Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Herring Fishery; 2025 Management Area 1B Possession Limit Adjustment, 2640-2641 [2025-00536]
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Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 7 / Monday, January 13, 2025 / Rules and Regulations
providing opportunities equitably across
all time periods.
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Monitoring and Reporting
NMFS will continue to monitor the
BFT fishery closely. Per
§ 635.5(b)(2)(i)(A), 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 adjustments, 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 per
§ 635.27(a)(4) to report their own catch
of all BFT retained or discarded dead
within 24 hours of the landing(s) or end
of each trip, by accessing https://
hmspermits.noaa.gov by using the HMS
Catch Reporting app, by using other
apps approved by NMFS for HMS
reporting, or calling (888) 872–8862
(Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.
until 4:30 p.m.).
Depending on the level of fishing
effort and catch rates of BFT, NMFS
may determine that additional
adjustments are necessary to ensure
available quota is not exceeded or to
enhance scientific data collection from,
and fishing opportunities in, all
geographic areas. If needed, subsequent
adjustments will be published in the
Federal Register. In addition, fishermen
may access https://
hmspermits.noaa.gov, for updates on
quota monitoring and inseason
adjustments.
Classification
NMFS issues this action pursuant to
section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens
Act (16 U.S.C. 1855(d)) and regulations
at 50 CFR part 635 and this action is
exempt from review under Executive
Order 12866.
The Assistant Administrator for
NMFS (AA) finds that pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553(b)(B), there is good cause to
waive prior notice and opportunity to
provide comment on this action, as
notice and comment would be
impracticable and contrary to the public
interest. Specifically, the regulations
implementing the 2006 Consolidated
HMS FMP and amendments provide for
inseason adjustments and quota
transfers to 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. Providing prior notice
and opportunity for public comment is
impracticable and contrary to the public
interest as this fishery is currently
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:15 Jan 09, 2025
Jkt 265001
underway. Based on current landings
information, the available time period
subquota is projected to be reached
shortly. Delaying this action could
result in BFT landings exceeding the
January through March time period
subquota. Additionally, a delay in
implementing this transfer would
preclude the fishery from harvesting
BFT that are currently available on the
fishing grounds and that might
otherwise become unavailable. This
action does not raise conservation and
management concerns and would
support effective management of the
BFT fishery. Transferring quota from the
General category December time period
to the General category January through
March time period does not affect the
overall ICCAT-allocated U.S. BFT quota.
NMFS notes that the public had an
opportunity to comment on the
underlying rulemakings that established
the U.S. BFT quota and the inseason
adjustment criteria.
For all of the above reasons, the AA
finds that pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d),
there is good cause to waive the 30-day
delay in effective date.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801
et seq.
Dated: January 8, 2025.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2025–00625 Filed 1–8–25; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 648
[Docket No: 230316–0077]
RTID 0648–XE604
Fisheries of the Northeastern United
States; Atlantic Herring Fishery; 2025
Management Area 1B Possession Limit
Adjustment
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; possession
limit adjustment.
AGENCY:
NMFS is implementing a
2,000-lb (907.2-kg) possession limit for
Atlantic herring for Management Area
1B. This is required because NMFS
projects that herring catch from Area 1B
will reach 92 percent of the Area’s subannual catch limit before the end of the
fishing year. This action is intended to
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00034
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
prevent overharvest of herring in Area
1B, which would result in additional
catch limit reductions in a subsequent
year.
DATES: Effective 00:01 hours (hr) local
time, January 8, 2025, through
December 31, 2025.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Colette Tweeddale, Fishery
Management Specialist, 978–281–9335.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Regional Administrator of the Greater
Atlantic Regional Office monitors
Atlantic herring fishery catch in each
Management Area based on vessel and
dealer reports, state data, and other
available information. Regulations at 50
CFR 648.201(a)(1)(i)(A) require
implementation of a 2,000-lb (907.2-kg)
possession limit for herring for Area 1B
beginning on the date that catch is
projected to reach 92 percent of the subannual catch limit (ACL) for that area.
The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act
provides authority to implement the
possession limit only to the Secretary of
Commerce, which has been delegated to
the Regional Administrator.
Based on vessel reports, dealer
reports, and other available information,
the Regional Administrator projects that
the herring fleet will have caught 92
percent of the Area 1B sub-ACL by
January 8, 2025. Therefore, effective
00:01 hr local time January 8, 2025,
through December 31, 2025, a person
may not attempt or do any of the
following: Fish for; possess; transfer;
purchase; receive; land; or sell more
than 2,000 lb of herring per trip or more
than once per calendar day in or from
Area 1B except as provided in
§§ 648.201(b) and (c).
Vessels that enter port before 00:01 hr
local time on January 8, 2025, may land
and sell more than 2,000 lb (907.2 kg)
of herring from Area 1B from that trip,
provided that catch is landed in
accordance with state management
measures. Vessels may transit or land in
Area 1B with more than 2,000 lb (907.2
kg) of herring on board, provided that:
The herring were caught in an area not
subject to a 2,000-lb (907.2-kg) limit; all
fishing gear is stowed and not available
for immediate use; and the vessel is
issued a permit appropriate to the
amount of herring on board and the area
where the herring was harvested.
Also effective 00:01 hr local time,
January 8, 2025, through 24:00 hr local
time, December 31, 2025, federally
permitted dealers may not attempt or do
any of the following: Purchase; receive;
possess; have custody or control of; sell;
barter; trade; or transfer more than 2,000
lb (907.2 kg) of herring per trip or
E:\FR\FM\13JAR1.SGM
13JAR1
Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 7 / Monday, January 13, 2025 / Rules and Regulations
calendar day from Area 1B, unless it is
from a vessel that enters port before
00:01 hr local time on January 8, 2025
and catch is landed in accordance with
state management measures.
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1
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)(3)(B) to waive prior notice
and the opportunity for public comment
because it is unnecessary, contrary to
the public interest, and impracticable.
Ample prior notice and opportunity for
public comment has been provided for
the required implementation of this
action. The requirement to implement
this possession limit was developed by
the New England Fishery Management
Council using public meetings that
invited public comment on the
measures when they were developed
and considered along with alternatives.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:15 Jan 09, 2025
Jkt 265001
Further, the regulations requiring
implementation of this possession limit
also were subject to public notice and
opportunity to comment, when they
were first adopted in 2014. Herring
fishing industry participants monitor
catch closely and anticipate potential
possession limit adjustments as catch
totals approach Area sub-ACLs. The
regulation is not discretionary and is
designed for implementation as quickly
as possible to prevent catch from
exceeding limits designed to prevent
overfishing while allowing the fishery to
achieve optimum yield.
The 2025 herring fishing year began
on January 1, 2025. Data indicating that
the herring fleet will have landed at
least 92 percent of the 2025 sub-ACL
allocated to Area 1B only recently
became available. High-volume catch
and landings in this fishery can increase
total catch relative to the sub-ACL
quickly, especially in this fishing year
where annual catch limits are unusually
PO 00000
Frm 00035
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
2641
low. If implementation of this
possession limit adjustment is delayed
to solicit prior public comment, the
2025 sub-ACL for Area 1B will likely be
exceeded; thereby undermining the
conservation objectives of the Herring
Fishery Management Plan (FMP). If subACLs are exceeded, the excess must be
deducted from a future sub-ACL and
would reduce future fishing
opportunities. The public expects these
actions to occur in a timely way
consistent with the FMP’s objectives.
For the reasons stated above, NMFS also
finds good cause to waive the 30-day
delayed effectiveness in accordance
with 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: January 7, 2025.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2025–00536 Filed 1–8–25; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
E:\FR\FM\13JAR1.SGM
13JAR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 7 (Monday, January 13, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2640-2641]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-00536]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 648
[Docket No: 230316-0077]
RTID 0648-XE604
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Herring
Fishery; 2025 Management Area 1B Possession Limit Adjustment
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; possession limit adjustment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is implementing a 2,000-lb (907.2-kg) possession limit
for Atlantic herring for Management Area 1B. This is required because
NMFS projects that herring catch from Area 1B will reach 92 percent of
the Area's sub-annual catch limit before the end of the fishing year.
This action is intended to prevent overharvest of herring in Area 1B,
which would result in additional catch limit reductions in a subsequent
year.
DATES: Effective 00:01 hours (hr) local time, January 8, 2025, through
December 31, 2025.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colette Tweeddale, Fishery Management
Specialist, 978-281-9335.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Regional Administrator of the Greater
Atlantic Regional Office monitors Atlantic herring fishery catch in
each Management Area based on vessel and dealer reports, state data,
and other available information. Regulations at 50 CFR
648.201(a)(1)(i)(A) require implementation of a 2,000-lb (907.2-kg)
possession limit for herring for Area 1B beginning on the date that
catch is projected to reach 92 percent of the sub-annual catch limit
(ACL) for that area. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act provides authority to implement the possession limit
only to the Secretary of Commerce, which has been delegated to the
Regional Administrator.
Based on vessel reports, dealer reports, and other available
information, the Regional Administrator projects that the herring fleet
will have caught 92 percent of the Area 1B sub-ACL by January 8, 2025.
Therefore, effective 00:01 hr local time January 8, 2025, through
December 31, 2025, a person may not attempt or do any of the following:
Fish for; possess; transfer; purchase; receive; land; or sell more than
2,000 lb of herring per trip or more than once per calendar day in or
from Area 1B except as provided in Sec. Sec. 648.201(b) and (c).
Vessels that enter port before 00:01 hr local time on January 8,
2025, may land and sell more than 2,000 lb (907.2 kg) of herring from
Area 1B from that trip, provided that catch is landed in accordance
with state management measures. Vessels may transit or land in Area 1B
with more than 2,000 lb (907.2 kg) of herring on board, provided that:
The herring were caught in an area not subject to a 2,000-lb (907.2-kg)
limit; all fishing gear is stowed and not available for immediate use;
and the vessel is issued a permit appropriate to the amount of herring
on board and the area where the herring was harvested.
Also effective 00:01 hr local time, January 8, 2025, through 24:00
hr local time, December 31, 2025, federally permitted dealers may not
attempt or do any of the following: Purchase; receive; possess; have
custody or control of; sell; barter; trade; or transfer more than 2,000
lb (907.2 kg) of herring per trip or
[[Page 2641]]
calendar day from Area 1B, unless it is from a vessel that enters port
before 00:01 hr local time on January 8, 2025 and catch is landed in
accordance with state management measures.
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)(3)(B) to waive
prior notice and the opportunity for public comment because it is
unnecessary, contrary to the public interest, and impracticable. Ample
prior notice and opportunity for public comment has been provided for
the required implementation of this action. The requirement to
implement this possession limit was developed by the New England
Fishery Management Council using public meetings that invited public
comment on the measures when they were developed and considered along
with alternatives. Further, the regulations requiring implementation of
this possession limit also were subject to public notice and
opportunity to comment, when they were first adopted in 2014. Herring
fishing industry participants monitor catch closely and anticipate
potential possession limit adjustments as catch totals approach Area
sub-ACLs. The regulation is not discretionary and is designed for
implementation as quickly as possible to prevent catch from exceeding
limits designed to prevent overfishing while allowing the fishery to
achieve optimum yield.
The 2025 herring fishing year began on January 1, 2025. Data
indicating that the herring fleet will have landed at least 92 percent
of the 2025 sub-ACL allocated to Area 1B only recently became
available. High-volume catch and landings in this fishery can increase
total catch relative to the sub-ACL quickly, especially in this fishing
year where annual catch limits are unusually low. If implementation of
this possession limit adjustment is delayed to solicit prior public
comment, the 2025 sub-ACL for Area 1B will likely be exceeded; thereby
undermining the conservation objectives of the Herring Fishery
Management Plan (FMP). If sub-ACLs are exceeded, the excess must be
deducted from a future sub-ACL and would reduce future fishing
opportunities. The public expects these actions to occur in a timely
way consistent with the FMP's objectives. For the reasons stated above,
NMFS also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delayed effectiveness in
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: January 7, 2025.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-00536 Filed 1-8-25; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P