82 FR 14162 - Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 51 (March 17, 2017)

Page Range		14162-14163
FR Document		2017-05387

NMFS closes the southern area Angling category fishery for large medium and giant (``trophy'' (i.e., measuring 73 inches curved fork length or greater)) Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT). This action is being taken to prevent overharvest of the Angling category southern area trophy BFT subquota.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 51 (Friday, March 17, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 51 (Friday, March 17, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14162-14163]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-05387]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 635

[Docket No. 150121066-5717-02]
RIN 0648-XF274


Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna 
Fisheries

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure of Angling category southern area 
trophy fishery.

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SUMMARY: NMFS closes the southern area Angling category fishery for 
large medium and giant (``trophy'' (i.e., measuring 73 inches curved 
fork length or greater)) Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT). This action is 
being taken to prevent overharvest of the Angling category southern 
area trophy BFT subquota.

DATES: Effective 11:30 p.m., local time, March 20, 2017, through 
December 31, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah McLaughlin or Brad McHale, 978-
281-9260.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations implemented under the authority 
of the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.) and 
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-
Stevens Act; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) governing the harvest of BFT by 
persons and vessels subject to U.S. jurisdiction are found at 50 CFR 
part 635. Section 635.27 subdivides the U.S. BFT quota recommended by 
the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas 
(ICCAT) among the various domestic fishing categories, per the 
allocations established in the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly 
Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan (2006 Consolidated HMS FMP) 
(71 FR 58058, October 2, 2006) and amendments.
    NMFS is required, under Sec.  635.28(a)(1), to file a closure 
notice with the Office of the Federal Register for publication when a 
BFT quota is reached or is projected to be reached. On and after the 
effective date and time of such notification, for the remainder of the 
fishing year or for a specified period as indicated in the 
notification, retaining, possessing, or landing BFT under that quota 
category is prohibited until the opening of the subsequent quota period 
or until such date as specified in the notice.

Angling Category Large Medium and Giant Southern ``Trophy'' Fishery 
Closure

    The 2017 BFT fishing year, which is managed on a calendar-year 
basis and subject to an annual calendar-year quota, began January 1, 
2017. The Angling category season opened January 1, 2017, and continues 
through December 31, 2017. The currently codified Angling category 
quota is 195.2 mt, of which 4.5 mt is allocated for the harvest of 
large medium and giant (trophy) BFT by vessels fishing under the 
Angling category quota, with 1.5 mt allocated for each of the following 
areas: North of 39[deg]18' N. lat. (off Great Egg Inlet, NJ); south of 
39[deg]18' N. lat. and outside the Gulf of Mexico (the ``southern 
area''); and in the Gulf of Mexico. Trophy BFT measure 73 inches (185 
cm) curved fork length or greater.
    Based on reported landings from the NMFS Automated Catch Reporting

[[Page 14163]]

System and the North Carolina Tagging Program, NMFS projects that the 
codified Angling category southern area trophy BFT subquota will be 
reached by March 20, 2017, and has determined that a closure of the 
southern area trophy BFT fishery is warranted. Therefore, retaining, 
possessing, or landing large medium or giant BFT south of 39[deg]18' N. 
lat. and outside the Gulf of Mexico by persons aboard vessels permitted 
in the HMS Angling category and the HMS Charter/Headboat category (when 
fishing recreationally) must cease at 11:30 p.m. local time on March 
20, 2017. This closure will remain effective through December 31, 2017. 
This action is intended to prevent overharvest of the Angling category 
southern area trophy BFT subquota, and is taken consistent with the 
regulations at Sec.  635.28(a)(1).
    If needed, subsequent Angling category adjustments will be 
published in the Federal Register. Information regarding the Angling 
category fishery for Atlantic tunas, including daily retention limits 
for BFT measuring 27 inches (68.5 cm) to less than 73 inches and any 
further Angling category adjustments, is available at 
hmspermits.noaa.gov or by calling (978) 281-9260. HMS Angling and HMS 
Charter/Headboat category permit holders may catch and release (or tag 
and release) BFT of all sizes, subject to the requirements of the 
catch-and-release and tag-and-release programs at Sec.  635.26. Anglers 
are also reminded that all BFT that are released must be handled in a 
manner that will maximize survival, and without removing the fish from 
the water, consistent with requirements at Sec.  635.21(a)(1). For 
additional information on safe handling, see the ``Careful Catch and 
Release'' brochure available at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/.
    HMS Charter/Headboat and Angling category vessel owners are 
required to report the catch of all BFT retained or discarded dead, 
within 24 hours of the landing(s) or end of each trip, by accessing 
hmspermits.noaa.gov or by using the Android or iPhone app.

Classification

    The Assistant Administrator for NMFS (AA) finds that it is 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest to provide prior 
notice of, and an opportunity for public comment on, this action for 
the following reasons:
    The regulations implementing the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and 
amendments provide for inseason retention limit adjustments and fishery 
closures to respond to the unpredictable nature of BFT availability on 
the fishing grounds, the migratory nature of this species, and the 
regional variations in the BFT fishery. The closure of the southern 
area Angling category trophy fishery is necessary to prevent any 
further overharvest of the southern area trophy fishery subquota. NMFS 
provides notification of closures by publishing the notice in the 
Federal Register, emailing individuals who have subscribed to the 
Atlantic HMS News electronic newsletter, and updating the information 
posted on the Atlantic Tunas Information Line and on 
hmspermits.noaa.gov.
    These fisheries are currently underway and delaying this action 
would be contrary to the public interest as it could result in 
excessive trophy BFT landings that may result in future potential quota 
reductions for the Angling category, depending on the magnitude of a 
potential Angling category overharvest. NMFS must close the southern 
area trophy BFT fishery before additional landings of these sizes of 
BFT occur. Therefore, the AA finds good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) 
to waive prior notice and the opportunity for public comment. For all 
of the above reasons, there is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d) to 
waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness.
    This action is being taken under 50 CFR 635.28(a)(1), and is exempt 
from review under Executive Order 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801 et seq.

    Dated: March 14, 2017.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-05387 Filed 3-16-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

$Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 51 / Friday, March 17, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 14163 System and the North Carolina Tagging § 635.26. Anglers are also reminded that provides notification of closures by Program, NMFS projects that the all BFT that are released must be publishing the notice in the Federal codified Angling category southern area handled in a manner that will maximize Register, emailing individuals who have trophy BFT subquota will be reached by survival, and without removing the fish subscribed to the Atlantic HMS News March 20, 2017, and has determined from the water, consistent with electronic newsletter, and updating the that a closure of the southern area requirements at § 635.21(a)(1). For information posted on the Atlantic trophy BFT fishery is warranted. additional information on safe handling, Tunas Information Line and on Therefore, retaining, possessing, or see the ‘‘Careful Catch and Release’’ hmspermits.noaa.gov. landing large medium or giant BFT brochure available at These fisheries are currently south of 39°18′ N. lat. and outside the www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/. underway and delaying this action Gulf of Mexico by persons aboard HMS Charter/Headboat and Angling would be contrary to the public interest vessels permitted in the HMS Angling category vessel owners are required to as it could result in excessive trophy category and the HMS Charter/Headboat report the catch of all BFT retained or BFT landings that may result in future category (when fishing recreationally) discarded dead, within 24 hours of the potential quota reductions for the must cease at 11:30 p.m. local time on landing(s) or end of each trip, by Angling category, depending on the March 20, 2017. This closure will accessing hmspermits.noaa.gov or by magnitude of a potential Angling remain effective through December 31, using the Android or iPhone app. category overharvest. NMFS must close 2017. This action is intended to prevent the southern area trophy BFT fishery Classification overharvest of the Angling category before additional landings of these sizes southern area trophy BFT subquota, and The Assistant Administrator for of BFT occur. Therefore, the AA finds is taken consistent with the regulations NMFS (AA) finds that it is impracticable good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) to at § 635.28(a)(1). and contrary to the public interest to waive prior notice and the opportunity If needed, subsequent Angling provide prior notice of, and an for public comment. For all of the above category adjustments will be published opportunity for public comment on, this reasons, there is good cause under 5 in the Federal Register. Information action for the following reasons: U.S.C. 553(d) to waive the 30-day delay regarding the Angling category fishery The regulations implementing the in effectiveness. for Atlantic tunas, including daily 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and This action is being taken under 50 retention limits for BFT measuring 27 amendments provide for inseason CFR 635.28(a)(1), and is exempt from inches (68.5 cm) to less than 73 inches retention limit adjustments and fishery review under Executive Order 12866. and any further Angling category closures to respond to the unpredictable Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801 adjustments, is available at nature of BFT availability on the fishing et seq. hmspermits.noaa.gov or by calling (978) grounds, the migratory nature of this 281–9260. HMS Angling and HMS species, and the regional variations in Dated: March 14, 2017. Charter/Headboat category permit the BFT fishery. The closure of the Karen H. Abrams, holders may catch and release (or tag southern area Angling category trophy Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable and release) BFT of all sizes, subject to fishery is necessary to prevent any Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. the requirements of the catch-and- further overharvest of the southern area [FR Doc. 2017–05387 Filed 3–16–17; 8:45 am] release and tag-and-release programs at trophy fishery subquota. NMFS BILLING CODE 3510–22–P mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:31 Mar 16, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\17MRR1.SGM 17MRR1$

Document Created: 2017-03-17 02:48:52
Document Modified: 2017-03-17 02:48:52

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; closure of Angling category southern area trophy fishery.
Dates		Effective 11:30 p.m., local time, March 20, 2017, through December 31, 2017.
Contact		Sarah McLaughlin or Brad McHale, 978- 281-9260.
FR Citation		82 FR 14162
RIN Number		0648-XF27

82 FR 14162 - Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 51 (March 17, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration