82 FR 43710 - Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 180 (September 19, 2017)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 180 (September 19, 2017)
| Page Range | 43710-43711 | |
| FR Document | 2017-19914 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 180 (Tuesday, September 19, 2017)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 43710-43711] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-19914] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 635 RIN 0648-XF700 Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notification that the Northeast Distant Area (NED) quota is filled and Atlantic Tunas Longline Category Individual Bluefin Quota (IBQ) accounting rules now apply in the NED. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the 25-mt quota available for Atlantic bluefin tuna bycatch (including landings and dead discards) by the Longline category in the Northeast Distant gear restricted [[Page 43711]] area (NED) was filled on September 12, 2017. NMFS informs vessels fishing in the NED that they now must account for any bluefin tuna bycatch retained or discarded dead using Individual Bluefin Quota (IBQ) allocation available to the vessel. DATES: This notification is valid from September 12, 2017 to December 31, 2017. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Warren 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 bluefin tuna by persons and vessels subject to U.S. jurisdiction are found at 50 CFR part 635. Section 635.27 subdivides the U.S. bluefin tuna 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), as amended by Amendment 7 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP (Amendment 7) (79 FR 71510, December 2, 2014). The total U.S. bluefin tuna annual quota from ICCAT includes, as in previous years, a 25-mt set-aside for bluefin tuna bycatch related to pelagic longline fisheries operating in the vicinity of the ICCAT management area boundary. See ICCAT Recommendation 14-05 and 80 FR 52198 (August 28, 2015) (implementing the quota domestically). For management and monitoring purposes, NMFS implements this set-aside in the NED as quota available to Atlantic Tunas Longline category permitted vessels. Longline is not a permitted gear for directed fishing on bluefin tuna; any catch must be incidental to fishing for other species. Accounting for this bycatch includes all catch (landings and dead discards). The NED is defined as the Atlantic Ocean area bounded by straight lines connecting the following coordinates in the order stated: 35[deg]00' N. lat., 60[deg]00' W. long.; 55[deg]00' N. lat., 60[deg]00' W. long.; 55[deg]00' N. lat., 20[deg]00' W. long.; 35[deg]00' N. lat., 20[deg]00' W. long.; 35[deg]00' N. lat., 60[deg]00' W. long. The IBQ Program and the Northeast Distant Area (NED) Under Amendment 7, rules were implemented for Atlantic Tunas Longline category permitted vessels fishing in the NED. See 50 CFR 635.15(b)(8). Any bluefin tuna bycatch by permitted vessels fishing with pelagic longline gear in the NED count toward the ICCAT-allocated separate NED quota (25 mt) until that quota has been filled. Prior to the NED quota being filled, the bluefin tuna accounting requirements of the IBQ Program do not apply to those vessels, under the provisions adopted in Amendment 7. Once the NED quota is filled, Atlantic Tunas Longline category permitted vessels may fish or continue to fish in the NED, but these vessels must then abide by the applicable requirements of the IBQ program, which requires individual vessel accounting for bluefin tuna bycatch using IBQ allocation available to the vessel (either through its own quota share or leasing allocation from another vessel). Bluefin tuna must be accounted for as described at Sec. 635.15(b)(4) and (5). Based on Atlantic bluefin tuna dealer data and IBQ system data, as of September 12, 2017, 40,763 lb (18.5 mt) of bluefin tuna has been landed, and 254 lb (0.1 mt) of bluefin tuna has been discarded dead in the NED; an additional 21 bluefin tuna have been reported as retained through Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) bluefin tuna catch reports. These 21 retained bluefin tuna reported via VMS equate to approximately 13,230 lb (6.0 mt) of catch (based on the average weight of recently landed bluefin from the NED), which brings the total estimated bluefin tuna catch from the NED to 54,247 lb (24.6 mt). Based on these data, NMFS has determined that the 25 mt set-aside has been filled as of September 12, 2017. Because the NED quota has been caught, vessels are notified that they must account for any bycatch of bluefin tuna (landings and/or dead discards) in the NED using IBQ allocation as specified in the regulations. Sec. 635.15(b)(8). NMFS has determined that the NED quota of 25 mt was attained as of September 12, 2017. Thus, the IBQ online system will start accounting for bluefin tuna bycatch from the NED utilizing IBQ as of that date. NMFS will continue to monitor bluefin tuna bycatch by vessels fishing with pelagic longline gear using VMS and dealer data, as well as monitor the accounting for such catch in the IBQ system, to ensure that vessels are accountable for their individual bluefin bycatch and that quotas are managed consistent with the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and U.S. international quota obligations. For fishery updates, fishermen may call the Atlantic Tunas Information Line at (888) 872- 8862 or (978) 281-9260, access the following internet address: www.hmspermits.noaa.gov. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801 et seq. Dated: September 14, 2017. Alan D. Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017-19914 Filed 9-14-17; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![43710 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 180 / Tuesday, September 19, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
Flexibility Act are not applicable to the List of Subjects PART 223—THREATENED MARINE
listing process. AND ANADROMOUS SPECIES
50 CFR Part 223
In addition, this rule is exempt from
Endangered and threatened species, ■ 1. The authority citation for part 223
review under Executive Order 12866.
Exports, Transportation. continues to read as follows:
Paperwork Reduction Act Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531–1543; subpart
50 CFR Part 224 B, §§ 223.201–202 also issued under 16
This final rule does not contain a U.S.C. 1361 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 5503(d) for
collection-of-information requirement Endangered and threatened species, § 223.206(d)(9).
for the purposes of the Paperwork Exports, Imports, Transportation.
■ 2. In § 223.102, amend the table in
Reduction Act. Dated: September 14, 2017. paragraph (e) by adding a new entry
Executive Order 13132, Federalism Samuel D. Rauch, III, under ‘‘Marine Mammals’’ in
Deputy Assistant Administrator for alphabetical order, by common name, to
In accordance with E.O. 13132, we Regulatory Programs, National Marine read as follows:
determined that this final rule does not Fisheries Service.
have significant federalism effects and § 223.102 Enumeration of threatened
For the reasons set out in the marine and anadromous species.
that a federalism assessment is not
required. preamble, 50 CFR parts 223 and 224 are * * * * *
amended as follows: (e) * * *
Species 1 Citation(s) for listing Critical ESA rules
determination(s) habitat
Common name Scientific name Description of listed entity
Marine Mammals
Dolphin, Hector’s ................. Cephalorhynchus hectori hectori ............. Entire subspecies .............. [Insert Federal Register NA NA
page where the docu-
ment begins], September
19, 2017.
* * * * * * *
1 Species includes taxonomic species, subspecies, distinct population segments (DPSs) (for a policy statement, see 61 FR 4722, February 7, 1996), and
evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) (for a policy statement, see 56 FR 58612, November 20, 1991).
* * * * * Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531–1543 and 16 alphabetical order, by common name, to
U.S.C. 1361 et seq. read as follows:
PART 224—ENDANGERED MARINE
AND ANADROMOUS SPECIES ■ 4. In § 224.101, amend the table in § 224.101 Enumeration of endangered
paragraph (h) by adding a new entry marine and anadromous species.
■ 3. The authority citation for part 224 under ‘‘Marine Mammals’’ in * * * * *
continues to read as follows: (h) * * *
Species 1 Citation(s) for listing Critical ESA rules
determination(s) habitat
Common name Scientific name Description of listed entity
Marine Mammals
* * * * * * *
Dolphin, Maui ...................... Cephalorhynchus hectori maui ................ Entire subspecies .............. [Insert Federal Register NA NA
page where the docu-
ment begins], September
19, 2017.
* * * * * * *
1 Species includes taxonomic species, subspecies, distinct population segments (DPSs) (for a policy statement, see 61 FR 4722, February 7, 1996), and
evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) (for a policy statement, see 56 FR 58612, November 20, 1991).
* * * * * DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
[FR Doc. 2017–19903 Filed 9–18–17; 8:45 am] Commerce.
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P National Oceanic and Atmospheric ACTION: Notification that the Northeast
Administration Distant Area (NED) quota is filled and
Atlantic Tunas Longline Category
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with RULES
50 CFR Part 635 Individual Bluefin Quota (IBQ)
RIN 0648–XF700
accounting rules now apply in the NED.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the 25-
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries mt quota available for Atlantic bluefin
tuna bycatch (including landings and
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries dead discards) by the Longline category
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and in the Northeast Distant gear restricted
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 180 / Tuesday, September 19, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 43711
area (NED) was filled on September 12, Longline category permitted vessels fishermen may call the Atlantic Tunas
2017. NMFS informs vessels fishing in fishing in the NED. See 50 CFR Information Line at (888) 872–8862 or
the NED that they now must account for 635.15(b)(8). Any bluefin tuna bycatch (978) 281–9260, access the following
any bluefin tuna bycatch retained or by permitted vessels fishing with internet address: www.hmspermits.
discarded dead using Individual Bluefin pelagic longline gear in the NED count noaa.gov.
Quota (IBQ) allocation available to the toward the ICCAT-allocated separate Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801
vessel. NED quota (25 mt) until that quota has et seq.
DATES: This notification is valid from been filled. Prior to the NED quota being
Dated: September 14, 2017.
September 12, 2017 to December 31, filled, the bluefin tuna accounting
requirements of the IBQ Program do not Alan D. Risenhoover,
2017.
apply to those vessels, under the Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom National Marine Fisheries Service.
provisions adopted in Amendment 7.
Warren or Brad McHale, 978–281–9260. [FR Doc. 2017–19914 Filed 9–14–17; 4:15 pm]
Once the NED quota is filled, Atlantic
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Tunas Longline category permitted BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
Regulations implemented under the vessels may fish or continue to fish in
authority of the Atlantic Tunas the NED, but these vessels must then
Convention Act (ATCA; 16 U.S.C. 971 et abide by the applicable requirements of DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
seq.) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery the IBQ program, which requires
Conservation and Management Act individual vessel accounting for bluefin National Oceanic and Atmospheric
(Magnuson-Stevens Act; 16 U.S.C. 1801 tuna bycatch using IBQ allocation Administration
et seq.) governing the harvest of bluefin available to the vessel (either through its
tuna by persons and vessels subject to own quota share or leasing allocation 50 CFR Part 635
U.S. jurisdiction are found at 50 CFR from another vessel). Bluefin tuna must [Docket No. 150121066–5717–02]
part 635. Section 635.27 subdivides the be accounted for as described at
U.S. bluefin tuna quota recommended RIN 0648–XF699
§ 635.15(b)(4) and (5).
by the International Commission for the Based on Atlantic bluefin tuna dealer
Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) Atlantic Highly Migratory Species;
data and IBQ system data, as of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries
among the various domestic fishing September 12, 2017, 40,763 lb (18.5 mt)
categories per the allocations of bluefin tuna has been landed, and AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
established in the 2006 Consolidated 254 lb (0.1 mt) of bluefin tuna has been Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Highly Migratory Species Fishery discarded dead in the NED; an Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Management Plan (2006 Consolidated additional 21 bluefin tuna have been Commerce.
HMS FMP) (71 FR 58058, October 2, reported as retained through Vessel ACTION: Temporary rule; closure of the
2006), as amended by Amendment 7 to Monitoring System (VMS) bluefin tuna General category fishery.
the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP catch reports. These 21 retained bluefin
(Amendment 7) (79 FR 71510, December tuna reported via VMS equate to SUMMARY: NMFS closes the General
2, 2014). approximately 13,230 lb (6.0 mt) of category fishery for large medium and
The total U.S. bluefin tuna annual catch (based on the average weight of giant (i.e., measuring 73 inches curved
quota from ICCAT includes, as in recently landed bluefin from the NED), fork length or greater) Atlantic bluefin
previous years, a 25-mt set-aside for which brings the total estimated bluefin tuna (BFT) until the General category
bluefin tuna bycatch related to pelagic tuna catch from the NED to 54,247 lb reopens on October 1, 2017. This action
longline fisheries operating in the (24.6 mt). Based on these data, NMFS is being taken to prevent overharvest of
vicinity of the ICCAT management area has determined that the 25 mt set-aside the General category September 2017
boundary. See ICCAT Recommendation has been filled as of September 12, BFT subquota and help ensure
14–05 and 80 FR 52198 (August 28, 2017. reasonable fishing opportunities in each
2015) (implementing the quota Because the NED quota has been of the remaining subquota time periods.
domestically). For management and caught, vessels are notified that they DATES: Effective 11:30 p.m., local time,
monitoring purposes, NMFS must account for any bycatch of bluefin September 17, 2017, through September
implements this set-aside in the NED as tuna (landings and/or dead discards) in 30, 2017.
quota available to Atlantic Tunas the NED using IBQ allocation as
specified in the regulations. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Longline category permitted vessels.
Longline is not a permitted gear for § 635.15(b)(8). NMFS has determined Sarah McLaughlin or Brad McHale,
directed fishing on bluefin tuna; any that the NED quota of 25 mt was 978–281–9260.
catch must be incidental to fishing for attained as of September 12, 2017. Thus, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
other species. Accounting for this the IBQ online system will start Regulations implemented under the
bycatch includes all catch (landings and accounting for bluefin tuna bycatch authority of the Atlantic Tunas
dead discards). The NED is defined as from the NED utilizing IBQ as of that Convention Act (ATCA; 16 U.S.C. 971 et
the Atlantic Ocean area bounded by date. seq.) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
straight lines connecting the following NMFS will continue to monitor Conservation and Management Act
coordinates in the order stated: 35°00′ bluefin tuna bycatch by vessels fishing (Magnuson-Stevens Act; 16 U.S.C. 1801
N. lat., 60°00′ W. long.; 55°00′ N. lat., with pelagic longline gear using VMS et seq.) governing the harvest of BFT by
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with RULES
60°00′ W. long.; 55°00′ N. lat., 20°00′ W. and dealer data, as well as monitor the persons and vessels subject to U.S.
long.; 35°00′ N. lat., 20°00′ W. long.; accounting for such catch in the IBQ jurisdiction are found at 50 CFR part
35°00′ N. lat., 60°00′ W. long. system, to ensure that vessels are 635. Section 635.27 subdivides the U.S.
accountable for their individual bluefin BFT quota recommended by the
The IBQ Program and the Northeast bycatch and that quotas are managed International Commission for the
Distant Area (NED) consistent with the 2006 Consolidated Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)
Under Amendment 7, rules were HMS FMP and U.S. international quota among the various domestic fishing
implemented for Atlantic Tunas obligations. For fishery updates, categories, per the allocations
VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:10 Sep 18, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\19SER1.SGM 19SER1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_43890/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2018-10-24 14:17:49
Document Modified: 2018-10-24 14:17:49
| 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 | Notification that the Northeast Distant Area (NED) quota is filled and Atlantic Tunas Longline Category Individual Bluefin Quota (IBQ) accounting rules now apply in the NED. | |
| Dates | This notification is valid from September 12, 2017 to December 31, 2017. | |
| Contact | Tom Warren or Brad McHale, 978-281- 9260. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 43710 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF70 |
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