83 FR 17314 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Scup Fishery; Framework Adjustment 12
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 76 (April 19, 2018)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 76 (April 19, 2018)
| Page Range | 17314-17316 | |
| FR Document | 2018-08208 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 76 (Thursday, April 19, 2018)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 17314-17316] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-08208] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 [Docket No. 170919912-8358-02] RIN 0648-BH26 Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Scup Fishery; Framework Adjustment 12 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is modifying the commercial scup quota periods, as recommended by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. This action moves the month of October from the Summer Period to the Winter II Period. This rule is intended to increase fishing opportunities by extending the Winter II Period when possession limits are higher. DATES: Effective May 21, 2018. ADDRESSES: Copies of the Scup Commercial Quota Period Modification Framework, including the environmental assessment (EA), are available on request from Dr. Christopher M. Moore, Executive Director, Mid- Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Suite 201, 800 North State Street, Dover, DE 19901. These documents are also accessible via the internet at http://www.mafmc.org/s/Scup_quota_period_FW_EA_resubmission2_Feb2018.pdf. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Emily Gilbert, Fishery Policy Analyst, (978) 281-9244. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: General Background Scup (Stenotomus chrysops) is managed jointly by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission through the Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The management unit for scup is U.S. waters of the Atlantic Ocean from 35[deg]13.3' N lat. (the latitude of Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Buxton, NC) northward to the U.S./Canada border. The scup stock is not overfished and it is not experiencing overfishing. Currently, the scup commercial quota is broken into three periods: Winter I (January 1 through April 30) receives 45.11 percent of the annual quota; Summer (May 1 through October 31) receives 38.95 percent; and Winter II (November 1 through December 31) receives an initial 15.94 percent with any unused Winter I quota rolled over into Winter II. Federal trip limits are imposed during the two Winter Periods; individual states impose landing restrictions during the Summer Period. The Council established these quota periods in 1997 to recognize that there are two commercial fishing fleets (62 FR 27978; May 22, 1997). Larger vessels harvest scup offshore during the winter months, and smaller vessels harvest scup inshore during the summer. Without the quota periods and Federal trip limits, the larger vessels would be able to fish the full annual quota early in the year, leaving no quota for the smaller inshore fleet. The scup stock was declared rebuilt in 2009 based on the findings of a stock assessment. The commercial scup quota nearly doubled between 2010 and 2011. From 2011 to 2016, commercial scup landings have been 20 to 47 percent below the annual commercial quota. Stakeholders have stated that the more restrictive state-imposed possession limits during the Summer Period, compared to the Winter I and II Periods, have prevented fishermen from landing high volumes of scup when they are available. This limits the ability of the fishery to achieve the annual commercial quota and results in forgone yield. Final Action To address these limits on the ability of the fishery to achieve the annual [[Page 17315]] commercial quota, this action moves the month of October from the Summer Period to the Winter II Period (Table 1). This action allows more landings at higher possession limits during longer periods of time. This change is effective for 2018 and is expected to have positive socioeconomic impacts compared to maintaining the status quo quota periods. This action does not change the possession limits or the amount of quota allocated annually to each period. Table 1--Revised Commercial Quota Period Dates. Percent Shares and Possession Limits Remain Unchanged ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Federal possession limits (per trip) Quota period Percent share Dates --------------------------------------- lb kg ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Winter I....................... 45.11 January 1-April 30..... 50,000............ 22,680. Summer......................... 38.95 May 1-September 30..... N/A............... N/A. Winter II...................... 15.94 October 1-December 31.. 12,000 (initial).. 5,443. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total...................... 100.0 N/A.................... N/A............... N/A. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Comments and Responses On February 26, 2018, NMFS published the proposed rule (83 FR 8236) for this action for public notice and comment. NMFS received two relevant comments on the proposed rule. Both offered support of this modification. One suggested that we also consider including the month of May in the Winter I Period. The Council did consider moving the first two weeks of May to the Winter I period but ultimately voted not to include it. No public support for this option was offered when the Council took final action. The other commenter mentioned the Council should adjust the quota allocated to each period. This was beyond the scope of this action, but it could be considered in a future amendment, should the Council desire to revise the quota period allocations. No changes are made to this action based on these comments. Changes From the Proposed Rule NMFS is correcting the title of this action to be Framework Adjustment 12, rather than Framework Adjustment 10. Classification Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the Assistant Administrator has determined that this final rule is consistent with the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass FMP, other provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable law. This final rule has been determined to be not significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866. The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration during the proposed rule stage that this action would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The factual basis for the certification was published in the proposed rule and is not repeated here. No comments were received regarding this certification, and the initial certification remains unchanged. As a result, a final regulatory flexibility analysis is not required and none has been prepared. List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 648 Fisheries, Fishing, Recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Dated: April 16, 2018. Samuel D. Rauch, III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 648 is amended as follows: PART 648--FISHERIES OF THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES 0 1. The authority citation for part 648 continues to read as follows: Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. 0 2. In Sec. 648.122, paragraph (c)(1) is revised to read as follows: Sec. 648.122 Scup specifications. * * * * * (c) * * * (1) The annual commercial quota will be allocated into three periods, based on the following percentages: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Period Percent ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Winter I--January-April...................................... 45.11 Summer--May-September........................................ 38.95 Winter II--October-December.................................. 15.94 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ * * * * * 0 3. In Sec. 648.123, paragraph (a)(2)(ii) is revised to read as follows: Sec. 648.123 Scup accountability measures. (a) * * * (2) * * * (ii) For the Winter I and Summer quota periods, landings in excess of the allocation will be deducted from the appropriate quota period for the following year in the final rule that establishes the annual quota. The overage deduction will be based on landings for the current year through September 30 and on landings for the previous calendar year that were not included when the overage deduction was made in the final rule that established the period quotas for the current year. If the Regional Administrator determines during the fishing year that any part of an overage deduction was based on erroneous landings data that were in excess of actual landings for the period concerned, he/she will restore the overage that was deducted in error to the appropriate quota allocation. The Regional Administrator will publish notification in the Federal Register announcing the restoration. * * * * * 0 4. In Sec. 648.125, paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(5) are revised to read as follows: Sec. 648.125 Scup gear restrictions. (a) * * * (1) Minimum mesh size. No owner or operator of an otter trawl vessel that is issued a scup moratorium permit may possess more than 1,000 lb (454 kg) of scup from October 1 through April 30, or more than 200 lb (91 kg) of scup from May 1 through September 30, unless fishing with nets that have a minimum mesh size of 5.0-inch (12.7-cm) diamond mesh, applied throughout the codend for at least 75 continuous meshes forward of the terminus of the net, and all other nets are stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in Sec. 648.2. * * * * * (5) Stowage of nets. The owner or operator of an otter trawl vessel [[Page 17316]] retaining 1,000 lb (454 kg) or more of scup from October 1 through April 30, or 200 lb (90.7 kg) or more of scup from May 1 through September 30, and subject to the minimum mesh requirements in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, and the owner or operator of a midwater trawl or other trawl vessel subject to the minimum size requirement in Sec. 648.126, may not have available for immediate use any net, or any piece of net, not meeting the minimum mesh size requirement, or mesh that is rigged in a manner that is inconsistent with the minimum mesh size. A net that is stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in Sec. 648.2, and that can be shown not to have been in recent use, is considered to be not available for immediate use. * * * * * [FR Doc. 2018-08208 Filed 4-18-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![17314 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 76 / Thursday, April 19, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
Point N latitude W longitude Note
FK ................................................................................................................................................ 39°36.72′ 71°58.25′ ........................
FL ................................................................................................................................................. 39°35.15′ 71°58.55′ ........................
FM ................................................................................................................................................ 39°34.50′ 72°00.75′ ........................
FN ................................................................................................................................................ 39°32.20′ 72°02.25′ ........................
FO ................................................................................................................................................ 39°32.15′ 72°04.10′ ........................
FP ................................................................................................................................................ 39°28.50′ 72°06.50′ ........................
FQ ................................................................................................................................................ 39°29.00′ 72°09.25′ ........................
FR ................................................................................................................................................ 39°29.75′ 72°09.80′ (*)
FS ................................................................................................................................................ 39°32.65′ 72°06.10′ (*)
FT ................................................................................................................................................. 39°35.45′ 72°02.00′ (*)
FU ................................................................................................................................................ 39°41.15′ 71°57.10′ (*)
FV ................................................................................................................................................ 39°46.95′ 71°49.00′ (*)
FW ............................................................................................................................................... 39°53.10′ 71°42.70′ (*)
FX ................................................................................................................................................ 39°52.60′ 71°40.35′ (*)
FY ................................................................................................................................................ 39°53.10′ 71°36.10′ (*)
FZ ................................................................................................................................................. 39°57.50′ 71°20.60′ (*)
GA ................................................................................................................................................ 40°00.70′ 71°19.80′ (*)
GB ................................................................................................................................................ 39°59.30′ 71°18.40′ (*)
GC ................................................................................................................................................ 40°02.00′ 71°01.30′ (*)
GD ................................................................................................................................................ 40°00.50′ 70°57.60′ (*)
GE ................................................................................................................................................ 40°00.10′ 70°45.10′ (*)
GF ................................................................................................................................................ 39°58.90′ 70°38.65′ (*)
GG ............................................................................................................................................... 39°59.15′ 70°34.45′ (*)
GH ................................................................................................................................................ 40°00.55′ 70°32.10′ (*)
GI ................................................................................................................................................. 40°03.85′ 70°28.75′ (*)
GJ ................................................................................................................................................ 39°59.75′ 70°25.50′ (*)
GK ................................................................................................................................................ 39°59.80′ 70°21.75′ (*)
GL ................................................................................................................................................ 40°00.70′ 70°18.60′ (*)
AA ................................................................................................................................................ 40°02.75′ 70°16.10′ (*)
* * * * * environmental assessment (EA), are any unused Winter I quota rolled over
[FR Doc. 2018–08150 Filed 4–18–18; 8:45 am] available on request from Dr. into Winter II. Federal trip limits are
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Christopher M. Moore, Executive imposed during the two Winter Periods;
Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery individual states impose landing
Management Council, Suite 201, 800 restrictions during the Summer Period.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE North State Street, Dover, DE 19901. The Council established these quota
These documents are also accessible via periods in 1997 to recognize that there
National Oceanic and Atmospheric the internet at http://www.mafmc.org/s/ are two commercial fishing fleets (62 FR
Administration Scup_quota_period_FW_EA_ 27978; May 22, 1997). Larger vessels
resubmission2_Feb2018.pdf. harvest scup offshore during the winter
50 CFR Part 648 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: months, and smaller vessels harvest
[Docket No. 170919912–8358–02] Emily Gilbert, Fishery Policy Analyst, scup inshore during the summer.
(978) 281–9244. Without the quota periods and Federal
RIN 0648–BH26
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: trip limits, the larger vessels would be
Fisheries of the Northeastern United able to fish the full annual quota early
General Background in the year, leaving no quota for the
States; Scup Fishery; Framework
Adjustment 12 Scup (Stenotomus chrysops) is smaller inshore fleet.
managed jointly by the Mid-Atlantic The scup stock was declared rebuilt
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Fishery Management Council and the in 2009 based on the findings of a stock
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries assessment. The commercial scup quota
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commission through the Summer nearly doubled between 2010 and 2011.
Commerce. Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass Fishery From 2011 to 2016, commercial scup
ACTION: Final rule. Management Plan (FMP). The landings have been 20 to 47 percent
management unit for scup is U.S. waters below the annual commercial quota.
SUMMARY: NMFS is modifying the of the Atlantic Ocean from 35°13.3′ N Stakeholders have stated that the more
commercial scup quota periods, as lat. (the latitude of Cape Hatteras restrictive state-imposed possession
recommended by the Mid-Atlantic Lighthouse, Buxton, NC) northward to limits during the Summer Period,
Fishery Management Council. This the U.S./Canada border. The scup stock compared to the Winter I and II Periods,
action moves the month of October from is not overfished and it is not have prevented fishermen from landing
the Summer Period to the Winter II experiencing overfishing. high volumes of scup when they are
Period. This rule is intended to increase Currently, the scup commercial quota available. This limits the ability of the
fishing opportunities by extending the
rmajette on DSKBCKNHB2PROD with RULES
is broken into three periods: Winter I fishery to achieve the annual
Winter II Period when possession limits (January 1 through April 30) receives commercial quota and results in forgone
are higher. 45.11 percent of the annual quota; yield.
DATES: Effective May 21, 2018. Summer (May 1 through October 31)
ADDRESSES: Copies of the Scup receives 38.95 percent; and Winter II Final Action
Commercial Quota Period Modification (November 1 through December 31) To address these limits on the ability
Framework, including the receives an initial 15.94 percent with of the fishery to achieve the annual
VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:35 Apr 18, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\19APR1.SGM 19APR1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_17390/page/1.svg)
![17316 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 76 / Thursday, April 19, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
retaining 1,000 lb (454 kg) or more of subject to the minimum size available for immediate use as defined
scup from October 1 through April 30, requirement in § 648.126, may not have in § 648.2, and that can be shown not to
or 200 lb (90.7 kg) or more of scup from available for immediate use any net, or have been in recent use, is considered
May 1 through September 30, and any piece of net, not meeting the to be not available for immediate use.
subject to the minimum mesh minimum mesh size requirement, or * * * * *
requirements in paragraph (a)(1) of this mesh that is rigged in a manner that is [FR Doc. 2018–08208 Filed 4–18–18; 8:45 am]
section, and the owner or operator of a inconsistent with the minimum mesh
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
midwater trawl or other trawl vessel size. A net that is stowed and not
rmajette on DSKBCKNHB2PROD with RULES
VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:35 Apr 18, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\19APR1.SGM 19APR1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_17390/page/3.svg)
Document Created: 2018-04-19 00:41:06
Document Modified: 2018-04-19 00:41:06
| 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 | Final rule. | |
| Dates | Effective May 21, 2018. | |
| Contact | Emily Gilbert, Fishery Policy Analyst, (978) 281-9244. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 17314 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-BH26 | |
| CFR Associated | Fisheries; Fishing and Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements |
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