82 FR 60168 - Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Vermilion Snapper Management Measures; Amendment 47

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 242 (December 19, 2017)

Page Range		60168-60169
FR Document		2017-27283

The Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 47 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP), for review, approval, and implementation by NMFS. Amendment 47 would establish a proxy for the estimate of the stock maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and revise the stock annual catch limit (ACL) for Gulf vermilion snapper. The purpose of Amendment 47 is to ensure that the MSY and ACL values for vermilion snapper are consistent with the results of the most recent stock assessment.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 242 (Tuesday, December 19, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 242 (Tuesday, December 19, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60168-60169]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-27283]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

RIN 0648-BH07


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Vermilion Snapper Management 
Measures; Amendment 47

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

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) Fishery Management Council (Council) 
has submitted Amendment 47 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef 
Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP), for review, approval, and 
implementation by NMFS. Amendment 47 would establish a proxy for the 
estimate of the stock maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and revise the 
stock annual catch limit (ACL) for Gulf vermilion snapper. The purpose 
of Amendment 47 is to ensure that the MSY and ACL values for vermilion 
snapper are consistent with the results of the most recent stock 
assessment.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before February 20, 
2018.

[[Page 60169]]


ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the amendment identified by 
``NOAA-NMFS-2017-0106'' by either of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to 
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-0106, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to Lauren Waters, Southeast 
Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous).
    Electronic copies of Amendment 47, which includes an environmental 
assessment, a fishery impact statement, a Regulatory Flexibility Act 
analysis, and a regulatory impact review, may be obtained from the 
Southeast Regional Office website at: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_fisheries/reef_fish/2017/am47/docs/PDFs/gulf_reef_am47_vermilion_final.pdf.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 
and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) requires each regional 
fishery management council to submit any FMP or amendment to NMFS for 
review and approval, partial approval, or disapproval. The Magnuson-
Stevens Act also requires that NMFS, upon receiving an FMP or 
amendment, publish an announcement in the Federal Register notifying 
the public that the FMP or amendment is available for review and 
comment.
    The FMP being revised by Amendment 47 was prepared by the Council 
and implemented by NMFS through regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under 
the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

Background

    The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires the Council to specify the MSY 
for managed stocks. The National Standard 1 Guidelines state that the 
Council should adopt a reasonable proxy for MSY if data are 
insufficient to estimate MSY directly.

Status of the Vermilion Snapper Stock

    Amendment 23 to the FMP established MSY for vermilion snapper as 
the yield associated with FMSY when the stock is at 
equilibrium, where F is defined as fishing mortality (70 FR 109; June 
8, 2005). The final rule for the Generic Annual Catch Limit (ACL) and 
Accountability Measures (AM) Amendment established the vermilion 
snapper stock ACL and set it equal to the ABC at 3.42 million lb (1.55 
million kg), round weight (76 FR 82044, December 29, 2011).
    In 2016, a standard assessment for vermilion snapper was conducted 
(SEDAR 45) and the stock status was evaluated using several MSY 
proxies. Under all proxies evaluated in SEDAR 45, overfishing was not 
occurring and the stock was not overfished. The Council's Scientific 
and Statistical Committee (SSC) determined that the most appropriate 
proxy for MSY is the yield when fishing at a mortality rate 
corresponding to 30 percent spawning potential ratio (F30% 
SPR).
    SEDAR 45 also included projections for the overfishing limit and 
the ABC. The SSC provided the Council two recommendations for ABC: One 
that is derived from fishing at 75 percent of the MSY proxy (F30% 
SPR) and results in a declining ABC from 2017 through 2021, and one 
that is derived using the average of 2017-2021 ABCs and results in a 
constant ABC. The two ABC recommendations are equivalent in terms of 
maintaining the stock status and the Council selected the constant 
catch scenario that yielded an ABC of 3.11 million lb (1.41 million 
kg).

Actions Contained in Amendment 47

    Amendment 47 includes measures to establish a proxy for the 
estimate of the stock MSY and revise the stock ACL for Gulf vermilion 
snapper consistent with the results of SEDAR 45 and the SSC's new ABC 
recommendation.

MSY Proxy

    For vermilion snapper, the Council's SSC recommended that a proxy 
be used for MSY. The Council's SSC recommended F30% SPR as 
the MSY proxy for SEDAR 45, and the Council agreed. Under this proxy, 
the stock is not overfished or undergoing overfishing.

Stock ACL

    The current ACL of 3.42 million lb (1.55 million kg), round weight, 
exceeds the ABCs recommended by the Council's SSC. Therefore, the 
Council determined that the ACL for vermilion snapper should be 
decreased to equal the constant catch ABC and Amendment 47 would set 
the stock ACL at 3.11 million lb (1.41 million kg), round weight.
    The current accountability measures for vermilion snapper require 
NMFS to close the commercial and recreational fishing seasons if the 
combined commercial and recreational landings reach or are projected to 
reach the stock ACL. Since 2013, combined landings have been less than 
3.00 million lb (1.36 million kg), round weight, every year. Therefore, 
NMFS does not expect the combined landings of vermilion snapper to 
reach the proposed stock ACL and result in a closure before the end of 
the fishing year.

Proposed Rule for Amendment 47

    A proposed rule that would implement Amendment 47 has been drafted. 
In accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Act, NMFS is evaluating the 
proposed rule to determine whether it is consistent with the FMP, the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable law. If that determination 
is affirmative, NMFS will publish the proposed rule in the Federal 
Register for public review and comment.

Consideration of Public Comments

    The Council has submitted Amendment 47 for Secretarial review, 
approval, and implementation. Comments on Amendment 47 must be received 
by February 20, 2018. Comments received during the respective comment 
periods, whether specifically directed to Amendment 47 or the proposed 
rule, will be considered by NMFS in its decision to approve, partially 
approve, or disapprove Amendment 47 and will be addressed in the final 
rule.
    All comments received by NMFS on Amendment 47 or the proposed rule 
during their respective comment periods will be addressed in the final 
rule.

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

    Dated: December 14, 2017.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-27283 Filed 12-18-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

60168 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 242 / Tuesday, December 19, 2017 / Proposed Rules

disproportionately high and adverse Dated: November 27, 2017. period established in the Federal
human health impacts or environmental Michael L. Goodis, Register document of October 26, 2017
effects from exposure to the pesticides Director, Registration Division, Office of (82 FR 49564) (FRL–9970–07). EPA is
discussed in this document, compared Pesticide Programs. hereby extending the comment period,
to the general population. [FR Doc. 2017–27099 Filed 12–18–17; 8:45 am] which was set to end on December 26,
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P 2017, to January 11, 2018.
II. What action is the Agency taking? To submit comments, or access the
EPA is announcing receipt of a docket, please follow the detailed
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION instructions provided under ADDRESSES
pesticide petition filed under section
AGENCY in the Federal Register document of
408 of the Federal Food, Drug, and
October 26, 2017 (82 FR 49564) (FRL–
Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), 21 U.S.C. 346a, 40 CFR Part 713 9970–07). If you have questions, consult
requesting the modification of
[EPA–HQ–OPPT–2017–0421; FRL–9971–82] the technical person listed under FOR
regulations in 40 CFR part 180 for FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
residues of pesticide chemicals in or on RIN 2070–AK22
various food commodities. The Agency List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 713
is taking public comment on the request Mercury; Reporting Requirements for
Environmental protection, Mercury,
before responding to the petitioner. EPA the TSCA Mercury Inventory;
Elemental mercury, Mercury
is not proposing any particular action at Extension of Comment Period
compounds, Inventory, Supply, Use,
this time. EPA has determined that the AGENCY: Environmental Protection Trade, Manufacture, Import, Export.
pesticide petition described in this Agency (EPA). Dated: December 6, 2017.
document contains data or information ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of Charlotte Bertrand,
prescribed in FFDCA section 408(d)(2), comment period. Acting Principal Deputy Assistant
21 U.S.C. 346a(d)(2); however, EPA has Administrator.
not fully evaluated the sufficiency of the SUMMARY: EPA issued a document in the
Federal Register of October 26, 2017, [FR Doc. 2017–27217 Filed 12–18–17; 8:45 am]
submitted data at this time or whether
the data supports granting of the concerning proposed reporting BILLING CODE 6560–50–P

pesticide petition. After considering the requirements for applicable persons to
public comments, EPA intends to provide information to assist in the
evaluate whether and what action may preparation of an ‘‘inventory of mercury DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
be warranted. Additional data may be supply, use, and trade in the United
needed before EPA can make a final States.’’ This document extends the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
determination on this pesticide petition. comment period for 16 days, from Administration
December 26, 2017 to January 11, 2018.
Pursuant to 40 CFR 180.7(f), a EPA received requests to extend the 50 CFR Part 622
summary of the petition that is the comment period and believes it is
subject of this document, prepared by appropriate to do so in order to give RIN 0648–BH07
the petitioner, is included in a docket stakeholders additional time to assess
EPA has created for this rulemaking. the impacts of the proposal, review Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of
The docket for this petition is available technical documents in the docket, and Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish
at http://www.regulations.gov. prepare comments. Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico;
DATES: Comments, identified by docket Vermilion Snapper Management
As specified in FFDCA section
identification number EPA–HQ–OPPT– Measures; Amendment 47
408(d)(3), 21 U.S.C. 346a(d)(3), EPA is
publishing notification of the petition so 2017–0421, must be received on or AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
that the public has an opportunity to before January 11, 2018. Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
comment on this request for the ADDRESSES: Follow the detailed Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
modification of regulations for residues instructions provided under ADDRESSES Commerce.
of pesticides in or on food commodities. in the Federal Register document of ACTION: Notice of availability; request
Further information on the petition may October 26, 2017 (82 FR 49564) (FRL– for comments.
be obtained through the petition 9970–07).
summary referenced in this unit. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUMMARY: The Gulf of Mexico (Gulf)
For technical information contact: Fishery Management Council (Council)
PP 6F8517. (EPA–HQ–OPP–2016– Thomas Groeneveld, National Program has submitted Amendment 47 to the
0639). Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc., 2255 N. Chemicals Division, Office of Pollution Fishery Management Plan for the Reef
44th St., Suite 300, Phoenix, AZ 85008, Prevention and Toxics, Environmental Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico
requests to amend the tolerance in 40 Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania (FMP), for review, approval, and
CFR 180.415 for residues of the Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460–0001; implementation by NMFS. Amendment
fungicide, aluminum tris (O- telephone number: (202) 566–1188; 47 would establish a proxy for the
ethylphosphonate), in or on fruit, citrus, email address: groeneveld.thomas@ estimate of the stock maximum
group 10 from 5.0 parts per million epa.gov. sustainable yield (MSY) and revise the
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS

(ppm) to fruit, citrus, Group 10–10 at 9.0 For general information contact: The stock annual catch limit (ACL) for Gulf
ppm. Adequate enforcement TSCA-Hotline, ABVI-Goodwill, 422 vermilion snapper. The purpose of
methodology available in the Pesticide South Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY Amendment 47 is to ensure that the
Analytical Manual (PAM II, Method II) 14620; telephone number: (202) 554– MSY and ACL values for vermilion
is used to measure and evaluate the 1404; email address: TSCA-Hotline@ snapper are consistent with the results
chemical aluminum tris (O- epa.gov. of the most recent stock assessment.
ethylphosphonate). Contact: RD. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This DATES: Written comments must be
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 346a. document extends the public comment received on or before February 20, 2018.

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Document Created: 2017-12-19 01:31:26
Document Modified: 2017-12-19 01:31:26

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		Proposed Rules
Action		Notice of availability; request for comments.
Dates		Written comments must be received on or before February 20, 2018.
Contact		Lauren Waters, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, telephone: 727-824-5305; email: [email protected]
FR Citation		82 FR 60168
RIN Number		0648-BH07

82 FR 60168 - Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Vermilion Snapper Management Measures; Amendment 47

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 242 (December 19, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration