82 FR 13402 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; 2017 Sector Quota Transfer Adjustment
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 47 (March 13, 2017)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 47 (March 13, 2017)
| Page Range | 13402-13404 | |
| FR Document | 2017-04864 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 47 (Monday, March 13, 2017)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 13402-13404] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-04864] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 [Docket No. 151130999-6594-02] RIN 0648-XF247 Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; 2017 Sector Quota Transfer Adjustment AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; quota transfer adjustment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This action adjusts the previously established 2017 Atlantic bluefish sector transfer amount from the recreational fishery to the commercial fishery. Updated information from 2016 catch estimates indicate that the 2017 transfer amount may be increased, which adjusts the 2017 bluefish recreational harvest limit and commercial quota values. This action notifies the public of these adjustments. DATES: This action is effective March 10, 2017, through December 31, 2017. ADDRESSES: The Atlantic bluefish specifications final rule (81 FR 51370; August 4, 2016) that established the initial 2017 commercial quota and recreational harvest limit is accessible via the Internet at www.regulations.gov. Copies of the original specifications document, including the Environmental Assessment and Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (EA/IRFA), and other supporting documents, are available on request from Dr. Christopher M. Moore, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Suite 201, 800 North State Street, Dover, DE 19901. These documents are also accessible via the Internet at http://www.mafmc.org. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cynthia Hanson, Fishery Management Specialist, (978) 281-9180. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The regulations governing the Atlantic bluefish fishery are found in 50 CFR 648.160 through 648.167. In August 2016, we implemented the Atlantic bluefish fishery specifications for the 2016 through 2018 fishing years. These specifications, consistent with the Atlantic Bluefish Fishery Management Plan (FMP) specification setting process, included the contingency that the estimated sector transfer of quota for 2017 would be re-evaluated and adjusted with realized recreational landings from the preceding year (2016). The process to transfer quota from the recreational to the commercial sector of the bluefish fishery is described in Sec. 648.162(b)(2). Final Sector Transfer and Specification Adjustments A transfer of quota from the recreational fishery to the commercial fishery is permitted under the FMP up to a commercial fishery quota of 10.5 million lb (4,763 mt), provided the combined expected recreational landings and the commercial quota do not exceed the total allowable landings (TAL), and the recreational fishery is not projected to exceed its harvest limit. The initial 2017 bluefish specifications contained an estimated sector quota transfer based on recreational catch data projected from available 2015 recreational landings. That transfer amount (2,561,747 lb; 1,161 mt) was calculated so that the initial 2017 recreational harvest limit was equal to the expected 2015 recreational landings, [[Page 13403]] and the final commercial quota did not exceed 10.5 million lb, consistent with the FMP requirement outlining the transfer process. This resulted in an initial 2017 commercial quota of 6,070,867 lb (2,753 mt) and an initial 2017 recreational harvest limit of 11,581,548 lb (5,253 mt). The bluefish quota management system for the commercial fishery has been timely and effective at constraining catch in the past, and no state is expected to exceed their quota. However, recreational bluefish catches can be more variable, so the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council recommended that we re-evaluate the suggested sector quota transfer each year, consistent with the FMP requirements, as additional, updated recreational fishery data become available. The preliminary 2016 Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) catch estimates for the full year became available in February, providing the most recent complete recreational data for 2016. The 2016 recreational bluefish catch estimate (see Table 1) is lower than the 2015 projected value (11,581,548 lb, 5,253 mt) used to calculate the initial 2017 transfer in the 2016-2018 bluefish specifications, so we are adjusting the transfer amount and resulting quotas accordingly in this notice. Using these updated recreational landings to project 2017 catch, we are implementing an adjusted transfer of 5,033,101 lb (2,282 mt) from the recreational to commercial sector; resulting in a revised harvest limit of 9,653,715 lb (4,379 mt), and a revised commercial quota of 8,542,221 lb (3,874 mt). Consistent with the FMP protocol, we calculated the size of the transfer so that the 2017 recreational harvest limit is equal to the updated 2016 recreational landings estimate, and the final commercial quota does not exceed 10.5 million lb. The adjusted 2017 specifications are shown in Table 1. When final data become available later this spring, we will determine if any adjustments to this transfer amount are necessary. Table 1--Adjusted 2017 Atlantic Bluefish Specifications ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2017 ------------------------------- lb mt ------------------------------------------------------------------------ OFL..................................... 26,444,448 11,995 ABC..................................... 20,641,883 9,363 ACL..................................... 20,641,883 9,363 Management Uncertainty.................. 0 0 Commercial ACT.......................... 3,509,120 1,592 Recreational ACT........................ 17,132,763 7,770 Commercial Discards..................... 0 0 Recreational Discards*.................. 2,445,947 1,109 Commercial TAL.......................... 3,509,120 1,592 Recreational TAL*....................... 14,686,816 6,661 Combined TAL............................ 18,195,936 8,253 Expected Recreational Landings.......... 9,653,715 4,379 Transfer................................ 5,033,101 2,282 Commercial Quota........................ 8,542,221 3,874 Recreational Harvest Limit.............. 9,653,715 4,379 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ * Recreational discards and TAL have also been updated from those outlined in the 2016-2018 specifications based on updated 2016 MRIP information. This sector transfer is included in the Atlantic bluefish regulations, and is therefore consistent with the objectives of the FMP and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Final Recreational Possession Limit As a result of the revised sector transfer of 5,033,101 lb (2,282 mt) described above, the final, adjusted recreational harvest limit for the 2017 bluefish fishery is 9,653,715 lb (4,379 mt). Regardless of this adjustment, and consistent with the recommendation of the Council, the daily recreational possession limit for 2017 remains up to 15 fish per person, with a year-round open recreational season. Final State Commercial Allocations As required by regulations and described in Sec. 648.162, the 2016-2018 bluefish specifications set an initial distribution of commercial quota for 2017 among the coastal states from Maine through Florida. Due to the increase in the 2017 commercial quota resulting from this sector quota transfer, these state-by-state allocations are also revised based on percentages specified in the FMP. The final, adjusted state commercial quotas for 2017 are shown in Table 2. No states exceeded their quota in 2016, so we are not implementing any accountability measures for the 2017 fishing year. Table 2--Final 2017 Bluefish Commercial State-by-State Allocations ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2017 Quota State FMP percent ------------------------------- share kg lb ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ME.............................................................. 0.6685 25,902 57,105 NH.............................................................. 0.4145 16,061 35,408 MA.............................................................. 6.7167 260,251 573,755 RI.............................................................. 6.8081 263,793 581,563 CT.............................................................. 1.2663 49,065 108,170 NY.............................................................. 10.3851 402,390 887,118 NJ.............................................................. 14.8162 574,081 1,265,633 DE.............................................................. 1.8782 72,774 160,440 [[Page 13404]] MD.............................................................. 3.0018 116,310 256,420 VA.............................................................. 11.8795 460,293 1,014,773 NC.............................................................. 32.0608 1,242,255 2,738,704 SC.............................................................. 0.0352 1,364 3,007 GA.............................................................. 0.0095 368 812 FL.............................................................. 10.0597 389,782 859,322 ----------------------------------------------- Total....................................................... 100.0001 3,874,690 8,542,230 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: March 7, 2017. Karen H. Abrams, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017-04864 Filed 3-10-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![13402 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 47 / Monday, March 13, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
the Board will add the additional § 1250.2 Railroad performance data commercial quota values. This action
fertilizer STCC that TFI now proposes. elements. notifies the public of these adjustments.
The Board will make this correction (a) * * * DATES: This action is effective March 10,
without additional notice and public (6) The weekly average of loaded and 2017, through December 31, 2017.
comment. As noted, this technical empty cars, operating in normal ADDRESSES: The Atlantic bluefish
correction to the fertilizer STCCs in 49 movement and billed to an origin or specifications final rule (81 FR 51370;
CFR pt. 1250 is not contested. The destination, which have not moved in August 4, 2016) that established the
correction is also non-substantive in 48 hours or more sorted by service type initial 2017 commercial quota and
that it merely corrects the fertilizer (intermodal, grain, coal, crude oil, recreational harvest limit is accessible
STCC list to include all of the relevant automotive, ethanol, fertilizer (the via the Internet at www.regulations.gov.
codes in accordance with the Board’s following Standard Transportation Copies of the original specifications
decision to require certain reporting on Commodity Codes (STCCs): 2871236, document, including the Environmental
fertilizer traffic. See November Decision, 2871235, 2871238, 2819454, 2812534, Assessment and Initial Regulatory
EP 724 (Sub-No. 4), slip op. at 15. 2818426, 2819815, 2818170, 2871315, Flexibility Analysis (EA/IRFA), and
Accordingly, for good cause shown, the 2818142, 2818146, 2871244, 2819173, other supporting documents, are
Board finds that notice and public 2871313, and 2871451), and all other). available on request from Dr.
comment on this correction is In order to derive the averages for the Christopher M. Moore, Executive
unnecessary. See 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B). reporting period, carriers should run a Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery
The change to the final rule is set same-time snapshot each day of the Management Council, Suite 201, 800
forth in the Appendix to this decision. reporting period, capturing cars that North State Street, Dover, DE 19901.
The only correction to the final rule have not moved in 48 hours or more. These documents are also accessible via
served on November 30, 2016, is the The number of cars captured on the the Internet at http://www.mafmc.org.
addition of STCC 2871313 to 49 CFR daily snapshot for each category should FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
1250.2(a)(6). The Board certifies that be added, and then divided by the Cynthia Hanson, Fishery Management
there is no change to its Regulatory number of days in the reporting period. Specialist, (978) 281–9180.
Flexibility or Paperwork Reduction Act In deriving this data, carriers should
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
analyses in the November Decision, EP include cars in normal service anywhere
724 (Sub-No. 4), slip op. at 24–25. on their system, but should not include Background
cars placed at a customer facility; in The regulations governing the
It is ordered: constructive placement; placed for Atlantic bluefish fishery are found in 50
1. The Board will grant the interchange to another carrier; in bad CFR 648.160 through 648.167. In August
unopposed request for a technical order status; in storage; or operating in 2016, we implemented the Atlantic
correction of the final rule. railroad service (e.g., ballast). bluefish fishery specifications for the
2. The final rule set forth below is * * * * * 2016 through 2018 fishing years. These
adopted and will be effective on March [FR Doc. 2017–04841 Filed 3–10–17; 8:45 am] specifications, consistent with the
21, 2017. The initial reporting date will BILLING CODE 4915–01–P Atlantic Bluefish Fishery Management
be March 29, 2017. Notice of the rule Plan (FMP) specification setting process,
adopted here will be published in the included the contingency that the
Federal Register. estimated sector transfer of quota for
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
3. A copy of this decision will be 2017 would be re-evaluated and
served upon the Chief Counsel for National Oceanic and Atmospheric adjusted with realized recreational
Advocacy, Office of Advocacy, U.S. Administration landings from the preceding year (2016).
Small Business Administration. The process to transfer quota from the
List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 1250 50 CFR Part 648 recreational to the commercial sector of
the bluefish fishery is described in
Administrative practice and [Docket No. 151130999–6594–02] § 648.162(b)(2).
procedure, Railroads, Reporting and
RIN 0648–XF247 Final Sector Transfer and Specification
recordkeeping requirements.
Adjustments
Decided: March 7, 2017. Fisheries of the Northeastern United
A transfer of quota from the
By the Board, Board Members Begeman, States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; 2017
recreational fishery to the commercial
Elliott, and Miller. Sector Quota Transfer Adjustment
fishery is permitted under the FMP up
Kenyatta Clay,
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries to a commercial fishery quota of 10.5
Clearance Clerk. Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and million lb (4,763 mt), provided the
For the reasons set forth in the Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), combined expected recreational
preamble, title 49, chapter X, subchapter Commerce. landings and the commercial quota do
D, part 1250 of the Code of Federal ACTION: Temporary rule; quota transfer not exceed the total allowable landings
Regulations is corrected as follows: adjustment. (TAL), and the recreational fishery is
not projected to exceed its harvest limit.
PART 1250—RAILROAD SUMMARY: This action adjusts the The initial 2017 bluefish specifications
PERFORMANCE DATA REPORTING previously established 2017 Atlantic contained an estimated sector quota
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with RULES
bluefish sector transfer amount from the transfer based on recreational catch data
■ 1. The authority citation for part 1250 recreational fishery to the commercial projected from available 2015
continues to read as follows: fishery. Updated information from 2016 recreational landings. That transfer
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 1321 and 11145. catch estimates indicate that the 2017 amount (2,561,747 lb; 1,161 mt) was
transfer amount may be increased, calculated so that the initial 2017
■ 2. In 1250.2, paragraph (a)(6) is which adjusts the 2017 bluefish recreational harvest limit was equal to
revised to read as follows: recreational harvest limit and the expected 2015 recreational landings,
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![13404 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 47 / Monday, March 13, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 2—FINAL 2017 BLUEFISH COMMERCIAL STATE-BY-STATE ALLOCATIONS—Continued
2017 Quota
FMP percent
State share kg lb
MD ............................................................................................................................................... 3.0018 116,310 256,420
VA ................................................................................................................................................ 11.8795 460,293 1,014,773
NC ................................................................................................................................................ 32.0608 1,242,255 2,738,704
SC ................................................................................................................................................ 0.0352 1,364 3,007
GA ................................................................................................................................................ 0.0095 368 812
FL ................................................................................................................................................. 10.0597 389,782 859,322
Total ...................................................................................................................................... 100.0001 3,874,690 8,542,230
Classification Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: March 7, 2017.
This action is taken under 50 CFR Karen H. Abrams,
part 648 and is exempt from review Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
under Executive Order 12866. Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017–04864 Filed 3–10–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with RULES
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Document Created: 2018-02-01 14:58:06
Document Modified: 2018-02-01 14:58:06
| 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; quota transfer adjustment. | |
| Dates | This action is effective March 10, 2017, through December 31, 2017. | |
| Contact | Cynthia Hanson, Fishery Management Specialist, (978) 281-9180. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 13402 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF24 |
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