82 FR 19615 - Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 81 (April 28, 2017)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 81 (April 28, 2017)
| Page Range | 19615-19618 | |
| FR Document | 2017-08777 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 81 (Friday, April 28, 2017)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 19615-19618] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-08777] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 635 [Docket No. 150121066-5717-02] RIN 0648-XF346 Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason Angling category retention limit adjustment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS has determined that the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) daily retention limit that applies to vessels permitted in the Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling category and the HMS Charter/Headboat category (when fishing recreationally for BFT) should be adjusted for the remainder of 2017, based on consideration of the regulatory determination criteria regarding inseason adjustments. NMFS is adjusting the Angling category BFT daily retention limit to two school BFT and one large school/small medium BFT per vessel per day/trip for private vessels (i.e., those with HMS Angling category permits); and three school BFT and one large school/small medium BFT per vessel per day/trip for charter vessels (i.e., those with HMS Charter/Headboat permits when fishing recreationally). These retention limits are effective in all areas, except for the Gulf of Mexico, where NMFS prohibits targeted fishing for BFT. DATES: Effective May 1, 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 Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan (2006 Consolidated HMS FMP) (71 FR 58058, October 2, 2006) and amendments, and in accordance with implementing regulations. NMFS is required under ATCA and the Magnuson- Stevens Act to provide U.S. fishing vessels with a reasonable opportunity to harvest the ICCAT-recommended quota. As a method for limiting fishing mortality on juvenile BFT, ICCAT recommends a tolerance limit on the annual harvest of BFT measuring less than 115 cm (straight fork length) to no more than 10 percent by weight of a Contracting Party's total BFT quota. Any overharvest of such tolerance limit from one year must be subtracted from the tolerance limit applicable in the next year or the year after that. The United States implements this provision by limiting the harvest of school BFT (measuring 27 to less than 47 inches) as appropriate to not exceed the 10-percent limit. The currently codified baseline U.S. quota is 1,058.9 mt (not including the 25 mt ICCAT allocated to the United States to account for bycatch of BFT in pelagic longline fisheries in the Northeast Distant Gear Restricted Area). See Sec. 635.27(a). The currently codified Angling category quota is 195.2 mt (108.4 mt for school BFT, 82.3 mt for large school/small medium BFT, and 4.5 mt for large medium/giant BFT). The 2017 BFT fishing year, which is managed on a calendar-year basis and subject to an annual calendar-year [[Page 19616]] quota, began January 1, 2017. The Angling category season opened January 1, 2017, and continues through December 31, 2017. The size classes of BFT are summarized in Table 1. Please note that large school and small medium BFT traditionally have been managed as one size class, as described below, i.e., a limit of one large school/small medium BFT (measuring 47 to less than 73 inches). Currently, the default Angling category daily retention limit of one school, large school, or small medium BFT applies (Sec. 635.23(b)(2)). This retention limit applies to HMS Angling and to HMS Charter/Headboat category permitted vessels (when fishing recreationally for BFT). Table 1--BFT Size Classes ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Size class Curved fork length ------------------------------------------------------------------------ School............................ 27 to less than 47 inches (68.5 to less than 119 cm). Large school...................... 47 to less than 59 inches (119 to less than 150 cm). Small medium...................... 59 to less than 73 inches (150 to less than 185 cm). Large medium...................... 73 to less than 81 inches (185 to less than 206 cm). Giant............................. 81 inches or greater (206 cm or greater). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Table 2 summarizes the recreational quota, subquotas, landings, and retention limit information for 2015 and 2016, by size class. Table 2--Angling Category Quotas (mt), Estimated Landings (mt), and Daily Retention Limits, 2015-2016 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2015 2016 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amount of Amount of Subquotas and subquotas and Subquotas and subquotas and Size class total quota Landings (mt) total quota total quota Landings (mt) total quota (mt) used (percent) (mt) used (percent) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- School.................................................. 108.4 26.2 24 108.4 40.3 37 Large School/Small Medium............................... 82.3 80.2 97 82.3 96.8 118 Trophy: Large Medium/Giant.............................. 4.5 6.7 149 4.5 5.9 131 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total............................................... 195.2 113.1 58 195.2 143 73 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Daily Retention Limits (per Vessel) January 1 through May 14: 1 school, large school, or small medium (default) January 1 through April 22: 1 school, large school, or small medium (default) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- May 15 through December 31 (80 FR 27863, May 15, 2015): April 23 through December 31 (81 FR 23438, April 21, 2016): ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Private boats: 1 school and 1 large school/ small medium Private boats: 2 school and 1 large school/ small medium ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charter/Headboats: 2 school and 1 large school/ small medium Charter/Headboats: 3 school and 1 large school/ small medium -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adjustment of Angling Category Daily Retention Limit Under Sec. 635.23(b)(3), NMFS may increase or decrease the Angling category retention limit for any size class of BFT after considering regulatory determination criteria provided under Sec. 635.27(a)(8). Recreational retention limits may be adjusted separately for specific vessel type, such as private vessels, headboats, or charter vessels. NMFS has considered all of the relevant determination criteria and their applicability to the change in the Angling category retention limit. The criteria and their application are discussed below. NMFS considered the usefulness of information obtained from catches in the particular category for biological sampling and monitoring of the status of the stock (Sec. 635.27(a)(8)(i)). Biological samples collected from BFT landed by recreational fishermen continue to provide NMFS with valuable parts and data for ongoing scientific studies of BFT age and growth, migration, and reproductive status. Additional opportunity to land BFT would support the collection of a broad range of data for these studies and for stock monitoring purposes. NMFS considered the catches of the Angling category quota to date and the likelihood of closure of that segment of the fishery if no adjustment is made (Sec. 635.27(a)(8)(ii)). NMFS anticipates that the full 2017 Angling category quota would not be harvested under the default retention limit. As shown in Table 2, Angling category landings were approximately 58 and 73 percent of the 184.3-mt annual Angling category quota in 2015 and 2016, respectively. NMFS also considered the effects of the adjustment on bluefin tuna rebuilding and overfishing and the effects of the adjustment on accomplishing the objectives of the FMP (Sec. 635.27(a)(8)(v) and (vi)). These retention limits would be consistent with the quotas established and analyzed in the bluefin tuna quota final rule (80 FR 52198, August 28, 2015), and with objectives of the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and amendments, and is not expected to negatively impact stock health or to affect the stock in ways not already analyzed in those documents. It is also important that we limit landings to the subquotas both to adhere to the FMP quota allocations and to ensure that [[Page 19617]] landings are as consistent as possible with the pattern of fishing mortality (e.g., fish caught at each age) that was assumed in the projections of stock rebuilding. Another principal consideration in setting the retention limit is the objective of providing opportunities to harvest the full Angling category quota without exceeding it based on the goals of the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and amendments, including to achieve optimum yield on a continuing basis and to optimize the ability of all permit categories to harvest their full BFT quota allocations (related to Sec. 635.27(a)(8)(x)). The 2016 school bluefin tuna landings represent 3.7 percent of the total U.S. quota for 2016, well under the ICCAT recommended 10-percent limit. Landings of school bluefin tuna in 2015 represented 2.4 percent of the total U.S. quota for 2015. Given that the Angling category landings fell short of the available quota and considering the regulatory criteria above, NMFS has determined that the Angling category retention limit applicable to participants on HMS Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat category permitted vessels should be adjusted upwards from the default level. NMFS has also concluded that implementation of separate limits for private and charter/headboat vessels remains appropriate, recognizing the different nature, socio- economic needs, and recent landings results of the two components of the recreational BFT fishery. For example, charter operators historically have indicated that a multi-fish retention limit is vital to their ability to attract customers. In addition, Large Pelagics Survey estimates indicate that charter/headboat BFT landings averaged approximately 30 percent of recent recreational landings for 2015 through 2016, with the remaining 70 percent landed by private vessels. Therefore, for private vessels (i.e., those with HMS Angling category permits), this action adjusts the limit upwards to two school BFT and one large school/small medium BFT per vessel per day/trip (i.e., two BFT measuring 27 to less than 47 inches, and one BFT measuring 47 to less than 73 inches). For charter vessels (i.e., those with HMS Charter/Headboat permits), this action adjusts the limit upwards to three school BFT and one large school/small medium BFT per vessel per day/trip when fishing recreationally for BFT (i.e., three BFT measuring 27 to less than 47 inches, and one BFT measuring 47 to less than 73 inches). These retention limits are effective in all areas, except for the Gulf of Mexico, where NMFS prohibits targeted fishing for BFT. Regardless of the duration of a fishing trip, the daily retention limit applies upon landing. For example, whether a private vessel (fishing under the Angling category retention limit) takes a two-day trip or makes two trips in one day, the day/trip limit of two school BFT and one large school/small medium BFT applies and may not be exceeded upon landing. NMFS anticipates that the BFT daily retention limits in this action will result in landings during 2017 that would not exceed the available subquotas. Lower retention limits could result in substantial underharvest of the codified Angling category subquota, and increasing the daily limits further may risk exceeding the available quota, contrary to the objectives of the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and amendments. NMFS is not setting higher school BFT limit for private and charter vessels due to the potential risk of exceeding the ICCAT tolerance limit on school BFT and other considerations, such as potential effort shifts to BFT fishing as a result of current, reduced recreational retention limits for New England groundfish and striped bass. NMFS will monitor 2017 landings closely and will make further adjustments, including closure if necessary, with an inseason action if warranted. Monitoring and Reporting NMFS will continue to monitor the BFT fisheries closely through the mandatory landings and catch reports. 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. Depending on the level of fishing effort and catch rates of BFT, NMFS may determine that additional retention limit adjustments or closures are necessary to ensure available quota is not exceeded or to enhance scientific data collection from, and fishing opportunities in, all geographic areas. Subsequent actions, if any, will be published in the Federal Register. In addition, fishermen may call the Atlantic Tunas Information Line at (978) 281-9260, or access hmspermits.noaa.gov, for updates on quota monitoring and inseason adjustments. 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/. 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 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. Affording prior notice and opportunity for public comment to implement the daily retention limit for the remainder of 2017 at this time is impracticable. Based on available BFT quotas, fishery performance in recent years, and the availability of BFT on the fishing grounds, immediate adjustment to the Angling category BFT daily retention limit from the default levels is warranted to allow fishermen to take advantage of the availability of fish and of quota. NMFS could not have proposed these actions earlier, as it needed to consider and respond to updated data and information from the 2016 Angling category fishery. If NMFS was to offer a public comment period now, after having appropriately considered that data, it would preclude fishermen from harvesting BFT that are legally available consistent with all of the regulatory criteria, and/or could result in selection of a retention limit inappropriately high or low for the amount of quota available for the period. Fisheries under the Angling category daily retention limit are currently underway and thus prior notice would be contrary to the public interest. Delays in increasing daily recreational BFT retention limit would adversely affect those HMS Angling and Charter/Headboat category vessels that would otherwise have an opportunity to harvest more than the default retention limit of one school, large school, or small medium BFT per day/trip and may exacerbate the problem of low catch rates and quota rollovers. Analysis of available data shows that adjustment to the BFT daily retention limit from the default level would result in minimal [[Page 19618]] risks of exceeding the ICCAT-allocated quota. NMFS provides notification of retention limit adjustments 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. 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 these reasons, there also is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d) to waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness. This action is being taken under Sec. 635.23(b)(3), and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801 et seq. Dated: April 26, 2017. Karen H. Abrams, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017-08777 Filed 4-27-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 81 / Friday, April 28, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 19615
(b) The effective date of the plan FCC 14–175, published at 79 FR 73227, vessels (i.e., those with HMS Charter/
submitted on January 10, 2013 is May December 10, 2014, and corrected at 80 Headboat permits when fishing
30, 2017. FR 1007, January 8, 2015.’’ to the end recreationally). These retention limits
[FR Doc. 2017–08668 Filed 4–27–17; 8:45 am] of the sentence; are effective in all areas, except for the
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ii. In the third sentence, add ‘‘, and Gulf of Mexico, where NMFS prohibits
paragraph 66 of document WC Docket targeted fishing for BFT.
No. 13–39, FCC 14–175.’’ to the end of DATES: Effective May 1, 2017 through
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS the sentence; and December 31, 2017.
COMMISSION iii. In the third column, under the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
heading ‘‘Needs and Uses,’’ add the Sarah McLaughlin or Brad McHale,
47 CFR Part 64 following two sentences between the 978–281–9260.
twelfth and thirteenth sentences: ‘‘On SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[WC Docket No. 13–39; FCC 13–135; FCC
14–175]
November 13, 2014, the Commission Regulations implemented under the
adopted a Reconsideration Order in WC authority of the Atlantic Tunas
Rural Call Completion Recordkeeping Docket No. 13–39, FCC 14–175, 79 FR Convention Act (ATCA; 16 U.S.C. 971 et
and Reporting Requirements; 73227, corrected at 80 FR 1007, Rural seq.) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Correction Call Completion. The Reconsideration Conservation and Management Act
Order reduced the burden on covered (Magnuson-Stevens Act; 16 U.S.C. 1801
AGENCY: Federal Communications providers by excluding certain traffic
Commission. et seq.) governing the harvest of BFT by
from the reporting and retention persons and vessels subject to U.S.
ACTION: Final rule; correction. requirements adopted in the Order.’’ jurisdiction are found at 50 CFR part
SUMMARY: The Federal Communications Federal Communications Commission. 635. Section 635.27 subdivides the U.S.
Commission (Commission) published a Marlene H. Dortch, BFT quota recommended by the
document in the Federal Register on Secretary. International Commission for the
March 4, 2015, concerning its rural call [FR Doc. 2017–08581 Filed 4–27–17; 8:45 am] Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)
completion recordkeeping and reporting BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
among the various domestic fishing
requirements. That document categories, per the allocations
inadvertently omitted reference to the established in the 2006 Consolidated
Order on Reconsideration Highly Migratory Species Fishery
(Reconsideration Order) WC Docket No. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Management Plan (2006 Consolidated
13–39, FCC 14–175, which adopted National Oceanic and Atmospheric HMS FMP) (71 FR 58058, October 2,
minor amendments to those Administration 2006) and amendments, and in
requirements. This document corrects accordance with implementing
that error. 50 CFR Part 635 regulations. NMFS is required under
DATES: This correction is effective April ATCA and the Magnuson-Stevens Act to
28, 2017. [Docket No. 150121066–5717–02] provide U.S. fishing vessels with a
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: reasonable opportunity to harvest the
RIN 0648–XF346
Nirali Patel, Wireline Competition ICCAT-recommended quota.
Bureau, Competition Policy Division, Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; As a method for limiting fishing
(202) 418–7830, or send an email to Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries mortality on juvenile BFT, ICCAT
nirali.patel@fcc.gov. recommends a tolerance limit on the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries annual harvest of BFT measuring less
document makes the following Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and than 115 cm (straight fork length) to no
corrections to the Commission’s final Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), more than 10 percent by weight of a
rule, FR Doc. No. 2015–04415, Commerce. Contracting Party’s total BFT quota. Any
published on March 4, 2015, at 80 FR ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason overharvest of such tolerance limit from
11594: Angling category retention limit one year must be subtracted from the
1. On page 115494, in the heading of adjustment. tolerance limit applicable in the next
the rule, add ‘‘; FCC 14–175’’ after ‘‘FCC year or the year after that. The United
13–135’’. SUMMARY: NMFS has determined that States implements this provision by
2. On page 11594, in the SUMMARY the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) daily limiting the harvest of school BFT
section, in the first sentence, add ‘‘and retention limit that applies to vessels (measuring 27 to less than 47 inches) as
the Commission’s Order on permitted in the Highly Migratory appropriate to not exceed the 10-percent
Reconsideration (Reconsideration Species (HMS) Angling category and the limit.
Order) WC Docket No. 13–39, FCC 14– HMS Charter/Headboat category (when The currently codified baseline U.S.
175.’’ to the end of the sentence. fishing recreationally for BFT) should be quota is 1,058.9 mt (not including the 25
3. On page 11594, In the DATES adjusted for the remainder of 2017, mt ICCAT allocated to the United States
section, add ‘‘and the amendments to 47 based on consideration of the regulatory to account for bycatch of BFT in pelagic
CFR 64.2101, 64.2103, and 64.2105, determination criteria regarding longline fisheries in the Northeast
published at 79 FR 73227, December 10, inseason adjustments. NMFS is Distant Gear Restricted Area). See
2014, and corrected at 80 FR 1007, adjusting the Angling category BFT § 635.27(a). The currently codified
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with RULES
January 8, 2015,’’ after ‘‘December 17, daily retention limit to two school BFT Angling category quota is 195.2 mt
2013’’ and before ‘‘are effective on and one large school/small medium BFT (108.4 mt for school BFT, 82.3 mt for
March 4, 2015.’’ per vessel per day/trip for private large school/small medium BFT, and 4.5
4. On page 11594, in the vessels (i.e., those with HMS Angling mt for large medium/giant BFT).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section: category permits); and three school BFT The 2017 BFT fishing year, which is
i. In the first sentence, add ‘‘and the and one large school/small medium BFT managed on a calendar-year basis and
Commission’s Reconsideration Order, per vessel per day/trip for charter subject to an annual calendar-year
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![19618 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 81 / Friday, April 28, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
risks of exceeding the ICCAT-allocated disapproval. This interim final rule rule, you can visit: http://
quota. NMFS provides notification of approves sector operations plans, grants www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/
retention limit adjustments by regulatory exemptions for sectors, and sustainable/species/multispecies.
publishing the notice in the Federal provides preliminary allocations of SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Register, emailing individuals who have annual catch entitlements to sectors for
subscribed to the Atlantic HMS News the start of the 2017 fishing year. Background
electronic newsletter, and updating the Changes to exemptions and updates to Amendment 13 to the Northeast (NE)
information posted on the Atlantic sector annual catch entitlements may be Multispecies Fishery Management Plan
Tunas Information Line and on considered in subsequent rulemakings. (FMP) (69 FR 22906; April 27, 2004)
hmspermits.noaa.gov. Therefore, the AA DATES: Sector operations plans and established a process for forming sectors
finds good cause under 5 U.S.C. regulatory exemptions are effective May within the NE multispecies (groundfish)
553(b)(B) to waive prior notice and the 1, 2017, through April 30, 2019. fishery, and Amendment 16 to the FMP
opportunity for public comment. For Northeast multispecies annual catch (74 FR 18262; April 9, 2010), followed
these reasons, there also is good cause entitlements for sectors are effective by Framework Adjustment 45 to the
under 5 U.S.C. 553(d) to waive the 30- May 1, 2017, through April 30, 2018. FMP (76 FR 23042; April 25, 2011) and
day delay in effectiveness. The default catch limit for Eastern Framework 48 to the FMP (78 FR 26118;
This action is being taken under Georges Bank cod is effective May 1, May 3, 2013), expanded and revised
§ 635.23(b)(3), and is exempt from 2017, through July 31, 2017, or until the sector management.
review under Executive Order 12866. final rule for Framework 56 is The FMP defines a sector as ‘‘[a]
implemented if prior to July 31, 2017. group of persons (three or more persons,
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801
et seq. Written comments must be received on none of whom have an ownership
interest in the other two persons in the
Dated: April 26, 2017. or before May 30, 2017.
sector) holding limited access vessel
Karen H. Abrams, ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
permits who have voluntarily entered
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable on this document, identified by NOAA– into a contract and agree to certain
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. NMFS–2017–0016, by either of the fishing restrictions for a specified period
[FR Doc. 2017–08777 Filed 4–27–17; 8:45 am] following methods: of time, and which has been granted a
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
• Electronic Submission: Submit all TAC(s) [sic] in order to achieve
electronic public comments via the objectives consistent with applicable
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to FMP goals and objectives.’’ Sectors are
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D= self-selecting, meaning each sector can
NOAA-NMFS-2017-0016, click the choose its members.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the The NE multispecies sector
Administration required fields, and enter or attach your management system allocates a portion
comments. of the NE multispecies stocks to each
50 CFR Part 648 • Mail: Submit written comments to sector. These annual sector allocations
Kyle Molton, 55 Great Republic Drive, are known as annual catch entitlements
[Docket No. 170104016–7016–01]
Gloucester, MA 01930. (ACEs) and are based on the collective
RIN 0648–XF138 Instructions: Comments sent by any fishing history of a sector’s members.
other method, to any other address or Sectors may receive allocations of large-
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; individual, or received after the end of mesh NE multispecies stocks with the
Fisheries of the Northeastern United the comment period, may not be exception of Atlantic halibut,
States; Northeast Multispecies considered by NMFS. All comments windowpane flounder, Atlantic
Fishery; 2017 and 2018 Sector received are a part of the public record wolffish, and ocean pout, which are
Operations Plans and 2017 Allocation and will generally be posted for public non-allocated species. The ACEs are a
of Northeast Multispecies Annual viewing on www.regulations.gov portion of a stock’s annual catch limit
Catch Entitlements without change. All personal identifying (ACL) available to commercial NE
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries information (e.g., name, address, etc.), multispecies vessels within a sector. A
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and confidential business information, or sector determines how to harvest its
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), otherwise sensitive information ACEs and may decide to limit
Commerce. submitted voluntarily by the sender will operations to fewer vessels.
be publicly accessible. NMFS will Because sectors elect to receive an
ACTION: Interim final rule.
accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/ allocation under a quota-based system,
SUMMARY: We have approved sector A’’ in the required fields if you wish to the FMP grants sector vessels several
operations plans for fishing years 2017 remain anonymous). ‘‘universal’’ exemptions from the FMP’s
and 2018, granting regulatory Copies of each sector’s final effort controls. These universal
exemptions for fishing years 2017 and operations plan and contract are exemptions apply to: Trip limits on
2018, and providing Northeast available from the NMFS Greater allocated stocks; the Georges Bank (GB)
multispecies annual catch entitlements Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office: John Seasonal Closure Area; NE multispecies
to approved sectors for fishing year K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, days-at-sea (DAS) restrictions; the
2017. Approval of sector operations National Marine Fisheries Service, 55 requirement to use a 6.5-inch (16.5-cm)
plans is necessary to allocate annual Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA mesh codend when fishing with
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with RULES
catch entitlements to the sectors and for 01930. These documents are also selective gear on GB; portions of the
the sectors to operate. The Northeast accessible via the Federal eRulemaking Gulf of Maine (GOM) Cod Protection
Multispecies Fishery Management Plan Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Closures; and the at-sea monitoring
allows limited access permit holders to FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kyle (ASM) coverage level for sector vessels
form sectors, and requires sectors to Molton, Fishery Management Specialist, fishing exclusively in the Southern New
submit their operations plans and (978) 281–9236. To review Federal England (SNE) and Inshore GB Broad
contracts to us, NMFS, for approval or Register documents referenced in this Stock Areas (BSA) with extra-large mesh
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Document Created: 2017-04-28 03:02:07
Document Modified: 2017-04-28 03:02:07
| 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 Angling category retention limit adjustment. | |
| Dates | Effective May 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017. | |
| Contact | Sarah McLaughlin or Brad McHale, 978- 281-9260. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 19615 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF34 |
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