82 FR 14478 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Trip Limit Increase for the Common Pool Fishery
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 53 (March 21, 2017)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 53 (March 21, 2017)
| Page Range | 14478-14479 | |
| FR Document | 2017-05550 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 53 (Tuesday, March 21, 2017)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 14478-14479] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-05550] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 [Docket No. 151211999-6343-02] RIN 0648-XF256 Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Trip Limit Increase for the Common Pool Fishery AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason adjustment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This action increases the possession and trip limit for Gulf of Maine cod and haddock for Northeast multispecies common pool vessels for the remainder of the 2016 fishing year. The most recent catch data indicate that the common pool is not expected to fully harvest its annual quota for these stocks at the current trip limits. Increasing the possession and trip limits is intended to provide the common pool fishery with additional fishing opportunities through the end of the fishing year. DATES: The possession and trip limit increase is effective March 16, 2017, through April 30, 2017. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Spencer Talmage, Fishery Management Specialist, 978-281-9232. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The regulations at Sec. 648.86(o) authorize the Regional Administrator to adjust the possession and trip limits for common pool vessels in order to help prevent the overharvest or underharvest of the common pool quotas. Based on information reported through February 18, 2017, the common pool fishery has caught approximately 42 and 25 percent of its annual quotas for Gulf of Maine (GOM) cod and GOM haddock, respectively. At the current rate of fishing, the common pool fishery is not projected to fully harvest its annual quota for either stock by the end of the 2016 fishing year. A moderate increase in the possession and trip limits for both stocks will provide additional opportunities with little risk of exceeding the common pool sub-ACL of either stock. To allow the common pool fishery to catch more of its quota for this GOM cod and haddock, effective March 16, 2017, the possession and trip limit of GOM cod and GOM haddock are increased, as summarized in Table 1 below. Common pool groundfish vessels that have declared their trip through the vessel monitoring system (VMS) or interactive voice response system, and crossed the VMS demarcation line prior to March 16, 2017, may land at the new possession and trip limits for that trip. Table 1--New Possession/Trip Limits ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Current Stock Permit type possession/trip New possession/ limits trip limits ------------------------------------------------------------------------ GOM cod.............. Day-At-Sea 25 lb (11.34 100 lb (45.36 (DAS). kg) per DAS, kg) per trip. up to 100 lb (45.36 kg) per trip. Handgear A..... 25 lb (11.34 100 lb (45.36 kg) per trip. kg) per trip. Handgear B..... 25 lb (11.34 unchanged. kg) per trip. Small Vessel 25 lb (11.34 unchanged. Category. kg) per trip, within combined 300 lb trip limit for GOM cod, haddock, and yellowtail flounder. GOM haddock.......... ............... 200 lb (90.72 500 lb (226.80 kg) per DAS, kg) per DAS, up to 600 lb up to 1,000 lb (272.16 kg) (453.59 kg) per trip. per trip. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [[Page 14479]] Weekly quota monitoring reports for the common pool fishery can be found on our Web site at: http://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/ro/fso/MultiMonReports.htm. We will continue to monitor common pool catch through vessel trip reports, dealer-reported landings, VMS catch reports, and other available information and, if necessary, we will make additional adjustments to common pool management measures. Classification This action is required by 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) and 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive prior notice and the opportunity for public comment and the 30-day delayed effectiveness period because it would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest. The regulations at Sec. 648.86(o) authorize the Regional Administrator to adjust the Northeast multispecies possession and trip limits for common pool vessels in order to help prevent the overharvest or underharvest of the pertinent common pool quotas. The catch data used as the basis for this action only recently became available. The available analysis indicates that the possession and trip limit increase for both GOM cod and GOM haddock will help to ensure that the fishery may achieve the optimum yield (OY) for these stocks. As a result, the time necessary to provide for prior notice and comment, and a 30-day delay in effectiveness, would prevent NMFS from implementing the necessary possession and trip limit adjustment in a timely manner, which could prevent the fishery from achieving the OY, and cause negative economic impacts to the common pool fishery. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: March 16, 2017. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017-05550 Filed 3-16-17; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![14478 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 53 / Tuesday, March 21, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
projected to be reached, by filing a contrary to the public interest. Such The most recent catch data indicate that
notification to that effect with the Office procedures are unnecessary because the the common pool is not expected to
of the Federal Register. NMFS has rule establishing the closure provisions fully harvest its annual quota for these
determined the 2017 recreational ACT was subject to notice and comment, and stocks at the current trip limits.
will be reached by March 24, 2017. all that remains is to notify the public Increasing the possession and trip limits
Accordingly, NMFS is closing of the closure. Such procedures are is intended to provide the common pool
recreational harvest of greater amberjack contrary to the public interest because fishery with additional fishing
for the rest of the 2017 fishing year of the need to immediately implement opportunities through the end of the
effective at 12:01 a.m., local time, March this action to protect greater amberjack. fishing year.
24, 2017, until 12:01 a.m., local time, Prior notice and opportunity for public
January 1, 2018, the start of the next comment would require time and would DATES: The possession and trip limit
fishing year. potentially allow the recreational sector increase is effective March 16, 2017,
During the recreational closure, the to exceed the recreational ACL. through April 30, 2017.
bag and possession limits for greater For the aforementioned reasons, the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
amberjack in or from the Gulf EEZ are AA also finds good cause to waive the Spencer Talmage, Fishery Management
zero. The prohibition on possession in 30-day delay in the effectiveness of this Specialist, 978–281–9232.
the Gulf on board a vessel for which a action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).
valid Federal charter vessel/headboat SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. regulations at § 648.86(o) authorize the
permit for Gulf reef fish has been issued
applies regardless of whether greater Dated: March 17, 2017. Regional Administrator to adjust the
amberjack were harvested in state or Jennifer M. Wallace, possession and trip limits for common
Federal waters. Acting Director, Office of Sustainable pool vessels in order to help prevent the
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. overharvest or underharvest of the
Classification [FR Doc. 2017–05651 Filed 3–17–17; 4:15 pm] common pool quotas.
The Regional Administrator, BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Based on information reported
Southeast Region, NMFS, has through February 18, 2017, the common
determined this temporary rule is pool fishery has caught approximately
necessary for the conservation and DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 42 and 25 percent of its annual quotas
management of Gulf greater amberjack for Gulf of Maine (GOM) cod and GOM
and is consistent with the Magnuson- National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration haddock, respectively. At the current
Stevens Act and other applicable laws. rate of fishing, the common pool fishery
This action is taken under 50 CFR
50 CFR Part 648 is not projected to fully harvest its
622.41(a)(2)(i) and (ii) and is exempt
annual quota for either stock by the end
from review under Executive Order [Docket No. 151211999–6343–02] of the 2016 fishing year. A moderate
12866.
These measures are exempt from the RIN 0648–XF256 increase in the possession and trip
procedures of the Regulatory Flexibility limits for both stocks will provide
Act because the temporary rule is issued Fisheries of the Northeastern United additional opportunities with little risk
without opportunity for prior notice and States; Northeast Multispecies of exceeding the common pool sub-ACL
comment. Fishery; Trip Limit Increase for the of either stock.
This action responds to the best Common Pool Fishery To allow the common pool fishery to
scientific information available. The AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries catch more of its quota for this GOM cod
Assistant Administrator for NOAA Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and and haddock, effective March 16, 2017,
Fisheries (AA) finds that the need to Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the possession and trip limit of GOM
immediately implement this action to Commerce. cod and GOM haddock are increased, as
close the recreational sector for greater ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason summarized in Table 1 below. Common
amberjack constitutes good cause to adjustment. pool groundfish vessels that have
waive the requirements to provide prior declared their trip through the vessel
notice and opportunity for public SUMMARY: This action increases the monitoring system (VMS) or interactive
comment on this temporary rule possession and trip limit for Gulf of voice response system, and crossed the
pursuant to the authority set forth in 5 Maine cod and haddock for Northeast VMS demarcation line prior to March
U.S.C. 553(b)(B), because such multispecies common pool vessels for 16, 2017, may land at the new
procedures are unnecessary and the remainder of the 2016 fishing year. possession and trip limits for that trip.
TABLE 1—NEW POSSESSION/TRIP LIMITS
Stock Permit type Current possession/trip limits New possession/trip limits
GOM cod ........... Day-At-Sea (DAS) ........ 25 lb (11.34 kg) per DAS, up to 100 lb (45.36 100 lb (45.36 kg) per trip.
kg) per trip.
Handgear A .................. 25 lb (11.34 kg) per trip ...................................... 100 lb (45.36 kg) per trip.
Handgear B .................. 25 lb (11.34 kg) per trip ...................................... unchanged.
Small Vessel Category 25 lb (11.34 kg) per trip, within combined 300 lb unchanged.
pmangrum on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with RULES
trip limit for GOM cod, haddock, and
yellowtail flounder.
GOM haddock ... ....................................... 200 lb (90.72 kg) per DAS, up to 600 lb (272.16 500 lb (226.80 kg) per DAS, up to 1,000 lb
kg) per trip. (453.59 kg) per trip.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 53 / Tuesday, March 21, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 14479
Weekly quota monitoring reports for DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish
the common pool fishery can be found to remain anonymous).
on our Web site at: http:// National Oceanic and Atmospheric
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/ Administration
Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228.
ro/fso/MultiMonReports.htm. We will
continue to monitor common pool catch 50 CFR Part 679 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
through vessel trip reports, dealer- [Docket No. 161020985–7181–02] BSAI according to the Fishery
reported landings, VMS catch reports,
Management Plan for Groundfish of the
and other available information and, if RIN 0648–XF296 Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
necessary, we will make additional Management Area (FMP) prepared by
adjustments to common pool Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
the North Pacific Fishery Management
management measures. Zone Off Alaska; Northern Rockfish in
Council under authority of the
the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Classification Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Management Area
Conservation and Management Act.
This action is required by 50 CFR part AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Regulations governing fishing by U.S.
648 and is exempt from review under Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and vessels in accordance with the FMP
Executive Order 12866. Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600
The Assistant Administrator for Commerce. and 50 CFR part 679.
Fisheries, NOAA, finds good cause ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of Pursuant to the final 2017 and 2018
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) and 5 closure. harvest specifications for groundfish in
U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive prior notice the BSAI (82 FR 11826, February 27,
SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed 2017), NMFS closed the directed fishery
and the opportunity for public comment
fishing for northern rockfish in the for northern rockfish under
and the 30-day delayed effectiveness
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands § 679.20(d)(1)(iii).
period because it would be Management Area (BSAI). This action is
impracticable and contrary to the public As of March 14, 2017, NMFS has
necessary to fully use the 2016 total determined that approximately 4,000
interest. allowable catch (TAC) of northern metric tons of northern rockfish initial
The regulations at § 648.86(o) rockfish in the BSAI. TAC remains unharvested in the BSAI.
authorize the Regional Administrator to DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local Therefore, in accordance with
adjust the Northeast multispecies time (A.l.t.), March 16, 2017, through § 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and
possession and trip limits for common 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2017. (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize the
pool vessels in order to help prevent the Comments must be received at the 2017 TAC of northern rockfish in the
overharvest or underharvest of the following address no later than 4:30 BSAI, NMFS is terminating the previous
pertinent common pool quotas. The p.m., A.l.t., April 5, 2017. closure and is opening directed fishing
catch data used as the basis for this ADDRESSES: You may submit comments for northern rockfish in the BSAI. This
action only recently became available. on this document, identified by NOAA– will enhance the socioeconomic well-
The available analysis indicates that the NMFS–2016–0140, by either of the being of harvesters in this area. The
possession and trip limit increase for following methods: Administrator, Alaska Region (Regional
both GOM cod and GOM haddock will • Electronic Submission: Submit all Administrator) considered the following
help to ensure that the fishery may electronic public comments via the factors in reaching this decision: (1) The
achieve the optimum yield (OY) for Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to current catch of northern rockfish in the
these stocks. As a result, the time www.regulations.gov/ BSAI and, (2) the harvest capacity and
necessary to provide for prior notice and #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2016- stated intent on future harvesting
comment, and a 30-day delay in 0140, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, patterns of vessels in participating in
effectiveness, would prevent NMFS complete the required fields, and enter this fishery.
from implementing the necessary or attach your comments. Classification
possession and trip limit adjustment in • Mail: Submit written comments to
a timely manner, which could prevent Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional This action responds to the best
the fishery from achieving the OY, and Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries available information recently obtained
Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn: from the fishery. The Assistant
cause negative economic impacts to the
Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA
common pool fishery.
Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668. (AA), finds good cause to waive the
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Instructions: Comments sent by any requirement to provide prior notice and
Dated: March 16, 2017. other method, to any other address or opportunity for public comment
Emily H. Menashes,
individual, or received after the end of pursuant to the authority set forth at 5
the comment period, may not be U.S.C. 553(b)(B) and § 679.25(c)(1)(ii) as
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable considered by NMFS. All comments such requirement is impracticable and
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
received are a part of the public record contrary to the public interest. This
[FR Doc. 2017–05550 Filed 3–16–17; 4:15 pm] and will generally be posted for public requirement is impracticable and
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P viewing on www.regulations.gov contrary to the public interest as it
pmangrum on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with RULES
without change. All personal identifying would prevent NMFS from responding
information (e.g., name, address), to the most recent fisheries data in a
confidential business information, or timely fashion and would delay the
otherwise sensitive information opening of northern rockfish in the
submitted voluntarily by the sender will BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish a
be publicly accessible. NMFS will notice providing time for public
accept anonymous comments (enter comment because the most recent,
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Document Created: 2017-03-21 01:09:28
Document Modified: 2017-03-21 01:09:28
| 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 adjustment. | |
| Dates | The possession and trip limit increase is effective March 16, 2017, through April 30, 2017. | |
| Contact | Spencer Talmage, Fishery Management Specialist, 978-281-9232. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 14478 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF25 |
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