82 FR 18716 - Pacific Island Fisheries; 2016 Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 76 (April 21, 2017)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 76 (April 21, 2017)
| Page Range | 18716-18720 | |
| FR Document | 2017-08116 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 76 (Friday, April 21, 2017)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 18716-18720] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-08116] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 665 [Docket No. 160422356-7283-02] RIN 0648-XE587 Pacific Island Fisheries; 2016 Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Final specifications. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In this final rule, NMFS specifies the 2016 annual catch limits (ACLs) for Pacific Island bottomfish, crustacean, precious coral, and coral reef ecosystem fisheries, and accountability measures (AMs) to correct or mitigate any overages of catch limits. The final ACLs and AMs are effective for fishing year 2016. The fishing year for each fishery begins on January 1 and ends on December 31, except for precious coral fisheries, which begin July 1 and end on June 30 the following year. Although the 2016 fishing year has ended for most stocks, we will evaluate 2016 catches against these final ACLs when data become available in mid-2017. The ACL and AM specifications support the long-term sustainability of fishery resources of the U.S. Pacific Islands. DATES: The final specifications are effective May 22, 2017. The final [[Page 18717]] specifications are applicable from January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2016. ADDRESSES: Copies of the fishery ecosystem plans (FEPs) are available from the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, tel. 808-522-8220, fax 808- 522-8226, or www.wpcouncil.org. Copies of the environmental assessments and findings of no significant impact for this action, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2016-0049, are available from www.regulations.gov, or from Michael D. Tosatto, Regional Administrator, NMFS Pacific Islands Region (PIR), 1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg. 176, Honolulu, HI 96818. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt Dunlap, NMFS PIR Sustainable Fisheries, 808-725-5177. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS is specifying the 2016 ACLs for bottomfish, crustacean, precious coral, and coral reef ecosystem management unit species (MUS) in American Samoa, Guam, the CNMI, and Hawaii. NMFS proposed these specifications on January 18, 2017 (82 FR 5517), and the final specifications do not differ from those proposed. The 2016 fishing year began on January 1 and ended on December 31, except for precious coral fisheries, which began on July 1, 2016, and ends on June 30, 2017. Except for bottomfish in American Samoa, Guam, and the CNMI, and Guam jacks, Hawaii crabs, and Hawaii octopus, the final 2016 ACLs are identical to those that NMFS specified for 2015 (80 FR 52415, August 31, 2015). For bottomfish in American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands, the 2016 ACLs are based on new estimates of maximum sustainable yield contained in a 2016 stock assessment updated by the NMFS Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC). This stock assessment update represents the best scientific information available for specifying ACLs. For Guam jacks, Hawaii crabs, and Hawaii octopus, NMFS and the Council determined that the average 2013-2015 catch for each of these three stock complexes exceeded their respective 2015 ACLs. Specifically, average 2013-2015 catch for Guam jacks was 37,399 lb and exceeded the 2015 ACL of 29,300 lb by 8,099 lb. For Hawaii crabs, average 2013-2015 catch was 40,363 lb and exceeded the 2015 ACL of 33,500 lb by 6,863 lb. For Hawaii octopus, average 2013-2015 catch was 40,237 lb and exceeded the 2015 ACL of 35,700 lb by 4,537 lb. In accordance with the 2015 AMs (80 FR 52415, August 31, 2015), and in consideration of the best available scientific information available, NMFS proposes to reduce the 2016 ACLs from the 2015 ACL by the amount of the 2015 overages for each of the three stocks. As a result, the final ACL for Guam jacks is 21,201 lb, 26,637 lb for Hawaii crabs, and 31,163 lb for Hawaii mollusks. In addition, NMFS prepared an updated environmental assessment for Pacific Island crustacean and precious coral fisheries; in December 2015, NMFS and the Council received new information on the historical and projected stock status of Kona crab in Hawaii. The information indicates that the Hawaii Kona crab stock was likely to be overfished as of 2006. However, an independent review identified data gaps and methodological concerns with the 2015 stock assessment. The PIFSC also noted concerns with the data used in the recent stock assessment, but found that the assessment provided useful information regarding stock status within the last decade. Because of the uncertainty in the projected stock status and structure of Hawaii Kona crab after 2006, the Council did not account for the information in the stock assessment, along with the other relevant information that they considered in recommending the 2016 Hawaii Kona crab ACL. For this reason, NMFS will not set a 2016 ACL for Hawaii Kona crab. Instead, NMFS will continue to work with the Council and other partners to review the available data and to set a 2017 acceptable biological catch and ACL for the Hawaii Kona crab stock, consistent with the Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). NMFS is also not specifying ACLs for MUS that are currently subject to Federal fishing moratoria or prohibitions. These MUS include all species of gold coral (78 FR 32181, May 29, 2013), the three Hawaii seamount groundfish (pelagic armorhead, alfonsin, and raftfish (75 FR 69015, November 10, 2010), and deepwater precious corals at the Westpac Bed Refugia (75 FR 2198, January 14, 2010). The current prohibitions on fishing for these MUS serve as the functional equivalent of an ACL of zero. Additionally, NMFS is not specifying ACLs for bottomfish, crustacean, precious coral, or coral reef ecosystem MUS identified in the Pacific Remote Islands Area (PRIA) FEP. This is because fishing is prohibited in the EEZ within 12 nm of emergent land, unless authorized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) (78 FR 32996, June 3, 2013). To date, NMFS has not received fishery data that would support any such approvals. In addition, there is no suitable habitat for these stocks beyond the 12 nm no-fishing zone, except at Kingman Reef, where fishing for these resources does not occur. Therefore, the current prohibitions on fishing serve as the functional equivalent of an ACL of zero. However, NMFS will continue to monitor authorized fishing within the Pacific Remote Islands Monument in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and may develop additional fishing requirements, including monument-specific catch limits for species that may require them. NMFS is also not specifying ACLs for pelagic MUS at this time, because NMFS previously determined that pelagic species are subject to international fishery agreements or have a life cycle of approximately one year and, therefore, are statutorily excepted from the ACL requirements. 2016 Annual Catch Limit Specifications Tables 1-4 list the final 2016 ACL specifications. Table 1--American Samoa ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ACL Fishery Management unit species specification (lb) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bottomfish..................... Bottomfish multi- 106,000 species stock complex. Crustacean..................... Deepwater shrimp....... 80,000 Spiny lobster.......... 4,845 Slipper lobster........ 30 Kona crab.............. 3,200 Precious Coral................. Black coral............ 790 Precious corals in the 2,205 American Samoa Exploratory Area. [[Page 18718]] Coral Reef Ecosystem........... Selar crumenophthalmus-- 37,400 atule, bigeye scad. Acanthuridae--surgeonfi 129,400 sh. Carangidae--jacks...... 19,900 Carcharhinidae--reef 1,615 sharks. Crustaceans--crabs..... 4,300 Holocentridae--squirrel 15,100 fish. Kyphosidae--rudderfishe 2,000 s. Labridae--wrasses...... 16,200 Lethrinidae--emperors.. 19,600 Lutjanidae--snappers... 63,100 Mollusks--turbo snail; 18,400 octopus; giant clams. Mugilidae--mullets..... 4,600 Mullidae--goatfishes... 11,900 Scaridae--parrotfish... 272,000 Serranidae--groupers... 25,300 Siganidae--rabbitfishes 200 Bolbometopon muricatum-- 235 bumphead parrotfish. Cheilinus undulatus-- 1,743 Humphead (Napoleon) wrasse. All other CREMUS 18,400 combined. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Table 2--Mariana Archipelago--Guam ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ACL Fishery Management unit specification species (lb) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bottomfish.................... Bottomfish multi- 66,000. species stock complex. Crustaceans................... Deepwater shrimp...... 48,488. Spiny lobster......... 3,135. Slipper lobster....... 20. Kona crab............. 1,900. Precious Coral................ Black coral........... 700. Precious corals in the 2,205. Guam Exploratory Area. Coral Reef Ecosystem.......... Selar 50,200. crumenophthalmus--atu lai, bigeye scad. Acanthuridae--surgeonf 97,600. ish. Carangidae--jacks..... 21,201. Carcharhinidae--reef 1,900. sharks. Crustaceans--crabs.... 7,300. Holocentridae--squirre 11,400. lfish. Kyphosidae--chubs/ 9,600. rudderfish. Labridae--wrasses..... 25,200. Lethrinidae--emperors. 53,000. Lutjanidae--snappers.. 18,000. Mollusks--octopus..... 23,800. Mugilidae--mullets.... 17,900. Mullidae--goatfish.... 15,300. Scaridae--parrotfish.. 71,600. Serranidae--groupers.. 22,500. Siganidae--rabbitfish. 18,600. Bolbometopon 797 (CNMI and muricatum--bumphead Guam combined). parrotfish. Cheilinus undulatus-- 1,960. humphead (Napoleon) wrasse. All other CREMUS 185,000. combined. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Table 3--Mariana Archipelago--CNMI ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ACL Fishery Management unit specification species (lb) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bottomfish.................... Bottomfish multi- 228,000. species stock complex. Crustacean.................... Deepwater shrimp...... 275,570. Spiny lobster......... 7,410. Slipper lobster....... 60. Kona crab............. 6,300. Precious Coral................ Black coral........... 2,100. Precious corals in the 2,205. CNMI Exploratory Area. Coral Reef Ecosystem.......... Selar 77,400. crumenophthalmus--Atu lai, bigeye scad. Acanthuridae--surgeonf 302,600. ish. Carangidae--jacks..... 44,900. Carcharhinidae--reef 5,600. sharks. Crustaceans--crabs.... 4,400. [[Page 18719]] Holocentridae--squirre 66,100. lfishes. Kyphosidae--rudderfish 22,700. es. Labridae--wrasses..... 55,100. Lethrinidae--emperors. 53,700. Lutjanidae--snappers.. 190,400. Mollusks--turbo snail; 9,800. octopus; giant clams. Mugilidae--mullets.... 4,500. Mullidae--goatfish.... 28,400. Scaridae--parrotfish.. 144,000. Serranidae--groupers.. 86,900. Siganidae--rabbitfish. 10,200. Bolbometopon 797 (CNMI and muricatum--Bumphead Guam combined). parrotfish. Cheilinus undulatus-- 2,009. Humphead (Napoleon) wrasse. All other CREMUS 7,300. combined. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Table 4--Hawaii ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ACL Fishery Management unit species specification (lb) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bottomfish..................... Non-Deep 7 bottomfish.. 178,000 Crustacean..................... Deepwater shrimp....... 250,773 Spiny lobster.......... 15,000 Slipper lobster........ 280 Kona crab.............. None Precious Coral................. Auau Channel black 5,512 coral. Makapuu Bed--Pink coral 2,205 Makapuu Bed--Bamboo 551 coral. 180 Fathom Bank--Pink 489 coral. 180 Fathom Bank--Bamboo 123 coral. Brooks Bank--Pink coral 979 Brooks Bank--Bamboo 245 coral. Kaena Point Bed--Pink 148 coral. Kaena Point Bed--Bamboo 37 coral. Keahole Bed--Pink coral 148 Keahole Bed--Bamboo 37 coral. Precious corals in the 2,205 Hawaii Exploratory Area. Coral Reef Ecosystem........... Selar crumenophthalmus-- 988,000 akule, bigeye scad. Decapterus macarellus-- 438,000 opelu, mackerel scad. Acanthuridae--surgeonfi 342,000 shes. Carangidae--jacks...... 161,200 Carcharhinidae--reef 9,310 sharks. Crustaceans--crabs..... 26,637 Holocentridae--squirrel 148,000 fishes. Kyphosidae--rudderfishe 105,000 s. Labridae--wrasses...... 205,000 Lethrinidae--emperors.. 35,500 Lutjanidae--snappers... 330,300 Mollusks--octopus...... 31,163 Mugilidae--mullets..... 19,200 Mullidae--goatfishes... 165,000 Scaridae--parrotfishes. 239,000 Serranidae--groupers... 128,400 All other CREMUS 485,000 combined. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Accountability Measures Federal logbook entries and required catch reporting from fisheries in Federal waters are not sufficient to monitor and track catches towards the ACL specifications accurately. This is because most fishing for bottomfish, crustacean, precious coral, and coral reef ecosystem MUS occurs in state waters, generally 0-3 nm from shore. For these reasons, NMFS will apply a moving 3-year average catch to evaluate fishery performance against the ACLs. Specifically, NMFS and the Council will use the average catch during fishing year 2014, 2015, and 2016 to evaluate fishery performance against the appropriate 2016 ACL. At the end of each fishing year, the Council will review catches relative to each ACL. If NMFS and the Council determine that the three- year average catch for the fishery exceeds the specified ACL, NMFS and the Council will reduce the ACL for that fishery by the amount of the overage in the subsequent year. You may find additional background information on this action in the preamble to the proposed specifications published on January 18, 2017 (82 FR 5517). [[Page 18720]] Comments and Responses The comment period for the proposed specifications ended on February 2, 2017. NMFS received three comments and responds, as follows: Comment 1: The commenter supports annual catch limits and strict limits to end fishing practices that incur bycatch. Response: NMFS and the Council consider the effects to target and non-target species (including bycatch) when setting ACLs and AMs. The fisheries affected by this action, in general, have very little bycatch. Comment 2: The commenter supports ACLs because maintaining catch limits keeps the ecology in balance and sustains the financial future of catches for years to come. Response: NMFS agrees. Comment 3: The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) questioned the NMFS interpretation of the Magnuson-Stevens Act statutory exception to the ACL requirements for fish stocks managed under international agreements. The NRDC interpretation is that the international exception was not permanent; rather the ACLs would take effect in either 2010 or 2011, depending on a stock's overfishing status. The NRDC expressed the notion that, if a stock is managed under an international agreement, then the start date could be adjusted to match the start date for hard- cap management provided by the international agreement. The NRDC requested that NMFS set ACLs for all stocks in the region, including those subject to management under international fishery agreements. Response: NMFS disagrees with the NRDC interpretation of the statute and stands by our interpretation that confirms the ACL exception for stocks managed by international agreements, as described in previous final actions revising the National Standard guidelines (74 FR 3178, January 16, 2009; 81 FR 71858, October 18, 2016). As the commenter observed, the text of the statute's ``international exception'' is vague. NMFS has considered public comment on different possible interpretations, including looking specifically at the interpretation advanced by some commenters that the exception only pertains to the 2010-2011 timing requirements. Having considered the text of the exception and other relevant provisions of the Magnuson- Stevens Act, NMFS decided in 2009, and again in 2016, not to interpret the exception as applying only to the timing of the ACL and AM requirements. Based on the NRDC comments on this proposed rule, NMFS has identified no new considerations or issues that warrant re- examination of the approach it adopted in 2009 and confirmed in 2016 when revising National Standard guidelines. Changes From the Proposed Specifications There are no changes in the final specifications from the proposed specifications. Classification The Regional Administrator, NMFS PIR, determined that this action is necessary for the conservation and management of Pacific Island fisheries, and that it is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable laws. The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration during the proposed specification stage that this action would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. NMFS published the factual basis for certification in the proposed specifications, and does not repeat it here. NMFS did not receive comments regarding this certification. As a result, a final regulatory flexibility analysis is not required, and one was not prepared. This action is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: April 18, 2017. Alan D. Risenhoover, Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017-08116 Filed 4-20-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![18716 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 76 / Friday, April 21, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
§ 648.81(h); the Fippennies Ledge Area recreational fishing measures; reduce bycatch, and/or reduce impacts
as defined in paragraph (c)(2)(i)(A) of describing and identifying EFH; fishing of the fishery on EFH; SAP
this section; Closed Area I and Closed gear management measures to protect modifications; revisions to the ABC
Area II, as defined in § 648.81(a) and (b), EFH; designating habitat areas of control rule and status determination
respectively, during the period February particular concern within EFH; and criteria, including, but not limited to,
16 through April 30; and the Western changes to the SBRM, including the CV- changes in the target fishing mortality
GOM Closure Area, as defined at based performance standard, the means rates, minimum biomass thresholds,
§ 648.81(e), where it overlaps with GOM by which discard data are collected/ numerical estimates of parameter
Cod Protection Closures I through III, as obtained, fishery stratification, the values, and the use of a proxy for
defined in § 648.81(f)(4). This list may process for prioritizing observer sea-day biomass may be made either through a
be modified through a framework allocations, reports, and/or industry- biennial adjustment or framework
adjustment, as specified in § 648.90. funded observers or observer set aside adjustment; changes to the SBRM,
* * * * * programs. The PDT must demonstrate including the CV-based performance
■ 7. In § 648.90, revise paragraphs through analyses and documentation standard, the means by which discard
(a)(2)(i) through (iii) to read as follows: that the options it develops are expected data are collected/obtained, fishery
to meet the FMP goals and objectives. stratification, the process for prioritizing
§ 648.90 NE multispecies assessment, observer sea-day allocations, reports,
(iii) In addition, the PDT may develop
framework procedures and specifications, and/or industry-funded observers or
and flexible area action system. ranges of options for any of the
management measures in the FMP and observer set aside programs; and any
* * * * * other measures currently included in
(a) * * * the following conditions that may be
adjusted through a framework the FMP.
(2) Biennial review. (i) At a minimum,
the NE multispecies PDT shall meet on adjustment to achieve FMP goals and * * * * *
or before September 30 every other year objectives including, but not limited to: [FR Doc. 2017–08035 Filed 4–20–17; 8:45 am]
to perform a review of the fishery, using Revisions to DAS measures, including BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
the most current scientific information DAS allocations (such as the
available provided primarily from the distribution of DAS among the four
categories of DAS), future uses for DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
NEFSC. Data provided by states,
ASMFC, the USCG, and other sources Category C DAS, and DAS baselines,
adjustments for steaming time, etc.; National Oceanic and Atmospheric
may also be considered by the PDT. The Administration
PDT shall review available data accumulation limits due to a permit
pertaining to: Catch and landings, buyout or buyback; modifications to
capacity measures, such as changes to 50 CFR Part 665
discards, DAS allocations, DAS use,
sector operations, and other measures of the DAS transfer or DAS leasing [Docket No. 160422356–7283–02]
fishing effort; survey results; stock measures; calculation of area-specific
RIN 0648–XE587
status; current estimates of fishing ACLs (including sub-ACLs for specific
mortality and overfishing levels; social stocks and areas (e.g., Gulf of Maine Pacific Island Fisheries; 2016 Annual
and economic impacts; enforcement cod)), area management boundaries, and Catch Limits and Accountability
issues; and any other relevant adoption of area-specific management Measures
information. The PDT may also review measures including the delineation of
the performance of different user groups inshore/offshore fishing practices, gear AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
or fleet sectors. restrictions, declaration time periods; Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
(ii) Based on this review, the PDT sector allocation requirements and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
shall recommend ACLs for the specifications, including the Commerce.
upcoming fishing year(s), as described establishment of a new sector, the ACTION: Final specifications.
in paragraph (a)(4) of this section, and disapproval of an existing sector, the
develop options for consideration by the allowable percent of ACL available to a SUMMARY: In this final rule, NMFS
Council, if necessary, on any changes, sector through a sector allocation, an specifies the 2016 annual catch limits
adjustments, or additions to DAS optional sub-ACL specific to Handgear (ACLs) for Pacific Island bottomfish,
allocations, closed areas, or other A permitted vessels, and the calculation crustacean, precious coral, and coral
measures necessary to rebuild of PSCs; sector administration reef ecosystem fisheries, and
overfished stocks and achieve the FMP provisions, including at-sea and accountability measures (AMs) to
goals and objectives, which may include dockside monitoring measures; sector correct or mitigate any overages of catch
a preferred option. The range of options reporting requirements; state-operated limits. The final ACLs and AMs are
developed by the PDT may include any permit bank administrative provisions; effective for fishing year 2016. The
of the management measures in the measures to implement the U.S./Canada fishing year for each fishery begins on
FMP, including, but not limited to: Resource Sharing Understanding, January 1 and ends on December 31,
ACLs, which must be based on the including any specified TACs (hard or except for precious coral fisheries,
projected fishing mortality levels target); changes to administrative which begin July 1 and end on June 30
required to meet the goals and measures; additional uses for Regular B the following year. Although the 2016
objectives outlined in the FMP for the DAS; reporting requirements; fishing year has ended for most stocks,
12 regulated species and ocean pout if declaration requirements pertaining to we will evaluate 2016 catches against
able to be determined; identifying and when and what time period a vessel these final ACLs when data become
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distributing ACLs and other sub- must declare into or out of a fishery available in mid-2017. The ACL and AM
components of the ACLs among various management area; the GOM Inshore specifications support the long-term
segments of the fishery; AMs; DAS Conservation and Management sustainability of fishery resources of the
changes; possession limits; gear Stewardship Plan; adjustments to the U.S. Pacific Islands.
restrictions; closed areas; permitting Handgear A or B permits; gear DATES: The final specifications are
restrictions; minimum fish sizes; requirements to improve selectivity, effective May 22, 2017. The final
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Comments and Responses subject to management under Classification
The comment period for the proposed international fishery agreements.
Response: NMFS disagrees with the The Regional Administrator, NMFS
specifications ended on February 2, PIR, determined that this action is
2017. NMFS received three comments NRDC interpretation of the statute and
stands by our interpretation that necessary for the conservation and
and responds, as follows:
Comment 1: The commenter supports confirms the ACL exception for stocks management of Pacific Island fisheries,
annual catch limits and strict limits to managed by international agreements, as and that it is consistent with the
end fishing practices that incur bycatch. described in previous final actions Magnuson-Stevens Act and other
Response: NMFS and the Council revising the National Standard applicable laws.
consider the effects to target and non- guidelines (74 FR 3178, January 16, The Chief Counsel for Regulation of
target species (including bycatch) when 2009; 81 FR 71858, October 18, 2016).
the Department of Commerce certified
setting ACLs and AMs. The fisheries As the commenter observed, the text of
the statute’s ‘‘international exception’’ is to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the
affected by this action, in general, have Small Business Administration during
very little bycatch. vague. NMFS has considered public
comment on different possible the proposed specification stage that
Comment 2: The commenter supports
interpretations, including looking this action would not have a significant
ACLs because maintaining catch limits
keeps the ecology in balance and specifically at the interpretation economic impact on a substantial
sustains the financial future of catches advanced by some commenters that the number of small entities. NMFS
for years to come. exception only pertains to the 2010– published the factual basis for
Response: NMFS agrees. 2011 timing requirements. Having certification in the proposed
Comment 3: The Natural Resources considered the text of the exception and specifications, and does not repeat it
Defense Council (NRDC) questioned the other relevant provisions of the here. NMFS did not receive comments
NMFS interpretation of the Magnuson- Magnuson-Stevens Act, NMFS decided regarding this certification. As a result,
Stevens Act statutory exception to the in 2009, and again in 2016, not to a final regulatory flexibility analysis is
ACL requirements for fish stocks interpret the exception as applying only not required, and one was not prepared.
managed under international to the timing of the ACL and AM This action is exempt from review
agreements. The NRDC interpretation is requirements. Based on the NRDC under Executive Order 12866.
that the international exception was not comments on this proposed rule, NMFS
permanent; rather the ACLs would take has identified no new considerations or Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
effect in either 2010 or 2011, depending issues that warrant re-examination of Dated: April 18, 2017.
on a stock’s overfishing status. The the approach it adopted in 2009 and Alan D. Risenhoover,
NRDC expressed the notion that, if a confirmed in 2016 when revising
stock is managed under an international Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for
National Standard guidelines.
agreement, then the start date could be Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Changes From the Proposed Fisheries Service.
adjusted to match the start date for hard-
cap management provided by the Specifications [FR Doc. 2017–08116 Filed 4–20–17; 8:45 am]
international agreement. The NRDC There are no changes in the final BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
requested that NMFS set ACLs for all specifications from the proposed
stocks in the region, including those specifications.
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Document Created: 2017-04-21 01:18:56
Document Modified: 2017-04-21 01:18:56
| 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 | Final specifications. | |
| Dates | The final specifications are effective May 22, 2017. The final specifications are applicable from January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2016. | |
| Contact | Matt Dunlap, NMFS PIR Sustainable Fisheries, 808-725-5177. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 18716 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XE58 |
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