Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery; 2024 Commercial Atlantic Mackerel Fishery Closure, 96910-96911 [2024-28730]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1
96910
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 235 / Friday, December 6, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
(f) Restrictions on FAD deployments,
removals, and recovery.
*
*
*
*
*
(3) U.S. vessel owners and operators
may recover FADs for final disposal or
recycling. Recovery activities must be
limited to the collection of FADs for
final disposal or recycling and may not
include any type of maintenance or
adjustment on deployed FADs.
(g) Non-entangling FAD materials.
Beginning January 1, 2025, U.S. purse
seine vessel owners and operators must
ensure that the design and construction
of any FAD to be deployed or
redeployed (i.e., placed in the water) in
the IATTC Convention Area uses only
non-entangling FAD materials.
(h) Biodegradable FAD materials. In
addition to complying with the
requirement to use non-entangling
materials specified in paragraph (g) of
this section, vessel owners and
operators must ensure that the design
and construction of any FAD to be
deployed or redeployed in the IATTC
Convention Area meets the following
specifications:
(1) Beginning January 1, 2026, all
FADs deployed or redeployed in the
IATTC Convention Area must be
designed and constructed according to
one of the following sets of
specifications:
(i) The surface part of the FAD must
be made of fully biodegradable
materials, except for flotation
components (e.g., plastic buoys, foam,
purse-seine corks), whereas the
subsurface part of the FAD may contain
non-biodegradable materials (e.g.,
synthetic raffia, metallic frame, plastic
floats, nylon ropes); or
(ii) The subsurface part of the FAD
must be made of fully biodegradable
materials, whereas the surface part and
any flotation components (e.g., plastic
buoys, foam, purse-seine corks) of the
FAD may contain non-biodegradable
materials (e.g., synthetic raffia, metallic
frame, plastic floats, nylon ropes); or
(iii) The surface part, except for
flotation components (e.g., plastic
buoys, foam, purse-seine corks), and
subsurface part must be made of fully
biodegradable materials. Nonbiodegradable materials, in particular
nylon ropes, can be used exclusively to
strengthen the structure of the floating
or underwater component of the FAD.
(2) Beginning January 1, 2029, all
FADs deployed or redeployed in the
IATTC Convention Area must be made
of fully biodegradable materials, except
for flotation components (e.g., plastic
buoys, foam, purse seine corks), which
may be made of non-biodegradable
material. Non-biodegradable materials,
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:59 Dec 05, 2024
Jkt 265001
in particular nylon ropes, can be used
exclusively to strengthen the structure
of the floating or underwater component
of the FAD.
(3) Restrictions on biodegradable FAD
materials set forth in paragraphs (h)(1)
and (2) of this section do not apply to
satellite buoys that are attached to FADs
in order to track them.
[FR Doc. 2024–28466 Filed 12–5–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 648
[Docket No. 240405–0100; RTID 0648–
XE509]
Fisheries of the Northeastern United
States; Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish
Fishery; 2024 Commercial Atlantic
Mackerel Fishery Closure
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
AGENCY:
NMFS is closing the
commercial Atlantic mackerel fishery
through December 31, 2024. This
closure is required by regulation
because NMFS projects that 80 percent
of the mackerel domestic annual harvest
is harvested. This action is necessary to
comply with the regulations
implementing the Mackerel, Squid, and
Butterfish Fishery Management Plan
and is intended to prevent overharvest
of Atlantic mackerel.
DATES: Effective 0001 hours (hr) local
time, December 6, 2024, through 2400
hr local time on December 31, 2024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Colette Tweeddale, Fishery
Management Specialist, 978–281–9335.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
procedures for setting initial annual
specifications for the species managed
under the Mackerel, Squid, and
Butterfish Fishery Management Plan
(FMP) are described at 50 CFR 648.22.
The regulations at § 648.22(a)(3) require
annual catch limits, commercial annual
catch targets (including research setaside, domestic annual harvest (DAH),
Tier 3 landings caps, and domestic
annual processing), joint venture
processing, total allowable levels of
foreign fishing, and recreational annual
catch targets (including research setaside) to be specified for the Atlantic
mackerel fishery for a period of up to 3
years.
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00054
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
The Regional Administrator monitors
mackerel fishery catch based on dealer
reports and other available information.
When the Regional Administrator
projects that 80 percent of the DAH is
harvested, the regulations at
§ 648.24(b)(1)(i) require NMFS to close
the commercial mackerel fishery in
Federal waters for the remainder of the
fishing year. The regulations at
§ 648.26(a)(2)(i) state that while such a
closure is in effect, vessels issued a Tier
1, 2, or 3 limited access mackerel permit
are prohibited from taking and
retaining, possessing, or landing more
than 10,000 lb (4.54 mt) of mackerel per
trip at any time, and from landing
mackerel more than once per calendar
day. Additionally, the regulations at
§ 648.26(a)(2)(ii) state that while such a
closure is in effect, vessels issued an
open access mackerel permit are
prohibited from taking and retaining,
possessing, or landing more than 2,500
lb (1.13 mt) of mackerel per trip at any
time, and from landing mackerel more
than once per calendar day. The
regulations at § 648.24(d) require that
upon determining that a closure is
necessary, NMFS must: Notify the
Executive Directors of the relevant
Fishery Management Councils; notify
permit holders at least 72 hr before the
effective date of the closure; provide
adequate notice of the closure to
recreational participants in the fishery;
and publish notification of the closure
in the Federal Register.
Based on dealer reports and other
available information, the Regional
Administrator projects that 100.06
percent of the mackerel DAH was
harvested as of November 29, 2024.
Therefore, effective 0001 local time on
December 6, 2024, limited access
mackerel vessels may not take and
retain, possess, or land more than
10,000 lb (4.54 mt) of mackerel per trip
at any time, and may only land
mackerel once per calendar day,
through 2400 hr local time on December
31, 2024. Limited access mackerel
vessels that enter port before 0001 hr
local time on December 6, 2024, may
land and sell more than 10,000 lb (4.54
mt) of mackerel from that trip,
consistent with possession restrictions
at § 648.26(a)(1)(i). Additionally, open
access mackerel vessels may not take
and retain, possess, or land more than
2,500 lb (1.13 mt) of mackerel per trip
at any time, and may only land
mackerel once per calendar day,
through 2400 hr local time on December
31, 2024. Open access mackerel vessels
that enter port before 0001 hr local time
on December 6, 2024, may land and sell
more than 2,500 lb (1.13 mt) of mackerel
E:\FR\FM\06DER1.SGM
06DER1
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 235 / Friday, December 6, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
from that trip, consistent with
possession restrictions at
§ 648.26(a)(1)(ii).
Also, effective 0001 hr local time on
December 6, 2024, through 2400 hr local
time on December 31, 2024, federally
permitted dealers may not purchase
more than 10,000 lb (4.54 mt) of
mackerel from a limited access mackerel
vessel unless the vessel enters port
before 0001 hr local time on December
6, 2024. Federally permitted dealers
may not purchase more than 2,500 lb
(1.13 mt) of mackerel from an open
access mackerel vessel unless the vessel
enters port before 0001 hr local time on
December 6, 2024. The possession limits
for the mackerel fishery will reset to the
amounts outlined at § 648.26(a)(1)(i) and
(ii) on January 1, 2025.
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1
Classification
This action is required by 50 CFR part
648 and is exempt from review under
Executive Order 12866.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:59 Dec 05, 2024
Jkt 265001
NMFS finds good cause pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553(b)(B) to waive prior notice
and the opportunity for public comment
because it would be contrary to the
public interest and impracticable. The
mackerel fishery opened for the 2024
fishing year on January 1, 2024. Data
and other information indicating that
100 percent of the 2024 mackerel DAH
was harvested have only recently
become available. Landings data are
updated on a weekly basis, and NMFS
monitors catch data on a daily basis as
catch increases toward the limit.
Further, high-volume catch and
landings in this fishery increase total
catch relative to the DAH quickly.
Atlantic mackerel is currently being
managed under a rebuilding plan, and
exceeding the DAH may harm the
stock’s rebuilding progress. The
regulations at § 648.24(b)(1)(i) require
NMFS to implement this action to
ensure that mackerel vessels do not
PO 00000
Frm 00055
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
96911
exceed the DAH. If implementation of
this action is delayed to solicit prior
public comment, the 2024 mackerel
DAH may be exceeded, thereby
undermining the conservation
objectives of the FMP. Furthermore, the
public had prior notice and full
opportunity to comment on this process
when these provisions were put in
place. Based on these considerations,
NMFS further finds, pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553(d)(3), good cause to waive
the 30-day delayed effectiveness period
for the reasons stated above.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: December 3, 2024.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024–28730 Filed 12–3–24; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
E:\FR\FM\06DER1.SGM
06DER1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 235 (Friday, December 6, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 96910-96911]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-28730]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 648
[Docket No. 240405-0100; RTID 0648-XE509]
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Mackerel, Squid, and
Butterfish Fishery; 2024 Commercial Atlantic Mackerel Fishery Closure
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is closing the commercial Atlantic mackerel fishery
through December 31, 2024. This closure is required by regulation
because NMFS projects that 80 percent of the mackerel domestic annual
harvest is harvested. This action is necessary to comply with the
regulations implementing the Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery
Management Plan and is intended to prevent overharvest of Atlantic
mackerel.
DATES: Effective 0001 hours (hr) local time, December 6, 2024, through
2400 hr local time on December 31, 2024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colette Tweeddale, Fishery Management
Specialist, 978-281-9335.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The procedures for setting initial annual
specifications for the species managed under the Mackerel, Squid, and
Butterfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP) are described at 50 CFR
648.22. The regulations at Sec. 648.22(a)(3) require annual catch
limits, commercial annual catch targets (including research set-aside,
domestic annual harvest (DAH), Tier 3 landings caps, and domestic
annual processing), joint venture processing, total allowable levels of
foreign fishing, and recreational annual catch targets (including
research set-aside) to be specified for the Atlantic mackerel fishery
for a period of up to 3 years.
The Regional Administrator monitors mackerel fishery catch based on
dealer reports and other available information. When the Regional
Administrator projects that 80 percent of the DAH is harvested, the
regulations at Sec. 648.24(b)(1)(i) require NMFS to close the
commercial mackerel fishery in Federal waters for the remainder of the
fishing year. The regulations at Sec. 648.26(a)(2)(i) state that while
such a closure is in effect, vessels issued a Tier 1, 2, or 3 limited
access mackerel permit are prohibited from taking and retaining,
possessing, or landing more than 10,000 lb (4.54 mt) of mackerel per
trip at any time, and from landing mackerel more than once per calendar
day. Additionally, the regulations at Sec. 648.26(a)(2)(ii) state that
while such a closure is in effect, vessels issued an open access
mackerel permit are prohibited from taking and retaining, possessing,
or landing more than 2,500 lb (1.13 mt) of mackerel per trip at any
time, and from landing mackerel more than once per calendar day. The
regulations at Sec. 648.24(d) require that upon determining that a
closure is necessary, NMFS must: Notify the Executive Directors of the
relevant Fishery Management Councils; notify permit holders at least 72
hr before the effective date of the closure; provide adequate notice of
the closure to recreational participants in the fishery; and publish
notification of the closure in the Federal Register.
Based on dealer reports and other available information, the
Regional Administrator projects that 100.06 percent of the mackerel DAH
was harvested as of November 29, 2024. Therefore, effective 0001 local
time on December 6, 2024, limited access mackerel vessels may not take
and retain, possess, or land more than 10,000 lb (4.54 mt) of mackerel
per trip at any time, and may only land mackerel once per calendar day,
through 2400 hr local time on December 31, 2024. Limited access
mackerel vessels that enter port before 0001 hr local time on December
6, 2024, may land and sell more than 10,000 lb (4.54 mt) of mackerel
from that trip, consistent with possession restrictions at Sec.
648.26(a)(1)(i). Additionally, open access mackerel vessels may not
take and retain, possess, or land more than 2,500 lb (1.13 mt) of
mackerel per trip at any time, and may only land mackerel once per
calendar day, through 2400 hr local time on December 31, 2024. Open
access mackerel vessels that enter port before 0001 hr local time on
December 6, 2024, may land and sell more than 2,500 lb (1.13 mt) of
mackerel
[[Page 96911]]
from that trip, consistent with possession restrictions at Sec.
648.26(a)(1)(ii).
Also, effective 0001 hr local time on December 6, 2024, through
2400 hr local time on December 31, 2024, federally permitted dealers
may not purchase more than 10,000 lb (4.54 mt) of mackerel from a
limited access mackerel vessel unless the vessel enters port before
0001 hr local time on December 6, 2024. Federally permitted dealers may
not purchase more than 2,500 lb (1.13 mt) of mackerel from an open
access mackerel vessel unless the vessel enters port before 0001 hr
local time on December 6, 2024. The possession limits for the mackerel
fishery will reset to the amounts outlined at Sec. 648.26(a)(1)(i) and
(ii) on January 1, 2025.
Classification
This action is required by 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from
review under Executive Order 12866.
NMFS finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) to waive prior
notice and the opportunity for public comment because it would be
contrary to the public interest and impracticable. The mackerel fishery
opened for the 2024 fishing year on January 1, 2024. Data and other
information indicating that 100 percent of the 2024 mackerel DAH was
harvested have only recently become available. Landings data are
updated on a weekly basis, and NMFS monitors catch data on a daily
basis as catch increases toward the limit. Further, high-volume catch
and landings in this fishery increase total catch relative to the DAH
quickly. Atlantic mackerel is currently being managed under a
rebuilding plan, and exceeding the DAH may harm the stock's rebuilding
progress. The regulations at Sec. 648.24(b)(1)(i) require NMFS to
implement this action to ensure that mackerel vessels do not exceed the
DAH. If implementation of this action is delayed to solicit prior
public comment, the 2024 mackerel DAH may be exceeded, thereby
undermining the conservation objectives of the FMP. Furthermore, the
public had prior notice and full opportunity to comment on this process
when these provisions were put in place. Based on these considerations,
NMFS further finds, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), good cause to waive
the 30-day delayed effectiveness period for the reasons stated above.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: December 3, 2024.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-28730 Filed 12-3-24; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
