80 FR 48277 - Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery Off the Southern Atlantic States; Regulatory Amendment 22
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 155 (August 12, 2015)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 155 (August 12, 2015)
| Page Range | 48277-48279 | |
| FR Document | 2015-19806 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 155 (Wednesday, August 12, 2015)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 48277-48279] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-19806] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 622 [Docket No. 150305220-5683-02] RIN 0648-BE76 Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery Off the Southern Atlantic States; Regulatory Amendment 22 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS issues this final rule to implement Regulatory Amendment 22 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (FMP)(Regulatory Amendment 22), as prepared and submitted by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council). This final rule revises the annual catch limits (ACLs) for gag grouper (gag) and wreckfish and the directed commercial quota for gag, based upon revisions to the acceptable biological catch (ABC) and the optimum yield (OY) for gag and wreckfish. The purpose of this final rule is to help achieve OY and prevent overfishing of gag and wreckfish in the South Atlantic region while minimizing, to the extent practicable, adverse social and economic effects to the snapper-grouper fishery. DATES: This rule is effective September 11, 2015, except for the amendments to Sec. Sec. 622.190(b) and 622.193(r)(1) which are effective August 12, 2015. ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of Regulatory Amendment 22, which includes an environmental assessment, a Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) analysis, and a regulatory impact review, may be obtained from the Southeast Regional Office Web site at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/s_atl/sg/2015/reg_am22/index.html. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Janine Vara, telephone: 727-824- 5305, email: [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Gag and wreckfish are in the snapper-grouper fishery and are managed under the FMP. The FMP was prepared by the Council and is implemented through regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). On June 4, 2015, NMFS published a proposed rule for Regulatory Amendment 22 and requested public comment through July 6, 2015 (80 FR 31880). The proposed rule and Regulatory Amendment 22 set forth the rationale for the actions contained in this final rule. A summary of the actions implemented by Regulatory Amendment 22 and this final rule is provided below. Management Measures Contained in This Final Rule This final rule revises the commercial and recreational ACLs and directed commercial quotas for gag for the 2015 through the 2019 fishing years and subsequent fishing years, and revises the commercial and recreational ACLs for wreckfish for the 2015 through the 2020 fishing years and subsequent fishing years. Comments and Responses NMFS received a total of six unique comment submissions (some containing several comments) from three individuals, two fishing associations, and one Federal agency on Regulatory Amendment 22 and the proposed rule. Two comments were supportive of the actions contained in the regulatory amendment and proposed rule, one comment stated the commenter had no comments, and three of the comments expressed concerns regarding red snapper regulations, venting fish, fishery closures, sector allocations, tag programs, reporting requirements, and changing the Marine Recreational Information Program on accuracy and reliability; NMFS determined these comments were beyond the scope of the proposed rule and, therefore, they have not been addressed in this final rule. A summary of the comments relevant to Regulatory Amendment 22 and the proposed rule and NMFS's responses are included below. Comment 1: One commenter questioned whether the 2012, 2013, and 2014 catch years were included in the gag stock assessment, and asked why the recreational ACL will be lowered when the recreational sector caught only a percentage of the recreational ACL during those 3 years. Response: The stock assessment for gag was initially conducted in 2006 and then updated in 2014 using data through 2012, and the recreational ACL is changing because of that stock assessment. Based on that stock assessment, the Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) recommended new ABC levels for gag. This final rule sets the total ACL equal to 95 percent of the SSC's recommended [[Page 48278]] ABC. The ABC and total ACL for gag will initially decrease from 2014 levels but will gradually increase after 2015 as the biomass increases, and will exceed 2014 levels in 2018. The sector allocations of 51 percent commercial and 49 percent recreational that were established in Amendment 16 to the FMP (74 FR 30964, June 29, 2009) are applied to the total ACL to determine each sector's ACL. Thus, the recreational ACL is decreased because the ABC and total ACL are decreased. NMFS determined that Regulatory Amendment 22 is based on the best scientific information available. Classification The NMFS Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, has determined that this final rule is necessary for the conservation and management of South Atlantic gag and wreckfish and is consistent with Regulatory Amendment 22, the FMP, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable law. This final rule has been determined to be not significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866. The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration during the proposed rule stage that this action would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The factual basis for this certification was published in the proposed rule and is not repeated here. No comments were received regarding the certification and NMFS has not received any new information that would affect its determination. No changes to the final rule were made in response to public comments. As a result, a final regulatory flexibility analysis was not required and none was prepared. The NOAA Assistant Administrator for Fisheries (AA) finds good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness for the commercial ACLs (commercial quotas) for wreckfish contained at Sec. Sec. 622.190(b) and 622.193(r)(1) in this final rule. The final rule increases the commercial ACLs for wreckfish in the South Atlantic exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to help achieve OY and prevent overfishing of wreckfish, while minimizing adverse social and economic effects on wreckfish. Implementing these increased commercial ACLs immediately provides timely opportunity for commercial wreckfish fishermen to achieve OY for the fishery, thereby helping to achieve the intent of this final rule. In addition, eliminating the 30-day delay in effectiveness will allow fishermen to access wreckfish during the summer when weather and sea conditions are most favorable for harvest. Wreckfish are taken far offshore and in deep water. Therefore, to enhance safety-at-sea, implementing the opportunity for commercial wreckfish fishermen to continue fishing right away would mean that fishermen will not need to fish later in the fishing year when weather can be poor, which is more likely to happen if these ACLs are implemented with a 30-day delay in effectiveness. List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 622 Annual catch limits, Fisheries, Fishing, Gag, Quotas, South Atlantic, Wreckfish. Dated: August 7, 2015. Samuel D. Rauch III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 622 is amended as follows: PART 622--FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF MEXICO, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC 0 1. The authority citation for part 622 continues to read as follows: Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. 0 2. In Sec. 622.190, the last sentence in the introductory text of paragraph (a), and paragraphs (a)(7) and (b), are revised to read as follows: Sec. 622.190 Quotas. * * * * * (a) * * * The quotas are in gutted weight, that is eviscerated but otherwise whole, except for the quotas in paragraphs (a)(4) through (7) of this section which are in both gutted weight and round weight. * * * * * (7) Gag--(i) For the 2015 fishing year--295,459 lb (134,018 kg), gutted weight; 348,642 lb (158,141 kg), round weight. (ii) For the 2016 fishing year--297,882 lb (135,117 kg), gutted weight; 351,501 (159,438 kg), round weight. (iii) For the 2017 fishing year--318,231 lb (144,347 kg), gutted weight; 375,513 lb (170,330 kg), round weight. (iv) For the 2018 fishing year--335,188 lb (152,039 kg), gutted weight; 395,522 lb (179,406 kg), round weight. (v) For the 2019 and subsequent fishing years--347,301 lb (157,533 kg), gutted weight; 409,816 lb (185,889 kg), round weight. * * * * * (b) Wreckfish. (1) The quotas for wreckfish apply to wreckfish shareholders, or their employees, contractors, or agents. The quotas are given round weight. See Sec. 622.172 for information on the wreckfish shareholder under the ITQ system. (i) For the 2015 fishing year--411,350 lb (186,585 kg). (ii) For the 2016 fishing year--402,515 (182,578 kg). (iii) For the 2017 fishing year--393,490 lb (178,484 kg). (iv) For the 2018 fishing year--385,985 lb (175,080 kg). (v) For the 2019 fishing year--376,960 lb (170,986 kg). (vi) For the 2020 and subsequent fishing years--369,645 lb (167,668 kg). (2) [Reserved] * * * * * 0 3. In Sec. 622.193, paragraphs (c) and (r) are revised to read as follows: Sec. 622.193 Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), and accountability measures (AMs). * * * * * (c) Gag--(1) Commercial sector. If commercial landings, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the applicable directed commercial quota, specified in Sec. 622.190(a)(7), the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close the commercial sector for gag for the remainder of the fishing year. The commercial ACL for gag is 322,677 lb (146,364 kg), gutted weight, 380,759 lb (172,709 kg), round weight, for 2015; 325,100 lb (147,463 kg), gutted weight, 383,618 lb (174,006 kg), round weight, for 2016; 345,449 lb (197,516 kg), gutted weight, 407,630 lb (184,898 kg), round weight, for 2017; 362,406 lb (164,385 kg), gutted weight, 427,639 lb (193,974 kg), round weight, for 2018; and 374,519 lb (169,879 kg), gutted weight, 441,932 lb (200,457 kg), round weight, for 2019 and subsequent fishing years. (2) Recreational sector. (i) If recreational landings, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the applicable recreational ACL, specified in paragraph (c)(2)(iv) of this section, and gag are overfished, based on the most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close the gag recreational sector for the remainder of the fishing year. On and after the effective date of such notification, the bag and possession limits for gag in or from the South Atlantic EEZ are zero. [[Page 48279]] These bag and possession limits also 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. (ii) Without regard to overfished status, if gag recreational landings exceed the recreational ACL, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing year, to reduce the recreational ACL for that fishing year by the amount of the overage. (iii) Recreational landings will be evaluated relative to the ACL based on a moving multi-year average of landings, as described in the FMP. (iv) The recreational ACL for gag is 310,023 lb (148,025 kg), gutted weight, 365,827 (165,936 kg), round weight, for 2015; 312,351 lb (149,137 kg), gutted weight, 368,574 lb (175,981 kg), round weight, for 2016; 331,902 lb (158,472 kg), gutted weight, 391,644 lb (186,997 kg), round weight, for 2017; 348,194 lb (166,251 kg), gutted weight, 410,869 lb (196,176 kg), round weight, for 2018; and 359,832 lb (171,807 kg), gutted weight, 424,602 lb (202,733 kg), round weight, for 2019 and subsequent fishing years. * * * * * (r) Wreckfish--(1) Commercial sector. The ITQ program for wreckfish in the South Atlantic serves as the accountability measure for commercial wreckfish. The commercial ACL for wreckfish is equal to the applicable commercial quota specified in Sec. 622.190(b). (2) Recreational sector. (i) If recreational landings for wreckfish, as estimated by the SRD, exceed the recreational ACL specified in paragraph (r)(2)(ii) of this section, then during the following fishing year, recreational landings will be monitored for a persistence in increased landings and, if necessary, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register, to reduce the length of the following recreational fishing season by the amount necessary to ensure recreational landings do not exceed the recreational ACL in the following fishing year. However, the length of the recreational season will also not be reduced during the following fishing year if the RA determines, using the best scientific information available, that a reduction in the length of the following fishing season is unnecessary. (ii) The recreational ACL for wreckfish is 21,650 (9,820 kg), round weight, for 2015; 21,185 lb (9,609 kg), round weight, for 2016; 20,710 lb (9,394 kg), round weight, for 2017; 20,315 lb (9,215 kg), round weight, for 2018; 19,840 lb (8,999 kg), round weight, for 2019; and 19,455 lb (8,825 kg), round weight, for 2020 and subsequent fishing years. * * * * * [FR Doc. 2015-19806 Filed 8-11-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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(c) The Director may approve a DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE On June 4, 2015, NMFS published a
request for a suspension of the service proposed rule for Regulatory
or payment obligations for a period of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Amendment 22 and requested public
one year. A renewal of this suspension Administration comment through July 6, 2015 (80 FR
may also be granted. 31880). The proposed rule and
50 CFR Part 622 Regulatory Amendment 22 set forth the
(d) Compliance by a participant with
a service or payment obligation will be [Docket No. 150305220–5683–02] rationale for the actions contained in
this final rule. A summary of the actions
considered impossible if the Director RIN 0648–BE76 implemented by Regulatory
determines, on the basis of information
Amendment 22 and this final rule is
and documentation as may be required, Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of provided below.
that the participant suffers from a Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-
physical or mental disability resulting Grouper Fishery Off the Southern Management Measures Contained in
in the permanent inability of the Atlantic States; Regulatory This Final Rule
participant to perform the service or Amendment 22 This final rule revises the commercial
other activities that would be necessary and recreational ACLs and directed
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
to comply with the obligation. commercial quotas for gag for the 2015
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
(e) In determining whether to waive Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), through the 2019 fishing years and
or suspend any or all of the service or Commerce. subsequent fishing years, and revises
payment obligations of a participant as ACTION: Final rule.
the commercial and recreational ACLs
imposing an undue hardship and being for wreckfish for the 2015 through the
against equity and good conscience, the SUMMARY: NMFS issues this final rule to 2020 fishing years and subsequent
Director, on the basis of information and implement Regulatory Amendment 22 fishing years.
documentation as may be required, will to the Fishery Management Plan for the Comments and Responses
consider: Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South
Atlantic Region (FMP)(Regulatory NMFS received a total of six unique
(1) The participant’s present financial comment submissions (some containing
Amendment 22), as prepared and
resources and obligations; several comments) from three
submitted by the South Atlantic Fishery
(2) The participant’s estimated future Management Council (Council). This individuals, two fishing associations,
financial resources and obligations; and final rule revises the annual catch limits and one Federal agency on Regulatory
(ACLs) for gag grouper (gag) and Amendment 22 and the proposed rule.
(3) The extent to which the
wreckfish and the directed commercial Two comments were supportive of the
participant has problems of a personal
quota for gag, based upon revisions to actions contained in the regulatory
nature, such as physical or mental
the acceptable biological catch (ABC) amendment and proposed rule, one
disability or terminal illness in the
and the optimum yield (OY) for gag and comment stated the commenter had no
immediate family, which so intrude on
wreckfish. The purpose of this final rule comments, and three of the comments
the participant’s present and future
is to help achieve OY and prevent expressed concerns regarding red
ability to perform as to raise a
overfishing of gag and wreckfish in the snapper regulations, venting fish,
presumption that the individual will be
South Atlantic region while minimizing, fishery closures, sector allocations, tag
unable to begin or complete the
to the extent practicable, adverse social programs, reporting requirements, and
obligation incurred. changing the Marine Recreational
and economic effects to the snapper-
§ 68b.12 What other regulations and grouper fishery. Information Program on accuracy and
statutes apply? DATES: This rule is effective September reliability; NMFS determined these
11, 2015, except for the amendments to comments were beyond the scope of the
Several other regulations and statutes proposed rule and, therefore, they have
apply to this part. These include, but are §§ 622.190(b) and 622.193(r)(1) which
are effective August 12, 2015. not been addressed in this final rule. A
not necessarily limited to: summary of the comments relevant to
ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of
(a) Debt Collection Act of 1982 (31 Regulatory Amendment 22, which Regulatory Amendment 22 and the
U.S.C. 3701 et seq.); includes an environmental assessment, proposed rule and NMFS’s responses
(b) Debt Collection Improvement Act a Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) are included below.
of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 3701 note); Comment 1: One commenter
analysis, and a regulatory impact
questioned whether the 2012, 2013, and
(c) Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 review, may be obtained from the
2014 catch years were included in the
U.S.C. 1681 et seq.); Southeast Regional Office Web site at
gag stock assessment, and asked why
http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_
(d) Federal Debt Collection the recreational ACL will be lowered
fisheries/s_atl/sg/2015/reg_am22/
Procedures Act of 1990 (28 U.S.C. 176); when the recreational sector caught only
index.html.
and a percentage of the recreational ACL
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: during those 3 years.
(e) Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. Mary Janine Vara, telephone: 727–824–
552a). Response: The stock assessment for
5305, email: mary.vara@noaa.gov. gag was initially conducted in 2006 and
Dated: March 27, 2015. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Gag and then updated in 2014 using data
Francis S. Collins, wreckfish are in the snapper-grouper through 2012, and the recreational ACL
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Director, National Institutes of Health. fishery and are managed under the FMP. is changing because of that stock
Approved: July 29, 2015. The FMP was prepared by the Council assessment. Based on that stock
and is implemented through regulations assessment, the Council’s Scientific and
Sylvia M. Burwell,
at 50 CFR part 622 under the authority Statistical Committee (SSC)
Secretary. of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery recommended new ABC levels for gag.
[FR Doc. 2015–19739 Filed 8–11–15; 8:45 am] Conservation and Management Act This final rule sets the total ACL equal
BILLING CODE 4140–01–P (Magnuson-Stevens Act). to 95 percent of the SSC’s recommended
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![48278 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 155 / Wednesday, August 12, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
ABC. The ABC and total ACL for gag In addition, eliminating the 30-day gutted weight; 409,816 lb (185,889 kg),
will initially decrease from 2014 levels delay in effectiveness will allow round weight.
but will gradually increase after 2015 as fishermen to access wreckfish during * * * * *
the biomass increases, and will exceed the summer when weather and sea (b) Wreckfish. (1) The quotas for
2014 levels in 2018. The sector conditions are most favorable for wreckfish apply to wreckfish
allocations of 51 percent commercial harvest. Wreckfish are taken far offshore shareholders, or their employees,
and 49 percent recreational that were and in deep water. Therefore, to contractors, or agents. The quotas are
established in Amendment 16 to the enhance safety-at-sea, implementing the given round weight. See § 622.172 for
FMP (74 FR 30964, June 29, 2009) are opportunity for commercial wreckfish information on the wreckfish
applied to the total ACL to determine fishermen to continue fishing right away shareholder under the ITQ system.
each sector’s ACL. Thus, the would mean that fishermen will not (i) For the 2015 fishing year—411,350
recreational ACL is decreased because need to fish later in the fishing year lb (186,585 kg).
the ABC and total ACL are decreased. when weather can be poor, which is (ii) For the 2016 fishing year—402,515
NMFS determined that Regulatory more likely to happen if these ACLs are (182,578 kg).
Amendment 22 is based on the best implemented with a 30-day delay in (iii) For the 2017 fishing year—
scientific information available. effectiveness. 393,490 lb (178,484 kg).
Classification List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 622 (iv) For the 2018 fishing year—
385,985 lb (175,080 kg).
The NMFS Regional Administrator, Annual catch limits, Fisheries, (v) For the 2019 fishing year—376,960
Southeast Region, has determined that Fishing, Gag, Quotas, South Atlantic, lb (170,986 kg).
this final rule is necessary for the Wreckfish. (vi) For the 2020 and subsequent
conservation and management of South Dated: August 7, 2015. fishing years—369,645 lb (167,668 kg).
Atlantic gag and wreckfish and is (2) [Reserved]
Samuel D. Rauch III,
consistent with Regulatory Amendment * * * * *
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
22, the FMP, the Magnuson-Stevens Act,
Regulatory Programs, National Marine ■ 3. In § 622.193, paragraphs (c) and (r)
and other applicable law. Fisheries Service. are revised to read as follows:
This final rule has been determined to
be not significant for purposes of For the reasons set out in the § 622.193 Annual catch limits (ACLs),
Executive Order 12866. preamble, 50 CFR part 622 is amended annual catch targets (ACTs), and
The Chief Counsel for Regulation of as follows: accountability measures (AMs).
the Department of Commerce certified * * * * *
PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE
to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the (c) Gag—(1) Commercial sector. If
CARIBBEAN, GULF OF MEXICO, AND
Small Business Administration during commercial landings, as estimated by
SOUTH ATLANTIC
the proposed rule stage that this action the SRD, reach or are projected to reach
would not have a significant economic the applicable directed commercial
■ 1. The authority citation for part 622
impact on a substantial number of small quota, specified in § 622.190(a)(7), the
continues to read as follows:
entities. The factual basis for this AA will file a notification with the
certification was published in the Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Office of the Federal Register to close
proposed rule and is not repeated here. ■ 2. In § 622.190, the last sentence in the the commercial sector for gag for the
No comments were received regarding introductory text of paragraph (a), and remainder of the fishing year. The
the certification and NMFS has not paragraphs (a)(7) and (b), are revised to commercial ACL for gag is 322,677 lb
received any new information that read as follows: (146,364 kg), gutted weight, 380,759 lb
would affect its determination. No (172,709 kg), round weight, for 2015;
changes to the final rule were made in § 622.190 Quotas. 325,100 lb (147,463 kg), gutted weight,
response to public comments. As a * * * * * 383,618 lb (174,006 kg), round weight,
result, a final regulatory flexibility (a) * * * The quotas are in gutted for 2016; 345,449 lb (197,516 kg), gutted
analysis was not required and none was weight, that is eviscerated but otherwise weight, 407,630 lb (184,898 kg), round
prepared. whole, except for the quotas in weight, for 2017; 362,406 lb (164,385
The NOAA Assistant Administrator paragraphs (a)(4) through (7) of this kg), gutted weight, 427,639 lb (193,974
for Fisheries (AA) finds good cause section which are in both gutted weight kg), round weight, for 2018; and 374,519
under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive the and round weight. lb (169,879 kg), gutted weight, 441,932
30-day delay in effectiveness for the * * * * * lb (200,457 kg), round weight, for 2019
commercial ACLs (commercial quotas) and subsequent fishing years.
(7) Gag—(i) For the 2015 fishing
for wreckfish contained at §§ 622.190(b) (2) Recreational sector. (i) If
year—295,459 lb (134,018 kg), gutted
and 622.193(r)(1) in this final rule. The recreational landings, as estimated by
weight; 348,642 lb (158,141 kg), round
final rule increases the commercial the SRD, reach or are projected to reach
weight.
ACLs for wreckfish in the South the applicable recreational ACL,
Atlantic exclusive economic zone (EEZ) (ii) For the 2016 fishing year—297,882 specified in paragraph (c)(2)(iv) of this
to help achieve OY and prevent lb (135,117 kg), gutted weight; 351,501 section, and gag are overfished, based
overfishing of wreckfish, while (159,438 kg), round weight. on the most recent Status of U.S.
minimizing adverse social and (iii) For the 2017 fishing year— Fisheries Report to Congress, the AA
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economic effects on wreckfish. 318,231 lb (144,347 kg), gutted weight; will file a notification with the Office of
Implementing these increased 375,513 lb (170,330 kg), round weight. the Federal Register to close the gag
commercial ACLs immediately provides (iv) For the 2018 fishing year— recreational sector for the remainder of
timely opportunity for commercial 335,188 lb (152,039 kg), gutted weight; the fishing year. On and after the
wreckfish fishermen to achieve OY for 395,522 lb (179,406 kg), round weight. effective date of such notification, the
the fishery, thereby helping to achieve (v) For the 2019 and subsequent bag and possession limits for gag in or
the intent of this final rule. fishing years—347,301 lb (157,533 kg), from the South Atlantic EEZ are zero.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 155 / Wednesday, August 12, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 48279
These bag and possession limits also kg), gutted weight, 391,644 lb (186,997 with the Office of the Federal Register,
apply in the South Atlantic on board a kg), round weight, for 2017; 348,194 lb to reduce the length of the following
vessel for which a valid Federal (166,251 kg), gutted weight, 410,869 lb recreational fishing season by the
commercial or charter vessel/headboat (196,176 kg), round weight, for 2018; amount necessary to ensure recreational
permit for South Atlantic snapper- and 359,832 lb (171,807 kg), gutted landings do not exceed the recreational
grouper has been issued, without regard weight, 424,602 lb (202,733 kg), round ACL in the following fishing year.
to where such species were harvested, weight, for 2019 and subsequent fishing However, the length of the recreational
i.e., in state or Federal waters. years. season will also not be reduced during
(ii) Without regard to overfished * * * * * the following fishing year if the RA
status, if gag recreational landings determines, using the best scientific
exceed the recreational ACL, the AA (r) Wreckfish—(1) Commercial sector.
The ITQ program for wreckfish in the information available, that a reduction
will file a notification with the Office of in the length of the following fishing
the Federal Register, at or near the South Atlantic serves as the
accountability measure for commercial season is unnecessary.
beginning of the following fishing year,
wreckfish. The commercial ACL for (ii) The recreational ACL for
to reduce the recreational ACL for that
wreckfish is equal to the applicable wreckfish is 21,650 (9,820 kg), round
fishing year by the amount of the
commercial quota specified in weight, for 2015; 21,185 lb (9,609 kg),
overage.
(iii) Recreational landings will be § 622.190(b). round weight, for 2016; 20,710 lb (9,394
evaluated relative to the ACL based on (2) Recreational sector. (i) If kg), round weight, for 2017; 20,315 lb
a moving multi-year average of landings, recreational landings for wreckfish, as (9,215 kg), round weight, for 2018;
as described in the FMP. estimated by the SRD, exceed the 19,840 lb (8,999 kg), round weight, for
(iv) The recreational ACL for gag is recreational ACL specified in paragraph 2019; and 19,455 lb (8,825 kg), round
310,023 lb (148,025 kg), gutted weight, (r)(2)(ii) of this section, then during the weight, for 2020 and subsequent fishing
365,827 (165,936 kg), round weight, for following fishing year, recreational years.
2015; 312,351 lb (149,137 kg), gutted landings will be monitored for a * * * * *
weight, 368,574 lb (175,981 kg), round persistence in increased landings and, if [FR Doc. 2015–19806 Filed 8–11–15; 8:45 am]
weight, for 2016; 331,902 lb (158,472 necessary, the AA will file a notification BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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Document Created: 2016-09-27 22:27:10
Document Modified: 2016-09-27 22:27:10
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Rules and Regulations | |
| Action | Final rule. | |
| Dates | This rule is effective September 11, 2015, except for the amendments to Sec. Sec. 622.190(b) and 622.193(r)(1) which are effective August 12, 2015. | |
| Contact | Mary Janine Vara, telephone: 727-824- 5305, email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 48277 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-BE76 | |
| CFR Associated | Annual Catch Limits; Fisheries; Fishing; Gag; Quotas; South Atlantic and Wreckfish |
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