
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 55 / Wednesday, March 21, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
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(b) The 2018 Contest. In 2018 only,
entries will also be judged on how well
they illustrate the theme of ‘‘celebrating
our waterfowl hunting heritage.’’
Dated: February 27, 2018.
Jason Larrabee,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish
and Wildlife and Parks, exercising the
authority of the Assistant Secretary for Fish
and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 2018–05588 Filed 3–20–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 120404257–3325–02]
RIN 0648–XF971
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of
Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2018
Commercial Accountability Measure
and Closure for South Atlantic Golden
Tilefish
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
AGENCY:
NMFS implements an
accountability measure for the
commercial longline component for
golden tilefish in the exclusive
economic zone (EEZ) of the South
Atlantic. Commercial longline landings
for golden tilefish are projected to reach
the longline component’s commercial
quota on March 25, 2018. Therefore,
NMFS closes the commercial longline
component of golden tilefish in the
South Atlantic EEZ on March 25, 2018.
This closure is necessary to protect the
golden tilefish resource.
DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m.,
local time, March 25, 2018, until 12:01
a.m., local time, January 1, 2019.
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 SnapperGrouper Fishery of the South Atlantic
Region (FMP). The FMP was prepared
by the South Atlantic Fishery
Management Council (Council) and is
implemented by NMFS under the
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:20 Mar 20, 2018
Jkt 244001
Fishery Conservation and Management
Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by
regulations at 50 CFR part 622.
Amendment 18B to the FMP
established a longline endorsement
program for the commercial golden
tilefish component of the snappergrouper fishery and allocated the
commercial golden tilefish annual catch
limit (ACL) between two gear groups, as
commercial quota: The longline and
hook-and-line components (78 FR
23858; April 23, 2013). On January 2,
2018, NMFS published a final
temporary rule to implement interim
measures to reduce overfishing of
golden tilefish in Federal waters of the
South Atlantic (83 FR 65). As a result
of the interim measures, the total ACL
for golden tilefish for the 2018 fishing
year is 323,000 lb (146,510 kg), gutted
weight, and the commercial ACL is
313,310 lb (142,115 kg), gutted weight.
The current commercial quota for the
2018 fishing year for the longline
component is 234,982 lb (106,586 kg),
gutted weight. The interim measures
implemented through the temporary
final rule are effective through July 1,
2018. NMFS is evaluating extension of
the interim measures for up to an
additional 186 days.
Under 50 CFR 622.193(a)(1)(ii), NMFS
is required to close the commercial
longline component for golden tilefish
when the longline component’s
commercial quota has been reached, or
is projected to be reached, by filing a
notification to that effect with the Office
of the Federal Register. After the
commercial quota for the longline
component is reached or projected to be
reached, golden tilefish may not be
commercially fished or possessed by a
vessel with a golden tilefish longline
endorsement. Based on projected
landings, NMFS has determined that the
commercial quota for the golden tilefish
longline component in the South
Atlantic will be reached on March 25,
2018. Accordingly, the commercial
longline component of South Atlantic
golden tilefish is closed effective 12:01
a.m., local time, March 25, 2018.
During the commercial longline
closure, golden tilefish may still be
harvested commercially using hookand-line gear. However, a vessel with a
golden tilefish longline endorsement is
not eligible to fish for or possess golden
tilefish using hook-and-line gear under
the hook-and-line commercial trip limit,
as specified in 50 CFR 622.191(a)(2)(ii).
The operator of a vessel with a valid
Federal commercial vessel permit for
South Atlantic snapper-grouper and a
valid commercial longline endorsement
for golden tilefish with golden tilefish
on board must have landed and
bartered, traded, or sold such golden
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Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
tilefish prior to 12:01 a.m., local time,
March 25, 2018. During the commercial
longline closure, the recreational bag
limit and possession limits specified in
50 CFR 622.187(b)(2)(iii) and (c)(1),
respectively, apply to all harvest or
possession of golden tilefish in or from
the South Atlantic EEZ by a vessel with
a golden tilefish longline endorsement.
The sale or purchase of longline-caught
golden tilefish taken from the EEZ is
prohibited during the commercial
longline closure. The prohibition on
sale or purchase does not apply to the
sale or purchase of longline-caught
golden tilefish that were harvested,
landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01
a.m., local time, March 25, 2018, and
those that were held in cold storage by
a dealer or processor. Additionally, the
recreational bag and possession limits
and the sale and purchase provisions of
the commercial closure apply to a
person on board a vessel with a golden
tilefish longline endorsement, regardless
of whether the golden tilefish are
harvested in state or Federal waters, as
specified in 50 CFR 622.190(c)(1).
Classification
The Regional Administrator for the
NMFS Southeast Region 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)(v) 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 NOAA
Fisheries (AA) finds that the need to
immediately implement this action to
close the commercial longline
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 for
this temporary rule would be
unnecessary and contrary to the public
interest. Such procedures are
unnecessary, because the regulations at
50 CFR 622.193(a)(1)(v) have already
been subject to notice and comment,
and all that remains is to notify the
public of the closure. Prior notice and
opportunity for public comment on this
action are contrary to the public
E:\FR\FM\21MRR1.SGM
21MRR1
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 55 / Wednesday, March 21, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
interest, because there is a need to
immediately implement this action to
protect the golden tilefish resource since
the capacity of the fishing fleet allows
for rapid harvest of the commercial
quota for the longline component. Prior
notice and opportunity for public
comment would require time and would
potentially result in a harvest well in
excess of the established commercial
quota for the longline 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: March 16, 2018.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018–05714 Filed 3–16–18; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 130403320–4891–02]
RIN 0648–XG056
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of
Mexico, and South Atlantic; SnapperGrouper Resources of the South
Atlantic; 2018–2019 Recreational
Fishing Season for Black Sea Bass
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; recreational
season length.
AGENCY:
NMFS announces that the
length of the recreational fishing season
for black sea bass in the exclusive
economic zone (EEZ) of the South
Atlantic will extend throughout the
species’ 2018–2019 fishing year.
Announcing the length of recreational
season for black sea bass is one of the
accountability measures (AMs) for the
recreational sector. This announcement
allows recreational fishers to maximize
their opportunity to harvest the
recreational annual catch limit (ACL) for
black sea bass during the fishing season
while managing harvest to protect the
black sea bass resource.
DATES: This rule is effective from 12:01
a.m., local time, April 1, 2018, until
12:01 a.m., local time, April 1, 2019,
unless changed by subsequent
notification in the Federal Register.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:29 Mar 20, 2018
Jkt 244001
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Nikhil Mehta, NMFS Southeast Regional
Office, telephone: 727–824–5305, email:
nikhil.mehta@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The South
Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery
includes black sea bass and is managed
under the Fishery Management Plan for
the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the
South Atlantic Region (FMP). The South
Atlantic Fishery Management Council
prepared the FMP and the FMP 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.
The final rule implementing
Regulatory Amendment 14 to the FMP
revised the recreational fishing year for
black sea bass to be April 1 through
March 31 (79 FR 66316; November 7,
2014). The final rule also revised the
recreational AMs for black sea bass.
Prior to the April 1 start of each
recreational fishing year, NMFS projects
the length of the upcoming recreational
fishing season based on when NMFS
projects the recreational ACL will be
met and announces the recreational
season end date in the Federal Register
(50 CFR 622.193(e)(2)). The purpose of
this AM is to have a more predictable
recreational season length while still
constraining harvest at or below the
recreational ACL to protect the stock
from experiencing adverse biological
consequences.
NMFS estimates that recreational
landings for the 2018–2019 fishing year
will be less than the 2018–2019
recreational ACL. To make this
determination, NMFS compared
landings in the last 3 fishing years to the
recreational ACL for the 2018–2019
black sea bass fishing year of 848,455 lb
(384,853 kg), gutted weight, 1,001,177 lb
(454,126 kg), round weight. The
recreational ACL was set through the
final rule for Regulatory Amendment 19
to the FMP (78 FR 58249; September 23,
2013). Landings in each of the past 3
fishing years have been substantially
below the 2018–2019 recreational ACL;
therefore, recreational landings in 2018–
2019 are projected to be below the
2018–2019 recreational ACL.
Accordingly, the recreational sector for
black sea bass is not expected to close
as a result of reaching its ACL, and the
season end date for recreational fishing
for black sea bass in the South Atlantic
EEZ south of 35°15.9′ N lat. is March 31,
2019.
Classification
The Regional Administrator,
Southeast Region, NMFS, has
determined this temporary rule is
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12281
necessary for the conservation and
management of South Atlantic black sea
bass and is consistent with the
Magnuson-Stevens Act and other
applicable laws.
This action is taken under 50 CFR
622.193(e)(2) 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 the notice of
the recreational season length
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), because prior notice
and opportunity for public comment on
this temporary rule is unnecessary.
Such procedures are unnecessary,
because the rule establishing the AM
has already been subject to notice and
comment, and all that remains is to
notify the public of the recreational
season length.
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: March 16, 2018.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018–05703 Filed 3–20–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 170816769–8162–02]
RIN 0648–XF906
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Hookand-Line Catcher/Processors in the
Western 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 hook-and-line
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\21MRR1.SGM
21MRR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 21, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12280-12281]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-05714]
=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 120404257-3325-02]
RIN 0648-XF971
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic;
2018 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic
Golden Tilefish
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS implements an accountability measure for the commercial
longline component for golden tilefish in the exclusive economic zone
(EEZ) of the South Atlantic. Commercial longline landings for golden
tilefish are projected to reach the longline component's commercial
quota on March 25, 2018. Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial longline
component of golden tilefish in the South Atlantic EEZ on March 25,
2018. This closure is necessary to protect the golden tilefish
resource.
DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m., local time, March 25, 2018,
until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2019.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Vara, NMFS Southeast Regional
Office, telephone: 727-824-5305, email: [email protected].
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 (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.
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 annual catch limit
(ACL) between two gear groups, as commercial quota: The longline and
hook-and-line components (78 FR 23858; April 23, 2013). On January 2,
2018, NMFS published a final temporary rule to implement interim
measures to reduce overfishing of golden tilefish in Federal waters of
the South Atlantic (83 FR 65). As a result of the interim measures, the
total ACL for golden tilefish for the 2018 fishing year is 323,000 lb
(146,510 kg), gutted weight, and the commercial ACL is 313,310 lb
(142,115 kg), gutted weight. The current commercial quota for the 2018
fishing year for the longline component is 234,982 lb (106,586 kg),
gutted weight. The interim measures implemented through the temporary
final rule are effective through July 1, 2018. NMFS is evaluating
extension of the interim measures for up to an additional 186 days.
Under 50 CFR 622.193(a)(1)(ii), NMFS is required to close the
commercial longline component for golden tilefish when the longline
component's commercial quota has been reached, or is projected to be
reached, by filing a notification to that effect with the Office of the
Federal Register. After the commercial quota for the longline component
is reached or projected to be reached, golden tilefish may not be
commercially fished or possessed by a vessel with a golden tilefish
longline endorsement. Based on projected landings, NMFS has determined
that the commercial quota for the golden tilefish longline component in
the South Atlantic will be reached on March 25, 2018. Accordingly, the
commercial longline component of South Atlantic golden tilefish is
closed effective 12:01 a.m., local time, March 25, 2018.
During the commercial longline closure, golden tilefish may still
be harvested commercially using hook-and-line gear. However, a vessel
with a golden tilefish longline endorsement is not eligible to fish for
or possess golden tilefish using hook-and-line gear under the hook-and-
line commercial trip limit, as specified in 50 CFR 622.191(a)(2)(ii).
The operator of a vessel with a valid Federal commercial vessel permit
for South Atlantic snapper-grouper and a valid commercial longline
endorsement for golden tilefish with golden tilefish on board must have
landed and bartered, traded, or sold such golden tilefish prior to
12:01 a.m., local time, March 25, 2018. During the commercial longline
closure, the recreational bag limit and possession limits specified in
50 CFR 622.187(b)(2)(iii) and (c)(1), respectively, apply to all
harvest or possession of golden tilefish in or from the South Atlantic
EEZ by a vessel with a golden tilefish longline endorsement. The sale
or purchase of longline-caught golden tilefish taken from the EEZ is
prohibited during the commercial longline closure. The prohibition on
sale or purchase does not apply to the sale or purchase of longline-
caught golden tilefish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold
prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, March 25, 2018, and those that were
held in cold storage by a dealer or processor. Additionally, the
recreational bag and possession limits and the sale and purchase
provisions of the commercial closure apply to a person on board a
vessel with a golden tilefish longline endorsement, regardless of
whether the golden tilefish are harvested in state or Federal waters,
as specified in 50 CFR 622.190(c)(1).
Classification
The Regional Administrator for the NMFS Southeast Region 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)(v) 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 NOAA Fisheries (AA) finds that the need
to immediately implement this action to close the commercial longline
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 for this temporary rule would be unnecessary and contrary to
the public interest. Such procedures are unnecessary, because the
regulations at 50 CFR 622.193(a)(1)(v) have already been subject to
notice and comment, and all that remains is to notify the public of the
closure. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment on this action
are contrary to the public
[[Page 12281]]
interest, because there is a need to immediately implement this action
to protect the golden tilefish resource since the capacity of the
fishing fleet allows for rapid harvest of the commercial quota for the
longline component. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment
would require time and would potentially result in a harvest well in
excess of the established commercial quota for the longline 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: March 16, 2018.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-05714 Filed 3-16-18; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P