Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; 2022 Commercial and Recreational Accountability Measure and Closures for Gulf of Mexico Lane Snapper, 68382-68383 [2022-24900]
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68382
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 219 / Tuesday, November 15, 2022 / Rules and Regulations
NMFS provided an opportunity for
public comment on the proposed rules
to designate critical habitat for the
Arctic subspecies of the ringed seal and
the Beringia DPS of the bearded seal, we
find good cause that the notice and
public comment procedures of 5 U.S.C.
553(b) are unnecessary for this action.
We also find good cause under 5 U.S.C.
553(d)(3) to make this rule effective
immediately. The NMFS final rule to
delist Johnson’s seagrass (87 FR 22137;
April 14, 2022) removed protection
under the Act for this species, removed
the species from the table at 50 CFR
223.102(e), and removed its critical
habitat designation at 50 CFR 226.213.
The April 1, 2022, NMFS critical habitat
final rules (87 FR 19232 and 87 FR
19180) extended protection under the
Act for the Arctic subspecies of the
ringed seal and the Beringia DPS of the
bearded seal, and amended 50 CFR parts
223 and 226 to designate critical habitat
for the Arctic subspecies of the ringed
seal and the Beringia DPS of the bearded
Common name
seal. This rule is an administrative
action to remove one species from the
List at 50 CFR 17.12(h) and update two
species’ entries on the List at 50 CFR
17.11(h). The public would not be
served by delaying the effective date of
this rulemaking action.
Required Determinations
National Environmental Policy Act
We have determined that an
environmental assessment, as defined
under the authority of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, need
not be prepared in connection with
regulations adopted pursuant to section
4(a) of the Act. We outlined our reasons
for this determination in the Federal
Register on October 25, 1983 (48 FR
49244).
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17
Endangered and threatened species,
Exports, Imports, Plants, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements,
Transportation, Wildlife.
Scientific name
Where listed
Status
Regulation Promulgation
Accordingly, we amend part 17,
subchapter B of chapter I, title 50 of the
CFR, as set forth below:
PART 17—ENDANGERED AND
THREATENED WILDLIFE AND PLANTS
1. The authority citation for part 17
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361–1407; 1531–
1544; and 4201–4245, unless otherwise
noted.
2. In § 17.11, amend paragraph (h) by
revising the entries for ‘‘Seal, bearded
[Beringia DPS]’’ and ‘‘Seal, ringed
(Arctic subspecies)’’ under MAMMALS
in the List of Endangered and
Threatened Wildlife to read as follows:
■
§ 17.11 Endangered and threatened
wildlife.
*
*
*
(h) * * *
*
*
Listing citations and applicable rules
MAMMALS
*
Seal, bearded [Beringia
DPS].
*
*
Erignathus barbatus
nauticus.
*
Beringia DPS—see 50
CFR 223.102.
*
Seal, ringed (Arctic subspecies).
*
*
Phoca (=Pusa) hispida
hispida.
*
Wherever found ..............
*
§ 17.12
*
*
[Amended]
*
77 FR 76740, 12/28/2012;N
79 FR 42687, 7/23/2014;
50 CFR 226.229.CH
*
*
*
77 FR 76706, 12/28/2012;N
79 FR 42687, 7/23/2014;
50 CFR 226.228.CH
*
T
*
*
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
3. In § 17.12, amend paragraph (h) by
removing the entry for ‘‘Halophila
johnsonii’’ under FLOWERING PLANTS
from the List of Endangered and
Threatened Plants.
■
Martha Williams,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2022–24741 Filed 11–14–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 211217–0261; RTID 0648–
XC537]
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of
Mexico; 2022 Commercial and
Recreational Accountability Measure
and Closures for Gulf of Mexico Lane
Snapper
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
AGENCY:
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1
*
T
NMFS implements an
accountability measure (AM) for the
lane snapper commercial and
recreational sectors in the exclusive
economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:14 Nov 14, 2022
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PO 00000
Frm 00048
Fmt 4700
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*
*
Mexico (Gulf) for the 2022 fishing year
through this temporary rule. NMFS has
projected that the 2022 stock annual
catch limit (ACL) for Gulf lane snapper
has been reached. Therefore, NMFS
closes the commercial and recreational
sectors for Gulf lane snapper on
November 15, 2022, and they will
remain closed through the end of the
current fishing year on December 31,
2022. These closures are necessary to
protect the Gulf lane snapper resource.
DATES: This temporary rule is effective
from 12:01 a.m., local time, on
November 15, 2022, until 12:01 a.m.,
local time, on January 1, 2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kelli O’Donnell, NMFS Southeast
Regional Office, telephone: 727–824–
5305, email: Kelli.ODonnell@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
manages the Gulf reef fish fishery,
which includes lane snapper, under the
Fishery Management Plan for the Reef
Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico
E:\FR\FM\15NOR1.SGM
15NOR1
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 219 / Tuesday, November 15, 2022 / Rules and Regulations
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1
(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 lane
snapper weights discussed in this
temporary rule are in round weight.
The current stock ACL for Gulf lane
snapper is 1,028,973 lb (466,734 kg). As
specified in 50 CFR 622.41(k), if the
sum of the commercial and recreational
landings reaches or is projected to reach
the stock ACL, then NMFS will close
the commercial and recreational sectors
for the remainder of the fishing year.
Based on latest recreational landings
estimates, which were available in
October 2022, NMFS has determined
that the stock ACL for Gulf lane snapper
was reached as of August 28, 2022.
Accordingly, this temporary rule closes
the commercial and recreational sectors
for Gulf lane snapper effective at 12:01
a.m., local time, on November 15, 2022,
and both sectors will remain closed
through the end of the current fishing
year on December 31, 2022.
During the commercial and
recreational closures, the commercial
sale or purchase of lane snapper taken
from the Gulf EEZ is prohibited and all
harvest or possession in or from the Gulf
EEZ of lane snapper is prohibited. The
prohibition on possession of Gulf lane
snapper also applies in Gulf state waters
for a vessel issued a valid Federal
charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf
reef fish. During the closures, the
operator of a vessel with a valid
commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef
fish having lane snapper on board must
have landed and bartered, traded, or
sold such lane snapper prior to 12:01
a.m., local time, on November 15, 2022.
The prohibition on the sale or purchase
of lane snapper does not apply to fish
that were harvested, landed ashore, and
sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, on
November 15, 2022, and were held in
cold storage by a dealer or processor.
Classification
NMFS issues this action pursuant to
section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens
Act. This action is required by 50 CFR
622.41(k), 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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:14 Nov 14, 2022
Jkt 259001
associated with the closure of the lane
snapper commercial and recreational
sectors at 50 CFR 622.41(k) 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 lane snapper stock. Prior
notice and opportunity for public
comment would require time and allow
for additional harvest in excess of the
stock 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: November 9, 2022.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022–24900 Filed 11–10–22; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 220216–0049; RTID 0648–
XC553]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of
Pacific Cod 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; reallocation.
AGENCY:
NMFS is reallocating the
projected unused amount of Pacific cod
from catcher vessels using trawl gear
and vessels using pot gear to catcher
vessels using hook-and-line gear and
catcher/processors using hook-and-line
gear in the Western Regulatory Area of
the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to allow the 2022 total
allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod to
be harvested.
DATES: Effective November 9, 2022,
through 2400 hours, Alaska local time
(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 according to the Fishery
SUMMARY:
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Fmt 4700
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68383
Management Plan for Groundfish of the
Gulf of Alaska (FMP) prepared by the
North Pacific Fishery Management
Council under authority of the
Magnuson-Stevens 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 2022 Pacific cod TAC specified
for catcher vessels using trawl gear in
the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA
is 2,579 metric tons (mt), as established
by the final 2022 and 2023 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA
(87 FR 11599, March 2, 2022).
The 2022 Pacific cod TAC specified
for vessels using pot gear in the Western
Regulatory Area of the GOA is 2,552 mt,
as established by the final 2022 and
2023 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the GOA (87 FR 11599,
March 2, 2022).
The 2022 Pacific cod TAC specified
for catcher vessels using hook-and-line
gear in the Western Regulatory Area of
the GOA is 94 mt, as established by the
final 2022 and 2023 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA
(87 FR 11599, March 2, 2022).
The 2022 Pacific cod TAC specified
for catcher/processors using hook-andline gear in the Western Regulatory Area
of the GOA is 1,330 mt, as established
by the final 2022 and 2023 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA
(87 FR 11599, March 2, 2022).
The Administrator, Alaska Region,
NMFS, (Regional Administrator) has
determined that catcher vessels using
trawl gear will not be able to harvest 400
mt of the 2022 Pacific cod TAC
allocated to those vessels under
§ 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A)(3), and vessels
using pot gear will not be able to harvest
150 mt of the 2022 Pacific cod TAC
allocated to those vessels under
§ 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A)(5).
Therefore, in accordance with
§ 679.20(a)(12)(ii)(B), NMFS apportions
400 mt of Pacific cod from catcher
vessels using trawl gear to the annual
amount specified for catcher/processors
using hook-and-line gear, and 150 mt of
Pacific cod from vessels using pot gear
to the annual amount specified for
catcher vessels using hook-and-line
gear.
The harvest specifications for 2022
Pacific cod included in the final 2022
and 2023 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the Western Regulatory
Area of the GOA (87 FR 11599, March
2, 2022) is revised as follows: 2,179 mt
to catcher vessels using trawl gear, 2,402
mt to vessels using pot gear, 244 mt to
catcher vessels using hook-and-line
E:\FR\FM\15NOR1.SGM
15NOR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 219 (Tuesday, November 15, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68382-68383]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-24900]
=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 211217-0261; RTID 0648-XC537]
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; 2022 Commercial and
Recreational Accountability Measure and Closures for Gulf of Mexico
Lane Snapper
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for the lane
snapper commercial and recreational sectors in the exclusive economic
zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) for the 2022 fishing year
through this temporary rule. NMFS has projected that the 2022 stock
annual catch limit (ACL) for Gulf lane snapper has been reached.
Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial and recreational sectors for Gulf
lane snapper on November 15, 2022, and they will remain closed through
the end of the current fishing year on December 31, 2022. These
closures are necessary to protect the Gulf lane snapper resource.
DATES: This temporary rule is effective from 12:01 a.m., local time, on
November 15, 2022, until 12:01 a.m., local time, on January 1, 2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelli O'Donnell, NMFS Southeast
Regional Office, telephone: 727-824-5305, email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the Gulf reef fish fishery,
which includes lane snapper, under the Fishery Management Plan for the
Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico
[[Page 68383]]
(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 lane snapper
weights discussed in this temporary rule are in round weight.
The current stock ACL for Gulf lane snapper is 1,028,973 lb
(466,734 kg). As specified in 50 CFR 622.41(k), if the sum of the
commercial and recreational landings reaches or is projected to reach
the stock ACL, then NMFS will close the commercial and recreational
sectors for the remainder of the fishing year. Based on latest
recreational landings estimates, which were available in October 2022,
NMFS has determined that the stock ACL for Gulf lane snapper was
reached as of August 28, 2022. Accordingly, this temporary rule closes
the commercial and recreational sectors for Gulf lane snapper effective
at 12:01 a.m., local time, on November 15, 2022, and both sectors will
remain closed through the end of the current fishing year on December
31, 2022.
During the commercial and recreational closures, the commercial
sale or purchase of lane snapper taken from the Gulf EEZ is prohibited
and all harvest or possession in or from the Gulf EEZ of lane snapper
is prohibited. The prohibition on possession of Gulf lane snapper also
applies in Gulf state waters for a vessel issued a valid Federal
charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef fish. During the closures,
the operator of a vessel with a valid commercial vessel permit for Gulf
reef fish having lane snapper on board must have landed and bartered,
traded, or sold such lane snapper prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, on
November 15, 2022. The prohibition on the sale or purchase of lane
snapper does not apply to fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and
sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, on November 15, 2022, and were
held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
Classification
NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act. This action is required by 50 CFR 622.41(k), 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 lane snapper commercial and recreational sectors at 50
CFR 622.41(k) 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 lane snapper stock. Prior notice and opportunity for
public comment would require time and allow for additional harvest in
excess of the stock 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: November 9, 2022.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-24900 Filed 11-10-22; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P