80_FR_50746 80 FR 50585 - Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; 2015 Recreational Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic Hogfish

80 FR 50585 - Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; 2015 Recreational Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic Hogfish

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 161 (August 20, 2015)

Page Range50585-50586
FR Document2015-20596

NMFS implements accountability measures (AMs) for the hogfish recreational sector in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic for the 2015 fishing year through this temporary rule. NMFS estimates recreational landings from the 2014 and 2015 fishing years have exceeded the recreational annual catch limit (ACL) for hogfish. Therefore, NMFS reduces the length of the 2015 recreational fishing season, i.e., closes the recreational sector, for hogfish in the South Atlantic EEZ on August 24, 2015. This closure is necessary to protect the hogfish resource.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 161 (Thursday, August 20, 2015) 
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 161 (Thursday, August 20, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50585-50586]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20596]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 120403249-2492-02]
RIN 0648-XE088


Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; 2015 Recreational 
Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic Hogfish

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS implements accountability measures (AMs) for the hogfish 
recreational sector in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South 
Atlantic for the 2015 fishing year through this temporary rule. NMFS 
estimates recreational landings from the 2014 and 2015 fishing years 
have exceeded the recreational annual catch limit (ACL) for hogfish. 
Therefore, NMFS reduces the length of the 2015 recreational fishing 
season, i.e., closes the recreational sector, for hogfish in the South 
Atlantic EEZ on August 24, 2015. This closure is necessary to protect 
the hogfish resource.

DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m., local time, August 24, 2015, 
until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Britni LaVine, NMFS Southeast Regional 
Office, telephone: 727-824-5305, email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The snapper-grouper fishery of the South 
Atlantic includes hogfish and 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 by NMFS under the authority of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) 
by regulations at 50 CFR part 622.
    The recreational ACL for hogfish is 85,355 lb (38,716 kg) and was 
implemented through Regulatory Amendment 13 to the FMP (78 FR 36113, 
June 17, 2013). In accordance with regulations at 50 CFR 622.193(u)(2), 
if recreational landings exceed the recreational ACL, then NMFS will 
monitor recreational landings for a persistence in increased landings 
during the following fishing year. If necessary, the Assistant 
Administrator, NMFS (AA), will file a notification with the Office of 
the Federal Register to reduce the length of the following fishing 
season by the amount necessary to ensure landings do not exceed the 
recreational ACL in the following fishing year.
    During the 2014 fishing year, hogfish recreational landings 
exceeded the recreational ACL by 26,448 lb (11,996 kg). For the 2015 
fishing year, preliminary landings data from the NMFS Southeast 
Fisheries Science Center indicate that the hogfish recreational ACL has 
been exceeded by 142,364 lb (64,575 kg). Therefore, this temporary rule 
implements an AM to reduce the length of the hogfish recreational 
sector (i.e., close the recreational sector) of the snapper-grouper 
fishery for the remainder of the 2015 fishing year. As a result, the 
recreational sector for hogfish in the South Atlantic EEZ will be 
closed effective 12:01 a.m., local time August 24, 2015.
    During the closure, the bag and possession limits for hogfish in or 
from the South Atlantic EEZ are zero. The recreational sector for 
hogfish will reopen on January 1, 2016, the beginning of the 2016 
recreational fishing season.

Classification

    The Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS, has determined 
this temporary rule is necessary for the conservation and management of 
hogfish and 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(u)(2) 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 public comment.
    This action responds to the best scientific information available. 
The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,

[[Page 50586]]

NOAA (AA), finds that the need to immediately implement this action to 
close the recreational sector for hogfish constitutes good cause to 
waive the requirements to provide prior notice and opportunity for 
public comment on this temporary rule pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), 
because such procedures are unnecessary and contrary to the public 
interest. Such procedures are unnecessary because the AMs established 
by the Comprehensive ACL Amendment (77 FR 15916, March 16, 2012) and 
located at 50 CFR 622.193(u)(2) have already been subject to notice and 
public comment. All that remains is to notify the public of the reduced 
recreational season (recreational closure) for hogfish for the 
remainder of the 2015 fishing year. Such procedures are contrary to the 
public interest because of the need to immediately implement this 
action to protect the hogfish resource, since time for notice and 
public comment will allow for continued recreational harvest and 
further exceedance of the recreational 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.

Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-20596 Filed 8-17-15; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 161 / Thursday, August 20, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 50585 State effective Notice of final Title/Subject NFR Citation date rule date * * * * * * * (9) Yellowstone County Billings Carbon Monoxide (CO)—Maintenance Plan, State of Montana Air Quality Control Implementation Plan, Yellowstone County Carbon Monoxide Limited Maintenance Plan, Chapter 56, Billings Carbon Monoxide (CO) Limited Maintenance Plan and the associ- ated Alternative Monitoring Strategy .................................................................................... N/A 3/30/2015 80 FR 16571 * * * * * * * * * * * * Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Administrator, NMFS (AA), will file a ■ 3. Section 52.1397 is amended by Commerce. notification with the Office of the adding paragraph (c)(69) to read as ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. Federal Register to reduce the length of follows: the following fishing season by the SUMMARY: NMFS implements amount necessary to ensure landings do § 52.1397 Original identification of plan. accountability measures (AMs) for the not exceed the recreational ACL in the * * * * * hogfish recreational sector in the following fishing year. (c) * * * exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the During the 2014 fishing year, hogfish (69) Revisions to the State South Atlantic for the 2015 fishing year recreational landings exceeded the Implementation Plan which were through this temporary rule. NMFS recreational ACL by 26,448 lb (11,996 submitted by the State of Montana on estimates recreational landings from the kg). For the 2015 fishing year, January 16, 2009 and May 4, 2009. The 2014 and 2015 fishing years have preliminary landings data from the revisions are to the Administrative exceeded the recreational annual catch NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Rules of Montana; they make minor limit (ACL) for hogfish. Therefore, Center indicate that the hogfish editorial and grammatical changes, NMFS reduces the length of the 2015 recreational ACL has been exceeded by update the citations and references to recreational fishing season, i.e., closes 142,364 lb (64,575 kg). Therefore, this Federal laws and regulations, and make the recreational sector, for hogfish in the temporary rule implements an AM to other minor changes to conform to South Atlantic EEZ on August 24, 2015. reduce the length of the hogfish federal regulations. This closure is necessary to protect the recreational sector (i.e., close the (i) Incorporation by reference. hogfish resource. recreational sector) of the snapper- (A) Administrative Rules of Montana DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m., grouper fishery for the remainder of the (ARM) sections 17.8.102 Incorporation local time, August 24, 2015, until 12:01 2015 fishing year. As a result, the by Reference—Publication Dates, a.m., local time, January 1, 2016. recreational sector for hogfish in the 17.8.301 Definitions, 17.8.901 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: South Atlantic EEZ will be closed Definitions, and 17.8.1007 Baseline for Britni LaVine, NMFS Southeast effective 12:01 a.m., local time August Determining Credit for Emissions and Regional Office, telephone: 727–824– 24, 2015. Air Quality Offsets, effective October 24, 5305, email: britni.lavine@noaa.gov. During the closure, the bag and 2008. possession limits for hogfish in or from SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The (B) Administrative Rules of Montana the South Atlantic EEZ are zero. The snapper-grouper fishery of the South recreational sector for hogfish will (ARM) section 17.8.308 Particulate Atlantic includes hogfish and is reopen on January 1, 2016, the Matter, Airborne, effective February 13, managed under the Fishery beginning of the 2016 recreational 2009. Management Plan for the Snapper- fishing season. * * * * * Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic [FR Doc. 2015–20496 Filed 8–19–15; 8:45 am] Classification Region (FMP). The FMP was prepared BILLING CODE 6560–50–P by the South Atlantic Fishery The Regional Administrator, Management Council and is Southeast Region, NMFS, has implemented by NMFS under the determined this temporary rule is DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE authority of the Magnuson-Stevens necessary for the conservation and Fishery Conservation and Management management of hogfish and the South National Oceanic and Atmospheric Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by Administration Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery and is regulations at 50 CFR part 622. consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens The recreational ACL for hogfish is Act and other applicable laws. 50 CFR Part 622 85,355 lb (38,716 kg) and was This action is taken under 50 CFR [Docket No. 120403249–2492–02] implemented through Regulatory 622.193(u)(2) and is exempt from review Amendment 13 to the FMP (78 FR under Executive Order 12866. RIN 0648–XE088 36113, June 17, 2013). In accordance These measures are exempt from the with regulations at 50 CFR rmajette on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with RULES Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South procedures of the Regulatory Flexibility Atlantic; 2015 Recreational 622.193(u)(2), if recreational landings Act because the temporary rule is issued Accountability Measure and Closure exceed the recreational ACL, then without opportunity for prior notice and for South Atlantic Hogfish NMFS will monitor recreational public comment. landings for a persistence in increased This action responds to the best AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries landings during the following fishing scientific information available. The Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and year. If necessary, the Assistant Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:15 Aug 19, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\20AUR1.SGM 20AUR1

50586 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 161 / Thursday, August 20, 2015 / Rules and Regulations NOAA (AA), finds that the need to 2012) and located at 50 CFR and further exceedance of the immediately implement this action to 622.193(u)(2) have already been subject recreational ACL. close the recreational sector for hogfish to notice and public comment. All that For the aforementioned reasons, the constitutes good cause to waive the remains is to notify the public of the AA also finds good cause to waive the requirements to provide prior notice reduced recreational season 30-day delay in the effectiveness of this and opportunity for public comment on (recreational closure) for hogfish for the action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). this temporary rule pursuant to 5 U.S.C. remainder of the 2015 fishing year. Such Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. 553(b)(B), because such procedures are procedures are contrary to the public unnecessary and contrary to the public interest because of the need to Alan D. Risenhoover, interest. Such procedures are immediately implement this action to Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, unnecessary because the AMs protect the hogfish resource, since time National Marine Fisheries Service. established by the Comprehensive ACL for notice and public comment will [FR Doc. 2015–20596 Filed 8–17–15; 4:15 pm] Amendment (77 FR 15916, March 16, allow for continued recreational harvest BILLING CODE 3510–22–P rmajette on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with RULES VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:15 Aug 19, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\20AUR1.SGM 20AUR1


Document Created: 2015-12-15 11:08:16
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 11:08:16
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, August 24, 2015, until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2016.
ContactBritni LaVine, NMFS Southeast Regional Office, telephone: 727-824-5305, email: [email protected]
FR Citation80 FR 50585 
RIN Number0648-XE08
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR