81_FR_16153 81 FR 16095 - Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2016 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic Vermilion Snapper

81 FR 16095 - Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2016 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic Vermilion Snapper

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 58 (March 25, 2016)

Page Range16095-16096
FR Document2016-06737

NMFS implements accountability measures (AMs) for the commercial sector for vermilion snapper in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. NMFS projects that commercial landings for vermilion snapper will reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) for the January through June, 2016, fishing period by March 29, 2016. Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial sector for vermilion snapper in the South Atlantic EEZ on March 29, 2016, and it will remain closed until July 1, 2016, the start of the July through December fishing period. This closure is necessary to protect the South Atlantic vermilion snapper resource.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 58 (Friday, March 25, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 58 (Friday, March 25, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16095-16096]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-06737]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 130312235-3658-02]
RIN 0648-XE506


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
2016 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic 
Vermilion Snapper

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 vermilion snapper in the exclusive economic zone 
(EEZ) of the South Atlantic. NMFS projects that commercial landings for 
vermilion snapper will reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) 
for the January through June, 2016, fishing period by March 29, 2016. 
Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial sector for vermilion snapper in 
the South Atlantic EEZ on March 29, 2016, and it will remain closed 
until July 1, 2016, the start of the July through December fishing 
period. This closure is necessary to protect the South Atlantic 
vermilion snapper resource.

DATES: This rule is effective from 12:01 a.m., local time, March 29, 
2016, until 12:01 a.m., local time, July 1, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Britni LaVine, NMFS Southeast Regional 
Office, telephone: 727-824-5305, email: britni.lavine@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The snapper-grouper fishery of the South 
Atlantic includes vermilion snapper 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 commercial ACL (equivalent to the commercial quota) for 
vermilion snapper in the South Atlantic is divided into separate quotas 
for two 6-month time periods, January through June and July through 
December. For the January through June, 2016, fishing season, the 
commercial quota is 388,703 lb (176,313 kg), gutted weight (431,460 lb 
(195,707 kg), round weight), as specified in 50 CFR 
622.190(a)(4)(i)(D).

[[Page 16096]]

    On February 26, 2016 (81 FR 9786), NMFS published a temporary rule 
in the Federal Register to reduce the commercial trip limit for 
vermilion snapper in or from the EEZ of the South Atlantic to 500 lb 
(227 kg), gutted weight, effective 12:01 a.m., local time, March 2, 
2016, until July 1, 2016, or until the quota was reached and the 
commercial sector closed, whichever would occur first.
    In accordance with regulations at 50 CFR 622.193(f)(1), NMFS is 
required to close the commercial sector for vermilion snapper when the 
commercial quota for that portion of the fishing year 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 quota for South Atlantic vermilion snapper for the January 
through June fishing period will be reached by March 29, 2016. 
Accordingly, the commercial sector for South Atlantic vermilion snapper 
is closed effective 12:01 a.m., local time, March 29, 2016, until 12:01 
a.m., local time, July 1, 2016. The commercial quota for vermilion 
snapper in the South Atlantic is 388,703 lb (176,313 kg), gutted weight 
(431,460 lb (195,707 kg), round weight), for the July 1 through 
December 31, 2016, fishing period, as specified in 50 CFR 
622.190(a)(4)(ii)(D).
    The operator of a vessel with a valid commercial vessel permit for 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper having vermilion snapper on board must 
have landed and bartered, traded, or sold such vermilion snapper prior 
to 12:01 a.m., local time, March 29, 2016. During the closure, the bag 
limit specified in 50 CFR 622.187(b)(5) and the possession limits 
specified in 50 CFR 622.187(c)(1), apply to all harvest or possession 
of vermilion snapper in or from the South Atlantic EEZ. During the 
closure, the sale or purchase of vermilion snapper taken from the EEZ 
is prohibited. As specified in 50 CFR 622.190(c)(1)(i), the prohibition 
on sale or purchase does not apply to the sale or purchase of vermilion 
snapper that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 
a.m., local time, March 29, 2016, and were held in cold storage by a 
dealer or processor. For a person on board a vessel for which a Federal 
commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for the South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper fishery has been issued, the bag and possession limits 
and the sale and purchase provisions of the commercial closure for 
vermilion snapper would apply regardless of whether the fish are 
harvested in state or Federal waters, as specified in 50 CFR 
622.190(c)(1)(ii).

Classification

    The Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS, has determined 
this temporary rule is necessary for the conservation and management of 
South Atlantic vermilion snapper and is consistent with the Magnuson-
Stevens Act and other applicable laws.
    This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.193(f)(1) and is exempt from 
review under Executive Order 12866.
    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 vermilion snapper 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 would be unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. 
Such procedures would be unnecessary because the rule itself has been 
subject to notice and comment, and all that remains is to notify the 
public of the closure. Allowing prior notice and opportunity for public 
comment is contrary to the public interest because of the need to 
immediately implement this action to protect vermilion snapper since 
the capacity of the fishing fleet allows for rapid harvest of the 
commercial quota. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment would 
require time and could result in a harvest well in excess of the 
established commercial quota.
    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: March 21, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-06737 Filed 3-22-16; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P



                                                                    Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 58 / Friday, March 25, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                                                                16095

                                                (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), (H), (J), (K), (L),           November 2, 2015 (80 FR 67335) in the                                        PART 52—APPROVAL AND
                                                and (M) which are necessary to                              third column on page 67336 to read as                                        PROMULGATION OF
                                                implement, maintain, and enforce the                        follows: Amend § 52.820 by adding new                                        IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
                                                2008 Lead NAAQS. EPA also approved                          entries (e) (40) and (41).
                                                Iowa’s May 11, 2015, submission to                                                                                                       ■ 1. The authority citation for part 52
                                                                                                              Dated: March 17, 2016.                                                     continues to read as follows:
                                                include article 1, section 2 of the Iowa
                                                                                                            Mark Hague,
                                                Constitution, and portions of the Iowa                                                                                                       Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.
                                                code and the Iowa Administrative Code                       Regional Administrator, Region 7.
                                                to codify the relevant state laws as                          Chapter I, title 40 of the Code of                                         Subpart Q—Iowa
                                                applied to conflict of interest                             Federal Regulations is amended as
                                                requirements of sections 110(a)(2)(E)                                                                                                    ■ 2. Amend § 52.820 by adding entries
                                                                                                            follows:                                                                     (e)(40) and (41) to read as follows:
                                                and 128 of the CAA.
                                                  This technical amendment revises the                                                                                                   § 52.820         Identification of plan.
                                                erroneous part 52 instructions                                                                                                           *       *    *           *      *
                                                published in the Federal Register on                                                                                                         (e)* * *

                                                                                               EPA-APPROVED IOWA NONREGULATORY PROVISIONS
                                                                                             Applicable
                                                                                             geographic           State submittal
                                                Name of nonregulatory SIP provision            area or                                                    EPA Approval date                                           Explanation
                                                                                                                       date
                                                                                             nonattain-
                                                                                             ment area


                                                                                  *         *                                *                *           *           *          *
                                                (40) Sections 110(a)(1) and (2) In- Statewide                                 11/4/11        11/2/15; Correction 3/25/16 [Insert This action addresses the following
                                                  frastructure Requirements 2008                                                               Federal Register citation].         CAA elements: 110(a)(2)(A), (B),
                                                  Lead NAAQS.                                                                                                                      (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), (H), (J), (K),
                                                                                                                                                                                   (L), and (M). 110(a)(2)(I) is not
                                                                                                                                                                                   applicable.
                                                (41) Section 128 Declaration: Con-
                                                  flicts of Interest Provisions;
                                                Constitution of the State of Iowa, Ar-       ..................   ........................   ..........................................................   This action addresses the following
                                                  ticle 1, Section 2.                                                                                                                                       sections of the Constitution of the
                                                                                                                                                                                                            State of Iowa, Article 1, section 2;
                                                Iowa Code: 4.4.(5), 7E.4, Chapter            ..................   ........................   ..........................................................   Iowa Code : 4.4 (5), 7e.4, Chapter
                                                  68B                                                                                                                                                       68B;
                                                Iowa Administrative Code: 351 IAC            Statewide                        5/11/15        11/2/15; Correction 3/25/16 [Insert                          Iowa Administrative Code: 351 IAC
                                                  6.11, 351 IAC 6.14(2), 351 IAC                                                               Federal Register citation].                                  6.11, 351 IAC 6.14(2), 351 IAC
                                                  6.19, 351 IAC 7.1-7.2, 567 IAC                                                                                                                            6.19, 351 IAC 7.1–7.2, 567 IAC
                                                  1.11 (1–9).                                                                                                                                               1.11(1–9).



                                                [FR Doc. 2016–06705 Filed 3–24–16; 8:45 am]                 SUMMARY:   NMFS implements                                                   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:     The
                                                BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                      accountability measures (AMs) for the                                        snapper-grouper fishery of the South
                                                                                                            commercial sector for vermilion snapper                                      Atlantic includes vermilion snapper and
                                                                                                            in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of                                      is managed under the Fishery
                                                                                                            the South Atlantic. NMFS projects that                                       Management Plan for the Snapper-
                                                DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE                                      commercial landings for vermilion                                            Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic
                                                National Oceanic and Atmospheric                            snapper will reach the commercial                                            Region (FMP). The FMP was prepared
                                                Administration                                              annual catch limit (ACL) for the January                                     by the South Atlantic Fishery
                                                                                                            through June, 2016, fishing period by                                        Management Council and is
                                                50 CFR Part 622                                             March 29, 2016. Therefore, NMFS closes                                       implemented by NMFS under the
                                                                                                            the commercial sector for vermilion                                          authority of the Magnuson-Stevens
                                                [Docket No. 130312235–3658–02]                              snapper in the South Atlantic EEZ on                                         Fishery Conservation and Management
                                                                                                            March 29, 2016, and it will remain                                           Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by
                                                RIN 0648–XE506                                              closed until July 1, 2016, the start of the                                  regulations at 50 CFR part 622.
                                                                                                            July through December fishing period.
                                                Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of                         This closure is necessary to protect the                                        The commercial ACL (equivalent to
                                                Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2016                            South Atlantic vermilion snapper                                             the commercial quota) for vermilion
                                                Commercial Accountability Measure                           resource.                                                                    snapper in the South Atlantic is divided
                                                and Closure for South Atlantic                                                                                                           into separate quotas for two 6-month
                                                                                                            DATES:  This rule is effective from 12:01
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                                Vermilion Snapper                                                                                                                        time periods, January through June and
                                                                                                            a.m., local time, March 29, 2016, until                                      July through December. For the January
                                                AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries                          12:01 a.m., local time, July 1, 2016.                                        through June, 2016, fishing season, the
                                                Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
                                                                                                            FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                                             commercial quota is 388,703 lb (176,313
                                                Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
                                                                                                            Britni LaVine, NMFS Southeast                                                kg), gutted weight (431,460 lb (195,707
                                                Commerce.
                                                                                                            Regional Office, telephone: 727–824–                                         kg), round weight), as specified in 50
                                                ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
                                                                                                            5305, email: britni.lavine@noaa.gov.                                         CFR 622.190(a)(4)(i)(D).


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                                                16096               Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 58 / Friday, March 25, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                                   On February 26, 2016 (81 FR 9786),                   Classification                                        DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
                                                NMFS published a temporary rule in the
                                                Federal Register to reduce the                            The Regional Administrator,                         National Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                commercial trip limit for vermilion                     Southeast Region, NMFS, has                           Administration
                                                snapper in or from the EEZ of the South                 determined this temporary rule is
                                                Atlantic to 500 lb (227 kg), gutted                     necessary for the conservation and                    50 CFR Part 679
                                                weight, effective 12:01 a.m., local time,               management of South Atlantic
                                                                                                                                                              [Docket No. 150916863–6211–02]
                                                March 2, 2016, until July 1, 2016, or                   vermilion snapper and is consistent
                                                until the quota was reached and the                     with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and                     RIN 0648–XE532
                                                commercial sector closed, whichever                     other applicable laws.
                                                would occur first.                                                                                            Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
                                                                                                          This action is taken under 50 CFR
                                                   In accordance with regulations at 50                                                                       Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod in the
                                                CFR 622.193(f)(1), NMFS is required to                  622.193(f)(1) and is exempt from review
                                                                                                                                                              Aleutian Islands Subarea of the Bering
                                                close the commercial sector for                         under Executive Order 12866.
                                                                                                                                                              Sea and Aleutian Islands Management
                                                vermilion snapper when the commercial                     This action responds to the best                    Area
                                                quota for that portion of the fishing year              scientific information available. The
                                                has been reached, or is projected to be                 Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,                AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries
                                                reached, by filing a notification to that               NOAA (AA), finds that the need to                     Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
                                                effect with the Office of the Federal                   immediately implement this action to                  Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
                                                Register. NMFS has determined that the                                                                        Commerce.
                                                                                                        close the commercial sector for
                                                commercial quota for South Atlantic                     vermilion snapper constitutes good                    ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
                                                vermilion snapper for the January                       cause to waive the requirements to
                                                through June fishing period will be                                                                           SUMMARY:   NMFS is prohibiting directed
                                                                                                        provide prior notice and opportunity for              fishing for Pacific cod, except for the
                                                reached by March 29, 2016.                              public comment pursuant to the
                                                Accordingly, the commercial sector for                                                                        Community Development Quota
                                                                                                        authority set forth in 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B),            program (CDQ), in the Aleutian Islands
                                                South Atlantic vermilion snapper is
                                                                                                        as such procedures would be                           subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian
                                                closed effective 12:01 a.m., local time,
                                                                                                        unnecessary and contrary to the public                Islands management area (BSAI). This
                                                March 29, 2016, until 12:01 a.m., local
                                                time, July 1, 2016. The commercial                      interest. Such procedures would be                    action is necessary to prevent exceeding
                                                quota for vermilion snapper in the                      unnecessary because the rule itself has               the non-CDQ allocation of the 2016
                                                South Atlantic is 388,703 lb (176,313                   been subject to notice and comment,                   Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC)
                                                kg), gutted weight (431,460 lb (195,707                 and all that remains is to notify the                 in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the
                                                kg), round weight), for the July 1                      public of the closure. Allowing prior                 BSAI.
                                                through December 31, 2016, fishing                      notice and opportunity for public                     DATES:  Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local
                                                period, as specified in 50 CFR                          comment is contrary to the public                     time (A.l.t.), March 22, 2016, through
                                                622.190(a)(4)(ii)(D).                                   interest because of the need to                       2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2016.
                                                   The operator of a vessel with a valid                immediately implement this action to                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh
                                                commercial vessel permit for South                      protect vermilion snapper since the                   Keaton, 907–586–7269.
                                                Atlantic snapper-grouper having                         capacity of the fishing fleet allows for
                                                vermilion snapper on board must have                                                                          SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
                                                                                                        rapid harvest of the commercial quota.
                                                landed and bartered, traded, or sold                                                                          manages the groundfish fishery in the
                                                                                                        Prior notice and opportunity for public
                                                such vermilion snapper prior to 12:01                                                                         BSAI according to the Fishery
                                                                                                        comment would require time and could                  Management Plan for Groundfish of the
                                                a.m., local time, March 29, 2016. During                result in a harvest well in excess of the
                                                the closure, the bag limit specified in 50                                                                    Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
                                                                                                        established commercial quota.                         Management Area (FMP) prepared by
                                                CFR 622.187(b)(5) and the possession
                                                limits specified in 50 CFR 622.187(c)(1),                 For the aforementioned reasons, the                 the North Pacific Fishery Management
                                                apply to all harvest or possession of                   AA also finds good cause to waive the                 Council under authority of the
                                                vermilion snapper in or from the South                  30-day delay in the effectiveness of this             Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
                                                Atlantic EEZ. During the closure, the                   action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).                      Conservation and Management Act.
                                                sale or purchase of vermilion snapper                                                                         Regulations governing fishing by U.S.
                                                                                                          Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
                                                taken from the EEZ is prohibited. As                                                                          vessels in accordance with the FMP
                                                specified in 50 CFR 622.190(c)(1)(i), the                 Dated: March 21, 2016.                              appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600
                                                prohibition on sale or purchase does not                Emily H. Menashes,                                    and 50 CFR part 679.
                                                apply to the sale or purchase of                        Acting Director, Office of Sustainable                   The non-CDQ allocation of the 2016
                                                vermilion snapper that were harvested,                  Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.         Pacific cod TAC in the Aleutian Islands
                                                landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01                  [FR Doc. 2016–06737 Filed 3–22–16; 4:15 pm]           subarea of the BSAI is 11,465 metric
                                                a.m., local time, March 29, 2016, and                   BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
                                                                                                                                                              tons (mt) as established by the final
                                                were held in cold storage by a dealer or                                                                      2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for
                                                processor. For a person on board a                                                                            groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773,
                                                vessel for which a Federal commercial                                                                         March 18, 2016). In accordance with
                                                or charter vessel/headboat permit for the                                                                     § 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator,
                                                South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery                                                                        Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                                has been issued, the bag and possession                                                                       that the non-CDQ allocation of the 2016
                                                limits and the sale and purchase                                                                              Pacific cod TAC in the Aleutian Islands
                                                provisions of the commercial closure for                                                                      subarea of the BSAI will soon be
                                                vermilion snapper would apply                                                                                 reached. Therefore, the Regional
                                                regardless of whether the fish are                                                                            Administrator is establishing a directed
                                                harvested in state or Federal waters, as                                                                      fishing allowance of 9,000 mt, and is
                                                specified in 50 CFR 622.190(c)(1)(ii).                                                                        setting aside the remaining 2,465 mt as


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   12:26 Mar 24, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00038   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\25MRR1.SGM   25MRR1



Document Created: 2018-02-02 15:18:03
Document Modified: 2018-02-02 15:18:03
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 from 12:01 a.m., local time, March 29, 2016, until 12:01 a.m., local time, July 1, 2016.
ContactBritni LaVine, NMFS Southeast Regional Office, telephone: 727-824-5305, email: [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 16095 
RIN Number0648-XE50

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