Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region; 2019-2020 Commercial Closure for King Mackerel in the Gulf of Mexico Western Zone, 64227-64228 [2019-25222]
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 225 / Thursday, November 21, 2019 / Rules and Regulations
Common name
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Scientific name
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Where listed
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Status
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Listing citations and applicable rules
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Insects
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Stonefly, meltwater lednian
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Lednia tumana ...................
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Wherever found ..................
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Stonefly, western glacier ....
Zapada glacier ...................
Wherever found ..................
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3. Amend § 17.47 by adding paragraph
(c) to read as follows:
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§ 17.47
Special rules—insects.
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(c)Western glacier stonefly (Zapada
glacier) and meltwater lednian stonefly
(Lednia tumana)—(1) Prohibitions. The
following prohibitions that apply to
endangered wildlife also apply to
western glacier stonefly and meltwater
lednian stonefly except as provided
under paragraph (c)(2) of this section
and §§ 17.4 and 17.5. It is unlawful for
any person subject to the jurisdiction of
the United States to commit, to attempt
to commit, to solicit another to commit,
or cause to be committed, any of the
following acts in regard to these species:
(i) Import or export, as set forth at
§ 17.21(b).
(ii) Take, as set forth at § 17.21(c)(1).
(iii) Possession and other acts with
unlawfully taken specimens, as set forth
at § 17.21(d)(1).
(iv) Interstate or foreign commerce in
the course of commercial activity, as set
forth at § 17.21(e).
(v) Sale or offer for sale, as set forth
at § 17.21(f).
(2) Exceptions from prohibitions. In
regard to this species, you may:
(i) Conduct activities as authorized by
a permit under § 17.32.
(ii) Take, as set forth at § 17.21(c)(3)
and (4) for endangered wildlife.
(iii) Possess and engage in other acts,
as set forth at § 17.21(d)(2) for
endangered wildlife.
(iv) In addition to any other
provisions of this part, any employee or
agent of the Service, of the National
Marine Fisheries Service, or of a State
conservation agency that is operating a
conservation program pursuant to the
terms of a cooperative agreement with
the Service in accordance with section
6(c) of the Act, who is designated by
that agency for such purposes, may,
when acting in the course of official
duties, take those threatened species of
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:55 Nov 20, 2019
Jkt 250001
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wildlife that are covered by an approved
cooperative agreement to carry out
conservation programs.
Dated: November 13, 2019.
Margaret E. Everson,
Principal Deputy Director, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Exercising the Authority of
the Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2019–25195 Filed 11–20–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 160426363–7275–02; RTID
0648–XS016]
Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources
of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic
Region; 2019–2020 Commercial
Closure for King Mackerel in the Gulf
of Mexico Western Zone
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
AGENCY:
NMFS implements an
accountability measure (AM) for
commercial king mackerel in the
western zone of the Gulf of Mexico
(Gulf) exclusive economic zone (EEZ)
through this temporary rule. NMFS has
determined that the commercial quota
for king mackerel in the western zone of
the Gulf EEZ will be reached by
November 21, 2019. Therefore, NMFS
closes the western zone of the Gulf EEZ
to commercial king mackerel fishing on
November 21, 2019. This closure is
necessary to protect the Gulf king
mackerel resource.
DATES: The closure is effective at noon,
central time, on November 21, 2019,
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
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Fmt 4700
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84 FR [Insert Federal Register page
where the document begins]; 11/21/
2019; 50 CFR 17.47(c).4d
84 FR [Insert Federal Register page
where the document begins]; 11/21/
2019; 50 CFR 17.47(c).4d
Sfmt 4700
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until 12:01 a.m., central time, on July 1,
2020.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kelli O’Donnell, NMFS Southeast
Regional Office, telephone: 727–824–
5305, email: kelli.odonnell@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
fishery for coastal migratory pelagic fish
in the Gulf includes king mackerel,
Spanish mackerel, and cobia, 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 for Gulf migratory group of king
mackerel (Gulf king mackerel) below
apply as either round or gutted weight.
The commercial quota for the Gulf
king mackerel in the western zone is
1,096,000 lb (497,137 kg) for the current
fishing year, July 1, 2019, through June
30, 2020 (50 CFR 622.384(b)(1)(i)).
The western zone of Gulf king
mackerel is located in the EEZ between
a line extending east from the border of
the United States and Mexico, and
87°31.1′ W. long., which is a line
extending south from the state boundary
of Alabama and Florida. The western
zone includes the EEZ off Texas,
Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
Regulations at 50 CFR 622.388(a)(1)(i)
require NMFS to close the commercial
sector for Gulf king mackerel in the
western zone when the zone’s
commercial quota 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 the commercial quota for
Gulf king mackerel in the western zone
will be reached by November 21, 2019.
E:\FR\FM\21NOR1.SGM
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64228
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 225 / Thursday, November 21, 2019 / Rules and Regulations
Accordingly, the western zone is closed
to commercial fishing for Gulf king
mackerel effective at noon, central time,
on November 21, 2019, through the end
of the current fishing year on June 30,
2020.
During the commercial closure, a
person on board a vessel that has been
issued a valid Federal commercial or
charter vessel/headboat permit for
coastal migratory pelagic fish may
continue to retain king mackerel in the
western zone under the recreational bag
and possession limits specified in 50
CFR 622.382(a)(1)(ii) and (a)(2), as long
as the recreational sector for Gulf king
mackerel is open (50 CFR 622.384(e)(1)).
Also during the commercial closure,
king 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 king
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)).
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:55 Nov 20, 2019
Jkt 250001
Classification
The Regional Administrator for the
NMFS Southeast Region has determined
this temporary rule is necessary for the
conservation and management of Gulf
king mackerel and is consistent with the
Magnuson-Stevens Act and other
applicable laws.
This action is taken under 50 CFR
622.384(e) and 622.388(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 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
PO 00000
Frm 00036
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
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 king mackerel
stock. The capacity of the fishing fleet
allows for rapid harvest of the
commercial quota. Prior notice and
opportunity for public comment would
require time and could potentially result
in a harvest well in excess of the
established commercial quota.
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 15, 2019.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019–25222 Filed 11–18–19; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
E:\FR\FM\21NOR1.SGM
21NOR1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 225 (Thursday, November 21, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64227-64228]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-25222]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 160426363-7275-02; RTID 0648-XS016]
Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and
Atlantic Region; 2019-2020 Commercial Closure for King Mackerel in the
Gulf of Mexico Western Zone
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for commercial
king mackerel in the western zone of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf)
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) through this temporary rule. NMFS has
determined that the commercial quota for king mackerel in the western
zone of the Gulf EEZ will be reached by November 21, 2019. Therefore,
NMFS closes the western zone of the Gulf EEZ to commercial king
mackerel fishing on November 21, 2019. This closure is necessary to
protect the Gulf king mackerel resource.
DATES: The closure is effective at noon, central time, on November 21,
2019, until 12:01 a.m., central time, on July 1, 2020.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelli O'Donnell, NMFS Southeast
Regional Office, telephone: 727-824-5305, email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The fishery for coastal migratory pelagic
fish in the Gulf includes king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and cobia,
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 for Gulf migratory group of king mackerel (Gulf king mackerel)
below apply as either round or gutted weight.
The commercial quota for the Gulf king mackerel in the western zone
is 1,096,000 lb (497,137 kg) for the current fishing year, July 1,
2019, through June 30, 2020 (50 CFR 622.384(b)(1)(i)).
The western zone of Gulf king mackerel is located in the EEZ
between a line extending east from the border of the United States and
Mexico, and 87[deg]31.1' W. long., which is a line extending south from
the state boundary of Alabama and Florida. The western zone includes
the EEZ off Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
Regulations at 50 CFR 622.388(a)(1)(i) require NMFS to close the
commercial sector for Gulf king mackerel in the western zone when the
zone's commercial quota 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 the commercial quota for Gulf king
mackerel in the western zone will be reached by November 21, 2019.
[[Page 64228]]
Accordingly, the western zone is closed to commercial fishing for Gulf
king mackerel effective at noon, central time, on November 21, 2019,
through the end of the current fishing year on June 30, 2020.
During the commercial closure, a person on board a vessel that has
been issued a valid Federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat
permit for coastal migratory pelagic fish may continue to retain king
mackerel in the western zone under the recreational bag and possession
limits specified in 50 CFR 622.382(a)(1)(ii) and (a)(2), as long as the
recreational sector for Gulf king mackerel is open (50 CFR
622.384(e)(1)).
Also during the commercial closure, king 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 king 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 Regional Administrator for the NMFS Southeast Region has
determined this temporary rule is necessary for the conservation and
management of Gulf king mackerel and is consistent with the Magnuson-
Stevens Act and other applicable laws.
This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.384(e) and 622.388(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 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 king mackerel
stock. The capacity of the fishing fleet allows for rapid harvest of
the commercial quota. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment
would require time and could potentially result in a harvest well in
excess of the established commercial quota.
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 15, 2019.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-25222 Filed 11-18-19; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
