Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries, 8432-8433 [2022-03236]

Download as PDF 8432 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 31 / Tuesday, February 15, 2022 / Rules and Regulations claim on your behalf, NEH’s commitment will be subject to the availability of appropriated funds. The Agency Official may impose other conditions or limitations on the determination at his or her discretion. (h) If the Chairperson requests indemnification or settlement of a claim, the General Counsel will perform the functions assigned to the Chairperson under this section with respect to that request. § 1173.2 [Reserved] Dated: February 9, 2022. Samuel Roth, Attorney-Advisor, National Endowment for the Humanities. [FR Doc. 2022–03058 Filed 2–14–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7536–01–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 635 [Docket No. 180117042–8884–02; RTID 0648–XB796] Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure of the General category January through March fishery for 2022. AGENCY: NMFS closes the General category fishery for large medium and giant (i.e., measuring 73 inches (185 cm) curved fork length or greater) Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) for the January through March subquota time period. This action applies to Atlantic Tunas General category (commercial) permitted vessels and HMS Charter/ Headboat permitted vessels with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing commercially for BFT. DATES: Effective 11:30 p.m., local time, February 11, 2022, through May 31, 2022. SUMMARY: lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Larry Redd, Jr., larry.redd@noaa.gov, 301–427–8503, Nicholas Velseboer, nicholas.velsboer@noaa.gov, 978–281– 9260, or Thomas Warren, thomas.warren@noaa.gov, 978–281– 9347. Atlantic HMS fisheries, including BFT fisheries, are managed under the authority of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:09 Feb 14, 2022 Jkt 256001 Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.). The 2006 Consolidated Atlantic HMS Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and its amendments are implemented by regulations at 50 CFR part 635. Section 635.27 divides the U.S. BFT quota recommended by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and as implemented by the United States among the various domestic fishing categories, per the allocations established in the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and its amendments. NMFS is required under the Magnuson-Stevens Act to provide U.S. fishing vessels with a reasonable opportunity to harvest quotas under relevant international fishery agreements such as the ICCAT Convention, which is implemented domestically pursuant to ATCA. Under § 635.28(a)(1), NMFS files a closure notice with the Office of the Federal Register for publication when a BFT quota (or subquota) is reached or is projected to be reached. Retaining, possessing, or landing BFT under that quota category is prohibited on and after the effective date and time of a closure notice for that category, for the remainder of the fishing year, until the opening of the subsequent quota period or until such date as specified. The 2022 baseline quota for the General category is 555.7 mt. The General category baseline subquota for the January through March time period is 29.5 mt. As a result of two adjustments, the adjusted subquota for the January through March time period is 75 mt (86 FR 72857, December 23, 2021; 87 FR 5737, February 2, 2022). Closure of the January Through March 2022 General Category Fishery As of February 10, 2022, reported landings for the General category January through March subquota time period total approximately 63.1 mt. Based on these landings data, as well as average catch rates and anticipated fishing conditions, NMFS projects the adjusted January through March 2022 subquota of 75 mt will be reached shortly. Therefore, retaining, possessing, or landing large medium or giant (i.e., measuring 73 inches (185 cm) curved fork length or greater) BFT by persons aboard vessels permitted in the Atlantic Tunas General category and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels (while fishing commercially) must cease at 11:30 p.m. local time on February 11, 2022. The General category will automatically reopen June 1, 2022, for PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 the June through August 2022 subquota time period. This action applies to Atlantic Tunas General category (commercial) permitted vessels and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing commercially for BFT and is taken consistent with the regulations at § 635.28(a)(1). The intent of this closure is to prevent overharvest of the available January through March subquota. 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/ outreach-and-education/careful-catchand-release-brochure/. 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.). Classification NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and regulations at 50 CFR part 635 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. The Assistant Administrator for NMFS finds that it is impracticable and contrary to the public interest to provide 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 its amendments provide for inseason adjustments and fishery closures to E:\FR\FM\15FER1.SGM 15FER1 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 31 / Tuesday, February 15, 2022 / Rules and Regulations 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. This fishery is currently underway and delaying this action would be contrary to the public interest as it could result in BFT landings exceeding the General category adjusted January through March 2022 subquota, which could result in the need to reduce quota for the General category later in the year and thus could affect later fishing opportunities. Therefore, the AA finds good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) to waive prior notice and the opportunity for public comment. For all of the above reasons, there is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d) to waive the 30day delay in effectiveness. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801 et seq. Dated: February 10, 2022. Ngagne Jafnar Gueye, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2022–03236 Filed 2–10–22; 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– XB755] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Vessels Using Pot Gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 AGENCY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:09 Feb 14, 2022 Jkt 256001 NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2022 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 11, 2022, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., June 10, 2022. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Krista Milani, 907–581–2062. 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. The A season allowance of the 2022 Pacific cod TAC apportioned to vessels using pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA is 1,330 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2021 and 2022 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA (86 FR 10184, February 19, 2021) and inseason adjustment (86 FR 74384, December 30, 2021). In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional Administrator has determined that the A season allowance of the 2022 Pacific cod TAC apportioned to vessels using pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 1,330 mt and is setting aside the remaining 0 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 8433 Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. While this closure is effective the maximum retainable amounts at § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip. Classification NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. This action is required by 50 CFR part 679, which was issued pursuant to section 304(b), 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 would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest, as it would prevent NMFS from responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and would delay the closure of Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of February 9, 2022. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the effective date of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and opportunity for public comment. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: February 10, 2022. Ngagne Jafnar Gueye, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2022–03221 Filed 2–10–22; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\15FER1.SGM 15FER1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 15, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8432-8433]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-03236]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 635

[Docket No. 180117042-8884-02; RTID 0648-XB796]


Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna 
Fisheries

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure of the General category January through 
March fishery for 2022.

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SUMMARY: NMFS closes the General category fishery for large medium and 
giant (i.e., measuring 73 inches (185 cm) curved fork length or 
greater) Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) for the January through March 
subquota time period. This action applies to Atlantic Tunas General 
category (commercial) permitted vessels and HMS Charter/Headboat 
permitted vessels with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing 
commercially for BFT.

DATES: Effective 11:30 p.m., local time, February 11, 2022, through May 
31, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Larry Redd, Jr., [email protected], 
301-427-8503, Nicholas Velseboer, [email protected], 978-281-
9260, or Thomas Warren, [email protected], 978-281-9347.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Atlantic HMS fisheries, including BFT 
fisheries, are managed under the authority of the Atlantic Tunas 
Convention Act (ATCA; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.) and the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act; 16 
U.S.C. 1801 et seq.). The 2006 Consolidated Atlantic HMS Fishery 
Management Plan (FMP) and its amendments are implemented by regulations 
at 50 CFR part 635. Section 635.27 divides the U.S. BFT quota 
recommended by the International Commission for the Conservation of 
Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and as implemented by the United States among 
the various domestic fishing categories, per the allocations 
established in the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and its amendments. NMFS 
is required under the Magnuson-Stevens Act to provide U.S. fishing 
vessels with a reasonable opportunity to harvest quotas under relevant 
international fishery agreements such as the ICCAT Convention, which is 
implemented domestically pursuant to ATCA.
    Under Sec.  635.28(a)(1), NMFS files a closure notice with the 
Office of the Federal Register for publication when a BFT quota (or 
subquota) is reached or is projected to be reached. Retaining, 
possessing, or landing BFT under that quota category is prohibited on 
and after the effective date and time of a closure notice for that 
category, for the remainder of the fishing year, until the opening of 
the subsequent quota period or until such date as specified.
    The 2022 baseline quota for the General category is 555.7 mt. The 
General category baseline subquota for the January through March time 
period is 29.5 mt. As a result of two adjustments, the adjusted 
subquota for the January through March time period is 75 mt (86 FR 
72857, December 23, 2021; 87 FR 5737, February 2, 2022).

Closure of the January Through March 2022 General Category Fishery

    As of February 10, 2022, reported landings for the General category 
January through March subquota time period total approximately 63.1 mt. 
Based on these landings data, as well as average catch rates and 
anticipated fishing conditions, NMFS projects the adjusted January 
through March 2022 subquota of 75 mt will be reached shortly. 
Therefore, retaining, possessing, or landing large medium or giant 
(i.e., measuring 73 inches (185 cm) curved fork length or greater) BFT 
by persons aboard vessels permitted in the Atlantic Tunas General 
category and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels (while fishing 
commercially) must cease at 11:30 p.m. local time on February 11, 2022. 
The General category will automatically reopen June 1, 2022, for the 
June through August 2022 subquota time period. This action applies to 
Atlantic Tunas General category (commercial) permitted vessels and HMS 
Charter/Headboat permitted vessels with a commercial sale endorsement 
when fishing commercially for BFT and is taken consistent with the 
regulations at Sec.  635.28(a)(1). The intent of this closure is to 
prevent overharvest of the available January through March subquota.
    Fishermen aboard General category permitted vessels and HMS 
Charter/Headboat permitted vessels may catch-and-release and tag and 
release BFT of all sizes, subject to the requirements of the catch-and-
release and tag-and-release programs at Sec.  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 Sec.  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/outreach-and-education/careful-catch-and-release-brochure/.

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.).

Classification

    NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act and regulations at 50 CFR part 635 and is exempt from 
review under Executive Order 12866.
    The Assistant Administrator for NMFS finds that it is impracticable 
and contrary to the public interest to provide 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 its 
amendments provide for inseason adjustments and fishery closures to

[[Page 8433]]

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. This fishery is currently underway and 
delaying this action would be contrary to the public interest as it 
could result in BFT landings exceeding the General category adjusted 
January through March 2022 subquota, which could result in the need to 
reduce quota for the General category later in the year and thus could 
affect later fishing opportunities. Therefore, the AA finds good cause 
under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) to waive prior notice and the opportunity for 
public comment. 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.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801 et seq.

    Dated: February 10, 2022.
Ngagne Jafnar Gueye,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-03236 Filed 2-10-22; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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