80 FR 65970 - Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; 2015 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic Yellowtail Snapper
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 208 (October 28, 2015)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 208 (October 28, 2015)
| Page Range | 65970-65971 | |
| FR Document | 2015-27421 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 208 (Wednesday, October 28, 2015)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 65970-65971] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-27421] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 622 [Docket No. 100812345-2142-03] RIN 0648-XE216 Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; 2015 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic Yellowtail Snapper 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 yellowtail snapper commercial sector in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic for the 2015 fishing year through this temporary rule. Commercial landings for yellowtail snapper, as estimated by the Science and Research Director, are projected to reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) on October 31, 2015. Therefore, NMFS closes the yellowtail snapper commercial sector on October 31, 2015, through the remainder of the fishing year in the South Atlantic EEZ. This closure is necessary to protect the South Atlantic yellowtail snapper resource. DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m., local time, October 31, 2015, until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2016. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Vara, NMFS Southeast Regional Office, telephone: 727-824-5305, email: [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The snapper-grouper fishery of the South Atlantic, which includes yellowtail snapper, 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 yellowtail snapper commercial ACL is 1,596,510 lb (725,686 kg), round weight. Under 50 CFR 622.193(n)(1)(i), NMFS is required to close the yellowtail snapper commercial sector 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 yellowtail snapper commercial sector is projected to reach the ACL on October 31, 2015. Therefore, this temporary rule implements an AM to close the yellowtail snapper commercial sector in the South Atlantic EEZ, effective 12:01 a.m., local time, October 31, 2015. The operator of a vessel with a valid commercial vessel permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper having yellowtail snapper on board must have landed and bartered, traded, or sold such species prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, October 31, 2015. During the closure, the bag limit specified in 50 CFR 622.187(b)(4) and the possession limits specified in 50 CFR 622.187(c) apply to all harvest or possession of yellowtail snapper in or from the South Atlantic EEZ. These bag and possession limits apply 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 yellowtail snapper taken from the EEZ is prohibited. The prohibition on sale or purchase does not apply to the sale or purchase of yellowtail snapper that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, October 31, 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 yellowtail snapper, 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(n)(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 yellowtail snapper commercial sector 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 interest because of the need to immediately implement this action to protect yellowtail snapper 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. [[Page 65971]] Dated: October 22, 2015. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015-27421 Filed 10-26-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![65970 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 208 / Wednesday, October 28, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
*Elevation in feet
(NGVD)
+ Elevation in feet
(NAVD) Communities
Flooding source(s) Location of referenced elevation # Depth in feet affected
above ground
∧ Elevation in
meters (MSL)
Modified
Unincorporated Areas of Ouachita Parish
Maps are available for inspection at the Ray Oliver Wright Health Unit, 1650 Desiard Street, Suite 202, Monroe, LA 71201.
Dated: October 8, 2015. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01
Roy E. Wright, snapper-grouper fishery of the South a.m., local time, October 31, 2015, and
Deputy Associate Administrator for Insurance Atlantic, which includes yellowtail were held in cold storage by a dealer or
and Mitigation, Department of Homeland snapper, is managed under the Fishery processor.
Security, Federal Emergency Management Management Plan for the Snapper-
Agency. Classification
Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic
[FR Doc. 2015–27469 Filed 10–27–15; 8:45 am] Region (FMP). The FMP was prepared The Regional Administrator,
BILLING CODE 9110–12–P by the South Atlantic Fishery Southeast Region, NMFS, has
Management Council and is determined this temporary rule is
implemented under the authority of the necessary for the conservation and
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery management of yellowtail snapper, a
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Conservation and Management Act component of the South Atlantic
National Oceanic and Atmospheric (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by regulations snapper-grouper fishery, and is
Administration at 50 CFR part 622. consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens
The yellowtail snapper commercial Act and other applicable laws.
ACL is 1,596,510 lb (725,686 kg), round This action is taken under 50 CFR
50 CFR Part 622
weight. Under 50 CFR 622.193(n)(1)(i), 622.193(n)(1)(i) and is exempt from
[Docket No. 100812345–2142–03] NMFS is required to close the yellowtail review under Executive Order 12866.
snapper commercial sector when the These measures are exempt from the
RIN 0648–XE216 commercial ACL has been reached, or is procedures of the Regulatory Flexibility
projected to be reached, by filing a Act because the temporary rule is issued
Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South notification to that effect with the Office without opportunity for prior notice and
Atlantic; 2015 Commercial of the Federal Register. NMFS has comment.
Accountability Measure and Closure determined that the yellowtail snapper
This action responds to the best
for South Atlantic Yellowtail Snapper commercial sector is projected to reach
scientific information available. The
the ACL on October 31, 2015. Therefore,
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,
this temporary rule implements an AM
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and NOAA (AA), finds that the need to
to close the yellowtail snapper
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), immediately implement this action to
commercial sector in the South Atlantic
Commerce. close the yellowtail snapper commercial
EEZ, effective 12:01 a.m., local time,
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. sector constitutes good cause to waive
October 31, 2015.
The operator of a vessel with a valid the requirements to provide prior notice
SUMMARY: NMFS implements commercial vessel permit for South and opportunity for public comment
accountability measures (AMs) for the Atlantic snapper-grouper having pursuant to the authority set forth in 5
yellowtail snapper commercial sector in yellowtail snapper on board must have U.S.C. 553(b)(B), as such procedures are
the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of landed and bartered, traded, or sold unnecessary and contrary to the public
the South Atlantic for the 2015 fishing such species prior to 12:01 a.m., local interest. Such procedures are
year through this temporary rule. time, October 31, 2015. During the unnecessary because the rule itself has
Commercial landings for yellowtail closure, the bag limit specified in 50 been subject to notice and comment,
snapper, as estimated by the Science CFR 622.187(b)(4) and the possession and all that remains is to notify the
and Research Director, are projected to limits specified in 50 CFR 622.187(c) public of the closure. Such procedures
reach the commercial annual catch limit apply to all harvest or possession of are contrary to the public interest
(ACL) on October 31, 2015. Therefore, yellowtail snapper in or from the South because of the need to immediately
NMFS closes the yellowtail snapper Atlantic EEZ. These bag and possession implement this action to protect
commercial sector on October 31, 2015, limits apply on board a vessel for which yellowtail snapper since the capacity of
through the remainder of the fishing a valid Federal commercial or charter the fishing fleet allows for rapid harvest
year in the South Atlantic EEZ. This vessel/headboat permit for South of the commercial ACL. Prior notice and
closure is necessary to protect the South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been opportunity for public comment would
Atlantic yellowtail snapper resource. issued, without regard to where such require time and would potentially
DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m., species were harvested, i.e., in state or result in a harvest well in excess of the
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local time, October 31, 2015, until 12:01 Federal waters. During the closure, the established commercial ACL.
a.m., local time, January 1, 2016. sale or purchase of yellowtail snapper For the aforementioned reasons, the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: taken from the EEZ is prohibited. The AA also finds good cause to waive the
Mary Vara, NMFS Southeast Regional prohibition on sale or purchase does not 30-day delay in the effectiveness of this
Office, telephone: 727–824–5305, email: apply to the sale or purchase of action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).
mary.vara@noaa.gov. yellowtail snapper that were harvested, Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 208 / Wednesday, October 28, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 65971
Dated: October 22, 2015. U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP using trawl gear, 4,623 mt to AFA trawl
Emily H. Menashes, appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 C/Ps, 32,216 mt to A80 C/Ps, 111,071 mt
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable and 50 CFR part 679. for C/Ps using hook-and-line, and 5,829
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. The 2015 Pacific cod TAC specified mt for C/Ps using pot gear.
[FR Doc. 2015–27421 Filed 10–26–15; 8:45 am] for catcher vessels greater than 60 feet
(18.3 m) LOA using pot gear in the BSAI Classification
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
is 17,641 metric tons (mt) as established This action responds to the best
by the final 2015 and 2016 harvest available information recently obtained
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE specifications for groundfish in the from the fishery. The Assistant
BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015) and Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA
National Oceanic and Atmospheric reallocation (80 FR 57105, September (AA), finds good cause to waive the
Administration 22, 2015). The Regional Administrator requirement to provide prior notice and
has determined that catcher vessels opportunity for public comment
50 CFR Part 679 greater than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
[Docket No. 141021887–5172–02] pot gear in the BSAI will not be able to U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is
harvest 1,000 mt of the remaining 2015 impracticable and contrary to the public
RIN 0648–XE269 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those interest. This requirement is
vessels under § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(5). impracticable and contrary to the public
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic The 2015 Pacific cod TAC specified
Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of interest as it would prevent NMFS from
for catcher vessels using trawl gear in responding to the most recent fisheries
Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and the BSAI is 43,224 mt as established by
Aleutian Islands Management Area data in a timely fashion and would
the final 2015 and 2016 harvest delay the reallocation of Pacific cod
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries specifications for groundfish in the specified from multiple sectors to A80
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015) and C/Ps, C/Ps using hook-and-line gear,
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), reallocation (80 FR 57105, September and C/Ps using pot gear in the Bering
Commerce. 22, 2015). The Regional Administrator Sea and Aleutian Islands management
has determined that catcher vessels area. Since these fisheries are currently
ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation.
using trawl gear will not be able to open, it is important to immediately
SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the harvest 3,870 mt of the remaining 2015 inform the industry as to the revised
projected unused amounts of Pacific cod Pacific cod TAC allocated to those allocations. Immediate notification is
from catcher vessels greater than 60 feet vessels under § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(9). necessary to allow for the orderly
(18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) The 2015 Pacific cod TAC specified conduct and efficient operation of this
using pot gear, American Fisheries Act for AFA trawl C/Ps in the BSAI is 5,623 fishery, to allow the industry to plan for
(AFA) trawl catcher processors (C/Ps), mt as established by the final 2015 and the fishing season, and to avoid
and catcher vessels using trawl gear to 2016 harvest specifications for potential disruption to the fishing fleet
Amendment 80 (A80) groundfish in the BSAI (80 FR 11919, as well as processors. NMFS was unable
C/Ps, C/Ps using hook-and-line gear, March 5, 2015) and reallocation (80 FR to publish a notice providing time for
and C/Ps using pot gear in the Bering 57105, September 22, 2015). The public comment because the most
Sea and Aleutian Islands management Regional Administrator has determined recent, relevant data only became
area. This action is necessary to allow that AFA trawl C/Ps will not be able to available as of October 19, 2015.
the 2015 total allowable catch of Pacific harvest 1,000 mt of the remaining 2015
Pacific cod TAC allocated to those The AA also finds good cause to
cod to be harvested. waive the 30-day delay in the effective
vessels under § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(7).
DATES: Effective October 23, 2015, date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
Therefore, in accordance with
through 2400 hrs, Alaska local time 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
§ 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A) and
(A.l.t.), December 31, 2015. the reasons provided above for waiver of
§ 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(B), NMFS reallocates
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh 5,870 mt of Pacific cod to A80 C/Ps, prior notice and opportunity for public
Keaton, 907–586–7228. C/Ps using hook-and-line gear, and C/Ps comment.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS using pot gear in the Bering Sea and This action is required by § 679.20
manages the groundfish fishery in the Aleutian Islands management area. and is exempt from review under
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) The harvest specifications for Pacific Executive Order 12866.
according to the Fishery Management cod included in the final 2015 harvest Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea specifications for groundfish in the
and Aleutian Islands Management Area BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015, 80 Dated: October 23, 2015.
(FMP) prepared by the North Pacific FR 51757, August 26, 2015, and 80 FR Alan D. Risenhoover,
Fishery Management Council under 57105, September 22, 2015) are revised Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens as follows: 16,641 mt for catcher vessels National Marine Fisheries Service.
Fishery Conservation and Management greater than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using [FR Doc. 2015–27429 Filed 10–23–15; 4:15 pm]
Act. Regulations governing fishing by pot gear, 39,354 mt for catcher vessels BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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Document Created: 2018-02-27 08:57:59
Document Modified: 2018-02-27 08:57:59
| 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 | Temporary rule; closure. | |
| Dates | This rule is effective 12:01 a.m., local time, October 31, 2015, until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2016. | |
| Contact | Mary Vara, NMFS Southeast Regional Office, telephone: 727-824-5305, email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 65970 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XE21 |
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