82 FR 40720 - International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; 2017 Commercial Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fishery Closure in the Eastern Pacific Ocean
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 165 (August 28, 2017)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 165 (August 28, 2017)
| Page Range | 40720-40721 | |
| FR Document | 2017-18157 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 165 (Monday, August 28, 2017)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 40720-40721] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-18157] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 300 [Docket No. 160422356-7283-02] RIN 0648-XF630 International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna Fisheries; 2017 Commercial Pacific Bluefin Tuna Fishery Closure in the Eastern Pacific Ocean AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is temporarily closing the U.S. commercial fishery for Pacific bluefin tuna in the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO) through December 31, 2017, because the 2017 catch limit of 425 metric tons has been exceeded. This action is necessary to prevent the fishery from further exceeding the applicable catch limit established by the Inter- American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) in Resolution C-16-08 (Measures for the Conservation and Management of Pacific Bluefin Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean). [[Page 40721]] DATES: The rule is effective 12 a.m. local time August 28, 2017, through 11:59 p.m. local time December 31, 2017. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Celia Barroso, NMFS West Coast Region, 562-432-1850. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The United States is a member of the IATTC, which was established under the Convention for the Establishment of an Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission signed in 1949 (Convention). The Convention provides an international agreement to ensure the effective international conservation and management of highly migratory species of fish in the IATTC Convention Area. The IATTC Convention Area, as amended by the Antigua Convention, includes the waters of the EPO bounded by the coast of the Americas, the 50[deg] N. and 50[deg] S. parallels, and the 150[deg] W. meridian. Fishing for Pacific bluefin tuna in the EPO is managed, in part, under the Tuna Conventions Act as amended (Act), 16 U.S.C. 951-962. Under the Act, NMFS must publish regulations to carry out recommendations of the IATTC that have been approved by the Department of State (DOS). Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with the Act appear at 50 CFR part 300, subpart C. These regulations implement IATTC recommendations for the conservation and management of highly migratory fish resources in the EPO. In 2016, the IATTC adopted Resolution C-16-08, which establishes a 600 metric ton (mt) catch limit of Pacific bluefin tuna applicable to U.S. commercial fishing vessels in 2017 and 2018, combined. Additionally, catch is not to exceed 425 mt in a single year; therefore, the annual limit in 2017 is 425 mt. With the approval of the DOS, NMFS implemented this catch limit by notice-and-comment rulemaking under the Act (82 FR 18704, April 21, 2017, and codified at 50 CFR 300.25). NMFS, through monitoring landings data and other available information, has determined that the 2017 catch limit has been exceeded. In accordance with 50 CFR 300.25(g), this Federal Register notice announces that the U.S. fishery for Pacific bluefin tuna in the IATTC Convention Area will be closed starting on August 28, 2017, through the end of the 2017 calendar year. The 2018 catch limit will be calculated by subtracting the amount caught in 2017 from 600 mt. During the closure, a U.S. fishing vessel may not be used to target, retain on board, transship, or land Pacific bluefin tuna captured in the IATTC Convention Area, except as follows: Any Pacific bluefin tuna already on board a fishing vessel on August 28, 2017, may be retained on board, transshipped, and/or landed, to the extent authorized by applicable laws and regulations, provided all Pacific bluefin tuna are landed within 14 days after the effective date of this rule, that is, no later than September 11, 2017. Classification NMFS has determined there is good cause to waive prior notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). This action is based on the best available information and is necessary for the conservation and management of Pacific bluefin tuna. Compliance with the notice and comment requirement would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest because NMFS would be unable to ensure that the 2017 Pacific bluefin tuna catch limit is not further exceeded, and that biennial limit of 600mt is also not exceeded. For the same reasons, NMFS has also determined there is good cause to waive the requirement for a 30-day delay in effectiveness under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This action is required by Sec. 300.25(a) and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 951 et seq. Dated: August 23, 2017. Alan D. Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017-18157 Filed 8-23-17; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![40720 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 165 / Monday, August 28, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
Subpart RR—Tennessee Sevierville-La Follette Area’’ and § 52.2220 Identification of plan.
‘‘RACM determination for the * * * * *
■ 2. Section 52.2220(e) is amended by Knoxville-Sevierville-La Follette Area
(e) * *
adding entries for ‘‘2006 24-hour PM2.5 for the 2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS’’ at
Maintenance Plan for the Knoxville- the end of the table to read as follows:
EPA-APPROVED TENNESSEE NON-REGULATORY PROVISIONS
Applicable geographic or nonattainment State effective
Name of non-regulatory SIP provision EPA approval date Explanation
area date
* * * * * * *
2006 24-hour PM2.5 Maintenance Plan Anderson, Blount, Knox, and Loudon 12/20/2016 8/28/2017 [Insert cita-
for the Knoxville-Sevierville-La Follette Counties and a portion of Roane tion of publication].
Area. County (the area described by U.S.
Census 2000 block group identifier
47–145–0307–2.).
RACM determination for the Knoxville- Anderson, Blount, Knox, and Loudon 12/20/2016 8/28/2017 [Insert cita-
Sevierville-La Follette Area for the Counties and a portion of Roane tion of publication].
2006 24-hour PM2.5 NAAQS. County (the area described by U.S.
Census 2000 block group identifier
47–145–0307–2.).
PART 81—DESIGNATION OF AREAS Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq. entry for ‘‘Knoxville-Sevierville-La
FOR AIR QUALITY PLANNING Follette, TN:’’ to read as follows:
■ 4. In § 81.343, the table entitled
PURPOSES
‘‘Tennessee—2006 24-Hour PM 2.5 § 81.343 Tennessee.
■ 3. The authority citation for part 81 NAAQS’’ is amended by revising the * * * * *
continues to read as follows:
TENNESSEE—2006 24-HOUR PM2.5 NAAQS
[Primary and secondary]
Designation a Classification
Designated area
Date 1 Type Date 2 Type
Knoxville-Sevierville-La Follette, TN: 8/28/2017 Attainment ................. .................... ....................
Anderson County .................................................................................. ........................ Attainment ................. .................... ....................
Blount County ........................................................................................ ........................ Attainment ................. .................... ....................
Knox County .......................................................................................... ........................ Attainment ................. .................... ....................
Loudon County ...................................................................................... ........................ Attainment ................. .................... ....................
Roane County (part) ............................................................................. ........................ Attainment ................. .................... ....................
The area described by U.S. Census 2000 block group identifier 47– ........................ .................................... .................... ....................
145–0307–2..
* * * * * * *
a Includes Indian Country located in each county or area, except as otherwise specified.
1 This date is 30 days after November 13, 2009, unless otherwise noted.
2 This date is July 2, 2014, unless otherwise noted.
* * * * * DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
[FR Doc. 2017–18088 Filed 8–25–17; 8:45 am] Commerce.
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P National Oceanic and Atmospheric ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
Administration
SUMMARY: NMFS is temporarily closing
50 CFR Part 300 the U.S. commercial fishery for Pacific
bluefin tuna in the eastern Pacific Ocean
[Docket No. 160422356–7283–02] (EPO) through December 31, 2017,
because the 2017 catch limit of 425
metric tons has been exceeded. This
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with RULES
RIN 0648–XF630 action is necessary to prevent the
International Fisheries; Pacific Tuna fishery from further exceeding the
Fisheries; 2017 Commercial Pacific applicable catch limit established by the
Bluefin Tuna Fishery Closure in the Inter-American Tropical Tuna
Eastern Pacific Ocean Commission (IATTC) in Resolution C–
16–08 (Measures for the Conservation
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries and Management of Pacific Bluefin
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean).
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 165 / Monday, August 28, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 40721
DATES: The rule is effective 12 a.m. local board a fishing vessel on August 28, prevent the development of new, and
time August 28, 2017, through 11:59 2017, may be retained on board, the expansion of existing, commercial
p.m. local time December 31, 2017. transshipped, and/or landed, to the fisheries on certain forage species until
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: extent authorized by applicable laws the Council has adequate opportunity
Celia Barroso, NMFS West Coast Region, and regulations, provided all Pacific and information to evaluate the
562–432–1850. bluefin tuna are landed within 14 days potential impacts of forage fish harvest
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The after the effective date of this rule, that on existing fisheries, fishing
United States is a member of the IATTC, is, no later than September 11, 2017. communities, and the marine
which was established under the ecosystem. This final rule implements
Classification
Convention for the Establishment of an an annual landing limit, possession
NMFS has determined there is good limits, and permitting and reporting
Inter-American Tropical Tuna
cause to waive prior notice and requirements for Atlantic chub mackerel
Commission signed in 1949
opportunity for public comment and certain previously unmanaged
(Convention). The Convention provides
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). This forage species and species groups
an international agreement to ensure the
action is based on the best available caught within Mid-Atlantic Federal
effective international conservation and
information and is necessary for the waters; allows vessels to transit Mid-
management of highly migratory species
conservation and management of Pacific Atlantic Federal waters with forage
of fish in the IATTC Convention Area.
bluefin tuna. Compliance with the species caught in other areas; and
The IATTC Convention Area, as
notice and comment requirement would identifies measures that can be revised
amended by the Antigua Convention,
be impracticable and contrary to the through a future framework adjustment.
includes the waters of the EPO bounded
public interest because NMFS would be
by the coast of the Americas, the 50° N. DATES: This rule is effective September
unable to ensure that the 2017 Pacific
and 50° S. parallels, and the 150° W. 27, 2017
bluefin tuna catch limit is not further
meridian. ADDRESSES: The Council prepared an
exceeded, and that biennial limit of
Fishing for Pacific bluefin tuna in the environmental assessment (EA) for the
600mt is also not exceeded. For the
EPO is managed, in part, under the Mid-Atlantic Unmanaged Forage
same reasons, NMFS has also
Tuna Conventions Act as amended Omnibus Amendment that describes the
determined there is good cause to waive
(Act), 16 U.S.C. 951–962. Under the Act, Council’s preferred management
the requirement for a 30-day delay in
NMFS must publish regulations to carry measures and other alternatives
effectiveness under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).
out recommendations of the IATTC that This action is required by § 300.25(a) considered and provides a thorough
have been approved by the Department and is exempt from review under analysis of the impacts of the all
of State (DOS). Regulations governing Executive Order 12866. alternatives considered. Copies of the
fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance Mid-Atlantic Unmanaged Forage
with the Act appear at 50 CFR part 300, Authority: 16 U.S.C. 951 et seq.
Species Omnibus Amendment,
subpart C. These regulations implement Dated: August 23, 2017. including the EA, the Regulatory Impact
IATTC recommendations for the Alan D. Risenhoover, Review, and the Regulatory Flexibility
conservation and management of highly Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, Act analysis are available from:
migratory fish resources in the EPO. National Marine Fisheries Service. Christopher Moore, Executive Director,
In 2016, the IATTC adopted [FR Doc. 2017–18157 Filed 8–23–17; 4:15 pm] Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management
Resolution C–16–08, which establishes BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Council, Suite 201, 800 State Street
a 600 metric ton (mt) catch limit of Dover, DE 19901. The supporting
Pacific bluefin tuna applicable to U.S. documents are also accessible via the
commercial fishing vessels in 2017 and DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Internet at:
2018, combined. Additionally, catch is
• https://www.regulations.gov/
not to exceed 425 mt in a single year; National Oceanic and Atmospheric
docket?D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-0013
therefore, the annual limit in 2017 is Administration
425 mt. With the approval of the DOS, • https://www.greateratlantic.
NMFS implemented this catch limit by 50 CFR Part 648 fisheries.noaa.gov/regs/2017/April/17
notice-and-comment rulemaking under ForageOmnibusAmendmentpr.html or
the Act (82 FR 18704, April 21, 2017,
[Docket No. 161025999–7662–02] • http://www.mafmc.org/actions/
and codified at 50 CFR 300.25). RIN 0648–BG42 unmanaged-forage.
NMFS, through monitoring landings Copies of the small entity compliance
data and other available information, Fisheries of the Northeastern United guide prepared for this action are
has determined that the 2017 catch limit States; Mid-Atlantic Unmanaged available from John K. Bullard, Regional
has been exceeded. In accordance with Forage Omnibus Amendment Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic
50 CFR 300.25(g), this Federal Register AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great
notice announces that the U.S. fishery Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930–
for Pacific bluefin tuna in the IATTC Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2298, or available on the internet at:
Convention Area will be closed starting Commerce. https://www.greateratlantic.
on August 28, 2017, through the end of fisheries.noaa.gov/sustainable/species/
ACTION: Final rule.
the 2017 calendar year. The 2018 catch forage/index.html.
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with RULES
limit will be calculated by subtracting SUMMARY: NMFS partially approves and Written comments regarding the
the amount caught in 2017 from 600 mt. implements through regulations burden-hour estimates or other aspects
During the closure, a U.S. fishing measures included in the Mid-Atlantic of the collection-of-information
vessel may not be used to target, retain Unmanaged Forage Omnibus requirements contained in this final rule
on board, transship, or land Pacific Amendment, as adopted by the Mid- may be submitted to the Greater Atlantic
bluefin tuna captured in the IATTC Atlantic Fishery Management Council Regional Fisheries Office and by email
Convention Area, except as follows: and approved by NMFS on June 13, to OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov or
Any Pacific bluefin tuna already on 2017. The purpose of this action is to fax to (202) 395–5806.
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Document Created: 2017-08-28 11:30:07
Document Modified: 2017-08-28 11:30:07
| 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; closure. | |
| Dates | The rule is effective 12 a.m. local time August 28, 2017, through 11:59 p.m. local time December 31, 2017. | |
| Contact | Celia Barroso, NMFS West Coast Region, 562-432-1850. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 40720 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF63 |
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