82 FR 44993 - Determination of Overfishing or an Overfished Condition
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 186 (September 27, 2017)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 186 (September 27, 2017)
| Page Range | 44993-44994 | |
| FR Document | 2017-20686 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 186 (Wednesday, September 27, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 44993-44994] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-20686] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XF607 Determination of Overfishing or an Overfished Condition AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This action serves as a notice that NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), has found that the following stocks are, or remain, subject to overfishing or overfished: South Atlantic red grouper, Gulf of Mexico greater amberjack, and Northwestern Atlantic witch flounder. NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary, notifies the appropriate fishery management council (Council) whenever it determines that overfishing is occurring, a stock is in an overfished condition, or a stock is approaching an overfished condition. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Regina Spallone, (301) 427-8568. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 304(e)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson- Stevens Act), 16 U.S.C. 1854(e)(2), NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary, must notify Councils, and publish in the Federal Register, whenever it determines that a stock or stock complex is subject to overfishing, overfished, or approaching an overfished condition. NMFS has determined that South Atlantic red grouper is subject to overfishing and overfished. This determination is based on the most recent stock assessment (SEDAR 53), finalized in 2017, using data through 2015. This assessment supports a finding of subject to overfishing because the current estimate of fishing mortality (F) is above the maximum fishing mortality threshold (MFMT), and overfished because the spawning stock biomass estimate is less than the [[Page 44994]] minimum stock size threshold (MSST). NMFS informed the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council that they must take action to end overfishing immediately on this stock and implement conservation and management measures to rebuild it. NMFS has determined that the Gulf of Mexico greater amberjack is subject to overfishing. This determination is based on the most recent assessment (SEDAR 33 Update), finalized in 2016, using data through 2015. This assessment supports a finding of subject to overfishing because the current estimate of F is above the MFMT. This stock remains overfished because the spawning stock biomass estimate is less than the MSST. NMFS informed the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council that they must take action to end overfishing immediately on this stock and implement conservation and management measures to rebuild it. NMFS has determined that Northwestern Atlantic witch flounder is still overfished and the overfishing status is unknown. The assessment peer review panel for this stock rejected the most recent benchmark assessment, finalized in 2017, using data through 2015. However, this stock is at historical low levels and other signs of poor stock condition support this stock remaining listed as overfished. Lack of similar reliable indicators for overfishing status support changing the overfishing status of this stock to unknown. NMFS has notified the New England Fishery Management Council that they must implement conservation and management measures to rebuild this stock. Dated: September 22, 2017. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017-20686 Filed 9-26-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 186 / Wednesday, September 27, 2017 / Notices 44993
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE and other appropriate matters as the auxiliary aids should be directed to Carl
Under Secretary refers to the Committee C. Gouldman, Designated Federal
National Oceanic and Atmospheric for review and advice. The Committee Official at 240–533–9456 by October 13,
Administration will provide advice on: 2017.
(a) Administration, operation, Dated: September 11, 2017.
U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing management, and maintenance of the
System (IOOS®) Advisory Committee Carl C. Gouldman,
System;
(b) expansion and periodic Director, U.S. IOOS Program, National Ocean
AGENCY: National Ocean Service, Service.
modernization and upgrade of
National Oceanic and Atmospheric [FR Doc. 2017–20679 Filed 9–26–17; 8:45 am]
technology components of the System;
Administration (NOAA), Department of
(c) identification of end-user BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
Commerce. communities, their needs for
ACTION: Notice of open meeting. information provided by the System,
and the System’s effectiveness in DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of a
meeting of the U.S. Integrated Ocean dissemination information to end-user
communities and to the general public; National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Observing System (IOOS®) Advisory Administration
Committee (Committee) at Stennis and
(d) any other purpose identified by RIN 0648–XF607
Space Center and Ocean Springs,
the Under Secretary of Commerce for
Mississippi. Determination of Overfishing or an
Oceans and Atmosphere or the
DATES AND TIMES: The meeting will be Interagency Ocean Observation Overfished Condition
held on Tuesday, October 24, 2017, Committee.
from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, The meeting will be open to public AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
October 25, 2017 from 8:30 a.m.–5:30 participation with a 15-minute public Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
p.m., and Thursday, October 25, 2017 comment period on October 24, 2017, Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
from 8:30–2:45 p.m. These times and from 2:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., on October Commerce.
the agenda topics described below are 25, 2017, from 4:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., ACTION: Notice.
subject to change. Refer to the Web page and on October 26, 2017, from 2:30
SUMMARY: This action serves as a notice
listed below for the most up-to-date p.m.–2:45 p.m. (check agenda on Web
that NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary of
agenda. site to confirm time.) The Committee
Commerce (Secretary), has found that
ADDRESSES: On Tuesday, October 24th expects that public statements presented
the following stocks are, or remain,
and Thursday, October 26th, the at its meetings will not be repetitive of
subject to overfishing or overfished:
meeting will be held in the Santa Rosa previously submitted verbal or written
South Atlantic red grouper, Gulf of
Room, Building #11111, John C. Stennis statements. In general, each individual
Mexico greater amberjack, and
Space Center, MS 39529. On or group making a verbal presentation
Northwestern Atlantic witch flounder.
Wednesday, October 25th, the meeting will be limited to a total time of three
NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary,
will be held at Gulf Coast Research (3) minutes. Written comments should
notifies the appropriate fishery
Laboratory, University of Southern be received by the Designated Federal
management council (Council)
Mississippi, 703 E Beach Dr., Ocean Official by October 20, 2017 to provide
whenever it determines that overfishing
Springs, MS 39564. Venues may be sufficient time for Committee review.
is occurring, a stock is in an overfished
subject to change. Refer to the Web page Written comments received after
condition, or a stock is approaching an
listed below for the most up-to-date October 20th, will be distributed to the
overfished condition.
information. Committee, but may not be reviewed
prior to the meeting date. Seats will be FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carl available on a first-come, first-served Regina Spallone, (301) 427–8568.
C. Gouldman, Designated Federal basis. Pre-registration is required for SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant
Official, U.S. IOOS Advisory those attending in person. Please send to section 304(e)(2) of the Magnuson-
Committee, U.S. IOOS Program, 1315 your name as it appears on driver’s Stevens Fishery Conservation and
East-West Highway, Station 2605, Silver license and the organization/company Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens
Spring, MD 20910; Phone 240–533– affiliation you represent to Carl Act), 16 U.S.C. 1854(e)(2), NMFS, on
9456; Fax 301–713–3281; Email Gouldman. This information must be behalf of the Secretary, must notify
carl.gouldman@noaa.gov or visit the received by October 13, 2017. Councils, and publish in the Federal
U.S. IOOS Advisory Committee Web Additionally, a webinar will be Register, whenever it determines that a
site at http://ioos.noaa.gov/community/ provided. Sign-up information for the stock or stock complex is subject to
u-s-ioos-advisory-committee/. webinar will be posted on the Web site. overfishing, overfished, or approaching
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Matters To Be Considered: The an overfished condition.
Committee was established by the meeting will focus on ongoing NMFS has determined that South
NOAA Administrator as directed by committee priorities, including Atlantic red grouper is subject to
Section 12304 of the Integrated Coastal discussions stakeholder needs specific overfishing and overfished. This
and Ocean Observation System Act, part to the Gulf Coast region and developing determination is based on the most
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES
of the Omnibus Public Land the next set of recommendations. The recent stock assessment (SEDAR 53),
Management Act of 2009 (Pub. L. 111– latest version of the agenda will be finalized in 2017, using data through
11). The Committee advises the NOAA posted at http://ioos.noaa.gov/ 2015. This assessment supports a
Administrator and the Interagency community/u-s-ioos-advisory- finding of subject to overfishing because
Ocean Observation Committee (IOOC) committee/. the current estimate of fishing mortality
on matters related to the responsibilities Special Accomodations: These (F) is above the maximum fishing
and authorities set forth in section meetings are physically accessible to mortality threshold (MFMT), and
12302 of the Integrated Coastal and people with disabilities. Requests for overfished because the spawning stock
Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 sign language interpretation or other biomass estimate is less than the
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![44994 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 186 / Wednesday, September 27, 2017 / Notices
minimum stock size threshold (MSST). effort to reduce paperwork and II. Method of Collection
NMFS informed the South Atlantic respondent burden, invites the general Respondents have a choice of either
Fishery Management Council that they public and other Federal agencies to electronic or paper forms. Methods of
must take action to end overfishing take this opportunity to comment on submittal include email of electronic
immediately on this stock and proposed and/or continuing information forms, and mail and facsimile
implement conservation and collections, as required by the transmission of paper forms.
management measures to rebuild it. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
NMFS has determined that the Gulf of DATES: Written comments must be III. Data
Mexico greater amberjack is subject to submitted on or before November 27, OMB Control Number: 0648–0577.
overfishing. This determination is based 2017. Form Number: None.
on the most recent assessment (SEDAR ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments Type of Review: Regular submission
33 Update), finalized in 2016, using data to Diana Hynek, Departmental (extension of a currently approved
through 2015. This assessment supports Paperwork Clearance Officer, collection).
a finding of subject to overfishing Department of Commerce, Room 6616, Affected Public: Individuals or small
because the current estimate of F is 14th and Constitution Avenue NW., businesses.
above the MFMT. This stock remains Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Estimated Number of Respondents:
overfished because the spawning stock Internet at pracomments@doc.gov). 100.
biomass estimate is less than the MSST. Estimated Time per Response: 10
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
NMFS informed the Gulf of Mexico minutes per paper permit application; 5
Requests for additional information or minutes per online permit application;
Fishery Management Council that they
copies of the information collection 2 hours per appeal of denied permit; 20
must take action to end overfishing
instrument and instructions should be minutes per trip report logsheet.
immediately on this stock and
directed to Walter Ikehara, (808) 725– Estimated Total Annual Burden
implement conservation and
5175 or Walter.Ikehara@noaa.gov. Hours: 98.
management measures to rebuild it.
NMFS has determined that SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Estimated Total Annual Cost to
Northwestern Atlantic witch flounder is I. Abstract Public: $3,850 in recordkeeping/
still overfished and the overfishing reporting costs.
This request is for extension of a
status is unknown. The assessment peer IV. Request for Comments
currently approved information
review panel for this stock rejected the
collection. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether
most recent benchmark assessment, Regulations at 50 CFR 665, Subpart C,
finalized in 2017, using data through the proposed collection of information
require that all participants (including is necessary for the proper performance
2015. However, this stock is at historical vessel owners, operators, and crew) in
low levels and other signs of poor stock of the functions of the agency, including
the boat-based non-commercial whether the information shall have
condition support this stock remaining bottomfish fishery in the Exclusive
listed as overfished. Lack of similar practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the
Economic Zone around the main agency’s estimate of the burden
reliable indicators for overfishing status Hawaiian Islands obtain a federal
support changing the overfishing status (including hours and cost) of the
bottomfish permit. This collection of proposed collection of information; (c)
of this stock to unknown. NMFS has information is needed for permit
notified the New England Fishery ways to enhance the quality, utility, and
issuance, to identify actual or potential clarity of the information to be
Management Council that they must participants in the fishery, determine
implement conservation and collected; and (d) ways to minimize the
qualifications for permits, and to help burden of the collection of information
management measures to rebuild this measure the impacts of management
stock. on respondents, including through the
controls on the participants in the use of automated collection techniques
Dated: September 22, 2017. fishery. The permit program is also an or other forms of information
Emily H. Menashes, effective tool in the enforcement of technology.
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable fishery regulations and serves as a link Comments submitted in response to
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. between the National Marine Fisheries this notice will be summarized and/or
[FR Doc. 2017–20686 Filed 9–26–17; 8:45 am] Service (NMFS) and fishermen. included in the request for OMB
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Regulations at 50 CFR 665 require that approval of this information collection;
all vessel owners or operators in this they also will become a matter of public
fishery submit a completed logbook record.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE form at the completion of each fishing
trip. These logbook reporting sheets Dated: September 22, 2017.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric document the species and amount of Sarah Brabson,
Administration species caught during the trip. The NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
reporting requirements are crucial to [FR Doc. 2017–20711 Filed 9–26–17; 8:45 am]
Proposed Information Collection; ensure that NMFS and the Western BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
Comment Request; Non-Commercial Pacific Fishery Management Council
Permit and Reporting Requirements in (Council) will be able to monitor the
the Main Hawaiian Islands Bottomfish DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES
fishery and have fishery-dependent
Fishery information to develop an Annual Catch
Limit for the fishery, evaluate the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
AGENCY: National Oceanic and Administration
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), effectiveness of management measures,
Commerce. determine whether changes in fishery
Submission for OMB Review;
ACTION: Notice. management programs are necessary,
Comment Request
and estimate the impacts and
SUMMARY:The Department of implications of alternative management The Department of Commerce will
Commerce, as part of its continuing measures. submit to the Office of Management and
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Document Created: 2018-10-24 14:48:47
Document Modified: 2018-10-24 14:48:47
| 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 | Notices | |
| Action | Notice. | |
| Contact | Regina Spallone, (301) 427-8568. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 44993 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF60 |
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