81_FR_69912 81 FR 69717 - International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; 2016 Bigeye Tuna Longline Fishery Reopening in the Eastern Pacific Ocean

81 FR 69717 - International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; 2016 Bigeye Tuna Longline Fishery Reopening in the Eastern Pacific Ocean

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 195 (October 7, 2016)

Page Range69717-69718
FR Document2016-24347

NMFS is temporarily reopening the U.S. pelagic longline fishery for bigeye tuna for vessels over 24 meters in overall length in the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) because part of the 500 metric ton (mt) catch limit remains available after NMFS closed the fishery on July 25, 2016. This action will allow U.S. vessels to access the remainder of the catch limit, which was established by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) in Resolution C-13-01.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 195 (Friday, October 7, 2016) 
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 195 (Friday, October 7, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 69717-69718]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-24347]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 300

[Docket No. 130717632-4285-02]
RIN 0648-XE902


International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; 2016 Bigeye Tuna 
Longline Fishery Reopening in the Eastern Pacific Ocean

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Temporary rule; fishery reopening.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is temporarily reopening the U.S. pelagic longline 
fishery for bigeye tuna for vessels over 24 meters in overall length in 
the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) because part of the 500 metric ton (mt) 
catch limit remains available after NMFS closed the fishery on July 25, 
2016. This action will allow U.S. vessels to access the remainder of 
the catch limit, which was established by the Inter-American Tropical 
Tuna Commission (IATTC) in Resolution C-13-01.

DATES: The reopening is effective October 4, 2016 until the effective 
date

[[Page 69718]]

of a notice of closure which will be published in the Federal Register, 
or through 11:59 p.m. local time December 31, 2016, whichever comes 
first.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Taylor Debevec, NMFS West Coast 
Region, 562-980-4066.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The United States is a member of the IATTC, 
which was established under the Convention for the Establishment of an 
Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission signed in 1949 (Convention). 
The Convention provides an international agreement to ensure the 
effective international conservation and management of highly migratory 
species of fish in the IATTC Convention Area. The IATTC Convention 
Area, as amended by the Antigua Convention, includes the waters of the 
EPO bounded by the coast of the Americas, the 50[deg] N. and 50[deg] S. 
parallels, and the 150[deg] W. meridian.
    Pelagic longline fishing in the EPO is managed, in part, under the 
Tuna Conventions Act as amended (Act), 16 U.S.C. 951-962. Under the 
Act, NMFS must publish regulations to carry out recommendations of the 
IATTC that have been approved by the Department of State (DOS). In 
2013, the IATTC adopted Resolution C-13-01, which establishes an annual 
catch limit of bigeye tuna for longline vessels over 24 meters. For 
calendar years 2014, 2015, and 2016, the catch of bigeye tuna by 
longline gear in the IATTC Convention Area by fishing vessels of the 
United States that are over 24 meters in overall length is limited to 
500 mt per year. With the approval of the DOS, NMFS implemented this 
catch limit by notice-and-comment rulemaking under the Act (79 FR 
19487, April 9, 2014, and codified at 50 CFR 300.25).
    NMFS, through monitoring retained catches of bigeye tuna noted in 
logbook data submitted by vessel captains and other available 
information from the longline fisheries in the IATTC Convention Area, 
determined that the 2016 catch limit would be reached by July 25, 2016, 
and published a notice in the Federal Register announcing the closure 
of the fishery (81 FR 46614, July 18, 2016). However, after reviewing 
the catch data, NMFS determined that approximately 250 mt of the catch 
limit remains available. Therefore, NMFS is publishing this notice to 
reopen the fishery so that the remainder of the catch limit may be 
caught. All fishing for the remaining catch limit must be done in 
accordance with regulations at 50 CFR 300.25. NMFS will continue to 
monitor bigeye tuna catch and publish a notice of closure if the catch 
limit will be reached before the catch limit regulations expire on 
December 31, 2016. Notice of a fishery closure will be published 7 
calendar days in advance of the effective date.

Classification

    NMFS has determined there is good cause to waive prior notice and 
opportunity for public comment pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). 
Compliance with the notice and comment requirement would be 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest because this action 
is simply a correction to a premature closure and is of benefit to 
fishermen since they cannot currently access the fishery. Moreover, 
NMFS previously solicited and considered public comments on the rule 
that established the catch limit (79 FR 19487, April 9, 2014). For the 
same reasons, NMFS has also determined there is good cause to waive the 
requirement for a 30-day delay in effectiveness under 5 U.S.C. 
553(d)(3).
    This action is required by Sec.  300.25(b) and is exempt from 
review under Executive Order 12866.

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 951 et seq.

    Dated: October 4, 2016
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-24347 Filed 10-4-16; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 195 / Friday, October 7, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 69717 § 32.25 [Corrected] doves and mourning doves only in of State and local law. Persons may only On page 68893, beginning in the first designated areas of the refuge in use (discharge) firearms in accordance column, in the ninth line, amendatory accordance with State and Federal with refuge regulations (see § 27.42 of instruction 7. should read as follows. regulations, and subject to the following this chapter and specific refuge 7. Amend § 32.25 by: conditions: regulations in this part 32). a. Revising paragraphs A, B, and C 1. We allow Eurasian collared-dove B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow under the entry Alamosa National hunting only during the mourning dove hunting of cottontail rabbit, and black- Wildlife Refuge; season. tailed and whitetailed jackrabbit, on b. Adding, in alphabetical order, an 2. You may possess only approved designated areas of the refuge in entry for Baca National Wildlife Refuge; nontoxic shot for hunting (see § 32.2(k)). accordance with State regulations and and 3. The only acceptable methods of subject to the following conditions: c. Revising paragraphs A, B, and C take are shotguns, hand-held bows, and 1. Conditions A2, A3, and A4 apply. under the entry Monte Vista National hawking/falconry. C. Big Game Hunting. We allow Refuge. 4. Persons possessing, transporting, or hunting of elk on designated areas of the The addition and revisions read as carrying firearms on national wildlife refuge in accordance with State follows: refuges must comply with all provisions regulations and subject to the following of State and local law. Persons may only conditions: § 32.25 Colorado. use (discharge) firearms in accordance 1. Condition A4 applies. * * * * * with refuge regulations (see § 27.42 of 2. You must possess a valid State this chapter and specific refuge license and a refuge-specific permit Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge from the State, or a valid State license regulations in this part 32). A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow issued specifically for the refuge, to allow hunting of geese, ducks, coots, hunting of cottontail rabbit, and black- hunt elk. State license selection will be snipe, Eurasian collared-doves, and tailed and whitetailed jackrabbit, on made via the Colorado Parks and mourning doves on designated areas of designated areas of the refuge in Wildlife hunt selection process. the refuge in accordance with State and accordance with State regulations and 3. During firearms elk seasons, Federal regulations, and subject to the subject to the following conditions: hunters must follow State law for use of following conditions: 1. Conditions A2 and A4 apply. hunter orange. 1. We allow Eurasian collared-dove 2. We prohibit handguns for hunting. * * * * * hunting only during the mourning dove 3. Shotguns, rifles firing rim-fire [FR Doc. C1–2016–23190 Filed 10–6–16; 8:45 am] season. cartridges less than .23 caliber, hand- BILLING CODE 1301–00–D 2. You may possess only approved held bows, pellet guns, slingshots, and nontoxic shot for hunting (see § 32.2(k)). hawking/falconry are the only 3. The only acceptable methods of acceptable methods of take. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE take are shotguns, hand-held bows, and C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hawking/falconry. hunting of elk on designated areas of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 4. Persons possessing, transporting, or refuge in accordance with State Administration carrying firearms on national wildlife regulations and subject to the following refuges must comply with all provisions conditions: 50 CFR Part 300 of State and local law. Persons may only 1. Condition A4 applies. [Docket No. 130717632–4285–02] use (discharge) firearms in accordance 2. You must possess a valid State with refuge regulations (see § 27.42 of license and a refuge-specific permit RIN 0648–XE902 this chapter and specific refuge from the State, or a valid State license regulations in this part 32). issued specifically for the refuge, to International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow Fisheries; 2016 Bigeye Tuna Longline hunt elk. State license selection will be hunting of cottontail rabbit, and black- Fishery Reopening in the Eastern made via the Colorado Parks and tailed and whitetailed jackrabbit, on Pacific Ocean Wildlife hunt selection process. designated areas of the refuge in D. Sport Fishing. [Reserved] AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries accordance with State regulations and * * * * * Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and subject to the following conditions: Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 1. Conditions A2, A3 and A4 apply. Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge Commerce. C. Big Game Hunting. We allow A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We ACTION: Temporary rule; fishery hunting of elk on designated areas of the allow hunting of geese, ducks, coots, reopening. refuge in accordance with State snipe, Eurasian collared-doves, and regulations and subject to the following mourning doves on designated areas of SUMMARY: NMFS is temporarily conditions: the refuge in accordance with State and reopening the U.S. pelagic longline 1. Condition A4 applies. Federal regulations, and subject to the fishery for bigeye tuna for vessels over 2. You must possess a valid State following conditions: 24 meters in overall length in the license and a refuge-specific permit 1. We allow Eurasian collared-dove eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) because from the State, or a valid State license hunting only during the mourning dove part of the 500 metric ton (mt) catch issued specifically for the refuge, to season. limit remains available after NMFS hunt elk. State license selection will be 2. You may possess only approved closed the fishery on July 25, 2016. This mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES made via the Colorado Parks and nontoxic shot for hunting (see § 32.2(k)). action will allow U.S. vessels to access Wildlife hunt selection process. 3. The only acceptable methods of the remainder of the catch limit, which * * * * * take are shotguns, hand-held bows, and was established by the Inter-American hawking/falconry. Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) in Baca National Wildlife Refuge 4. Persons possessing, transporting, or Resolution C–13–01. A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We carrying firearms on national wildlife DATES: The reopening is effective allow hunting of Eurasian collared- refuges must comply with all provisions October 4, 2016 until the effective date VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:29 Oct 06, 2016 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\07OCR1.SGM 07OCR1

69718 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 195 / Friday, October 7, 2016 / Rules and Regulations of a notice of closure which will be meters. For calendar years 2014, 2015, 2016. Notice of a fishery closure will be published in the Federal Register, or and 2016, the catch of bigeye tuna by published 7 calendar days in advance of through 11:59 p.m. local time December longline gear in the IATTC Convention the effective date. 31, 2016, whichever comes first. Area by fishing vessels of the United Classification FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: States that are over 24 meters in overall Taylor Debevec, NMFS West Coast length is limited to 500 mt per year. NMFS has determined there is good Region, 562–980–4066. With the approval of the DOS, NMFS cause to waive prior notice and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The implemented this catch limit by notice- opportunity for public comment United States is a member of the IATTC, and-comment rulemaking under the Act pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). which was established under the (79 FR 19487, April 9, 2014, and Compliance with the notice and Convention for the Establishment of an codified at 50 CFR 300.25). comment requirement would be Inter-American Tropical Tuna NMFS, through monitoring retained impracticable and contrary to the public Commission signed in 1949 catches of bigeye tuna noted in logbook interest because this action is simply a (Convention). The Convention provides data submitted by vessel captains and correction to a premature closure and is an international agreement to ensure the other available information from the of benefit to fishermen since they effective international conservation and longline fisheries in the IATTC cannot currently access the fishery. management of highly migratory species Convention Area, determined that the Moreover, NMFS previously solicited of fish in the IATTC Convention Area. 2016 catch limit would be reached by and considered public comments on the The IATTC Convention Area, as July 25, 2016, and published a notice in rule that established the catch limit (79 amended by the Antigua Convention, the Federal Register announcing the FR 19487, April 9, 2014). For the same includes the waters of the EPO bounded closure of the fishery (81 FR 46614, July reasons, NMFS has also determined by the coast of the Americas, the 50° N. 18, 2016). However, after reviewing the there is good cause to waive the and 50° S. parallels, and the 150° W. catch data, NMFS determined that requirement for a 30-day delay in meridian. approximately 250 mt of the catch limit effectiveness under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). Pelagic longline fishing in the EPO is remains available. Therefore, NMFS is This action is required by § 300.25(b) managed, in part, under the Tuna publishing this notice to reopen the and is exempt from review under Conventions Act as amended (Act), 16 fishery so that the remainder of the Executive Order 12866. U.S.C. 951–962. Under the Act, NMFS catch limit may be caught. All fishing Authority: 16 U.S.C. 951 et seq. must publish regulations to carry out for the remaining catch limit must be recommendations of the IATTC that done in accordance with regulations at Dated: October 4, 2016 have been approved by the Department 50 CFR 300.25. NMFS will continue to Emily H. Menashes, of State (DOS). In 2013, the IATTC monitor bigeye tuna catch and publish Acting Director, Office of Sustainable adopted Resolution C–13–01, which a notice of closure if the catch limit will Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. establishes an annual catch limit of be reached before the catch limit [FR Doc. 2016–24347 Filed 10–4–16; 4:15 pm] bigeye tuna for longline vessels over 24 regulations expire on December 31, BILLING CODE 3510–22–P mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:29 Oct 06, 2016 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\07OCR1.SGM 07OCR1


Document Created: 2018-02-13 16:32:14
Document Modified: 2018-02-13 16:32:14
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; fishery reopening.
DatesThe reopening is effective October 4, 2016 until the effective date of a notice of closure which will be published in the Federal Register, or through 11:59 p.m. local time December 31, 2016, whichever comes first.
ContactTaylor Debevec, NMFS West Coast Region, 562-980-4066.
FR Citation81 FR 69717 
RIN Number0648-XE90
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