81 FR 21481 - Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 70 (April 12, 2016)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 70 (April 12, 2016)
| Page Range | 21481-21482 | |
| FR Document | 2016-08386 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 12, 2016)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 21481-21482] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-08386] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 635 [Docket No. 150121066-5717-02] RIN 0648-XE539 Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure of Angling category southern area trophy fishery. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS closes the southern area Angling category fishery for large medium and giant (``trophy'' (i.e., measuring 73 inches curved fork length or greater)) Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT). This action is being taken to prevent any further overharvest of the Angling category southern area trophy BFT subquota. DATES: Effective 11:30 p.m., local time, April 10, 2016, through December 31, 2016. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah McLaughlin or Brad McHale, 978- 281-9260. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations implemented under the authority of the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson- Stevens Act; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) governing the harvest of BFT by persons and vessels subject to U.S. jurisdiction are found at 50 CFR part 635. Section 635.27 subdivides the U.S. BFT quota recommended by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) among the various domestic fishing categories, per the allocations established in the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan (2006 Consolidated HMS FMP) (71 FR 58058, October 2, 2006), as amended by Amendment 7 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP (Amendment 7) (79 FR 71510, December 2, 2014), and in accordance with implementing regulations. NMFS is required, under Sec. 635.28(a)(1), to file a closure notice with the Office of the Federal Register for publication when a BFT quota is reached or is projected to be reached. On and after the effective date and time of such notification, for the remainder of the fishing year or for a specified period as indicated in the notification, retaining, possessing, or landing BFT under that quota category is prohibited until the opening of the subsequent quota period or until such date as specified in the notice. Angling Category Large Medium and Giant Southern ``Trophy'' Fishery Closure The 2016 BFT fishing year, which is managed on a calendar-year basis and subject to an annual calendar-year quota, began January 1, 2016. The Angling category season opened January 1, 2016, and continues through December 31, 2016. The currently codified Angling category quota is 195.2 mt, of which 4.5 mt is allocated for the harvest of large medium and giant (trophy) BFT from the regulatory area by vessels fishing under the Angling [[Page 21482]] category quota, with 1.5 mt allocated for each of the following areas: North of 39[deg]18' N. lat. (off Great Egg Inlet, NJ); south of 39[deg]18' N. lat. and outside the Gulf of Mexico; and in the Gulf of Mexico. Trophy BFT measure 73 inches (185 cm) curved fork length or greater. As of April 4, 2016, reported landings from the NMFS Automated Catch Reporting System and the North Carolina Tagging Program total approximately 1.6 mt. NMFS has determined that the codified Angling category southern area trophy BFT subquota has been reached and that a closure of the southern area trophy BFT fishery is warranted at this time. Therefore, retaining, possessing, or landing large medium or giant BFT south of 39[deg]18' N. lat. and outside the Gulf of Mexico by persons aboard vessels permitted in the HMS Angling category and the HMS Charter/Headboat category must cease at 11:30 p.m. local time on April 10, 2016. This closure will remain effective through December 31, 2016. This action is intended to prevent any further overharvest of the Angling category southern area trophy BFT subquota, and is taken consistent with the regulations at Sec. 635.28(a)(1). If needed, subsequent Angling category adjustments will be published in the Federal Register. Information regarding the Angling category fishery for Atlantic tunas, including daily retention limits for BFT measuring 27 inches (68.5 cm) to less than 73 inches and any further Angling category adjustments, is available at hmspermits.noaa.gov or by calling (978) 281-9260. HMS Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat category permit holders may catch and release (or tag and release) BFT of all sizes, subject to the requirements of the catch-and-release and tag-and-release programs at Sec. 635.26. Anglers are also reminded that all BFT that are released must be handled in a manner that will maximize survival, and without removing the fish from the water, consistent with requirements at Sec. 635.21(a)(1). For additional information on safe handling, see the ``Careful Catch and Release'' brochure available at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/. Classification The Assistant Administrator for NMFS (AA) finds that it is impracticable and contrary to the public interest to provide prior notice of, and an opportunity for public comment on, this action for the following reasons: The regulations implementing the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP, as amended, provide for inseason retention limit adjustments and fishery closures to respond to the unpredictable nature of BFT availability on the fishing grounds, the migratory nature of this species, and the regional variations in the BFT fishery. The closure of the southern area Angling category trophy fishery is necessary to prevent any further overharvest of the southern area trophy fishery subquota. NMFS provides notification of closures by publishing the notice in the Federal Register, emailing individuals who have subscribed to the Atlantic HMS News electronic newsletter, and updating the information posted on the Atlantic Tunas Information Line and on hmspermits.noaa.gov. These fisheries are currently underway and delaying this action would be contrary to the public interest as it could result in excessive trophy BFT landings that may result in future potential quota reductions for the Angling category, depending on the magnitude of a potential Angling category overharvest. NMFS must close the southern area trophy BFT fishery before additional landings of these sizes of BFT accumulate. Therefore, the AA finds good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) to waive prior notice and the opportunity for public comment. For all of the above reasons, there is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d) to waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness. This action is being taken under 50 CFR 635.28(a)(1), and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801 et seq. Dated: April 7, 2016. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016-08386 Filed 4-7-16; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 70 / Tuesday, April 12, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 21481
included an incorrect description for the Street, then east on 305th Street/Bluff measuring 73 inches curved fork length
Special Early Canada Goose Unit in Road to State Highway 19, then south to or greater)) Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT).
South Dakota. With this document, we State Highway 50 and east to the Clay/ This action is being taken to prevent any
correct our errors. Union County Line; McPherson, further overharvest of the Angling
DATES: This correction is effective April Edmunds, Kingsbury, Brookings, Lake, category southern area trophy BFT
12, 2016. Moody, Miner, Faulk, Hand, Jerauld, subquota.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron Douglas, Hutchinson, Turner, Aurora, DATES: Effective 11:30 p.m., local time,
W. Kokel, (703) 358–1714. Beadle, Davison, Hanson, Sanborn, April 10, 2016, through December 31,
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a final
Spink, Brown, Harding, Butte, 2016.
rule that published in the Federal Lawrence, Meade, Oglala Lakota
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Register on March 28, 2016, at 81 FR (formerly Shannon), Jackson, Mellette,
Todd, Jones, Haakon, Corson, Ziebach, Sarah McLaughlin or Brad McHale,
17302, the following corrections are 978–281–9260.
made: and McCook Counties; and those
portions of Minnehaha and Lincoln SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Final Regulations Frameworks for counties outside of an area bounded by Regulations implemented under the
2016–17 Hunting Seasons on Certain a line beginning at the junction of the authority of the Atlantic Tunas
Migratory Game Birds [Corrected] South Dakota-Minnesota State line and Convention Act (ATCA; 16 U.S.C. 971 et
Minnehaha County Highway 122 (254th seq.) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
1. On page 17317, in the second Conservation and Management Act
column, under the heading ‘‘Alaska’’ Street) west to its junction with
Minnehaha County Highway 149 (464th (Magnuson-Stevens Act; 16 U.S.C. 1801
and the subheading ‘‘Daily Bag and et seq.) governing the harvest of BFT by
Possession Limits,’’ the third sentence Avenue), south on Minnehaha County
Highway 149 (464th Avenue) to persons and vessels subject to U.S.
under ‘‘Ducks:’’ is amended by jurisdiction are found at 50 CFR part
removing the words ‘‘1 canvasback’’’ Hartford, then south on Minnehaha
County Highway 151 (463rd Avenue) to 635. Section 635.27 subdivides the U.S.
and adding in their place the words ‘‘2 BFT quota recommended by the
canvasbacks’’. State Highway 42, east on State
Highway 42 to State Highway 17, south International Commission for the
2. On page 17330, in the first column, Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)
under the heading ‘‘South Dakota’’ and on State Highway 17 to its junction with
among the various domestic fishing
the subheading ‘‘Early Canada Goose Lincoln County Highway 116 (Klondike
categories, per the allocations
Seasons,’’ remove the entire paragraph Road), and east on Lincoln County
established in the 2006 Consolidated
beginning with the words ‘‘Special Early Highway 116 (Klondike Road) to the
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species
Canada Goose Unit:’’ and add in its South Dakota-Iowa State line, then
Fishery Management Plan (2006
place the following paragraph: ‘‘Special north along the South Dakota-Iowa and
Consolidated HMS FMP) (71 FR 58058,
Early Canada Goose Unit: The Counties South Dakota-Minnesota border to the
October 2, 2006), as amended by
of Campbell, Marshall, Roberts, Day, junction of the South Dakota-Minnesota
Amendment 7 to the 2006 Consolidated
Clark, Codington, Grant, Hamlin, Deuel, State line and Minnehaha County
HMS FMP (Amendment 7) (79 FR
Walworth; that portion of Perkins Highway 122 (254th Street).’’
71510, December 2, 2014), and in
County west of State Highway 75 and Dated: April 6, 2016. accordance with implementing
south of State Highway 20; that portion Tina A. Campbell, regulations.
of Dewey County north of Bureau of Chief, Division of Policy, Performance, and NMFS is required, under
Indian Affairs Road 8, Bureau of Indian Management Programs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife § 635.28(a)(1), to file a closure notice
Affairs Road 9, and the section of U.S. Service. with the Office of the Federal Register
Highway 212 east of the Bureau of [FR Doc. 2016–08326 Filed 4–11–16; 8:45 am] for publication when a BFT quota is
Indian Affairs Road 8 junction; that BILLING CODE 4310–55–P reached or is projected to be reached.
portion of Potter County east of U.S. On and after the effective date and time
Highway 83; that portion of Sully of such notification, for the remainder of
County east of U.S. Highway 83; DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE the fishing year or for a specified period
portions of Hyde, Buffalo, Brule, and as indicated in the notification,
Charles Mix counties north and east of National Oceanic and Atmospheric retaining, possessing, or landing BFT
a line beginning at the Hughes-Hyde Administration under that quota category is prohibited
County line on State Highway 34, east until the opening of the subsequent
to Lees Boulevard, southeast to State 50 CFR Part 635 quota period or until such date as
Highway 34, east 7 miles to 350th specified in the notice.
[Docket No. 150121066–5717–02]
Avenue, south to Interstate 90 on 350th
Avenue, south and east on State RIN 0648–XE539 Angling Category Large Medium and
Highway 50 to Geddes, east on 285th Giant Southern ‘‘Trophy’’ Fishery
Street to U.S. Highway 281, and north Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Closure
on U.S. Highway 281 to the Charles Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries The 2016 BFT fishing year, which is
Mix-Douglas County boundary; that AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries managed on a calendar-year basis and
portion of Bon Homme County north of Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and subject to an annual calendar-year
State Highway 50; those portions of Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), quota, began January 1, 2016. The
Yankton and Clay Counties north of a Commerce. Angling category season opened January
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with RULES
line beginning at the junction of State ACTION: Temporary rule; closure of 1, 2016, and continues through
Highway 50 and 306th Street/County Angling category southern area trophy December 31, 2016. The currently
Highway 585 in Bon Homme County, fishery. codified Angling category quota is 195.2
east to U.S. Highway 81, then north on mt, of which 4.5 mt is allocated for the
U.S. Highway 81 to 303rd Street, then SUMMARY: NMFS closes the southern harvest of large medium and giant
east on 303rd Street to 444th Avenue, area Angling category fishery for large (trophy) BFT from the regulatory area by
then south on 444th Avenue to 305th medium and giant (‘‘trophy’’ (i.e., vessels fishing under the Angling
VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:11 Apr 11, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\12APR1.SGM 12APR1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_21551/page/1.svg)
![21482 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 70 / Tuesday, April 12, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
category quota, with 1.5 mt allocated for amended, provide for inseason retention Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
each of the following areas: North of limit adjustments and fishery closures Commerce.
39°18′ N. lat. (off Great Egg Inlet, NJ); to respond to the unpredictable nature
south of 39°18′ N. lat. and outside the of BFT availability on the fishing ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation.
Gulf of Mexico; and in the Gulf of grounds, the migratory nature of this
Mexico. Trophy BFT measure 73 inches species, and the regional variations in SUMMARY: NMFS is exchanging unused
(185 cm) curved fork length or greater. the BFT fishery. The closure of the rock sole Community Development
As of April 4, 2016, reported landings southern area Angling category trophy Quota (CDQ) for yellowfin sole CDQ
from the NMFS Automated Catch fishery is necessary to prevent any acceptable biological catch (ABC)
Reporting System and the North further overharvest of the southern area reserves in the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Carolina Tagging Program total trophy fishery subquota. NMFS Islands management area. This action is
approximately 1.6 mt. NMFS has provides notification of closures by necessary to allow the 2016 total
determined that the codified Angling publishing the notice in the Federal allowable catch of rock sole, and
category southern area trophy BFT Register, emailing individuals who have yellowfin sole in the Bering Sea and
subquota has been reached and that a subscribed to the Atlantic HMS News Aleutian Islands management area to be
closure of the southern area trophy BFT electronic newsletter, and updating the harvested.
fishery is warranted at this time. information posted on the Atlantic
Therefore, retaining, possessing, or Tunas Information Line and on Effective April 12, 2016, through
DATES:
landing large medium or giant BFT hmspermits.noaa.gov. December 31, 2016.
south of 39°18′ N. lat. and outside the These fisheries are currently FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gulf of Mexico by persons aboard underway and delaying this action Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228.
vessels permitted in the HMS Angling would be contrary to the public interest
category and the HMS Charter/Headboat as it could result in excessive trophy SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
category must cease at 11:30 p.m. local BFT landings that may result in future manages the groundfish fishery in the
time on April 10, 2016. This closure potential quota reductions for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
will remain effective through December Angling category, depending on the management area (BSAI) according to
31, 2016. This action is intended to magnitude of a potential Angling the Fishery Management Plan for
prevent any further overharvest of the category overharvest. NMFS must close Groundfish of the Bering Sea and
Angling category southern area trophy the southern area trophy BFT fishery Aleutian Islands Management Area
BFT subquota, and is taken consistent before additional landings of these sizes (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific
with the regulations at § 635.28(a)(1). of BFT accumulate. Therefore, the AA Fishery Management Council under
If needed, subsequent Angling finds good cause under 5 U.S.C.
category adjustments will be published authority of the Magnuson-Stevens
553(b)(B) to waive prior notice and the Fishery Conservation and Management
in the Federal Register. Information
opportunity for public comment. For all Act. Regulations governing fishing by
regarding the Angling category fishery
of the above reasons, there is good cause U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP
for Atlantic tunas, including daily
under 5 U.S.C. 553(d) to waive the 30- appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600
retention limits for BFT measuring 27
day delay in effectiveness. and 50 CFR part 679.
inches (68.5 cm) to less than 73 inches
This action is being taken under 50
and any further Angling category The 2016 rock sole and yellowfin sole
CFR 635.28(a)(1), and is exempt from
adjustments, is available at CDQ reserves specified in the BSAI are
review under Executive Order 12866.
hmspermits.noaa.gov or by calling (978) 6,110 mt, and 15,408 mt as established
281–9260. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801
by the final 2016 and 2017 harvest
HMS Angling and HMS Charter/ et seq.
specifications for groundfish in the
Headboat category permit holders may Dated: April 7, 2016. BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016).
catch and release (or tag and release) Emily H. Menashes, The 2016 rock sole and yellowfin sole
BFT of all sizes, subject to the Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
requirements of the catch-and-release CDQ ABC reserves are 11,128 mt and
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. 7,244 mt as established by the final 2016
and tag-and-release programs at [FR Doc. 2016–08386 Filed 4–7–16; 4:15 pm]
§ 635.26. Anglers are also reminded that and 2017 harvest specifications for
all BFT that are released must be
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773,
handled in a manner that will maximize March 18, 2016).
survival, and without removing the fish DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE The Norton Sound Economic
from the water, consistent with Development Corporation has requested
requirements at § 635.21(a)(1). For National Oceanic and Atmospheric that NMFS exchange 400 mt of rock sole
additional information on safe handling, Administration CDQ reserves for 400 mt of yellowfin
see the ‘‘Careful Catch and Release’’ sole CDQ ABC reserves under
brochure available at 50 CFR Part 679 § 679.31(d). Therefore, in accordance
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/. with § 679.31(d), NMFS exchanges 400
[Docket No. 150916863–6211–02]
Classification mt of rock sole CDQ reserves for 400 mt
RIN 0648–XE558 of yellowfin sole CDQ ABC reserves in
The Assistant Administrator for
NMFS (AA) finds that it is impracticable the BSAI. This action also decreases and
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic increases the TACs and CDQ ABC
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with RULES
and contrary to the public interest to Zone off Alaska; Exchange of Flatfish
provide prior notice of, and an reserves by the corresponding amounts.
in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
opportunity for public comment on, this Tables 11 and 13 of the final 2016 and
Management Area
action for the following reasons: 2017 harvest specifications for
The regulations implementing the AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773,
2006 Consolidated HMS FMP, as Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and March 18, 2016) are revised as follows:
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Document Created: 2016-04-12 00:46:28
Document Modified: 2016-04-12 00:46:28
| 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 of Angling category southern area trophy fishery. | |
| Dates | Effective 11:30 p.m., local time, April 10, 2016, through December 31, 2016. | |
| Contact | Sarah McLaughlin or Brad McHale, 978- 281-9260. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 21481 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XE53 |
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