Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Blueline Tilefish Fishery; Inseason Adjustment to the Blueline Tilefish Commercial Possession Limit, 51277-51278 [2021-19834]
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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.
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DATES:
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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:
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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
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51278
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 176 / Wednesday, September 15, 2021 / Rules and Regulations
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
such action to ensure that blueline
tilefish commercial vessels do not
exceed the 2021 TAL. If implementation
of this action is delayed, the TAL for the
2021 fishing year may be exceeded,
thereby undermining the conservation
objectives of the Tilefish Fishery
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:50 Sep 14, 2021
Jkt 253001
Management Plan. Also, the public had
prior notice and full opportunity to
comment on this process when the
provisions regarding inseason
adjustments and the 2021 quota levels
were put in place.
Dated: September 9, 2021.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021–19834 Filed 9–10–21; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 15, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51277-51278]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-19834]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason adjustment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the commercial per-trip possession limit
for 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 Sec.
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 Sec. 648.295(b)(2)(i) require
[[Page 51278]]
such action to ensure that blueline tilefish commercial vessels do not
exceed the 2021 TAL. If implementation of this action is delayed, the
TAL for the 2021 fishing year may be exceeded, thereby undermining the
conservation objectives of the Tilefish Fishery Management Plan. Also,
the public had prior notice and full opportunity to comment on this
process when the provisions regarding inseason adjustments and the 2021
quota levels were put in place.
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. 2021-19834 Filed 9-10-21; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
