Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2022 Commercial Closure for Blueline Tilefish in the South Atlantic, 53416-53417 [2022-18832]

Download as PDF lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 53416 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 168 / Wednesday, August 31, 2022 / Rules and Regulations request that NMFS close all, or an area of, Federal waters off that state to the harvest and possession of red snapper by private anglers. The state is required to request the closure by letter to NMFS, providing dates and geographic coordinates for the closure. If the request is within the scope of the analysis in Amendment 50A, NMFS publishes a notice in the Federal Register implementing the closure for the fishing year. Based on the analysis in Amendment 50A, Texas may request a closure of all Federal waters off the state to allow a year-round fishing season in state waters. As described at 50 CFR 622.2, ‘‘off Texas’’ is defined as the waters in the Gulf west of a rhumb line from 29°32.1′ N lat., 93°47.7′ W long. to 26°11.4′ N lat., 92°53′ W long., which line is an extension of the boundary between Louisiana and Texas. On December 3, 2021, NMFS received a request from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to close the EEZ off Texas to the red snapper private angling component for the first part of the 2022 fishing year. Texas requested that the closure be effective from January 1, 2022, until June 1, 2022. NMFS determined that the TPWD request was within the scope of analysis contained within Amendment 50A, and subsequently published a temporary rule in the Federal Register implementing that closure request (86 FR 70985, December 14, 2021). In that temporary rule, NMFS noted that TPWD would monitor private recreational landings, and if necessary, request that NMFS again close the EEZ in 2022 to ensure the Texas regional management area ACL is not exceeded. On August 24, 2022, NMFS received a new request from the TPWD to close the EEZ off Texas to the red snapper private angling component for the remainder of the 2022 fishing year. Texas requested that the closure be effective on September 3, 2022, through the end of the 2022 fishing year. NMFS has determined that this request is within the scope of analysis contained within Amendment 50A, which analyzed the potential impacts of a closure of all Federal waters off Texas when a portion of the Texas quota has been landed. As explained in Amendment 50A, Texas intends to maintain a year-round fishing season in state waters, during which the remaining part of Texas’ ACL could be caught. Therefore, the red snapper recreational private angling component in the Gulf EEZ off Texas will close from 12:01 a.m., local time, on September 3, 2022, until 12:01 a.m., local time, on January 1, 2023. This VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:59 Aug 30, 2022 Jkt 256001 closure applies to all private-anglers (those on board vessels that have not been issued a valid charter vessel/ headboat permit for Gulf reef fish) regardless of which state they are from or where they intend to land. On and after the effective dates of the closure in the EEZ off Texas, the harvest and possession of red snapper in the EEZ off Texas by the private angling component is prohibited and the bag and possession limits for the red snapper private angling component in the closed area is zero. Classification NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. This action is required by 50 CFR 622.23(c), 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 are unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. Such procedures are unnecessary because the rule implementing the area closure authority and the state-specific private angling ACLs has already been subject to notice and comment, and all that remains is to notify the public of the closure. Such procedures are contrary to the public interest because a failure to implement the closure immediately would be inconsistent with Texas’s state management plan and may result in less access to red snapper in state waters. For the aforementioned reasons, there is 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: August 29, 2022. Jennifer M. Wallace, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2022–18951 Filed 8–29–22; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 622 [Docket No. 140501394–5279–02; RTID 0648–XC303] Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2022 Commercial Closure for Blueline Tilefish in the South Atlantic National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. AGENCY: NMFS implements an accountability measure for blueline tilefish in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. NMFS projects commercial landings of blueline tilefish have reached the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) for the 2022 fishing year. Therefore, NMFS is closing the commercial sector for blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic EEZ. This closure is necessary to protect the blueline tilefish resource. DATES: This temporary rule is effective from 12:01 a.m., eastern time, on September 3, 2022, through December 31, 2022. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Vara, NMFS Southeast Regional Office, telephone: 727–824–5305, email: mary.vara@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The snapper-grouper fishery of the South Atlantic includes blueline tilefish and is managed under the Fishery Management Plan for the SnapperGrouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (FMP). The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and NMFS prepared the FMP, and the FMP 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 in this temporary rule are given in round weight. As specified at 50 CFR 622.193(z)(1)(i), the commercial ACL for blueline tilefish is 117,148 lb (53,137 kg). The commercial accountability measure for blueline tilefish requires NMFS to close the commercial sector when its ACL is reached, or is projected to be reached, by filing a notification to that effect with the Office of the Federal Register. NMFS has projected that for the 2022 fishing year, the commercial ACL for South Atlantic blueline tilefish SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\31AUR1.SGM 31AUR1 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 168 / Wednesday, August 31, 2022 / Rules and Regulations lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 will be reached by September 3, 2022. Accordingly, the commercial sector for South Atlantic blueline tilefish is closed effective at 12:01 a.m., eastern time, on September 3, 2022, through December 31, 2022. During the commercial closure, all sale or purchase of blueline tilefish is prohibited. The operator of a vessel with a valid Federal commercial vessel permit for South Atlantic snappergrouper having blueline tilefish on board must have landed and bartered, traded, or sold such blueline tilefish prior to September 3, 2022. In addition, recreational harvest for blueline tilefish closed on July 26, 2022, and the bag and possession limits are zero (87 FR 18739, March 31, 2022). Therefore, during the commercial closure for blueline tilefish, all harvest, possession, purchase, and sale of blueline tilefish in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is prohibited for the remainder of the 2022 fishing year. These restrictions for blueline tilefish apply in both state and Federal waters of the South Atlantic on board a vessel with a valid Federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper [50 CFR 622.193(z)(1)(i)]. Classification NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. This action is required by 50 CFR 622.193(z)(1)(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 blueline tilefish commercial sector at 50 CFR 622.193(z)(1)(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 blueline tilefish, because the capacity of the fishing fleet allows for rapid harvest of the commercial ACL. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment would require time and would potentially result in a harvest well in excess of the established commercial ACL. For the reasons stated earlier, the Assistant Administrator also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:59 Aug 30, 2022 Jkt 256001 effectiveness of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: August 26, 2022. Jennifer M. Wallace, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2022–18832 Filed 8–29–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 220216–0049; RTID 0648– XC308] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Trawl Catcher Vessels 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. AGENCY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2022 Pacific cod total allowable catch apportioned to trawl catcher vessels in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 1, 2022, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 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. Regulations governing sideboard protections for GOA groundfish fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR part 680. The 2022 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned to trawl catcher vessels in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA is 2,579 metric tons (mt), as established by the SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 53417 final 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (87 FR 11599, March 2, 2022). In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has determined that the 2022 Pacific cod TAC apportioned to trawl catcher vessels in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 2,379 mt and is setting aside the remaining 200 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl 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 directed fishing closure of Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl 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 August 25, 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: August 26, 2022. Jennifer M. Wallace, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2022–18826 Filed 8–30–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\31AUR1.SGM 31AUR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 168 (Wednesday, August 31, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53416-53417]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-18832]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 140501394-5279-02; RTID 0648-XC303]


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
2022 Commercial Closure for Blueline Tilefish in the South Atlantic

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 for blueline 
tilefish in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. 
NMFS projects commercial landings of blueline tilefish have reached the 
commercial annual catch limit (ACL) for the 2022 fishing year. 
Therefore, NMFS is closing the commercial sector for blueline tilefish 
in the South Atlantic EEZ. This closure is necessary to protect the 
blueline tilefish resource.

DATES: This temporary rule is effective from 12:01 a.m., eastern time, 
on September 3, 2022, through December 31, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Vara, NMFS Southeast Regional 
Office, telephone: 727-824-5305, email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The snapper-grouper fishery of the South 
Atlantic includes blueline tilefish and is managed under the Fishery 
Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic 
Region (FMP). The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and NMFS 
prepared the FMP, and the FMP 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 in this temporary rule are given in round weight.
    As specified at 50 CFR 622.193(z)(1)(i), the commercial ACL for 
blueline tilefish is 117,148 lb (53,137 kg). The commercial 
accountability measure for blueline tilefish requires NMFS to close the 
commercial sector when its ACL is reached, or is projected to be 
reached, by filing a notification to that effect with the Office of the 
Federal Register. NMFS has projected that for the 2022 fishing year, 
the commercial ACL for South Atlantic blueline tilefish

[[Page 53417]]

will be reached by September 3, 2022. Accordingly, the commercial 
sector for South Atlantic blueline tilefish is closed effective at 
12:01 a.m., eastern time, on September 3, 2022, through December 31, 
2022.
    During the commercial closure, all sale or purchase of blueline 
tilefish is prohibited. The operator of a vessel with a valid Federal 
commercial vessel permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper having 
blueline tilefish on board must have landed and bartered, traded, or 
sold such blueline tilefish prior to September 3, 2022.
    In addition, recreational harvest for blueline tilefish closed on 
July 26, 2022, and the bag and possession limits are zero (87 FR 18739, 
March 31, 2022). Therefore, during the commercial closure for blueline 
tilefish, all harvest, possession, purchase, and sale of blueline 
tilefish in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is prohibited for the 
remainder of the 2022 fishing year. These restrictions for blueline 
tilefish apply in both state and Federal waters of the South Atlantic 
on board a vessel with a valid Federal commercial or charter vessel/
headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper [50 CFR 
622.193(z)(1)(i)].

Classification

    NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act. This action is required by 50 CFR 622.193(z)(1)(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 blueline tilefish commercial sector at 50 CFR 
622.193(z)(1)(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 blueline tilefish, because the capacity of the 
fishing fleet allows for rapid harvest of the commercial ACL. Prior 
notice and opportunity for public comment would require time and would 
potentially result in a harvest well in excess of the established 
commercial ACL.
    For the reasons stated earlier, 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: August 26, 2022.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-18832 Filed 8-29-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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