80_FR_34654 80 FR 34538 - Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; 2015 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for the South Atlantic Lesser Amberjack, Almaco Jack, and Banded Rudderfish Complex

80 FR 34538 - Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; 2015 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for the South Atlantic Lesser Amberjack, Almaco Jack, and Banded Rudderfish Complex

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 116 (June 17, 2015)

Page Range34538-34539
FR Document2015-14917

NMFS implements accountability measures (AMs) for the commercial sector for the lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and banded rudderfish complex in the South Atlantic for the 2015 fishing year through this temporary rule. Commercial landings for the lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and banded rudderfish complex, as estimated by the Science and Research Director, are projected to reach their combined commercial annual catch limit (ACL) on June 23, 2015. Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial sector for this complex on June 23, 2015, through the remainder of the fishing year in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. This closure is necessary to protect the lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and banded rudderfish resources.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 116 (Wednesday, June 17, 2015) 
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 116 (Wednesday, June 17, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34538-34539]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-14917]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 120815345-3525-02]
RIN 0648-XD988


Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; 2015 Commercial 
Accountability Measure and Closure for the South Atlantic Lesser 
Amberjack, Almaco Jack, and Banded Rudderfish Complex

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS implements accountability measures (AMs) for the 
commercial sector for the lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and banded 
rudderfish complex in the South Atlantic for the 2015 fishing year 
through this temporary rule. Commercial landings for the lesser 
amberjack, almaco jack, and banded rudderfish complex, as estimated by 
the Science and Research Director, are projected to reach their 
combined commercial annual catch limit (ACL) on June 23, 2015. 
Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial sector for this complex on June 
23, 2015, through the remainder of the fishing year in the exclusive 
economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. This closure is necessary to 
protect the lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and banded rudderfish 
resources.

DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m., local time, June 23, 2015, 
until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine Hayslip, NMFS Southeast 
Regional Office, telephone: 727-824-5305, email: 
catherine.hayslip@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The snapper-grouper fishery of the South 
Atlantic, which includes the lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and banded 
rudderfish complex, is managed under the Fishery Management Plan for 
the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (FMP). The FMP 
was prepared by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and is 
implemented under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by regulations 
at 50 CFR part 622.
    The combined commercial ACL for the lesser amberjack, almaco jack, 
and banded rudderfish complex is 189,422 lb (85,920 kg), round weight. 
Under 50 CFR 622.193(l)(1)(i), NMFS is required to close the commercial 
sector for the lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and banded rudderfish 
complex when the commercial ACL has been reached, or is projected to be 
reached, by filing a notification to that effect with the Office of the 
Federal Register. NMFS has determined that the commercial sector for 
this complex is projected to reach the ACL on June 23, 2015. Therefore, 
this temporary rule implements an AM to close the commercial sector for 
the lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and banded rudderfish complex in the 
South Atlantic, effective 12:01 a.m., local time June 23, 2015.
    The operator of a vessel with a valid commercial vessel permit for 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper having lesser amberjack, almaco jack, or 
banded rudderfish on board must have landed and bartered, traded, or 
sold such species prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, June 23, 2015. 
During the closure, the bag limit specified in 50 CFR 622.187(b)(8) and 
the possession limits specified in 50 CFR 622.187(c) apply to all 
harvest or possession of lesser amberjack, almaco jack, or banded 
rudderfish in or from the South Atlantic EEZ. These bag and possession 
limits apply in the South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid 
Federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper has been issued, without regard to where such species 
were harvested, i.e., in state or Federal waters. During the closure, 
the sale or purchase of lesser amberjack, almaco jack, or banded 
rudderfish taken from the EEZ is prohibited. The prohibition on sale or 
purchase does not apply to the sale or purchase of lesser amberjack, 
almaco jack, or banded rudderfish that were harvested, landed ashore, 
and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, June 23, 2015, and were held 
in cold storage by a dealer or processor.

Classification

    The Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS, has determined 
this temporary rule is necessary for the conservation and management of 
the lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and banded rudderfish complex, a 
component of the South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery, and is 
consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable laws.
    This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.193(l)(1)(i) and is exempt 
from review under Executive Order 12866.
    These measures are exempt from the procedures of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act because the temporary rule is issued without 
opportunity for prior notice and comment.
    This action responds to the best scientific information available. 
The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), finds that the 
need to immediately implement this action to close the commercial 
sector for the lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and banded rudderfish 
complex constitutes good cause to waive the requirements to provide 
prior notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the 
authority set forth in 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), as such procedures are 
unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. Such procedures are 
unnecessary because the rule itself has been subject to notice and 
comment, and all that remains is to notify the public of the closure. 
Such procedures are contrary to the public

[[Page 34539]]

interest because of the need to immediately implement this action to 
protect the lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and banded rudderfish 
complex since the capacity of the fishing fleet allows for rapid 
harvest of the commercial ACL. Prior notice and opportunity for public 
comment would require time and would potentially result in a harvest 
well in excess of the established commercial ACL.
    For the aforementioned reasons, the AA 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: June 12, 2015.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-14917 Filed 6-16-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

34538 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 116 / Wednesday, June 17, 2015 / Rules and Regulations Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on SUMMARY: NMFS implements amberjack, almaco jack, or banded June 5, 2015. accountability measures (AMs) for the rudderfish on board must have landed Ann C. Mollica, commercial sector for the lesser and bartered, traded, or sold such Acting Directorate Manager, Engine & amberjack, almaco jack, and banded species prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification rudderfish complex in the South June 23, 2015. During the closure, the Service. Atlantic for the 2015 fishing year bag limit specified in 50 CFR [FR Doc. 2015–14694 Filed 6–16–15; 8:45 am] through this temporary rule. 622.187(b)(8) and the possession limits BILLING CODE 4910–13–P Commercial landings for the lesser specified in 50 CFR 622.187(c) apply to amberjack, almaco jack, and banded all harvest or possession of lesser rudderfish complex, as estimated by the amberjack, almaco jack, or banded EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Science and Research Director, are rudderfish in or from the South Atlantic COMMISSION projected to reach their combined EEZ. These bag and possession limits commercial annual catch limit (ACL) on apply in the South Atlantic on board a 29 CFR Part 1611 June 23, 2015. Therefore, NMFS closes vessel for which a valid Federal the commercial sector for this complex commercial or charter vessel/headboat Privacy Act Regulations on June 23, 2015, through the remainder permit for South Atlantic snapper- of the fishing year in the exclusive grouper has been issued, without regard CFR Correction economic zone (EEZ) of the South to where such species were harvested, ■ In Title 29 of the Code of Federal Atlantic. This closure is necessary to i.e., in state or Federal waters. During Regulations, Parts 900 to 1899, revised protect the lesser amberjack, almaco the closure, the sale or purchase of as of July 1, 2014, on page 257, in jack, and banded rudderfish resources. lesser amberjack, almaco jack, or banded § 1611.3, in paragraph (b)(3), the address DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m., rudderfish taken from the EEZ is ‘‘1801 L Street NW.’’ is corrected to read local time, June 23, 2015, until 12:01 prohibited. The prohibition on sale or ‘‘131 M Street NE.’’. a.m., local time, January 1, 2016. purchase does not apply to the sale or [FR Doc. 2015–14654 Filed 6–16–15; 8:45 am] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: purchase of lesser amberjack, almaco Catherine Hayslip, NMFS Southeast jack, or banded rudderfish that were BILLING CODE 1505–01–D Regional Office, telephone: 727–824– harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior 5305, email: catherine.hayslip@ to 12:01 a.m., local time, June 23, 2015, noaa.gov. and were held in cold storage by a ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION dealer or processor. AGENCY SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The snapper-grouper fishery of the South Classification 40 CFR Part 52 Atlantic, which includes the lesser The Regional Administrator, amberjack, almaco jack, and banded Southeast Region, NMFS, has Approval and Promulgation of rudderfish complex, is managed under Implementation Plans determined this temporary rule is the Fishery Management Plan for the necessary for the conservation and CFR Correction Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South management of the lesser amberjack, Atlantic Region (FMP). The FMP was almaco jack, and banded rudderfish In Title 40 of the Code of Federal prepared by the South Atlantic Fishery complex, a component of the South Regulations, Part 52 (§§ 52.1019 to Management Council and is Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery, and is 52.2019), revised as of July 1, 2014, on implemented under the authority of the consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens page 649, in § 52.1881, paragraph (b) is Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Act and other applicable laws. removed and reserved. Conservation and Management Act This action is taken under 50 CFR [FR Doc. 2015–14652 Filed 6–16–15; 8:45 am] (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by regulations 622.193(l)(1)(i) and is exempt from BILLING CODE 1505–01–D at 50 CFR part 622. review under Executive Order 12866. The combined commercial ACL for These measures are exempt from the the lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and procedures of the Regulatory Flexibility DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE banded rudderfish complex is 189,422 Act because the temporary rule is issued lb (85,920 kg), round weight. Under 50 without opportunity for prior notice and National Oceanic and Atmospheric CFR 622.193(l)(1)(i), NMFS is required comment. Administration to close the commercial sector for the This action responds to the best lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and scientific information available. The 50 CFR Part 622 banded rudderfish complex when the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, [Docket No. 120815345–3525–02] commercial ACL has been reached, or is NOAA (AA), finds that the need to projected to be reached, by filing a immediately implement this action to RIN 0648–XD988 notification to that effect with the Office close the commercial sector for the of the Federal Register. NMFS has lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South determined that the commercial sector banded rudderfish complex constitutes Atlantic; 2015 Commercial for this complex is projected to reach good cause to waive the requirements to Accountability Measure and Closure the ACL on June 23, 2015. Therefore, provide prior notice and opportunity for for the South Atlantic Lesser this temporary rule implements an AM public comment pursuant to the Amberjack, Almaco Jack, and Banded to close the commercial sector for the authority set forth in 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with RULES Rudderfish Complex lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and as such procedures are unnecessary and AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries banded rudderfish complex in the South contrary to the public interest. Such Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atlantic, effective 12:01 a.m., local time procedures are unnecessary because the Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), June 23, 2015. rule itself has been subject to notice and Commerce. The operator of a vessel with a valid comment, and all that remains is to commercial vessel permit for South notify the public of the closure. Such ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. Atlantic snapper-grouper having lesser procedures are contrary to the public VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:57 Jun 16, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\17JNR1.SGM 17JNR1

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 116 / Wednesday, June 17, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 34539 interest because of the need to opportunity for public comment would Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. immediately implement this action to require time and would potentially Dated: June 12, 2015. protect the lesser amberjack, almaco result in a harvest well in excess of the Emily H. Menashes, jack, and banded rudderfish complex established commercial ACL. For the aforementioned reasons, the Acting Director, Office of Sustainable since the capacity of the fishing fleet Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. allows for rapid harvest of the AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the effectiveness of this [FR Doc. 2015–14917 Filed 6–16–15; 8:45 am] commercial ACL. Prior notice and action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). BILLING CODE 3510–22–P srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with RULES VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:57 Jun 16, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\17JNR1.SGM 17JNR1


Document Created: 2015-12-15 14:22:41
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 14:22:41
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionTemporary rule; closure.
DatesThis rule is effective 12:01 a.m., local time, June 23, 2015, until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2016.
ContactCatherine Hayslip, NMFS Southeast Regional Office, telephone: 727-824-5305, email: [email protected]
FR Citation80 FR 34538 
RIN Number0648-XD98
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