Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; 2021 Recreational Accountability Measure and Closure for Gulf of Mexico Gray Triggerfish, 51276-51277 [2021-19823]

Download as PDF 51276 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 176 / Wednesday, September 15, 2021 / Rules and Regulations b. Redesignating paragraphs (i)(1)(iii) and (iv) as paragraphs (i)(1)(ii) and (iii), respectively. ■ § 36.4520 [Amended] 8. In § 36.4520 by amend paragraph (d), removing the word ‘‘Director’’ and adding, in its place, the words ‘‘Director or Executive Director’’. ■ § 36.4527 [Amended] 9. In § 36.4527 amend paragraph (j)(4) by removing the word ‘‘Director’’ and adding, in its place, the words ‘‘Director or Executive Director’’. ■ [FR Doc. 2021–19793 Filed 9–14–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8320–01–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 622 [Docket No. 100217095–2081–04; RTID 0648–XB410] Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; 2021 Recreational Accountability Measure and Closure for Gulf of Mexico Red Grouper National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. AGENCY: NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for the red grouper recreational sector in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) for the 2021 fishing year through this temporary rule. NMFS has projected that the 2021 recreational annual catch limit (ACL) for Gulf red grouper has been met. Therefore, NMFS closes the recreational sector for Gulf red grouper on September 15, 2021, and it will remain closed through the end of the fishing year on December 31, 2021. This closure is necessary to protect the Gulf red grouper resource. DATES: This temporary rule is effective from 12:01 a.m., local time, on September 15, 2021, until 12:01 a.m., local time, on January 1, 2022. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Luers, NMFS Southeast Regional Office, telephone: 727–551–5719, email: daniel.luers@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the Gulf reef fish fishery, which includes red grouper, under the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:50 Sep 14, 2021 Jkt 253001 (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and is implemented by NMFS under the authority of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) through regulations at 50 CFR part 622. All red grouper weights discussed in this temporary rule are in gutted weight. The recreational ACL for Gulf red grouper is 1,000,000 lb (450,000 kg), and the recreational annual catch target (ACT) is 920,000 lb (420,000 kg) (50 CFR 622.41(e)(2)(iv)). As specified in 50 CFR 622.41(e)(2)(i), NMFS is required to close the recreational sector for red grouper when the recreational ACL is reached or is projected to be reached by filing a notification to that effect with the Office of the Federal Register. Based on information received on September 1, 2021, NMFS has determined the 2021 recreational ACL for Gulf red grouper was met as of June 30, 2021. Accordingly, this temporary rule closes the recreational sector for Gulf red grouper effective at 12:01 a.m., local time, on September 15, 2021, and it will remain closed through the end of the fishing year on December 31, 2021. During the recreational closure, the bag and possession limits for red grouper in or from the Gulf EEZ are zero. The prohibition on possession of Gulf red grouper also applies in Gulf state waters for any vessel issued a valid Federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef fish. Because the 2021 recreational ACL for Gulf red grouper has been exceeded, NMFS will file a notice with the Office of the Federal Register to reduce the length of the 2022 Gulf recreational red grouper fishing season by the amount necessary to ensure Gulf red grouper recreational landings in 2022 do not exceed the recreational ACT (50 CFR 622.41(e)(2)(ii). Classification NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. This action is required by 50 CFR 622.41(e)(2)(i), which was issued pursuant to section 304(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), there is good cause to waive prior notice and an opportunity for public comment on this action, as notice and comment is unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. Such procedures are unnecessary because the regulations associated with the closure of the red grouper recreational sector at 50 CFR PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 622.41(e)(2)(i) have already been subject to notice and public comment, and all that remains is to notify the public of the closure. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment are contrary to the public interest because there is a need to immediately implement this action to protect the red grouper stock. The recreational ACL for red grouper has already been exceeded. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment would require time and could result in a harvest well in excess of the established ACL. For the aforementioned reasons, the Assistant Administrator 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: September 9, 2021. Jennifer M. Wallace, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2021–19825 Filed 9–10–21; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 622 [Docket No. 121004518–3398–01; RTID 0648–XB415] Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; 2021 Recreational Accountability Measure and Closure for Gulf of Mexico Gray Triggerfish National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. AGENCY: NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for the gray triggerfish recreational sector in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) for the 2021 fishing year through this temporary rule. NMFS has projected that the 2021 recreational annual catch target (ACT) for Gulf gray triggerfish will be reached by September 10, 2021. However, because there is uncertainty in the projection and to provide additional notice to fishery participants, NMFS closes the recreational sector for Gulf gray triggerfish on September 15, 2021, and it will remain closed through the end of the fishing year on December 31, 2021. This closure is necessary to protect the Gulf gray triggerfish resource. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\15SER1.SGM 15SER1 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 176 / Wednesday, September 15, 2021 / Rules and Regulations This temporary rule is effective from 12:01 a.m., local time, on September 15, 2021, until 12:01 a.m., local time, on January 1, 2022. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelli O’Donnell, NMFS Southeast Regional Office, telephone: 727–551– 5719, 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 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 recreational annual catch limit (ACL) for Gulf gray triggerfish is 360,951 lb (163,725 kg), and the recreational ACT is 274,323 lb (124,431 kg) (50 CFR 622.41(b)(2)(iii)). As specified in 50 CFR 622.41(b)(2)(i), NMFS is required to close the recreational sector for gray triggerfish when the recreational ACT 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 2021 recreational ACT for Gulf gray triggerfish will be reached by September 10, 2021. However, because NMFS is relying on projected landings for August and September 2021 there is some uncertainty in this estimate. Therefore, NMFS is providing additional notice to fishery participants. Accordingly, this temporary rule closes the recreational sector for Gulf gray triggerfish effective at 12:01 a.m., local time, on September 15, 2021, and it will remain closed through the end of the fishing year on December 31, 2021. During the recreational closure, the bag and possession limits for gray triggerfish in or from the Gulf EEZ are zero. The prohibition on possession of Gulf gray triggerfish also applies in Gulf state waters for any vessel issued a valid Federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef fish. Additionally, as specified in 50 CFR 622.34(f), there is a seasonal closure for Gulf gray triggerfish at the beginning of each fishing year from January 1 through the end of February. Therefore, after the closure implemented by this temporary rule becomes effective on September 15, 2021, the recreational harvest or possession of Gulf gray triggerfish will be prohibited until March 1, 2022. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES DATES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:50 Sep 14, 2021 Jkt 253001 Classification NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. This action is required by 50 CFR 622.41(b)(2)(i), which was issued pursuant to section 304(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), there is good cause to waive prior notice and an opportunity for public comment on this action, as notice and comment is unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. Such procedures are unnecessary because the regulations associated with the closure of the gray triggerfish recreational sector at 50 CFR 622.41(b)(2)(i) have already been subject to notice and public comment, and all that remains is to notify the public of the closure. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment are contrary to the public interest because there is a need to immediately implement this action to protect the gray triggerfish stock. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment would require more time and potentially allow the recreational sector to exceed the recreational ACL. For the aforementioned reasons, the Assistant Administrator 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: September 9, 2021. Jennifer M. Wallace, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2021–19823 Filed 9–10–21; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 [Docket No. 210520–0112; RTID 0648– XB409] Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Blueline Tilefish Fishery; Inseason Adjustment to the Blueline Tilefish Commercial Possession Limit National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason adjustment. AGENCY: NMFS announces that the commercial per-trip possession limit for SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 51277 blueline tilefish has been reduced for the remainder of the 2021 fishing year. This announcement informs the public of the reduced blueline tilefish possession limit. This action is intended to prevent over-harvest of blueline tilefish for the fishing year. DATES: Effective September 10, 2021, though, December 31, 2021. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Hansen, Fishery Management Specialist, (978) 281–9225. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations for the blueline tilefish fishery are at 50 CFR part 648. The regulations at § 648.295(b)(2)(i) require that when NMFS projects that blueline tilefish catch will reach 70 percent of the total allowable landings (TAL), the Regional Administrator must reduce the possession limit for the commercial blueline tilefish fishery for the remainder of the fishing year or until 100 percent of the TAL is landed. The possession limit is reduced from 500 lb to 300 lb per trip in the Tilefish Management Unit. Fish must have head and fins attached, but may be gutted. NMFS monitors the blueline tilefish fishery catch based on dealer reports, state data, and other available information. The Regional Administrator has determined, based on dealer reports and other available information, that the blueline tilefish commercial fishery will catch 70 percent of the TAL by September 3, 2021. Upon filing this action in the Federal Register, vessels may not may possess on board or land more than 300 lb per trip of blueline tilefish in or from the Tilefish Management Unit through December 31, 2021. Classification NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. This action is required by 50 CFR part 648, which was issued pursuant to section 304(b), and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. NMFS finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) and 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive prior notice and the opportunity for public comment and the delayed effectiveness period because it would be contrary to the public interest and impracticable. Data and other information indicating the blueline tilefish commercial fishery will have landed 70 percent of the TAL have only recently become available. Landings data are updated by dealer reports on a weekly basis, and NMFS monitors data as catch increases toward the limit. This action is routine and formulaic. The regulations at § 648.295(b)(2)(i) require E:\FR\FM\15SER1.SGM 15SER1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 15, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51276-51277]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-19823]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 121004518-3398-01; RTID 0648-XB415]


Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; 2021 Recreational 
Accountability Measure and Closure for Gulf of Mexico Gray Triggerfish

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for the gray 
triggerfish recreational sector in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of 
the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) for the 2021 fishing year through this 
temporary rule. NMFS has projected that the 2021 recreational annual 
catch target (ACT) for Gulf gray triggerfish will be reached by 
September 10, 2021. However, because there is uncertainty in the 
projection and to provide additional notice to fishery participants, 
NMFS closes the recreational sector for Gulf gray triggerfish on 
September 15, 2021, and it will remain closed through the end of the 
fishing year on December 31, 2021. This closure is necessary to protect 
the Gulf gray triggerfish resource.

[[Page 51277]]


DATES: This temporary rule is effective from 12:01 a.m., local time, on 
September 15, 2021, until 12:01 a.m., local time, on January 1, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelli O'Donnell, NMFS Southeast 
Regional Office, telephone: 727-551-5719, 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 recreational annual catch limit (ACL) for Gulf gray triggerfish 
is 360,951 lb (163,725 kg), and the recreational ACT is 274,323 lb 
(124,431 kg) (50 CFR 622.41(b)(2)(iii)).
    As specified in 50 CFR 622.41(b)(2)(i), NMFS is required to close 
the recreational sector for gray triggerfish when the recreational ACT 
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 2021 recreational ACT for Gulf gray triggerfish will be 
reached by September 10, 2021. However, because NMFS is relying on 
projected landings for August and September 2021 there is some 
uncertainty in this estimate. Therefore, NMFS is providing additional 
notice to fishery participants. Accordingly, this temporary rule closes 
the recreational sector for Gulf gray triggerfish effective at 12:01 
a.m., local time, on September 15, 2021, and it will remain closed 
through the end of the fishing year on December 31, 2021.
    During the recreational closure, the bag and possession limits for 
gray triggerfish in or from the Gulf EEZ are zero. The prohibition on 
possession of Gulf gray triggerfish also applies in Gulf state waters 
for any vessel issued a valid Federal charter vessel/headboat permit 
for Gulf reef fish.
    Additionally, as specified in 50 CFR 622.34(f), there is a seasonal 
closure for Gulf gray triggerfish at the beginning of each fishing year 
from January 1 through the end of February. Therefore, after the 
closure implemented by this temporary rule becomes effective on 
September 15, 2021, the recreational harvest or possession of Gulf gray 
triggerfish will be prohibited until March 1, 2022.

Classification

    NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act. This action is required by 50 CFR 622.41(b)(2)(i), which 
was issued pursuant to section 304(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and 
is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), there is good cause to waive prior 
notice and an opportunity for public comment on this action, as notice 
and comment is unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. Such 
procedures are unnecessary because the regulations associated with the 
closure of the gray triggerfish recreational sector at 50 CFR 
622.41(b)(2)(i) have already been subject to notice and public comment, 
and all that remains is to notify the public of the closure. Prior 
notice and opportunity for public comment are contrary to the public 
interest because there is a need to immediately implement this action 
to protect the gray triggerfish stock. Prior notice and opportunity for 
public comment would require more time and potentially allow the 
recreational sector to exceed the recreational ACL.
    For the aforementioned reasons, the Assistant Administrator 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: September 9, 2021.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-19823 Filed 9-10-21; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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