81_FR_51287 81 FR 51138 - Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; 2016 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for the South Atlantic Lesser Amberjack, Almaco Jack, and Banded Rudderfish Complex

81 FR 51138 - Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; 2016 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for the South Atlantic Lesser Amberjack, Almaco Jack, and Banded Rudderfish Complex

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 149 (August 3, 2016)

Page Range51138-51139
FR Document2016-18249

NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for the commercial sector for the lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and banded rudderfish complex (other jacks complex) in the South Atlantic for the 2016 fishing year through this temporary rule. NMFS projects that commercial landings of the other jacks complex will reach their combined commercial annual catch limit (ACL) by August 9, 2016. Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial sector for this complex on August 9, 2016, through the remainder of the fishing year in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. This closure is necessary to protect the lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and banded rudderfish resources.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 149 (Wednesday, August 3, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 149 (Wednesday, August 3, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51138-51139]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-18249]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 120815345-3525-02]
RIN 0648-XE754


Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; 2016 Commercial 
Accountability Measure and Closure for the South Atlantic Lesser 
Amberjack, Almaco Jack, and Banded Rudderfish Complex

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

[[Page 51139]]

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for the 
commercial sector for the lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and banded 
rudderfish complex (other jacks complex) in the South Atlantic for the 
2016 fishing year through this temporary rule. NMFS projects that 
commercial landings of the other jacks complex will reach their 
combined commercial annual catch limit (ACL) by August 9, 2016. 
Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial sector for this complex on August 
9, 2016, through the remainder of the fishing year in the exclusive 
economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. This closure is necessary to 
protect the lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and banded rudderfish 
resources.

DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m., local time, August 9, 2016, 
until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2017.

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 includes lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and banded rudderfish, 
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 combined commercial ACL for the other jacks complex is 189,422 
lb (85,920 kg), round weight. Under 50 CFR 622.193(l)(1)(i), NMFS is 
required to close the commercial sector for the other jacks complex 
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 commercial sector for 
this complex is projected to reach its ACL by August 9, 2016. 
Therefore, this temporary rule implements an AM to close the commercial 
sector for the other jacks complex in the South Atlantic, effective 
12:01 a.m., local time August 9, 2016.
    The operator of a vessel with a valid commercial vessel permit for 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper having lesser amberjack, almaco jack, or 
banded rudderfish on board must have landed and bartered, traded, or 
sold such species prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, August 9, 2016. 
During the closure, the bag limit specified in 50 CFR 622.187(b)(8) and 
the possession limits specified in 50 CFR 622.187(c) apply to all 
harvest or possession of lesser amberjack, almaco jack, or banded 
rudderfish in or from the South Atlantic EEZ. These bag and possession 
limits apply in the South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid 
Federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper has been issued, regardless of whether such species 
were harvested in state or Federal waters. During the closure, the sale 
or purchase of lesser amberjack, almaco jack, or banded rudderfish 
taken from the EEZ is prohibited.

Classification

    The Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS, has determined 
this temporary rule is necessary for the conservation and management of 
the fish in the other jacks complex, 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(l)(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 public comment.
    This action responds to the best scientific information available. 
The Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries (AA) finds that the need 
to immediately implement this action to close the commercial sector for 
the other jacks complex 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 implementing the AM 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 the other jacks complex 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.

    Dated: July 28, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-18249 Filed 8-2-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P



                                             51138            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 149 / Wednesday, August 3, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                             will issue an IFTP within 30 days of                    within 30 days, the permit is void as of                 (b) Import, export or re-export fish or
                                             receipt of a completed application.                     the 30th day after such change.                       fish products regulated under this
                                             NMFS will notify the applicant of any                     (l) Renewal. Persons must apply                     subpart, including imports or exports
                                             deficiency in the application, including                annually for an IFTP issued under this                otherwise eligible for the de minimis
                                             failure to provide information,                         section. A renewal application must be                value exemption from filing
                                             documentation or reports required                       submitted via a Web site designated by                requirements under CBP procedures,
                                             under this subpart. If the applicant fails              NMFS, at least 15 days before the permit              without a valid IFTP as required under
                                             to correct the deficiency within 30 days                expiration date to avoid a lapse in                   § 300.322 or without submitting
                                             following the date of notification, the                 permitted status. NMFS will renew a                   complete and accurate information as
                                             application will be considered                          permit provided that: The application                 required under § 300.323.
                                             abandoned.                                              for the requested permit renewal is
                                                (d) Duration. An IFTP issued under                   complete; all documentation and reports               PART 600—MAGNUSON-STEVENS
                                             this section is valid for a period of one               required under this subpart and the                   ACT PROVISIONS
                                             year from the permit effective date.                    Magnuson-Stevens Act, Atlantic Tuna
                                                (e) Alteration. Any IFTP that is                     Conventions Act, the Tuna Conventions                 ■ 17. The authority citation for part 600
                                             substantially altered, erased, or                       Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act,                continues to read as follows:
                                             mutilated is invalid.                                   the Dolphin Consumer Protection                          Authority: 5 U.S.C. 561 and 16 U.S.C. 1801
                                                (f) Replacement. NMFS may issue                      Information Act, and the Antarctic                    et seq.
                                             replacement permits. An application for                 Marine Living Resources Act have been
                                             a replacement permit is not considered                                                                        ■ 18. In § 600.705, revise the first
                                                                                                     submitted, including those required                   sentence of paragraph (g) to read as
                                             a new application. An appropriate fee,                  under §§ 216.24, 216.93, 300.114,
                                             consistent with paragraph (j) of this                                                                         follows:
                                                                                                     300.183, 300.185, 300.186, 300.187 and
                                             section, may be charged for issuance of                 635.5 of this title; and the applicant is             § 600.705    Relation to other laws,
                                             a replacement permit.                                   not subject to a permit sanction or                   *     *    *      *     *
                                                (g) Transfer. An IFTP issued under                   denial under paragraph (i) of this                      (g) High seas fishing activities.
                                             this section is not transferable or                     section.                                              Regulations governing permits and
                                             assignable; it is valid only for the permit
                                                                                                                                                           requirements for fishing activities on the
                                             holder to whom it is issued.                            § 300.323    Reporting requirements.
                                                (h) Inspection. The permit holder                                                                          high seas are set forth in 50 CFR part
                                                                                                        Any person, including a resident                   300, subparts A and R.* * *
                                             must keep the IFTP issued under this                    agent for a nonresident entity (see 19
                                             section at his/her principal place of                   CFR 141.18), who imports as defined in                PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST
                                             business. The IFTP must be displayed                    § 300.321, exports, or re-exports fish or             COAST STATES
                                             for inspection upon request of any                      fish products regulated under this sub-
                                             authorized officer, or any employee of                  part from any ocean area, must file all               ■ 19. The authority citation for part 660
                                             NMFS designated by NMFS for such                        reports and documentation required                    continues to read as follows:
                                             purpose.                                                under the AMLR trade program, HMS                       Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq., 16 U.S.C.
                                                (i) Sanctions. The Assistant                         ITP, and TTVP as specified under this                 773 et seq., and 16 U.S.C. 7001 et seq.
                                             Administrator may suspend, revoke,                      title and under other regulations that
                                             modify, or deny a permit issued or                                                                            ■ 20. In § 660.2, revise paragraph (c) to
                                                                                                     incorporate by reference the                          read as follows:
                                             sought under this section. Procedures                   requirements of this subpart. For
                                             governing permit sanctions and denials                  imports, specific instructions for                    § 660.2    Relation to other laws.
                                             are found at subpart D of 15 CFR part                   electronic filing are found in Customs                *     *    *     *      *
                                             904.                                                    and Trade Automated Interface                           (c) Fishing activities on the high seas
                                                (j) Fees. NMFS will charge a fee to                  Requirements (CATAIR) Appendix PGA                    are governed by regulations of the High
                                             recover the administrative expenses of                  (https://www.cbp.gov/document/                        Seas Fishing Compliance Act set forth
                                             permit issuance. The amount of the fee                  guidance/appendix-pga). For exports,                  in 50 CFR part 300, subparts A and R.
                                             is calculated, at least annually, in                    specific instructions for electronic filing
                                             accordance with the procedures of the                                                                         [FR Doc. 2016–18401 Filed 8–2–16; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                     are found in Automated Export System
                                             NOAA Finance Handbook, available                        Trade Interface Requirements (AESTIR)
                                                                                                                                                           BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
                                             from NMFS, for determining the                          Appendix Q (https://www.cbp.gov/
                                             administrative costs of each special                    document/guidance/aestir-draft-
                                             product or service. The fee may not                                                                           DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
                                                                                                     appendix-q-pga-record-formats). For
                                             exceed such costs and is specified on                   fish and fish products regulated under                National Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                             each application form. The appropriate                  this subpart, an ACE entry filing or AES              Administration
                                             fee must be submitted via a Web site                    export filing, as applicable, is required
                                             designated by NMFS at the time of                       regardless of value, except in cases                  50 CFR Part 622
                                             application. Failure to pay the fee will                where CBP provides alternate means of
                                             preclude issuance of the permit.                        collecting NMFS-required data and/or                  [Docket No. 120815345–3525–02]
                                             Payment by a commercial instrument                      document images.                                      RIN 0648–XE754
                                             later determined to be insufficiently
                                             funded shall invalidate any permit.                     § 300.324    Prohibitions.
                                                                                                                                                           Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South
                                                (k) Change in application                               In addition to the prohibitions                    Atlantic; 2016 Commercial
                                             information. Within 15 days after any
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                                                                                                     specified in §§ 300.4, 300.117, 300.189,              Accountability Measure and Closure
                                             change in the information contained in                  600.725 and 635.71 of this title, it is               for the South Atlantic Lesser
                                             an application submitted under this                     unlawful for any person subject to the                Amberjack, Almaco Jack, and Banded
                                             section, the permit holder must report                  jurisdiction of the United States to:                 Rudderfish Complex
                                             the change to NMFS via a Web site                          (a) Violate any provision of this
                                             designated by NMFS. If a change in                      subpart, or the conditions of any IFTP                AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries
                                             permit information is not reported                      issued under this subpart,                            Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and


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                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 149 / Wednesday, August 3, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                              51139

                                             Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),                      to close the commercial sector for the                  This action is taken under 50 CFR
                                             Commerce.                                               other jacks complex when the                          622.193(l)(1)(i) and is exempt from
                                             ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.                        commercial ACL has been reached, or is                review under Executive Order 12866.
                                                                                                     projected to be reached, by filing a                    These measures are exempt from the
                                             SUMMARY:   NMFS implements an                           notification to that effect with the Office           procedures of the Regulatory Flexibility
                                             accountability measure (AM) for the                     of the Federal Register. NMFS has                     Act because the temporary rule is issued
                                             commercial sector for the lesser                        determined that the commercial sector                 without opportunity for prior notice and
                                             amberjack, almaco jack, and banded                      for this complex is projected to reach its            public comment.
                                             rudderfish complex (other jacks                         ACL by August 9, 2016. Therefore, this
                                             complex) in the South Atlantic for the                  temporary rule implements an AM to                      This action responds to the best
                                             2016 fishing year through this                          close the commercial sector for the other             scientific information available. The
                                             temporary rule. NMFS projects that                      jacks complex in the South Atlantic,                  Assistant Administrator for NOAA
                                             commercial landings of the other jacks                  effective 12:01 a.m., local time August 9,            Fisheries (AA) finds that the need to
                                             complex will reach their combined                       2016.                                                 immediately implement this action to
                                             commercial annual catch limit (ACL) by                     The operator of a vessel with a valid              close the commercial sector for the other
                                             August 9, 2016. Therefore, NMFS closes                  commercial vessel permit for South                    jacks complex constitutes good cause to
                                             the commercial sector for this complex                  Atlantic snapper-grouper having lesser                waive the requirements to provide prior
                                             on August 9, 2016, through the                          amberjack, almaco jack, or banded                     notice and opportunity for public
                                             remainder of the fishing year in the                    rudderfish on board must have landed                  comment pursuant to the authority set
                                             exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the                    and bartered, traded, or sold such                    forth in 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), as such
                                             South Atlantic. This closure is                         species prior to 12:01 a.m., local time,              procedures are unnecessary and
                                             necessary to protect the lesser                         August 9, 2016. During the closure, the               contrary to the public interest. Such
                                             amberjack, almaco jack, and banded                      bag limit specified in 50 CFR                         procedures are unnecessary because the
                                             rudderfish resources.                                   622.187(b)(8) and the possession limits               rule implementing the AM itself has
                                             DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m.,               specified in 50 CFR 622.187(c) apply to               been subject to notice and comment,
                                             local time, August 9, 2016, until 12:01                 all harvest or possession of lesser                   and all that remains is to notify the
                                             a.m., local time, January 1, 2017.                      amberjack, almaco jack, or banded                     public of the closure. Such procedures
                                                                                                     rudderfish in or from the South Atlantic              are contrary to the public interest
                                             FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                                                                     EEZ. These bag and possession limits                  because of the need to immediately
                                             Mary Vara, NMFS Southeast Regional
                                                                                                     apply in the South Atlantic on board a                implement this action to protect the
                                             Office, telephone: 727–824–5305, email:
                                                                                                     vessel for which a valid Federal                      other jacks complex since the capacity
                                             mary.vara@noaa.gov.                                     commercial or charter vessel/headboat                 of the fishing fleet allows for rapid
                                             SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The                          permit for South Atlantic snapper-                    harvest of the commercial ACL. Prior
                                             snapper-grouper fishery of the South                    grouper has been issued, regardless of                notice and opportunity for public
                                             Atlantic includes lesser amberjack,                     whether such species were harvested in                comment would require time and would
                                             almaco jack, and banded rudderfish,                     state or Federal waters. During the                   potentially result in a harvest well in
                                             and is managed under the Fishery                        closure, the sale or purchase of lesser               excess of the established commercial
                                             Management Plan for the Snapper-                        amberjack, almaco jack, or banded                     ACL.
                                             Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic                   rudderfish taken from the EEZ is
                                             Region (FMP). The FMP was prepared                                                                              For the aforementioned reasons, the
                                                                                                     prohibited.
                                             by the South Atlantic Fishery                                                                                 AA also finds good cause to waive the
                                             Management Council and is                               Classification                                        30-day delay in the effectiveness of this
                                             implemented by NMFS under the                             The Regional Administrator,                         action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).
                                             authority of the Magnuson-Stevens                       Southeast Region, NMFS, has                             Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
                                             Fishery Conservation and Management                     determined this temporary rule is
                                                                                                                                                             Dated: July 28, 2016.
                                             Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by                           necessary for the conservation and
                                             regulations at 50 CFR part 622.                         management of the fish in the other                   Emily H. Menashes,
                                               The combined commercial ACL for                       jacks complex, a component of the                     Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
                                             the other jacks complex is 189,422 lb                   South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery,               Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
                                             (85,920 kg), round weight. Under 50                     and is consistent with the Magnuson-                  [FR Doc. 2016–18249 Filed 8–2–16; 8:45 am]
                                             CFR 622.193(l)(1)(i), NMFS is required                  Stevens Act and other applicable laws.                BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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Document Created: 2016-08-02 23:44:14
Document Modified: 2016-08-02 23:44:14
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 9, 2016, until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2017.
ContactMary Vara, NMFS Southeast Regional Office, telephone: 727-824-5305, email: [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 51138 
RIN Number0648-XE75

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