82_FR_47838 82 FR 47641 - Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2017 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic Vermilion Snapper

82 FR 47641 - Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2017 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic Vermilion Snapper

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 197 (October 13, 2017)

Page Range47641-47642
FR Document2017-22211

NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for the commercial sector for vermilion snapper in the South Atlantic exclusive economic zone (EEZ). NMFS projects that commercial landings of vermilion snapper will reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) for the July through December 2017 fishing period by October 17, 2017. Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial sector for vermilion snapper in the South Atlantic EEZ on October 17, 2017, and it will remain closed until January 1, 2018, the start of the January through June commercial fishing season. This closure is necessary to protect the South Atlantic vermilion snapper resource.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 197 (Friday, October 13, 2017) 
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 197 (Friday, October 13, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47641-47642]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-22211]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 130312235-3658-02]
RIN 0648-XF730


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
2017 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for South Atlantic 
Vermilion Snapper

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for the 
commercial sector for vermilion snapper in the South Atlantic exclusive 
economic zone (EEZ). NMFS projects that commercial landings of 
vermilion snapper will reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) 
for the July through December 2017 fishing period by October 17, 2017. 
Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial sector for vermilion snapper in 
the South Atlantic EEZ on October 17, 2017, and it will remain closed 
until January 1, 2018, the start of the January through June commercial 
fishing season. This closure is necessary to protect the South Atlantic 
vermilion snapper resource.

DATES: This rule is effective from 12:01 a.m., local time, October 17, 
2017, until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Vara, NMFS Southeast Regional 
Office, telephone: 727-824-5305, email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The snapper-grouper fishery of the South 
Atlantic includes vermilion snapper and is managed under the Fishery 
Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic 
Region (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the South Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council and is implemented by NMFS under the authority of 
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-
Stevens Act) by regulations at 50 CFR part 622.
    The commercial ACL (equivalent to the commercial quota) for 
vermilion snapper in the South Atlantic is divided into separate quotas 
for two 6-month periods each year, January through June and July 
through December. The commercial quota for vermilion snapper in the 
South Atlantic is 388,703 lb (176,313 kg), gutted weight (431,460 lb 
(195,707 kg), round weight), for the July 1 through December 31, 2017, 
fishing period, as specified in 50 CFR 622.190(a)(4)(ii)(D).
    On September 28, 2017 (82 FR 45207), NMFS published a temporary 
rule in the Federal Register to reduce the commercial trip limit for 
vermilion snapper in or from the South Atlantic EEZ to 500 lb (227 kg), 
gutted weight, effective at 12:01 a.m., local time, October 2, 2017, 
until January 1, 2018, or until the commercial quota was reached and 
the commercial sector closed, whichever would occur first.
    In accordance with regulations at 50 CFR 622.193(f)(1), NMFS is 
required to close the commercial sector for vermilion snapper when the 
commercial quota for that 6-month period of the fishing year has been 
reached, or is projected to be reached, by filing a notification to 
that effect with the Office of the Federal Register. NMFS has 
determined that the commercial quota for South Atlantic vermilion 
snapper for the July through December fishing

[[Page 47642]]

period will be reached by October 17, 2017. Accordingly, the commercial 
sector for South Atlantic vermilion snapper is closed effective at 
12:01 a.m., local time, October 17, 2017, until 12:01 a.m., local time, 
January 1, 2018.
    The operator of a vessel with a valid commercial vessel permit for 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper with vermilion snapper on board must 
have landed and bartered, traded, or sold such vermilion snapper prior 
to 12:01 a.m., local time, October 17, 2017. During the commercial 
closure, the recreational bag limit specified in 50 CFR 622.187(b)(5) 
and the possession limits specified in 50 CFR 622.187(c)(1) apply to 
all harvest or possession of vermilion snapper in or from the South 
Atlantic EEZ. Also during the commercial closure, the sale or purchase 
of vermilion snapper taken from the EEZ is prohibited. As specified in 
50 CFR 622.190(c)(1)(i), the prohibition on sale or purchase does not 
apply to the sale or purchase of vermilion snapper that were harvested, 
landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, October 17, 
2017, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor. For a 
person on board a vessel issued a Federal commercial or charter vessel/
headboat permit for the South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery, the 
recreational bag and possession limits and the sale and purchase 
provisions of the commercial closure for vermilion snapper apply 
regardless of whether the fish are harvested in state or Federal 
waters, as specified in 50 CFR 622.190(c)(1)(ii).

Classification

    The Regional Administrator for the NMFS Southeast Region has 
determined this temporary rule is necessary for the conservation and 
management of South Atlantic vermilion snapper and is consistent with 
the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable laws.
    This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.193(f)(1) and is exempt from 
review under Executive Order 12866.
    This action responds to the best scientific information available. 
The Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries (AA) finds that the need 
to immediately implement this action to close the commercial sector for 
vermilion snapper constitutes good cause to waive the requirements to 
provide prior notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the 
authority set forth in 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), as such procedures would be 
unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. Such procedures are 
unnecessary because the final rule implementing the AM has been subject 
to public notice and comment, and all that remains is to notify the 
public of the closure. Allowing prior notice and opportunity for public 
comment is contrary to the public interest because of the need to 
immediately implement this action to protect vermilion snapper, since 
the capacity of the fishing fleet allows for rapid harvest of the 
commercial quota. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment would 
require time and could result in a harvest well in excess of the 
established commercial quota.
    For the aforementioned reasons, the AA also finds good cause to 
waive the 30-day delay in the effectiveness of this action under 5 
U.S.C. 553(d)(3).

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.


    Dated: October 10, 2017.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-22211 Filed 10-12-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 197 / Friday, October 13, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 47641 for greater amberjack when the Assistant Administrator for NOAA annual catch limit (ACL) for the July commercial ACL (commercial quota) is Fisheries (AA) finds that the need to through December 2017 fishing period reached, or is projected to be reached, immediately implement this action to by October 17, 2017. Therefore, NMFS by filing a notification to that effect with close the commercial sector for greater closes the commercial sector for the Office of the Federal Register. NMFS amberjack constitutes good cause to vermilion snapper in the South Atlantic projects that commercial landings of waive the requirements to provide prior EEZ on October 17, 2017, and it will South Atlantic greater amberjack will notice and opportunity for public remain closed until January 1, 2018, the reach the commercial ACL by October comment pursuant to the authority set start of the January through June 18, 2017. Accordingly, the commercial forth in 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), as such commercial fishing season. This closure sector for South Atlantic greater procedures would be unnecessary and is necessary to protect the South amberjack is closed effective at 12:01 contrary to the public interest. Such Atlantic vermilion snapper resource. a.m., local time, October 18, 2017, until procedures are unnecessary because the DATES: This rule is effective from 12:01 12:01 a.m., local time, March 1, 2018. AMs have already been subject to notice a.m., local time, October 17, 2017, until The operator of a vessel with a valid and comment, and all that remains is to 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2018. Federal commercial vessel permit for notify the public of the closure. Such FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: South Atlantic snapper-grouper with procedures are contrary to the public Mary Vara, NMFS Southeast Regional greater amberjack on board must have interest because of the need to Office, telephone: 727–824–5305, email: landed and bartered, traded, or sold immediately implement this action to mary.vara@noaa.gov. such greater amberjack prior to 12:01 protect greater amberjack since the a.m., local time, October 18, 2017. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The capacity of the fishing fleet allows for snapper-grouper fishery of the South During the commercial closure, harvest rapid harvest of the commercial ACL and possession of greater amberjack in Atlantic includes vermilion snapper and (commercial quota). Prior notice and is managed under the Fishery or from the South Atlantic EEZ is opportunity for public comment would limited to the recreational bag and Management Plan for the Snapper- require time and would potentially Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic possession limits, as specified in result in a harvest well in excess of the § 622.187(b)(1) and (c)(1). Also during Region (FMP). The FMP was prepared established commercial ACL by the South Atlantic Fishery the commercial closure, the sale or (commercial quota). purchase of greater amberjack taken Management Council and is For the aforementioned reasons, the from the South Atlantic EEZ is implemented by NMFS under the AA also finds good cause to waive the prohibited. The prohibition on sale or authority of the Magnuson-Stevens 30-day delay in the effectiveness of this purchase does not apply to greater Fishery Conservation and Management action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). amberjack that were harvested, landed Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. regulations at 50 CFR part 622. ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, October 18, 2017, and were Dated: October 10, 2017. The commercial ACL (equivalent to held in cold storage by a dealer or Emily H. Menashes, the commercial quota) for vermilion processor, as specified in Acting Director, Office of Sustainable snapper in the South Atlantic is divided § 622.190(c)(1)(i). Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. into separate quotas for two 6-month For a person on board a vessel that [FR Doc. 2017–22210 Filed 10–12–17; 8:45 am] periods each year, January through June has been issued a valid Federal BILLING CODE 3510–22–P and July through December. The commercial or charter vessel/headboat commercial quota for vermilion snapper permit for the South Atlantic snapper- in the South Atlantic is 388,703 lb grouper fishery, the bag and possession DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (176,313 kg), gutted weight (431,460 lb limits and the sale and purchase (195,707 kg), round weight), for the July provisions of the commercial closure for National Oceanic and Atmospheric 1 through December 31, 2017, fishing greater amberjack apply regardless of Administration period, as specified in 50 CFR whether the fish are harvested in state 622.190(a)(4)(ii)(D). or Federal waters, as specified in 50 50 CFR Part 622 On September 28, 2017 (82 FR 45207), CFR 622.190(c)(1)(ii). NMFS published a temporary rule in the [Docket No. 130312235–3658–02] Federal Register to reduce the Classification RIN 0648–XF730 commercial trip limit for vermilion The Regional Administrator, snapper in or from the South Atlantic Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of EEZ to 500 lb (227 kg), gutted weight, Southeast Region, NMFS, has Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2017 effective at 12:01 a.m., local time, determined this temporary rule is Commercial Accountability Measure October 2, 2017, until January 1, 2018, necessary for the conservation and and Closure for South Atlantic or until the commercial quota was management of greater amberjack and Vermilion Snapper reached and the commercial sector the South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery and is consistent with the AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries closed, whichever would occur first. Magnuson-Stevens Act and other Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and In accordance with regulations at 50 applicable laws. Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), CFR 622.193(f)(1), NMFS is required to This action is taken under 50 CFR Commerce. close the commercial sector for 622.193(k)(1) and is exempt from review ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. vermilion snapper when the commercial under Executive Order 12866. quota for that 6-month period of the fishing year has been reached, or is nlaroche on DSK9F9SC42PROD with RULES These measures are exempt from the SUMMARY: NMFS implements an procedures of the Regulatory Flexibility accountability measure (AM) for the projected to be reached, by filing a Act, because the temporary rule is commercial sector for vermilion snapper notification to that effect with the Office issued without opportunity for prior in the South Atlantic exclusive of the Federal Register. NMFS has notice and comment. economic zone (EEZ). NMFS projects determined that the commercial quota This action responds to the best that commercial landings of vermilion for South Atlantic vermilion snapper for scientific information available. The snapper will reach the commercial the July through December fishing VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:07 Oct 12, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\13OCR1.SGM 13OCR1

47642 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 197 / Friday, October 13, 2017 / Rules and Regulations period will be reached by October 17, to public notice and comment, and all December 31, 2017. The deadline to 2017. Accordingly, the commercial that remains is to notify the public of submit a specified fishing agreement sector for South Atlantic vermilion the closure. Allowing prior notice and pursuant to 50 CFR 665.819(b)(3) for snapper is closed effective at 12:01 a.m., opportunity for public comment is review is December 11, 2017. local time, October 17, 2017, until 12:01 contrary to the public interest because ADDRESSES: Copies of the Fishery a.m., local time, January 1, 2018. of the need to immediately implement Ecosystem Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of The operator of a vessel with a valid this action to protect vermilion snapper, the Western Pacific (Pelagic FEP) are commercial vessel permit for South since the capacity of the fishing fleet available from the Western Pacific Atlantic snapper-grouper with allows for rapid harvest of the Fishery Management Council (Council), vermilion snapper on board must have commercial quota. Prior notice and 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, landed and bartered, traded, or sold opportunity for public comment would HI 96813, tel 808–522–8220, fax 808– such vermilion snapper prior to 12:01 require time and could result in a 522–8226, or www.wpcouncil.org. a.m., local time, October 17, 2017. harvest well in excess of the established NMFS prepared environmental During the commercial closure, the commercial quota. analyses that describe the potential recreational bag limit specified in 50 For the aforementioned reasons, the impacts on the human environment that CFR 622.187(b)(5) and the possession AA also finds good cause to waive the would result from the action. Copies of limits specified in 50 CFR 622.187(c)(1) 30-day delay in the effectiveness of this those analyses, identified by NOAA– apply to all harvest or possession of action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). NMFS–2017–0004, are available from vermilion snapper in or from the South www.regulations.gov/ Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Atlantic EEZ. Also during the #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017- commercial closure, the sale or Dated: October 10, 2017. 0004, or from Michael D. Tosatto, purchase of vermilion snapper taken Emily H. Menashes, Regional Administrator, NMFS Pacific from the EEZ is prohibited. As specified Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Islands Region (PIR), 1845 Wasp Blvd., in 50 CFR 622.190(c)(1)(i), the Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. Bldg. 176, Honolulu, HI 96818. prohibition on sale or purchase does not [FR Doc. 2017–22211 Filed 10–12–17; 8:45 am] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: apply to the sale or purchase of vermilion snapper that were harvested, BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Jarad Makaiau, NMFS PIRO Sustainable landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 Fisheries, 808–725–5176. a.m., local time, October 17, 2017, and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS is DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE were held in cold storage by a dealer or specifying a catch limit of 2,000 mt of processor. For a person on board a National Oceanic and Atmospheric longline-caught bigeye tuna for each vessel issued a Federal commercial or Administration U.S. participating territory in 2017. charter vessel/headboat permit for the NMFS is also authorizing each territory South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery, 50 CFR Part 665 to allocate up to 1,000 mt of its 2,000- the recreational bag and possession mt bigeye tuna limit to U.S. longline limits and the sale and purchase [Docket No. 170109046–7933–02] fishing vessels permitted to fish under provisions of the commercial closure for RIN 0648–XF156 the Pelagic FEP. NMFS will monitor vermilion snapper apply regardless of catches of longline-caught bigeye tuna whether the fish are harvested in state Pacific Island Pelagic Fisheries; 2017 by the longline fisheries of each or Federal waters, as specified in 50 U.S. Territorial Longline Bigeye Tuna territory, including catches made by CFR 622.190(c)(1)(ii). Catch Limits U.S. longline vessels operating under specified fishing agreements. The Classification AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries criteria that a specified fishing The Regional Administrator for the Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and agreement must meet, and the process NMFS Southeast Region has determined Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), for attributing longline-caught bigeye this temporary rule is necessary for the Commerce. tuna, will follow the procedures in 50 conservation and management of South ACTION: Final specifications. CFR 665.819—Territorial catch and Atlantic vermilion snapper and is fishing effort limits. When NMFS consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens SUMMARY: In this final rule, NMFS projects that a territorial catch or Act and other applicable laws. specifies a 2017 limit of 2,000 mt of allocation limit will be reached, NMFS This action is taken under 50 CFR longline-caught bigeye tuna for each will, as an accountability measure, 622.193(f)(1) and is exempt from review U.S. participating territory (American prohibit the catch and retention of under Executive Order 12866. Samoa, Guam, and the Northern longline-caught bigeye tuna by vessels This action responds to the best Mariana Islands). NMFS will allow each in the applicable territory (territorial scientific information available. The territory to allocate up to 1,000 mt each catch limit), and/or vessels in a Assistant Administrator for NOAA year to U.S. longline fishing vessels in specified fishing agreement (allocation Fisheries (AA) finds that the need to a valid specified fishing agreement. As limit). immediately implement this action to an accountability measure, NMFS will You may find additional background close the commercial sector for monitor, attribute, and restrict (if information on this action in the vermilion snapper constitutes good necessary), catches of longline-caught preamble to the proposed specifications cause to waive the requirements to bigeye tuna, including catches made published on August 31, 2017 (82 FR provide prior notice and opportunity for under a specified fishing agreement. 41388). public comment pursuant to the These catch limits and accountability nlaroche on DSK9F9SC42PROD with RULES authority set forth in 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), measures support the long-term Comments and Responses as such procedures would be sustainability of fishery resources of the On August 31, 2017, NMFS published unnecessary and contrary to the public U.S. Pacific Islands and fisheries the proposed specifications and request interest. Such procedures are development in the U.S. territories. for public comments (82 FR 41388); the unnecessary because the final rule DATES: The final specifications are comment period closed on September implementing the AM has been subject effective October 10, 2017, through 15, 2017. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:07 Oct 12, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\13OCR1.SGM 13OCR1


Document Created: 2017-10-13 04:33:11
Document Modified: 2017-10-13 04:33:11
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionTemporary rule; closure.
DatesThis rule is effective from 12:01 a.m., local time, October 17, 2017, until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2018.
ContactMary Vara, NMFS Southeast Regional Office, telephone: 727-824-5305, email: [email protected]
FR Citation82 FR 47641 
RIN Number0648-XF73
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR