82 FR 13564 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Skate Complex; Adjustment to the Skate Wing and Skate Bait Inseason Possession Limits

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 48 (March 14, 2017)

Page Range		13564-13564
FR Document		2017-04934

We are adjusting the commercial per-trip possession limits for the skate wing and skate bait fisheries for the remainder of the 2016 fishing year, through April 30, 2017, based on revised projection. These possession limit adjustments are necessary to allow fishermen the opportunity to fully harvest the remaining skate wing and skate bait annual commercial quotas. This announcement informs the public that the skate wing and skate bait possession limits have been increased.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 48 (Tuesday, March 14, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 14, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 13564]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-04934]



[[Page 13564]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 160301164-6694-02]
RIN 0648-XF260


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Skate 
Complex; Adjustment to the Skate Wing and Skate Bait Inseason 
Possession Limits

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason adjustments.

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SUMMARY: We are adjusting the commercial per-trip possession limits for 
the skate wing and skate bait fisheries for the remainder of the 2016 
fishing year, through April 30, 2017, based on revised projection. 
These possession limit adjustments are necessary to allow fishermen the 
opportunity to fully harvest the remaining skate wing and skate bait 
annual commercial quotas. This announcement informs the public that the 
skate wing and skate bait possession limits have been increased.

DATES: Effective March 15, 2017, through April 30, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Reid Lichwell, Fishery Management 
Specialist, 978-281-9112.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The skate wing and skate bait fisheries are managed primarily 
through the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan. On January 
30, 2017, we reduced the commercial skate wing possession limit from 
4,100 lb (1,860 kg) of skate wings [9,307 lb (4,222 kg) whole weight] 
to the incidental possession limit of 500 lb (227 kg) of skate wings 
[1,135 lb (515 kg) whole weight] per trip and reduced the skate bait 
possession limit from 25,000 lb (11,340 kg) to 1,135 lb (515 kg) (whole 
weight) per trip, equivalent to the skate wing limit, for the remainder 
of the fishing year. The NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional Administrator 
is authorized to reduce the skate wing possession limit and required to 
reduce the skate bait possession limit when landings reached 85 and 90 
percent, respectively, of their annual total allowable landings (TAL). 
There is an exception, however, if the reduction is expected to prevent 
the attainment of the TAL. The regulations describing the process to 
adjust inseason commercial possession limits of skate wings and skate 
bait are described at 50 CFR 648.322(b) and (d).
    Based on landings data reported through February 21, 2017, our 
revised projections indicate that under the current possession limits, 
the skate wing and skate bait fisheries will only harvest 90 percent 
and 95 percent, respectively, of the annual TAL before the end of the 
fishing year. Because the annual TAL would not be fully utilized under 
the current possession limits, we are authorized to adjust the 
possession limits in accordance with the regulations to allow the 
attainment of the TAL. Revised projections indicate that if the 
possession limit for skate wings was increased from 500 lb (227 kg) 
back to the seasonal 4,100 lb (1,860 kg) of skate wings per trip [which 
would also, by regulation, increase the skate bait limit to 9,307 lb 
(4,222 lb), whole weight, per trip], these fisheries could operate at 
these higher possession limits for approximately 45 days before the end 
of the fishing year without exceeded the annual quota. Increasing the 
possession limits on March 15, 2017, until the end of the fishing year 
(April 30, 2017) would allow the annual TAL to be fully utilized while 
limiting the possibility of exceeding it.

Inseason Action

    This action increases the commercial skate wing possession limit 
from 500 lb (227 kg) of skate wings [1,135 lb (515 kg) whole weight] to 
4,100 lb (1,860 kg) of skate wings [9,307 lb (4,222 kg) whole weight] 
per trip. We also are increasing the skate bait possession limit from 
1,135 lb (515 kg) to 9,307 lb (4,222 kg) (whole weight) per trip; the 
whole weight equivalent of the skate wing possession limit. The annual 
TAL for both the skate wing and skate bait fisheries is divided into 
seasonal quota periods in which landings are applied to each quota to 
evaluate the need for possession limit adjustments. We are currently in 
skate wing season 2 (September 1, 2016, through April 30, 2017) and 
skate bait season 3 (November 1, 2016, through April 30, 2017). These 
are the final skate seasons of the 2016 fishing year, providing us with 
cumulative annual landings data which allow us to project when the 
annual TAL would be harvested. We anticipate that implementing these 
inseason adjustments will allow an opportunity for both fisheries to 
harvest the annual TAL while reducing the possibility of exceeding it. 
Beginning March 15, 2017, no person may possess on board or land more 
than 9,307 lb (4,222 kg) of whole weight skate per trip for the 
remainder of the 2016 fishing year.
    On May 1, 2017, the commercial skate wing possession limit will 
revert to the skate wing season 1 (May 1, 2017, to August 31, 2017) 
possession limit of 2,600 lb (1,179 kg) of skate wing [5,902 lb (2,677 
kg) whole weight] per trip, and the commercial skate bait possession 
limit will increase to 25,000 lb (11,340 kg) per trip until a 
possession limit adjustment is warranted.

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. 2017-04934 Filed 3-9-17; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

13564 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 48 / Tuesday, March 14, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE and reduced the skate bait possession whole weight] to 4,100 lb (1,860 kg) of
limit from 25,000 lb (11,340 kg) to 1,135 skate wings [9,307 lb (4,222 kg) whole
National Oceanic and Atmospheric lb (515 kg) (whole weight) per trip, weight] per trip. We also are increasing
Administration equivalent to the skate wing limit, for the skate bait possession limit from
the remainder of the fishing year. The 1,135 lb (515 kg) to 9,307 lb (4,222 kg)
50 CFR Part 648 NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional (whole weight) per trip; the whole
Administrator is authorized to reduce weight equivalent of the skate wing
[Docket No. 160301164–6694–02]
the skate wing possession limit and possession limit. The annual TAL for
RIN 0648–XF260 required to reduce the skate bait both the skate wing and skate bait
possession limit when landings reached fisheries is divided into seasonal quota
Fisheries of the Northeastern United 85 and 90 percent, respectively, of their periods in which landings are applied to
States; Northeast Skate Complex; annual total allowable landings (TAL). each quota to evaluate the need for
Adjustment to the Skate Wing and There is an exception, however, if the possession limit adjustments. We are
Skate Bait Inseason Possession Limits reduction is expected to prevent the currently in skate wing season 2
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries attainment of the TAL. The regulations (September 1, 2016, through April 30,
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and describing the process to adjust 2017) and skate bait season 3 (November
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), inseason commercial possession limits 1, 2016, through April 30, 2017). These
Commerce. of skate wings and skate bait are are the final skate seasons of the 2016
described at 50 CFR 648.322(b) and (d). fishing year, providing us with
ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason Based on landings data reported cumulative annual landings data which
adjustments. through February 21, 2017, our revised allow us to project when the annual
SUMMARY: We are adjusting the projections indicate that under the TAL would be harvested. We anticipate
commercial per-trip possession limits current possession limits, the skate wing that implementing these inseason
for the skate wing and skate bait and skate bait fisheries will only harvest adjustments will allow an opportunity
fisheries for the remainder of the 2016 90 percent and 95 percent, respectively, for both fisheries to harvest the annual
fishing year, through April 30, 2017, of the annual TAL before the end of the TAL while reducing the possibility of
based on revised projection. These fishing year. Because the annual TAL exceeding it. Beginning March 15, 2017,
possession limit adjustments are would not be fully utilized under the no person may possess on board or land
necessary to allow fishermen the current possession limits, we are more than 9,307 lb (4,222 kg) of whole
opportunity to fully harvest the authorized to adjust the possession weight skate per trip for the remainder
remaining skate wing and skate bait limits in accordance with the of the 2016 fishing year.
annual commercial quotas. This regulations to allow the attainment of On May 1, 2017, the commercial skate
announcement informs the public that the TAL. Revised projections indicate wing possession limit will revert to the
the skate wing and skate bait possession that if the possession limit for skate skate wing season 1 (May 1, 2017, to
limits have been increased. wings was increased from 500 lb (227 August 31, 2017) possession limit of
kg) back to the seasonal 4,100 lb (1,860 2,600 lb (1,179 kg) of skate wing [5,902
DATES: Effective March 15, 2017,
kg) of skate wings per trip [which would lb (2,677 kg) whole weight] per trip, and
through April 30, 2017. also, by regulation, increase the skate the commercial skate bait possession
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Reid bait limit to 9,307 lb (4,222 lb), whole limit will increase to 25,000 lb (11,340
Lichwell, Fishery Management weight, per trip], these fisheries could kg) per trip until a possession limit
Specialist, 978–281–9112. operate at these higher possession limits adjustment is warranted.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: for approximately 45 days before the
end of the fishing year without Classification
Background
exceeded the annual quota. Increasing This action is taken under 50 CFR
The skate wing and skate bait the possession limits on March 15, part 648 and is exempt from review
fisheries are managed primarily through 2017, until the end of the fishing year under Executive Order 12866.
the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery (April 30, 2017) would allow the annual Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Management Plan. On January 30, 2017, TAL to be fully utilized while limiting
we reduced the commercial skate wing Dated: March 7, 2017.
the possibility of exceeding it.
possession limit from 4,100 lb (1,860 kg) Karen H. Abrams,
of skate wings [9,307 lb (4,222 kg) whole Inseason Action Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
weight] to the incidental possession This action increases the commercial Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
limit of 500 lb (227 kg) of skate wings skate wing possession limit from 500 lb [FR Doc. 2017–04934 Filed 3–9–17; 4:15 pm]
[1,135 lb (515 kg) whole weight] per trip (227 kg) of skate wings [1,135 lb (515 kg) BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
rmajette on DSK30RV082PROD with RULES

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Document Created: 2017-03-14 02:51:45
Document Modified: 2017-03-14 02:51:45

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; inseason adjustments.
Dates		Effective March 15, 2017, through April 30, 2017.
Contact		Reid Lichwell, Fishery Management Specialist, 978-281-9112.
FR Citation		82 FR 13564
RIN Number		0648-XF26

82 FR 13564 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Skate Complex; Adjustment to the Skate Wing and Skate Bait Inseason Possession Limits

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 48 (March 14, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration