Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; 2019 Commercial Accountability Measures; Annual Catch Limit & Annual Catch Target Reductions, 43725-43726 [2019-18129]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 163 / Thursday, August 22, 2019 / Rules and Regulations § 54.1402 reports. Scope and content of filed (a)(1) Definitions. The definitions in § 1.7001(a) of this chapter apply to terms used in this subpart. (2) Fixed broadband connection. A broadband connection that cannot be used to provide a mobile service (as defined in 47 U.S.C. 153(33)) and does not terminate to mobile stations (as defined in 47 U.S.C. 153(34)). (b) All facilities-based providers of fixed broadband connections shall file with USAC, pursuant to the timetable in § 54.1401 of this subpart, a completed filing as part of the Digital Opportunity Data Collection in accordance with the rules of the Commission and the instructions to the Digital Opportunity Data Collection. 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[FR Doc. 2019–18063 Filed 8–21–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 622 [Docket No. 121004518–3398–01] RIN 0648–XG974 Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; 2019 Commercial Accountability Measures; Annual Catch Limit & Annual Catch Target Reductions National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule. AGENCY: SUMMARY: Through this temporary rule, NMFS implements accountability measures (AMs) for the gray triggerfish commercial sector in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) for the 2019 fishing year. NMFS has determined that the 2018 commercial annual catch limit (ACL) for Gulf gray triggerfish was exceeded. Therefore, NMFS reduces the ACL and annual catch target (ACT) for the commercial sector for Gulf gray triggerfish on August 24, 2019, and these reductions will remain in effect through the end of the fishing year on December 31, 2019. These reductions are necessary to protect the Gulf gray triggerfish resource. DATES: This temporary rule is effective from 12:01 a.m., local time, on August 24, 2019, until 12:01 a.m., local time, on January 1, 2020. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelli O’Donnell, NMFS Southeast Regional Office, telephone: 727–824– 5305, email: kelli.odonnell@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the Gulf reef fish fishery, which includes gray triggerfish, under the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) and is PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 43725 implemented by NMFS under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) through regulations at 50 CFR part 622. All gray triggerfish weights discussed in this temporary rule are in round weight. The commercial ACL for Gulf gray triggerfish is 64,100 lb (29,075 kg) (50 CFR 622.41(b)(1)), and the commercial ACT (quota) is 60,900 lb (27,624 kg) (50 CFR 622.39(a)(1)(vi)). The regulations at 50 CFR 622.41(b)(1) require an overage of the commercial ACL be subtracted from the following year’s ACL and ACT. Landings of gray triggerfish for the commercial sector in 2018 totaled 64,702 lb (29,348 kg); 602 lb (273 kg), which is 602 lb greater than the 2018 ACL of 64,100 lb (29,075 kg). Accordingly, this temporary rule reduces both the ACL and ACT for the commercial sector for Gulf gray triggerfish by the overage amount of 602 lb (273 kg). The revised commercial ACT (commercial quota) for gray triggerfish is 60,298 lb (27,351 kg), and the revised commercial ACL for gray triggerfish is 63,498 lb (28,802 kg). Both reductions in the ACL and ACT for the commercial sector for gray triggerfish are effective at 12:01 a.m., local time, on August 24, 2019, and they will remain in effect through the end of the fishing year on December 31, 2019. Classification The Regional Administrator for the NMFS Southeast Region has determined this temporary rule is necessary for the conservation and management of Gulf gray triggerfish and is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable laws. This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.41(b)(1) 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 reduce the commercial ACL and ACT for gray triggerfish constitutes good cause to waive the requirements to provide prior notice and opportunity for public comment on this temporary rule pursuant to the authority set forth in 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), because such procedures are unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. Such procedures are unnecessary because the rule establishing the ACL and ACT revision provisions was subject to notice E:\FR\FM\22AUR1.SGM 22AUR1 43726 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 163 / Thursday, August 22, 2019 / Rules and Regulations and comment, and all that remains is to notify the public of the reductions. Such procedures are contrary to the public interest because of the need to immediately implement this action to protect gray triggerfish and to provide advance notice of the reductions in ACL and ACT for the commercial sector. 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: August 19, 2019. Alan D. Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2019–18129 Filed 8–19–19; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 622 [Docket No. 140722613–4908–02] RIN 0648–XS007 Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region; Commercial Closure for Atlantic Spanish Mackerel in the Northern Zone National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. AGENCY: SUMMARY: NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for commercial Spanish mackerel in the northern zone of the Atlantic exclusive economic zone (EEZ) through this temporary rule. NMFS has determined that the commercial quota for Spanish mackerel in the northern zone of the Atlantic EEZ will be reached by August 24, 2019. Therefore, NMFS closes the northern zone of the Atlantic EEZ to commercial harvest of Spanish mackerel on August 24, 2019. This closure is necessary to protect the Spanish mackerel resource in the Atlantic. DATES: The closure is effective at 12:01 a.m., local time, on August 24, 2019, until 12:01 a.m., local time, on March 1, 2020. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Vara, NMFS Southeast Regional Office, telephone: 727–824–5305, or email: mary.vara@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The fishery for coastal migratory pelagic fish VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:03 Aug 21, 2019 Jkt 247001 in the Atlantic includes king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and cobia on the east coast of Florida, and is managed under the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils 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. All weights described for Spanish mackerel in the Atlantic EEZ apply as either round or gutted weight. On November 20, 2014, NMFS published a final rule in the Federal Register to implement Framework Amendment 1 to the FMP (79 FR 69058). That final rule implemented a commercial annual catch limit (equal to the commercial quota) of 3.33 million lb (1.51 million kg) for the Atlantic migratory group of Spanish mackerel (Atlantic Spanish mackerel). Atlantic Spanish mackerel are divided into northern and southern zones for management purposes. The northern zone commercial quota for Atlantic Spanish mackerel is 662,670 lb (300,582 kg) for the current fishing year, which is March 1, 2019, through February 29, 2020 (50 CFR 622.384(c)(2)(i)). The northern zone for Atlantic Spanish mackerel extends in Federal waters from New York through North Carolina. The northern boundary of the northern zone extends from an intersection point off New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island at 41°18′16.249″ N Lat., 71°54′28.477″ W long. and proceeds southeast to 37°22′32.75″ N Lat. and the intersection point with the outward boundary of the EEZ. The southern boundary of the northern zone extends from the North Carolina and South Carolina state border, along a line extending in a direction of 135°34′55″ from true north beginning at 33°51′07.9″ N Lat., 78°32′32.6″ W long. to the intersection point with the outward boundary of the EEZ. Regulations at 50 CFR 622.388(d)(1)(i) require NMFS to close the commercial sector for Atlantic Spanish mackerel in the northern zone when the commercial quota for that zone is 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 quota of 662,670 lb (300,582 kg) for Atlantic Spanish mackerel in the northern zone will be reached by August 24, 2019. Accordingly, the commercial sector for Atlantic Spanish mackerel in the PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 northern zone is closed effective at 12:01 a.m., local time, on August 24, 2019, through February 29, 2020, the end of the current fishing year. During the commercial closure, a person on board a vessel that has been issued a valid Federal permit to harvest Atlantic Spanish mackerel may continue to retain this species in the northern zone under the recreational bag and possession limits specified in 50 CFR 622.382(a)(1)(iii) and (a)(2), as long as the recreational sector for Atlantic Spanish mackerel is open (50 CFR 622.384(e)(1)). Also during the closure, Atlantic Spanish mackerel from the closed zone, including those harvested under the recreational bag and possession limits, may not be purchased or sold. This prohibition does not apply to Atlantic Spanish mackerel from the closed zone that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to the closure and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor (50 CFR 622.384(e)(2)). Classification The RA for the NMFS Southeast Region has determined this temporary rule is necessary for the conservation and management of Atlantic Spanish mackerel and is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable laws. This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.8(b), 622.384(e)(2), and 622.388(d)(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 opportunity for comment. This action responds to the best scientific information available. The Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries (AA) finds good cause to waive the requirements 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 procedures are unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. Such procedures are unnecessary because the rule implementing the commercial quota and the associated AM has already been subject to notice and public comment, and all that remains is to notify the public of the closure. Additionally, allowing prior notice and opportunity for public comment is contrary to the public interest because of the need to immediately implement this action to protect the Atlantic Spanish mackerel stock, because the capacity of the fishing fleet allows for rapid harvest of the commercial quota. Prior notice and opportunity for public E:\FR\FM\22AUR1.SGM 22AUR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 163 (Thursday, August 22, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43725-43726]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-18129]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 121004518-3398-01]
RIN 0648-XG974


Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; 2019 Commercial 
Accountability Measures; Annual Catch Limit & Annual Catch Target 
Reductions

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

ACTION: Temporary rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Through this temporary rule, NMFS implements accountability 
measures (AMs) for the gray triggerfish commercial sector in the 
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) for the 2019 
fishing year. NMFS has determined that the 2018 commercial annual catch 
limit (ACL) for Gulf gray triggerfish was exceeded. Therefore, NMFS 
reduces the ACL and annual catch target (ACT) for the commercial sector 
for Gulf gray triggerfish on August 24, 2019, and these reductions will 
remain in effect through the end of the fishing year on December 31, 
2019. These reductions are necessary to protect the Gulf gray 
triggerfish resource.

DATES: This temporary rule is effective from 12:01 a.m., local time, on 
August 24, 2019, until 12:01 a.m., local time, on January 1, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelli O'Donnell, NMFS Southeast 
Regional Office, telephone: 727-824-5305, email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the Gulf reef fish fishery, 
which includes gray triggerfish, under the Fishery Management Plan for 
the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP). The FMP was 
prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) and 
is implemented by NMFS under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) through 
regulations at 50 CFR part 622. All gray triggerfish weights discussed 
in this temporary rule are in round weight.
    The commercial ACL for Gulf gray triggerfish is 64,100 lb (29,075 
kg) (50 CFR 622.41(b)(1)), and the commercial ACT (quota) is 60,900 lb 
(27,624 kg) (50 CFR 622.39(a)(1)(vi)). The regulations at 50 CFR 
622.41(b)(1) require an overage of the commercial ACL be subtracted 
from the following year's ACL and ACT. Landings of gray triggerfish for 
the commercial sector in 2018 totaled 64,702 lb (29,348 kg); 602 lb 
(273 kg), which is 602 lb greater than the 2018 ACL of 64,100 lb 
(29,075 kg). Accordingly, this temporary rule reduces both the ACL and 
ACT for the commercial sector for Gulf gray triggerfish by the overage 
amount of 602 lb (273 kg). The revised commercial ACT (commercial 
quota) for gray triggerfish is 60,298 lb (27,351 kg), and the revised 
commercial ACL for gray triggerfish is 63,498 lb (28,802 kg). Both 
reductions in the ACL and ACT for the commercial sector for gray 
triggerfish are effective at 12:01 a.m., local time, on August 24, 
2019, and they will remain in effect through the end of the fishing 
year on December 31, 2019.

Classification

    The Regional Administrator for the NMFS Southeast Region has 
determined this temporary rule is necessary for the conservation and 
management of Gulf gray triggerfish and is consistent with the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable laws.
    This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.41(b)(1) 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 reduce the commercial ACL and 
ACT for gray triggerfish constitutes good cause to waive the 
requirements to provide prior notice and opportunity for public comment 
on this temporary rule pursuant to the authority set forth in 5 U.S.C. 
553(b)(B), because such procedures are unnecessary and contrary to the 
public interest. Such procedures are unnecessary because the rule 
establishing the ACL and ACT revision provisions was subject to notice

[[Page 43726]]

and comment, and all that remains is to notify the public of the 
reductions. Such procedures are contrary to the public interest because 
of the need to immediately implement this action to protect gray 
triggerfish and to provide advance notice of the reductions in ACL and 
ACT for the commercial sector.
    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: August 19, 2019.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-18129 Filed 8-19-19; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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