81 FR 60635 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; Quota Transfer
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 171 (September 2, 2016)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 171 (September 2, 2016)
| Page Range | 60635-60636 | |
| FR Document | 2016-21206 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 171 (Friday, September 2, 2016)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 60635-60636] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-21206] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 [Docket No. 151130999-6225-01] RIN 0648-XE834 Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; Quota Transfer AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; approval of quota transfer. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS announces its approval of the State of North Carolina transferring a portion of its 2016 commercial bluefish quota to the State of New York. This approval of the quota complies with the Atlantic Bluefish Fishery Management Plan quota transfer provision. This announcement also informs the public of the revised commercial quotas for North Carolina and New York. DATES: Effective September 1, 2016, through December 31, 2016. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Reid Lichwell, Fishery Management Specialist, (978) 281-9112. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations governing the Atlantic bluefish fishery are found in 50 CFR 648.160 through 648.167. The regulations require annual specification of a commercial quota that is apportioned among the coastal states from Maine through Florida. The process to set the annual commercial quota and the percent allocated to each state are described in Sec. 648.162. The final rule implementing Amendment 1 to the Bluefish Fishery Management Plan published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2000 (65 FR 45844), and provided a mechanism for transferring bluefish quota from one state to another. Two or more states, under mutual agreement and with the concurrence of the Administrator, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), can request approval of a transfer of bluefish commercial quota under Sec. 648.162(e)(1)(i) through (iii). The Regional Administrator must first approve any such transfer based on the criteria in Sec. 648.162(e). New York and North Carolina have requested the transfer of 100,000 lb (45,359 kg) of Atlantic bluefish commercial quota from North Carolina [[Page 60636]] to New York and have certified that the transfer meets all pertinent state requirements. This quota transfer was requested by the State of New York to ensure that its 2016 quota would not be exceeded. The Regional Administrator has approved this quota transfer based on his determination that the criteria set forth in Sec. 648.162(e)(1)(i) through (iii) have been met. The revised bluefish quotas for calendar year 2016 are: North Carolina, 1,466,100 lb (665,012 kg); and New York, 687,289 lb (311,749 kg). These quota adjustments revise the quotas specified in the final rule implementing the 2016-2018 Atlantic Bluefish Specifications published on August 4, 2016 (81 FR 51370), and reflect all subsequent commercial bluefish quota transfers completed to date. Classification This action is taken under 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: August 30, 2016. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016-21206 Filed 9-1-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 171 / Friday, September 2, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 60635
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Corrections DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric In FR Doc. 2016–19601 appearing on National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration page 54744 in the Federal Register of Administration
Wednesday, August 17, 2016, the
50 CFR Part 648 following corrections are made: 50 CFR Part 648
1. On page 54744, in the third [Docket No. 151130999–6225–01]
[Docket No. 160301164–6694–02 ] column, the first paragraph under
RIN 0648–XE834
Specifications for Fishing Years 2016–
RIN 0648–BF87 2017 is corrected to read as follows: Fisheries of the Northeastern United
Specifications including the States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery;
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
acceptable biological catch (ABC), Quota Transfer
Conservation and Management Act
Provisions; Fisheries of the annual catch limit (ACL), annual catch AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
Northeastern United States; Northeast target (ACT), and total allowable Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Skate Complex; Framework landings (TALs) for the skate wing and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Adjustment 3; Correction bait fisheries, as well as possession Commerce.
limits, may be specified for up to 2 ACTION: Temporary rule; approval of
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries years. The 2016–2017 skate complex
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and quota transfer.
ABC and ACL is 31,081 metric tons
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), (mt). After removing management SUMMARY: NMFS announces its approval
Commerce. uncertainty from the ABC, the ACT that of the State of North Carolina
ACTION: Final rule; correction. remains is 23,311 mt. After removing transferring a portion of its 2016
discards and state landings from the commercial bluefish quota to the State
SUMMARY: This action corrects two of New York. This approval of the quota
ACT, the TAL that remains is 12,590 mt.
errors in the total allowable landing complies with the Atlantic Bluefish
values specified in the final rule to Tables 1 and 2 (below) detail TALs and
possession limits for the skate wing and Fishery Management Plan quota transfer
implement Framework Adjustment 3 to provision. This announcement also
the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery skate bait fisheries—there are no
possession limit changes from last year. informs the public of the revised
Management Plan published in the commercial quotas for North Carolina
Federal Register on August 17, 2016. These specifications and possession
limits remain in effect until they are and New York.
DATES: Effective September 2, 2016. DATES: Effective September 1, 2016,
replaced.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: through December 31, 2016.
William Whitmore, Fishery Policy 2. On pages 54744 and 54745, Table
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Reid
Analyst, phone: 978–281–9182; email: 1 is corrected to read as follows: Lichwell, Fishery Management
William.Whitmore@noaa.gov. Specialist, (978) 281–9112.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August TABLE 1—TOTAL ALLOWABLE LAND- SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
17, 2016, we published a final rule for INGS FOR FISHING YEARS 2016– Regulations governing the Atlantic
Framework Adjustment 3 to the 2017 bluefish fishery are found in 50 CFR
Northeast Skate Complex Fishery 648.160 through 648.167. The
Management Plan (81 FR 54744). That Total allowable landings regulations require annual specification
mt
final rule included two errors in the (TAL)
of a commercial quota that is
2016–2017 final specifications that are Skate Wing Fishery: apportioned among the coastal states
not consistent with the values included Season 1 (May 1–Aug 31) .... 4,772 from Maine through Florida. The
in Framework Adjustment 3 and the Season 2 (Sept 1–Apr 30) .... 3,600 process to set the annual commercial
June 6, 2016, proposed rule (81 FR Skate Bait Fishery: quota and the percent allocated to each
36251). The specifications in Season 1 (May 1–Jul 31) ..... 1,299 state are described in § 648.162.
Framework Adjustment 3 and its Season 2 (Aug 1–Oct 31) ..... 1,565 The final rule implementing
proposed rule are correct and will Season 3 (Nov 1–Apr 30) ..... 1,354 Amendment 1 to the Bluefish Fishery
remain. Management Plan published in the
The final rule mistakenly stated that Federal Register on July 26, 2000 (65 FR
the skate complex total allowable Dated: August 24, 2016.
45844), and provided a mechanism for
landings (TAL) is 12,872 mt. A draft Samuel D. Rauch III, transferring bluefish quota from one
version of Framework 3 specified a TAL Deputy Assistant Administrator for state to another. Two or more states,
of 12,872 mt, but the TAL was later Regulatory Programs, National Marine under mutual agreement and with the
revised through an addendum to the Fisheries Service. concurrence of the Administrator,
Framework after the formula used to [FR Doc. 2016–21156 Filed 9–1–16; 8:45 am] Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS
calculate the proportion of dead skate BILLING CODE 3510–22–P (Regional Administrator), can request
discards was revised. The correct skate approval of a transfer of bluefish
TAL for fishing years 2016–2017 is commercial quota under
12,590 mt. § 648.162(e)(1)(i) through (iii). The
A typographical error for the Season Regional Administrator must first
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1 skate wing TAL was included in Table approve any such transfer based on the
1 of the final rule. This correction rule criteria in § 648.162(e).
adjusts the Season 1 skate wing TAL New York and North Carolina have
from 4,722 mt to the correct value of requested the transfer of 100,000 lb
4,772 mt, as specified in the Framework (45,359 kg) of Atlantic bluefish
3 proposed rule. commercial quota from North Carolina
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![60636 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 171 / Friday, September 2, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
to New York and have certified that the ACTION: Final rule; adjustment to the new fishing year is unknown when
transfer meets all pertinent state specifications. the final specifications are published
requirements. This quota transfer was and sector enrollment from an earlier
requested by the State of New York to SUMMARY: We, NMFS, are adjusting the date is used until final enrollment is
ensure that its 2016 quota would not be 2016 fishing year sub-annual catch known. Consistent with regulatory
exceeded. The Regional Administrator limits for commercial groundfish requirements, each year we
has approved this quota transfer based vessels, including sector allocations subsequently publish an adjustment
on his determination that the criteria set based on the final Northeast rule modifying sector and common pool
forth in § 648.162(e)(1)(i) through (iii) multispecies sector rosters submitted as allocations based on final sector
have been met. The revised bluefish of May 1, 2016. The revisions to 2016 enrollment. The Framework 55
quotas for calendar year 2016 are: North catch limits are necessary to account for proposed and final rules both explained
changes in the number of participants
Carolina, 1,466,100 lb (665,012 kg); and that sector enrollments may change and
electing to fish in either sectors or the
New York, 687,289 lb (311,749 kg). that there would be a need to adjust the
common pool fishery. These
These quota adjustments revise the sub-ACLs and sector ACEs accordingly.
adjustments are routine and formulaic,
quotas specified in the final rule Adjustments to sector ACEs and the
and are required to match allocations to
implementing the 2016–2018 Atlantic sub-ACLs for sectors and the common
sector enrollment.
Bluefish Specifications published on pool are typically minimal as there has
DATES: Effective September 2, 2016,
August 4, 2016 (81 FR 51370), and been little change in sector enrollment
reflect all subsequent commercial through April 30, 2017.
since 2010. Vessels currently enrolled in
bluefish quota transfers completed to FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Aja sectors have accounted for
date. Szumylo, Fishery Policy Analyst, (978) approximately 99 percent of the
281–9195. historical groundfish landings. This
Classification SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We year’s sector final rule specified sector
This action is taken under 50 CFR recently approved Framework ACEs based on the 837 permits enrolled
part 648 and is exempt from review Adjustment 55, which set annual catch in sectors on March 15, 2016. As of May
under Executive Order 12866. limits for groundfish stocks and three 1, 2016, there were 841 Northeast
jointly managed U.S./Canada stocks for multispecies permits enrolled in sectors,
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
the 2016 fishing year. This action which means four additional permits
Dated: August 30, 2016. became effective on May 1, 2016 (81 FR elected to join sectors for the 2016
Emily H. Menashes, 26412). Framework 55 included fishing year. Tables 1, 2, and 3 explain
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable allocations for the 19 sectors approved the revised 2016 fishing year
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. to operate in 2016 based on enrollment allocations. Table 4 compares the
[FR Doc. 2016–21206 Filed 9–1–16; 8:45 am] as of March 15, 2016. A sector receives allocation changes between the
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P an allocation of each stock, or annual Framework 55 final rule and this
catch entitlement (referred to as ACE, or adjustment rule.
allocation), based on its members’ catch
This rulemaking also corrects
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE histories. State-operated permit banks
transcription errors in the 2016–2018
also receive an allocation that can be
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic
transferred to qualifying sector vessels.
Administration (SNE/MA) yellowtail flounder ACLs
The sum of all sector and state-operated
published in the Framework 55 final
permit bank allocations is referred to as
50 CFR Part 648 rule. Specifically, there were errors in
the sector sub-annual catch limit (sub-
ACL). The groundfish allocations the total groundfish fishery sub-ACL,
remaining after sectors and state- the sector and common pool sub-ACLs,
[Docket No. 160516426–6426–01]
operated permit banks receive their and the scallop fishery sub-ACL. Table
allocations are then allocated to the 5 presents both the incorrect values
RIN 0648–XE632 presented in the Framework 55 final
common pool (i.e., vessels not enrolled
in a sector), which is referred to as the rule, as well as the corrected values.
Revisions to Framework Adjustment Although the values were listed
55 to the Northeast Multispecies common pool sub-ACL.
This rule adjusts the 2016 fishing year incorrectly in the Framework 55 final
Fishery Management Plan and Sector rule, the total fishery ACLs for SNE/MA
Annual Catch Entitlements; Updated sector and common pool allocations
based on final sector membership as of yellowtail flounder (255 mt) were listed
Annual Catch Limits for Sectors and correctly for all three years. In addition,
the Common Pool for Fishing Year May 1, 2016. Permits enrolled in a
sector and the vessels associated with the Environmental Assessment and
2016 supporting analysis for Framework 55
those permits have until April 30, the
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries last day prior to the beginning of a new included the correct values. These
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and fishing year, to withdraw from a sector adjustments are minor, and will not
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and fish in the common pool. As a affect fishery operations.
Commerce. result, the actual sector enrollment for BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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Document Created: 2018-02-09 11:55:51
Document Modified: 2018-02-09 11:55:51
| 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; approval of quota transfer. | |
| Dates | Effective September 1, 2016, through December 31, 2016. | |
| Contact | Reid Lichwell, Fishery Management Specialist, (978) 281-9112. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 60635 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XE83 |
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