National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration November 27, 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS issues regulations to implement management measures described in a framework action to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP), as prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). This final rule withholds 4.9 percent of the 2016 red snapper commercial quota prior to the annual distribution of red snapper allocation to the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program shareholders on January 1, 2016. This final rule allows the allocations being established through Amendment 28 to the FMP (Amendment 28) to be effective for the 2016 fishing year should Amendment 28 be approved by the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) in 2016. This final rule also makes a technical correction to re-insert regulatory text that a previous rulemaking inadvertently omitted, which specifies that the recreational annual catch limit (ACL) for red snapper is equal to the total recreational quota.

NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for commercial king mackerel in the Florida west coast northern subzone of the eastern zone of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) exclusive economic zone (EEZ) through this temporary final rule. NMFS has determined that the commercial quota for king mackerel in the eastern zone, Florida west coast northern subzone of the Gulf EEZ will be reached by November 28, 2015. Therefore, NMFS closes the Florida west coast northern subzone to commercial king mackerel fishing on November 28, 2015, to protect the Gulf king mackerel resource.

The Caribbean Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold its 154th meeting.

The SEDAR 41 assessments of the South Atlantic stocks of red snapper and gray triggerfish will consist of a series of workshops and webinars: Data Workshops; an Assessment Workshop and webinars; and a Review Workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

Notice is hereby given that Harold Brundage [Responsible Party], Environmental Research and Consulting, Inc.; 126 Bancroft Rd; Kennett Square, PA 19348, has applied in due form for a permit [File No. 19331] to take shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) and Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) for purposes of conducting scientific research; and that Jason Kahn [Responsible Party], NOAA Fisheries, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, has applied in due form for a permit to take shortnose sturgeon and Atlantic sturgeon for purposes of scientific research.