Revised Reporting Requirements Due to Catastrophic Conditions for Federal Seafood Dealers, Individual Fishing Quota Dealers, and Charter Vessels and Headboats in Portions of Florida, 84105-84106 [2024-24276]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 203 / Monday, October 21, 2024 / Rules and Regulations dBc to a level at or below ¥14 dBc. The digital FM station must file Form 2100, Schedule 335–FM within 30 days of decreasing power. (6) Any digital FM station seeking authority to increase total digital Effective Radiated Power above ¥14 dBc must submit Form 2100, Schedule 335–FM. The submission must include a certification that the proposed FM digital Effective Radiated Power is permitted, using the table set forth in table 1 to § 73.404(f). Certifications must be based on the most restrictive analog field strength of the proponent at any nearby first-adjacent channel station’s 60 dBm contour. The station choosing to operate with total digital ERP above ¥14 dBc may initiate such operation upon approval from the Commission. [FR Doc. 2024–24105 Filed 10–18–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 622 [Docket Nos. 090206140–91081–03 and 120405260–4258–02; RTID 0648–XE399] Revised Reporting Requirements Due to Catastrophic Conditions for Federal Seafood Dealers, Individual Fishing Quota Dealers, and Charter Vessels and Headboats in Portions of Florida National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; determination of catastrophic conditions. AGENCY: In accordance with the regulations implementing the individual fishing quota (IFQ) program, Federal dealer reporting, and Federal charter vessel and headboat (for-hire vessel) reporting specific to the reef fish fishery in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf), coastal migratory pelagic (CMP) fisheries in the Gulf and Atlantic, snapper-grouper fishery in the South Atlantic, and dolphin and wahoo fishery in the Atlantic, the Regional Administrator (RA), NMFS Southeast Region, has determined that Hurricane Milton has caused catastrophic conditions in the Gulf and the Atlantic for certain Florida counties. This temporary rule authorizes, in the affected area described in this temporary rule, any Federal dealer or for-hire electronic reporting program participant who does not have access to electronic reporting to delay reporting, and any IFQ dealer lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:15 Oct 18, 2024 Jkt 265001 to use paper-based forms, if necessary, for basic required administrative functions, e.g., landing transactions. This temporary rule is intended to facilitate continuation of IFQ and electronic reporting operations during the period of catastrophic conditions. DATES: The RA is authorizing Federal dealers, for-hire electronic reporting program participants, and IFQ dealers in the affected area to use revised reporting methods from October 16, 2024, through November 15, 2024. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: IFQ Customer Service, Britni Lavine, telephone: 866–425–7627, email: nmfs.ser.catchshare@noaa.gov. Federal dealer reporting, Fisheries Monitoring Branch, telephone: 305–361–4581. NMFS Southeast For-Hire Integrated Electronic Reporting Program: 1–833– 707–1632. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The reef fish fishery of the Gulf is managed under the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (Reef Fish FMP), prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Gulf Council). The CMP fishery is managed under the FMP for CMP Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region (CMP FMP), prepared by the Gulf Council and South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (South Atlantic Council). The snapper-grouper fishery in the South Atlantic is managed under the FMP for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region, prepared by the South Atlantic Council. The dolphin and wahoo fishery in the Atlantic is managed under the FMP for the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic, prepared by the South Atlantic Council. The Secretary implemented these FMPs through regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the authority of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). The Generic Dealer Amendment established Federal dealer reporting requirements for federally permitted dealers in the Gulf and South Atlantic (79 FR 19490, April 9, 2014). The Headboat Reporting Framework Action established the Southeast Region Headboat Survey (SRHS) electronic reporting program (79 FR 6097, February 3, 2014). The final rule implementing the South Atlantic ForHire Reporting Amendment included reporting requirements for South Atlantic snapper-grouper, Atlantic dolphin and wahoo, and CMP owners and operators of South Atlantic and applicable Atlantic for-hire vessels (85 FR 10331, February 24, 2020). PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 84105 Amendment 26 to the Reef Fish FMP established an IFQ program for the commercial red snapper component of the Gulf reef fish fishery (71 FR 67447, November 22, 2006). Amendment 29 to the Reef Fish FMP established an IFQ program for the commercial grouper and tilefish components of the Gulf reef fish fishery (74 FR 44732, August 31, 2009). Regulations implementing these Gulf and South Atlantic dealer reporting requirements, IFQ programs, and forhire reporting requirements require that Federal dealers, IFQ dealers, and forhire reporting program participants have access to a computer and internet. However, these regulations also specify that during catastrophic conditions, as determined by the RA, the RA may waive or modify the reporting time requirements for Federal dealers and authorize IFQ dealers to use paperbased forms to complete administrative functions for the duration of the catastrophic conditions. The RA must determine that catastrophic conditions exist, specify the duration of the catastrophic conditions, and specify which participants or geographic areas are deemed affected. Hurricane Milton made landfall in the U.S. in Sarasota County, Florida, in the Gulf as a Category 3 hurricane on October 9, 2024. Strong winds and flooding from this hurricane impacted communities along coastal Florida in both the Gulf and South Atlantic. This resulted in power outages and damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. As a result, the RA has determined that catastrophic conditions exist in the Gulf for the Florida counties of Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, and Charlotte. For the South Atlantic, the RA has determined that catastrophic conditions also exist for the Florida counties of Brevard, Indian River, and Saint Lucie. Through this temporary rule, the RA is authorizing Federal dealers, SRHS program participants, and South Atlantic Federal for-hire operators to delay electronic reporting to NMFS and IFQ dealers in the affected area to use paper-based forms, from October 16, 2024, through November 15, 2024. NMFS will provide additional notification to affected dealers via NOAA Weather Radio, Fishery Bulletins, and other appropriate means. NMFS will continue to monitor and reevaluate the areas and duration of the catastrophic conditions, as necessary. Dealers may delay electronic reporting of trip tickets to NMFS during catastrophic conditions. Dealers are to report all landings to NMFS as soon as possible. Assistance for Federal dealers E:\FR\FM\21OCR1.SGM 21OCR1 84106 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 203 / Monday, October 21, 2024 / Rules and Regulations lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 in affected area is available from the NMFS Fisheries Monitoring Branch at 1–305–361–4581. SRHS program participants may delay electronic reporting of logbooks to NMFS during catastrophic conditions. SRHS participants are to report all logbooks to NMFS as soon as possible. South Atlantic Federal for-hire operators may delay electronic reporting of logbooks and ‘‘Did Not Fish’’ reports to NMFS during catastrophic conditions. South Atlantic Federal forhire operators are to report all landings or Did Not Fish reports to NMFS as soon as possible. Assistance for Federal forhire operators in the affected area is available from the NMFS Southeast ForHire Integrated Electronic Reporting Program at 1–833–707–1632, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Eastern Time. The electronic systems for submitting information to NMFS will continue to be available to all Federal for-hire operators, and forhire operators are encouraged to continue using these systems, if accessible. NMFS previously provided Federal IFQ dealers with the necessary paper forms and instructions for submission in the event of catastrophic conditions. Paper forms are also available from the RA upon request. The electronic systems for submitting information to NMFS will continue to be available to all dealers, and dealers in the affected area are encouraged to continue using these systems, if accessible. The administrative program functions available to IFQ participants in the area affected by catastrophic conditions will be limited under the paper-based system. There will be no mechanism for transfers of IFQ shares or allocation under the paper-based system in effect during catastrophic conditions. Assistance in complying with the requirements of the paper-based system will be available via the NMFS Catch Share Support line, 1–866–425–7627 Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Eastern Time. Classification NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. This action is consistent with the regulations in 50 CFR 622.5(c)(1)(iii), 622.21(a)(3)(iii), 622.22(a)(3)(iii), 622.26(b)(3) (2020), 622.176(b)(3), 622.271(b)(3), and 622.374(b)(3) (2020), which were 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:15 Oct 18, 2024 Jkt 265001 this action, as notice and comment are unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. Such procedures are unnecessary because the final rules implementing the Gulf IFQ programs, the Gulf and South Atlantic Federal dealer reporting requirements, and Gulf and South Atlantic for-hire vessel reporting requirements, and the SRHS reporting requirements have already been subject to notice and public comment. These rules authorize the RA to determine when catastrophic conditions exist, and which participants or geographic areas are deemed affected by catastrophic conditions. The final rules also authorize the RA to provide timely notice to affected participants via publication of notification in the Federal Register, NOAA Weather Radio, Fishery Bulletins, and other appropriate means. All that remains is to notify the public that catastrophic conditions exist, that Federal dealers and may use paper forms, and that Federal dealers, South Atlantic for-hire permit holders, and SRHS participants may submit delayed reports. Such procedures are also contrary to the public interest because of the need to immediately implement this action because affected dealers continue to receive these species in the affected area and fishermen continue to operate, and need a means of completing their landing transactions and logbook reports. With the power outages and damages to infrastructure that have occurred in the affected area due to Hurricane Milton, numerous businesses are unable to complete landings transactions, fishing reports, and dealer reports electronically. In order to continue with their businesses, IFQ dealers need to be aware they can report using the paper forms, and Federal dealers, South Atlantic for-hire permit holders, and SRHS participants need to be aware that they can delay reporting. 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: October 16, 2024. Karen H. Abrams, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2024–24276 Filed 10–16–24; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 [Docket No. 231215–0305; RTID 0648– XE378] Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder Fishery; Quota Transfer From Maine to Massachusetts National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; quota transfer. AGENCY: NMFS announces that the State of Maine is transferring a portion of its 2024 commercial summer flounder quota to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This adjustment to the 2024 fishing year quota is necessary to comply with the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) quota transfer provisions. This announcement informs the public of the revised 2024 commercial quotas for Maine and Massachusetts. SUMMARY: Effective October 18, 2024, through December 31, 2024. DATES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew Rigdon, Fishery Management Specialist, (978) 281–9336. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations governing the summer flounder fishery are found in 50 CFR 648.100 through 648.111. These regulations require annual specification of a commercial quota that is apportioned among the coastal states from Maine through North Carolina. The process to set the annual commercial quota and the percent allocated to each state is described in § 648.102, and the final 2024 allocations were published on December 21, 2023 (88 FR 88266). The final rule implementing Amendment 5 to the FMP, as published in the Federal Register on December 17, 1993 (58 FR 65936), provided a mechanism for transferring summer flounder commercial 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 transfer or combine summer flounder commercial quota under § 648.102(c)(2). The Regional Administrator is required to consider three criteria in the evaluation of requests for quota transfers or combinations: (1) the transfers or combinations would not preclude the E:\FR\FM\21OCR1.SGM 21OCR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 203 (Monday, October 21, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 84105-84106]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-24276]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket Nos. 090206140-91081-03 and 120405260-4258-02; RTID 0648-XE399]


Revised Reporting Requirements Due to Catastrophic Conditions for 
Federal Seafood Dealers, Individual Fishing Quota Dealers, and Charter 
Vessels and Headboats in Portions of Florida

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; determination of catastrophic conditions.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the regulations implementing the individual 
fishing quota (IFQ) program, Federal dealer reporting, and Federal 
charter vessel and headboat (for-hire vessel) reporting specific to the 
reef fish fishery in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf), coastal migratory 
pelagic (CMP) fisheries in the Gulf and Atlantic, snapper-grouper 
fishery in the South Atlantic, and dolphin and wahoo fishery in the 
Atlantic, the Regional Administrator (RA), NMFS Southeast Region, has 
determined that Hurricane Milton has caused catastrophic conditions in 
the Gulf and the Atlantic for certain Florida counties. This temporary 
rule authorizes, in the affected area described in this temporary rule, 
any Federal dealer or for-hire electronic reporting program participant 
who does not have access to electronic reporting to delay reporting, 
and any IFQ dealer to use paper-based forms, if necessary, for basic 
required administrative functions, e.g., landing transactions. This 
temporary rule is intended to facilitate continuation of IFQ and 
electronic reporting operations during the period of catastrophic 
conditions.

DATES: The RA is authorizing Federal dealers, for-hire electronic 
reporting program participants, and IFQ dealers in the affected area to 
use revised reporting methods from October 16, 2024, through November 
15, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: IFQ Customer Service, Britni Lavine, 
telephone: 866-425-7627, email: [email protected]. Federal 
dealer reporting, Fisheries Monitoring Branch, telephone: 305-361-4581. 
NMFS Southeast For-Hire Integrated Electronic Reporting Program: 1-833-
707-1632.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The reef fish fishery of the Gulf is managed 
under the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Reef Fish Resources of 
the Gulf of Mexico (Reef Fish FMP), prepared by the Gulf of Mexico 
Fishery Management Council (Gulf Council). The CMP fishery is managed 
under the FMP for CMP Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic 
Region (CMP FMP), prepared by the Gulf Council and South Atlantic 
Fishery Management Council (South Atlantic Council). The snapper-
grouper fishery in the South Atlantic is managed under the FMP for the 
Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region, prepared by the 
South Atlantic Council. The dolphin and wahoo fishery in the Atlantic 
is managed under the FMP for the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the 
Atlantic, prepared by the South Atlantic Council. The Secretary 
implemented these FMPs through regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the 
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
    The Generic Dealer Amendment established Federal dealer reporting 
requirements for federally permitted dealers in the Gulf and South 
Atlantic (79 FR 19490, April 9, 2014). The Headboat Reporting Framework 
Action established the Southeast Region Headboat Survey (SRHS) 
electronic reporting program (79 FR 6097, February 3, 2014). The final 
rule implementing the South Atlantic For-Hire Reporting Amendment 
included reporting requirements for South Atlantic snapper-grouper, 
Atlantic dolphin and wahoo, and CMP owners and operators of South 
Atlantic and applicable Atlantic for-hire vessels (85 FR 10331, 
February 24, 2020). Amendment 26 to the Reef Fish FMP established an 
IFQ program for the commercial red snapper component of the Gulf reef 
fish fishery (71 FR 67447, November 22, 2006). Amendment 29 to the Reef 
Fish FMP established an IFQ program for the commercial grouper and 
tilefish components of the Gulf reef fish fishery (74 FR 44732, August 
31, 2009). Regulations implementing these Gulf and South Atlantic 
dealer reporting requirements, IFQ programs, and for-hire reporting 
requirements require that Federal dealers, IFQ dealers, and for-hire 
reporting program participants have access to a computer and internet. 
However, these regulations also specify that during catastrophic 
conditions, as determined by the RA, the RA may waive or modify the 
reporting time requirements for Federal dealers and authorize IFQ 
dealers to use paper-based forms to complete administrative functions 
for the duration of the catastrophic conditions. The RA must determine 
that catastrophic conditions exist, specify the duration of the 
catastrophic conditions, and specify which participants or geographic 
areas are deemed affected.
    Hurricane Milton made landfall in the U.S. in Sarasota County, 
Florida, in the Gulf as a Category 3 hurricane on October 9, 2024. 
Strong winds and flooding from this hurricane impacted communities 
along coastal Florida in both the Gulf and South Atlantic. This 
resulted in power outages and damage to homes, businesses, and 
infrastructure. As a result, the RA has determined that catastrophic 
conditions exist in the Gulf for the Florida counties of Citrus, 
Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, and 
Charlotte. For the South Atlantic, the RA has determined that 
catastrophic conditions also exist for the Florida counties of Brevard, 
Indian River, and Saint Lucie.
    Through this temporary rule, the RA is authorizing Federal dealers, 
SRHS program participants, and South Atlantic Federal for-hire 
operators to delay electronic reporting to NMFS and IFQ dealers in the 
affected area to use paper-based forms, from October 16, 2024, through 
November 15, 2024. NMFS will provide additional notification to 
affected dealers via NOAA Weather Radio, Fishery Bulletins, and other 
appropriate means. NMFS will continue to monitor and re-evaluate the 
areas and duration of the catastrophic conditions, as necessary.
    Dealers may delay electronic reporting of trip tickets to NMFS 
during catastrophic conditions. Dealers are to report all landings to 
NMFS as soon as possible. Assistance for Federal dealers

[[Page 84106]]

in affected area is available from the NMFS Fisheries Monitoring Branch 
at 1-305-361-4581.
    SRHS program participants may delay electronic reporting of 
logbooks to NMFS during catastrophic conditions. SRHS participants are 
to report all logbooks to NMFS as soon as possible.
    South Atlantic Federal for-hire operators may delay electronic 
reporting of logbooks and ``Did Not Fish'' reports to NMFS during 
catastrophic conditions. South Atlantic Federal for-hire operators are 
to report all landings or Did Not Fish reports to NMFS as soon as 
possible. Assistance for Federal for-hire operators in the affected 
area is available from the NMFS Southeast For-Hire Integrated 
Electronic Reporting Program at 1-833-707-1632, Monday through Friday, 
between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Eastern Time. The electronic systems for 
submitting information to NMFS will continue to be available to all 
Federal for-hire operators, and for-hire operators are encouraged to 
continue using these systems, if accessible.
    NMFS previously provided Federal IFQ dealers with the necessary 
paper forms and instructions for submission in the event of 
catastrophic conditions. Paper forms are also available from the RA 
upon request. The electronic systems for submitting information to NMFS 
will continue to be available to all dealers, and dealers in the 
affected area are encouraged to continue using these systems, if 
accessible. The administrative program functions available to IFQ 
participants in the area affected by catastrophic conditions will be 
limited under the paper-based system. There will be no mechanism for 
transfers of IFQ shares or allocation under the paper-based system in 
effect during catastrophic conditions. Assistance in complying with the 
requirements of the paper-based system will be available via the NMFS 
Catch Share Support line, 1-866-425-7627 Monday through Friday, between 
8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Eastern Time.

Classification

    NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act. This action is consistent with the regulations in 50 CFR 
622.5(c)(1)(iii), 622.21(a)(3)(iii), 622.22(a)(3)(iii), 622.26(b)(3) 
(2020), 622.176(b)(3), 622.271(b)(3), and 622.374(b)(3) (2020), which 
were 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 final rules implementing the 
Gulf IFQ programs, the Gulf and South Atlantic Federal dealer reporting 
requirements, and Gulf and South Atlantic for-hire vessel reporting 
requirements, and the SRHS reporting requirements have already been 
subject to notice and public comment. These rules authorize the RA to 
determine when catastrophic conditions exist, and which participants or 
geographic areas are deemed affected by catastrophic conditions. The 
final rules also authorize the RA to provide timely notice to affected 
participants via publication of notification in the Federal Register, 
NOAA Weather Radio, Fishery Bulletins, and other appropriate means. All 
that remains is to notify the public that catastrophic conditions 
exist, that Federal dealers and may use paper forms, and that Federal 
dealers, South Atlantic for-hire permit holders, and SRHS participants 
may submit delayed reports. Such procedures are also contrary to the 
public interest because of the need to immediately implement this 
action because affected dealers continue to receive these species in 
the affected area and fishermen continue to operate, and need a means 
of completing their landing transactions and logbook reports. With the 
power outages and damages to infrastructure that have occurred in the 
affected area due to Hurricane Milton, numerous businesses are unable 
to complete landings transactions, fishing reports, and dealer reports 
electronically. In order to continue with their businesses, IFQ dealers 
need to be aware they can report using the paper forms, and Federal 
dealers, South Atlantic for-hire permit holders, and SRHS participants 
need to be aware that they can delay reporting.
    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: October 16, 2024.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-24276 Filed 10-16-24; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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