Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; Quota Transfers From VA to NC and FL to RI, 72533-72534 [2021-27650]

Download as PDF khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 243 / Wednesday, December 22, 2021 / Rules and Regulations mt (54.6 mt ¥ 48.8 mt = 5.8 mt) of quota unused. Under § 635.28(a)(2), NMFS may reopen the fishery if NMFS determines that reasonable fishing opportunities are available. Based on these landings data, as well as average catch rates and anticipated fishing conditions, NMFS has determined that reopening the General category fishery for four days is appropriate given the amount of unused December subquota. Depending on weather conditions and fish availability, a longer reopening could risk exceeding the unused quota available for the December subquota period. NMFS will need to account for 2021 landings and dead discards within the adjusted U.S. quota, consistent with ICCAT recommendations, and anticipates having sufficient quota to do that. Thus, this action would allow fishermen to take advantage of the availability of fish on the fishing grounds to the extent consistent with the available amount of quota and other management objectives, while avoiding quota exceedance. Therefore, the General category fishery will reopen at 12:30 a.m., Monday, December 20, 2021, and close at 11:30 p.m., Thursday, December 23, 2021. The General category daily retention limit during this reopening remains the same as prior to closing: One large medium or giant (i.e., measuring 73 inches (185 cm) curved fork length or greater) BFT per vessel per day/trip. This action applies to Atlantic tunas General category (commercial) permitted vessels and HMS Charter/Headboat category permitted vessels with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing commercially for BFT. Retaining, possessing, or landing large medium or giant BFT by persons aboard vessels permitted in the General and HMS Charter/Headboat categories must cease at 11:30 p.m. local time on December 23, 2021. The General category will automatically reopen January 1, 2022, for the January through March 2022 subquota time period. Fishermen aboard General category permitted vessels and HMS Charter/ Headboat permitted vessels may catchand-release and tag and release BFT of all sizes, subject to the requirements of the catch-and-release and tag-andrelease programs at § 635.26. All BFT that are released must be handled in a manner that will maximize their survival, and without removing the fish from the water, consistent with requirements at § 635.21(a)(1). For additional information on safe handling, see the ‘‘Careful Catch and Release’’ brochure available at https:// www.fisheries.noaa.gov/resource/ VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:01 Dec 21, 2021 Jkt 256001 72533 outreach-and-education/careful-catchand-release-brochure/. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801 et seq. Monitoring and Reporting NMFS will continue to monitor the BFT fisheries closely. Dealers are required to submit landing reports within 24 hours of a dealer receiving BFT. Late reporting by dealers compromises NMFS’ ability to timely implement actions such as quota and retention limit adjustment, as well as closures, and may result in enforcement actions. Additionally, and separate from the dealer reporting requirement, General and HMS Charter/Headboat category vessel owners are required to report the catch of all BFT retained or discarded dead within 24 hours of the landing(s) or end of each trip, by accessing hmspermits.noaa.gov, using the HMS Catch Reporting app, or calling (888) 872–8862 (Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.). Dated: December 17, 2021. Ngagne Jafnar Gueye, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. Classification This action is taken pursuant to regulations at 50 CFR part 635, which were issued pursuant to section 304(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. The Assistant Administrator for NMFS finds that pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), there is good cause to waive prior notice of, and an opportunity for public comment on, this action for the following reasons: The regulations implementing the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and amendments provide for inseason adjustments to respond to the unpredictable nature of BFT availability on the fishing grounds, the migratory nature of this species, and the regional variations in the BFT fishery. Affording prior notice and opportunity for public comment to reopen the fishery is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. The General category recently closed, but based on the available category subquota, fishery performance in recent weeks, and the availability of BFT on the fishing grounds, is reopened in this action to allow fishermen to take advantage of availability of fish and of quota. NMFS could not have proposed this action earlier, as it needed to consider and respond to updated data and information about fishery conditions and this year’s landings. If NMFS were to offer a public comment period now, after having appropriately considered that data, it would preclude fishermen from harvesting BFT that are legally available. For all of the above reasons, there is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d) to waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness. PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 [FR Doc. 2021–27761 Filed 12–17–21; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 [Docket No. 201209–0332; RTID 0648–XB659 Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; Quota Transfers From VA to NC and FL to RI National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notification; quota transfers. AGENCY: NMFS announces that the Commonwealth of Virginia and the State of Florida are transferring a portion of their 2021 commercial bluefish quota to the states of North Carolina and Rhode Island, respectively. These quota adjustments are necessary to comply with the Atlantic Bluefish Fishery Management Plan quota transfer provisions. This announcement informs the public of the revised commercial bluefish quotas for Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, and Rhode Island. DATES: Effective December 17, 2021, through December 31, 2021. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Hansen, Fishery Management Specialist, (978) 281–9225. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations governing the Atlantic bluefish fishery are found in 50 CFR 648.160 through 648.167. These regulations require annual specification of a commercial quota that is apportioned among the coastal states from Maine through Florida. The process to set the annual commercial quota and the percent allocated to each state is described in § 648.162, and the final 2021 allocations were published on December 16, 2020 (85 FR 81421). The final rule implementing Amendment 1 to the Bluefish Fishery Management Plan (FMP) published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2000 (65 FR 45844), and provided a mechanism for transferring bluefish quota from one state to another. Two or more states, under mutual agreement SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\22DER1.SGM 22DER1 72534 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 243 / Wednesday, December 22, 2021 / Rules and Regulations and with the concurrence of the NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional Administrator, can request approval to transfer or combine bluefish commercial quota under § 648.162(e)(1)(i) through (iii). The Regional Administrator must approve any such transfer based on the criteria in § 648.162(e). In evaluating requests to transfer a quota or combine quotas, the Regional Administrator shall consider whether: The transfer or combinations would preclude the overall annual quota from being fully harvested; the transfer addresses an unforeseen variation or contingency in the fishery; and the transfer is consistent with the objectives of the FMP and the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Virginia is transferring 70,000 lb (31,751 kg) to North Carolina, and Florida is transferring 40,000 lb (18,144 kg) to Rhode Island through mutual agreement of the states. These transfers were requested to ensure that North Carolina and Rhode Island would not exceed their 2021 state quota. The revised bluefish quotas for 2021 are: Virginia, 168,800 lb (76,566 kg); North Carolina, 1,057,377 lb (479,618 kg); Florida 238,432 lb (108,151 kg); and Rhode Island, 304,434 lb (138,089 kg). Classification NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. This action is required by 50 CFR 648.162(e)(1)(i) through (iii), which was issued pursuant to section 304(b), and is exempted from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: December 16, 2021. Ngagne Jafnar Gueye, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2021–27650 Filed 12–17–21; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES [Docket No. 201209–0332; RTID 0648– XB660] Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; Quota Transfers From DE to NC and MD to RI National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notification; quota transfers. AGENCY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:01 Dec 21, 2021 Jkt 256001 NMFS announces that the states of Delaware and Maryland are transferring a portion of their 2021 commercial bluefish quota to the states of North Carolina and Rhode Island, respectively. These quota adjustments are necessary to comply with the Atlantic Bluefish Fishery Management Plan quota transfer provisions. This announcement informs the public of the revised commercial bluefish quotas for Delaware, North Carolina, Maryland, and Rhode Island. DATES: Effective December 17, 2021, through December 31, 2021. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Hansen, Fishery Management Specialist, (978) 281–9225. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations governing the Atlantic bluefish fishery are found in 50 CFR 648.160 through 648.167. These regulations require annual specification of a commercial quota that is apportioned among the coastal states from Maine through Florida. The process to set the annual commercial quota and the percent allocated to each state is described in § 648.162, and the final 2021 allocations were published on December 16, 2020 (85 FR 81421). The final rule implementing Amendment 1 to the Bluefish Fishery Management Plan (FMP) published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2000 (65 FR 45844), and provided a mechanism for transferring bluefish quota from one state to another. Two or more states, under mutual agreement and with the concurrence of the NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional Administrator, can request approval to transfer or combine bluefish commercial quota under § 648.162(e)(1)(i) through (iii). The Regional Administrator must approve any such transfer based on the criteria in § 648.162(e). In evaluating requests to transfer a quota or combine quotas, the Regional Administrator shall consider whether: The transfer or combinations would preclude the overall annual quota from being fully harvested; the transfer addresses an unforeseen variation or contingency in the fishery; and the transfer is consistent with the objectives of the FMP and the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Delaware is transferring 15,000 lb (6,804 kg) to North Carolina, and Maryland is transferring 10,000 lb (4,536 kg) to Rhode Island through mutual agreement of the states. These transfers were requested to ensure that North Carolina and Rhode Island would not exceed their 2021 state quota. The revised bluefish quotas for 2021 are: Delaware, 6,958 lb (3,156 kg); North Carolina, 1,072,377 lb (486,422 kg); SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Maryland 43,084 lb (19,542 kg); and Rhode Island, 314,434 lb (142,625 kg). Classification NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. This action is required by 50 CFR 648.162(e)(1)(i) through (iii), which was issued pursuant to section 304(b), and is exempted from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: December 17, 2021. Ngagne Jafnar Gueye, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2021–27762 Filed 12–17–21; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 210210–0018; RTID 0648– XB656] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation. AGENCY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amounts of Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) from catcher vessels using trawl gear to catcher/ processors using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to allow the 2021 TAC of Pacific cod in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA to be harvested. DATES: Effective December 21, 2021, through 2400 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 31, 2021. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907–586–7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the GOA exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\22DER1.SGM 22DER1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 22, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 72533-72534]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-27650]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 201209-0332; RTID 0648-XB659


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Bluefish 
Fishery; Quota Transfers From VA to NC and FL to RI

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

ACTION: Notification; quota transfers.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the Commonwealth of Virginia and the State 
of Florida are transferring a portion of their 2021 commercial bluefish 
quota to the states of North Carolina and Rhode Island, respectively. 
These quota adjustments are necessary to comply with the Atlantic 
Bluefish Fishery Management Plan quota transfer provisions. This 
announcement informs the public of the revised commercial bluefish 
quotas for Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, and Rhode Island.

DATES: Effective December 17, 2021, through December 31, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Hansen, Fishery Management 
Specialist, (978) 281-9225.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations governing the Atlantic bluefish 
fishery are found in 50 CFR 648.160 through 648.167. These regulations 
require annual specification of a commercial quota that is apportioned 
among the coastal states from Maine through Florida. The process to set 
the annual commercial quota and the percent allocated to each state is 
described in Sec.  648.162, and the final 2021 allocations were 
published on December 16, 2020 (85 FR 81421).
    The final rule implementing Amendment 1 to the Bluefish Fishery 
Management Plan (FMP) published in the Federal Register on July 26, 
2000 (65 FR 45844), and provided a mechanism for transferring bluefish 
quota from one state to another. Two or more states, under mutual 
agreement

[[Page 72534]]

and with the concurrence of the NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional 
Administrator, can request approval to transfer or combine bluefish 
commercial quota under Sec.  648.162(e)(1)(i) through (iii). The 
Regional Administrator must approve any such transfer based on the 
criteria in Sec.  648.162(e). In evaluating requests to transfer a 
quota or combine quotas, the Regional Administrator shall consider 
whether: The transfer or combinations would preclude the overall annual 
quota from being fully harvested; the transfer addresses an unforeseen 
variation or contingency in the fishery; and the transfer is consistent 
with the objectives of the FMP and the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    Virginia is transferring 70,000 lb (31,751 kg) to North Carolina, 
and Florida is transferring 40,000 lb (18,144 kg) to Rhode Island 
through mutual agreement of the states. These transfers were requested 
to ensure that North Carolina and Rhode Island would not exceed their 
2021 state quota. The revised bluefish quotas for 2021 are: Virginia, 
168,800 lb (76,566 kg); North Carolina, 1,057,377 lb (479,618 kg); 
Florida 238,432 lb (108,151 kg); and Rhode Island, 304,434 lb (138,089 
kg).

Classification

    NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act. This action is required by 50 CFR 648.162(e)(1)(i) through 
(iii), which was issued pursuant to section 304(b), and is exempted 
from review under Executive Order 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: December 16, 2021.
Ngagne Jafnar Gueye,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-27650 Filed 12-17-21; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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