83 FR 12502 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Adjustment of Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic Yellowtail Flounder Catch Limits
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 56 (March 22, 2018)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 56 (March 22, 2018)
| Page Range | 12502-12503 | |
| FR Document | 2018-05869 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 56 (Thursday, March 22, 2018)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 12502-12503] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-05869] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 [Docket No. 180123063-8063-01] RIN 0648-XF987 Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Adjustment of Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic Yellowtail Flounder Catch Limits AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason adjustment of annual catch limits. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This action transfers unused quota of Southern New England/ Mid-Atlantic yellowtail flounder from the Atlantic sea scallop fishery to the Northeast multispecies fishery for the remainder of the 2017 fishing year. This transfer implements an inseason adjustment of annual catch limits authorized by regulations implementing the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP) that apply when the scallop fishery is not expected to catch its entire allocation of yellowtail flounder. The transfer is intended to achieve optimum yield for both fisheries while ensuring the total annual catch limit is not exceeded. DATES: Effective March 21, 2018, through April 30, 2018. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Claire Fitz-Gerald, Fishery Management Specialist, (978) 281-9255. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS is required to estimate the total amount of yellowtail flounder bycatch in the scallop fishery by January 15 each year. NMFS must determine if the scallop fishery is expected to catch less than 90 percent of its Georges Bank (GB) or Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic (SNE/MA) yellowtail flounder sub-annual catch limit (sub-ACL) (50 CFR 648.90(a)(4)(iii)(C)). If so, the Regional Administrator (RA) may reduce the scallop fishery sub-ACL for these stocks to the amount projected to be caught, and increase the groundfish fishery sub-ACL for these stocks up to the same amount. This adjustment is intended to help achieve optimum yield for both fisheries while ensuring the total ACLs are not exceeded. Based on the most recent catch information available, we project that the scallop fishery will have unused quota in the 2017 fishing year for the SNE/MA yellowtail flounder stock. Because the scallop fishery is not expected to catch its entire allocation of SNE/MA yellowtail flounder, this rule reduces the scallop sub-ACL for this stock to the upper limit projected to be caught, and increases the groundfish sub-ACL for this stock by the same amount, effective March 21, 2018, through April 30, 2018. This transfer is based on the upper limit of expected SNE/MA yellowtail flounder catch by the scallop fishery, which is expected to minimize any risk of an ACL overage by the scallop fishery while still providing additional fishing opportunities for groundfish vessels. Table 1 summarizes the revisions to the 2017 fishing year sub-ACLs, and Table 2 shows the revised allocations for the groundfish fishery as allocated between the sectors and common pool based on final sector membership for fishing year 2017. Table 1--Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic Yellowtail Flounder Sub-ACLs ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Initial sub- Revised sub- Percent Stock Fishery ACL (mt) Change (mt) ACL (mt) change ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder.......... Groundfish............ 187.5 +29.9 217.4 +16 [[Page 12503]] Scallop............... 34.0 -29.9 4.1 -88 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table 2--Allocations for Sectors and the Common Pool [in pounds] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder Sector name ------------------------------- Revised Original ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Common Pool............................. 92,341 79,641 Fixed Gear Sector....................... 1,774 1,530 Maine Coast Community Sector............ 6,104 5,264 Maine Permit Bank....................... 152 131 NCCS.................................... 3,358 2,896 NEFS 1.................................. .............. .............. NEFS 10................................. 2,624 2,263 NEFS 11................................. 84 72 NEFS 12................................. 50 43 NEFS 13................................. 100,781 86,920 NEFS 2.................................. 8,293 7,152 NEFS 3.................................. 316 273 NEFS 4.................................. 11,268 9,718 NEFS 5.................................. 100,300 86,506 NEFS 6.................................. 25,259 21,785 NEFS 7.................................. 11,847 10,218 NEFS 8.................................. 25,013 21,573 NEFS 9.................................. 41,805 36,055 New Hampshire Permit Bank............... 0 0 Sustainable Harvest Sector 1............ 1,511 1,303 Sustainable Harvest Sector 2............ 10,761 9,281 Sustainable Harvest Sector 3............ 35,643 30,741 ------------------------------- Sector Total........................ 386,944 333,726 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Classification Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that the management measures implemented in this final rule are necessary for the conservation and management of the Northeast multispecies fishery and are consistent with the FMP, the Magnuson- Stevens Act, and other applicable law. This action is authorized by 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) to waive prior notice and the opportunity for public comment for this inseason adjustment because it would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest and would prevent the positive benefits the rule is intended to provide. NMFS is required to project GB and SNE/MA yellowtail flounder catch in the scallop fishery on or around January 15 of each year so that unused quota can be transferred to the groundfish fishery. The groundfish fishing year ends on April 30, 2018. The time necessary to provide for prior notice and comment would likely prevent this action from being implemented before the end of the fishing year, thereby precluding the additional economic benefits that would be created through additional GB and SNE/MA yellowtail flounder being made available to groundfish vessels. This adjustment, which implements provisions of 5 U.S.C. part 648, is routine and formulaic, and there was extensive public comment during the development of this provision in the FMP and its implementing regulations. Furthermore, there is no need to allow the industry additional time to adjust to this rule, because this rule does not require any compliance or other action on the part of individual scallop or groundfish fishermen. Thus, prior notice and comment for this rule would provide no benefits to industry and the public, while at the same time it would preclude timely implementation of this action and the intended economic benefits to the groundfish fishery. Giving effect to this rule as soon as possible will help achieve optimum yield in the fishery. For these same reasons, the NMFS Assistant Administrator also finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive the 30-day delay in the date of effectiveness for this action. Because notice and opportunity for comment are not required pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 or any other law, the analytical requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) are not applicable. Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required and has not been prepared. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: March 19, 2018. Samuel D. Rauch III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018-05869 Filed 3-21-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![12502 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 56 / Thursday, March 22, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
of portions of a site from the NPL does Dated: March 12, 2018. Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321(d); 42 U.S.C.
not affect responsible party liability, in Alexis Strauss, 9601–9657; E.O. 13626, 77 FR 56749, 3 CFR,
the unlikely event that future conditions 2013 Comp., p. 306; E.O. 12777, 56 FR 54757,
Acting Regional Administrator.
warrant further actions. 3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351; E.O. 12580, 52
For reasons set out in the preamble, FR 2923, 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., p. 193.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 300 40 CFR part 300 is amended as follows: ■ 2. Table 1 of appendix B to part 300
Environmental protection, Air is amended by revising the entry for
pollution control, Chemicals, Hazardous PART 300—NATIONAL OIL AND ‘‘Pacific Coast Pipe Lines’’ to read as
waste, Hazardous substances, HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES follows:
Intergovernmental relations, Penalties, POLLUTION CONTINGENCY PLAN
Reporting and recordkeeping Appendix B to Part 300—National
requirements, Superfund, Water ■ 1. The authority citation for part 300 Priorities List
pollution control, Water supply. continues to read as follows:
TABLE 1—GENERAL SUPERFUND SECTION
State Site name City/County Notes a
* * * * * * *
CA ........................................... Pacific Coast Pipe Lines .......................................................... Fillmore ................................... P
* * * * * * *
a = Based on issuance of health advisory by Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (if scored, HRS score need not be greater
than or equal to 28.50).
* * * * * * *
P = Sites with partial deletion(s).
* * * * * * *
[FR Doc. 2018–05752 Filed 3–21–18; 8:45 am] transfer implements an inseason amount. This adjustment is intended to
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P adjustment of annual catch limits help achieve optimum yield for both
authorized by regulations implementing fisheries while ensuring the total ACLs
the Northeast Multispecies Fishery are not exceeded.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Management Plan (FMP) that apply Based on the most recent catch
when the scallop fishery is not expected information available, we project that
National Oceanic and Atmospheric to catch its entire allocation of the scallop fishery will have unused
Administration yellowtail flounder. The transfer is quota in the 2017 fishing year for the
intended to achieve optimum yield for SNE/MA yellowtail flounder stock.
50 CFR Part 648 both fisheries while ensuring the total Because the scallop fishery is not
annual catch limit is not exceeded. expected to catch its entire allocation of
[Docket No. 180123063–8063–01]
DATES: Effective March 21, 2018, SNE/MA yellowtail flounder, this rule
RIN 0648–XF987 through April 30, 2018. reduces the scallop sub-ACL for this
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: stock to the upper limit projected to be
Fisheries of the Northeastern United Claire Fitz-Gerald, Fishery Management caught, and increases the groundfish
States; Northeast Multispecies Specialist, (978) 281–9255. sub-ACL for this stock by the same
Fishery; Adjustment of Southern New amount, effective March 21, 2018,
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS is
England/Mid-Atlantic Yellowtail through April 30, 2018. This transfer is
required to estimate the total amount of
Flounder Catch Limits based on the upper limit of expected
yellowtail flounder bycatch in the
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries scallop fishery by January 15 each year. SNE/MA yellowtail flounder catch by
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and NMFS must determine if the scallop the scallop fishery, which is expected to
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), fishery is expected to catch less than 90 minimize any risk of an ACL overage by
Commerce. percent of its Georges Bank (GB) or the scallop fishery while still providing
Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic additional fishing opportunities for
ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason
(SNE/MA) yellowtail flounder sub- groundfish vessels.
adjustment of annual catch limits.
annual catch limit (sub-ACL) (50 CFR Table 1 summarizes the revisions to
SUMMARY: This action transfers unused 648.90(a)(4)(iii)(C)). If so, the Regional the 2017 fishing year sub-ACLs, and
quota of Southern New England/Mid- Administrator (RA) may reduce the Table 2 shows the revised allocations
Atlantic yellowtail flounder from the scallop fishery sub-ACL for these stocks for the groundfish fishery as allocated
Atlantic sea scallop fishery to the to the amount projected to be caught, between the sectors and common pool
Northeast multispecies fishery for the and increase the groundfish fishery sub- based on final sector membership for
remainder of the 2017 fishing year. This ACL for these stocks up to the same fishing year 2017.
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES
TABLE 1—SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND/MID-ATLANTIC YELLOWTAIL FLOUNDER SUB-ACLS
Initial Revised
Change Percent
Stock Fishery sub-ACL sub-ACL
(mt) change
(mt) (mt)
SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder ........................................... Groundfish .......................... 187.5 +29.9 217.4 +16
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![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 56 / Thursday, March 22, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 12503
TABLE 1—SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND/MID-ATLANTIC YELLOWTAIL FLOUNDER SUB-ACLS—Continued
Initial Revised
Change Percent
Stock Fishery sub-ACL sub-ACL
(mt) change
(mt) (mt)
Scallop ............................... 34.0 ¥29.9 4.1 ¥88
TABLE 2—ALLOCATIONS FOR SECTORS AND THE COMMON POOL
[in pounds]
SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder
Sector name
Revised Original
Common Pool .......................................................................................................................................................... 92,341 79,641
Fixed Gear Sector ................................................................................................................................................... 1,774 1,530
Maine Coast Community Sector .............................................................................................................................. 6,104 5,264
Maine Permit Bank .................................................................................................................................................. 152 131
NCCS ....................................................................................................................................................................... 3,358 2,896
NEFS 1 .................................................................................................................................................................... ........................ ........................
NEFS 10 .................................................................................................................................................................. 2,624 2,263
NEFS 11 .................................................................................................................................................................. 84 72
NEFS 12 .................................................................................................................................................................. 50 43
NEFS 13 .................................................................................................................................................................. 100,781 86,920
NEFS 2 .................................................................................................................................................................... 8,293 7,152
NEFS 3 .................................................................................................................................................................... 316 273
NEFS 4 .................................................................................................................................................................... 11,268 9,718
NEFS 5 .................................................................................................................................................................... 100,300 86,506
NEFS 6 .................................................................................................................................................................... 25,259 21,785
NEFS 7 .................................................................................................................................................................... 11,847 10,218
NEFS 8 .................................................................................................................................................................... 25,013 21,573
NEFS 9 .................................................................................................................................................................... 41,805 36,055
New Hampshire Permit Bank .................................................................................................................................. 0 0
Sustainable Harvest Sector 1 .................................................................................................................................. 1,511 1,303
Sustainable Harvest Sector 2 .................................................................................................................................. 10,761 9,281
Sustainable Harvest Sector 3 .................................................................................................................................. 35,643 30,741
Sector Total ...................................................................................................................................................... 386,944 333,726
Classification quota can be transferred to the action and the intended economic
groundfish fishery. The groundfish benefits to the groundfish fishery.
Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the fishing year ends on April 30, 2018. The Giving effect to this rule as soon as
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery time necessary to provide for prior possible will help achieve optimum
Conservation and Management Act, the notice and comment would likely yield in the fishery. For these same
NMFS Assistant Administrator has prevent this action from being
determined that the management reasons, the NMFS Assistant
implemented before the end of the Administrator also finds good cause
measures implemented in this final rule fishing year, thereby precluding the
are necessary for the conservation and pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive
additional economic benefits that would the 30-day delay in the date of
management of the Northeast be created through additional GB and
multispecies fishery and are consistent effectiveness for this action.
SNE/MA yellowtail flounder being
with the FMP, the Magnuson-Stevens made available to groundfish vessels. Because notice and opportunity for
Act, and other applicable law. This adjustment, which implements comment are not required pursuant to 5
This action is authorized by 50 CFR provisions of 5 U.S.C. part 648, is U.S.C. 553 or any other law, the
part 648 and is exempt from review routine and formulaic, and there was analytical requirements of the
under Executive Order 12866. extensive public comment during the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601
The Assistant Administrator for development of this provision in the et seq.) are not applicable. Therefore, a
Fisheries finds good cause pursuant to FMP and its implementing regulations. regulatory flexibility analysis is not
5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) to waive prior notice Furthermore, there is no need to allow required and has not been prepared.
and the opportunity for public comment the industry additional time to adjust to Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
for this inseason adjustment because it this rule, because this rule does not
Dated: March 19, 2018.
would be impracticable and contrary to require any compliance or other action
the public interest and would prevent on the part of individual scallop or Samuel D. Rauch III,
the positive benefits the rule is intended groundfish fishermen. Thus, prior Deputy Assistant Administrator for
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES
to provide. NMFS is required to project notice and comment for this rule would Regulatory Programs, National Marine
GB and SNE/MA yellowtail flounder provide no benefits to industry and the Fisheries Service.
catch in the scallop fishery on or around public, while at the same time it would [FR Doc. 2018–05869 Filed 3–21–18; 8:45 am]
January 15 of each year so that unused preclude timely implementation of this BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:42 Mar 21, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\22MRR1.SGM 22MRR1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_12558/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2018-03-22 01:25:12
Document Modified: 2018-03-22 01:25:12
| 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; inseason adjustment of annual catch limits. | |
| Dates | Effective March 21, 2018, through April 30, 2018. | |
| Contact | Claire Fitz-Gerald, Fishery Management Specialist, (978) 281-9255. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 12502 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF98 |
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