83 FR 21936 - Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 92 (May 11, 2018)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 92 (May 11, 2018)
| Page Range | 21936-21939 | |
| FR Document | 2018-09960 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 92 (Friday, May 11, 2018)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 21936-21939] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-09960] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 635 [Docket No. 150121066-5717-02] RIN 0648-XG216 Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason General category retention limit adjustment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is adjusting the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) General category daily retention limit from the default limit of one large medium or giant BFT to three large medium or giant BFT for June 1 through August 31, 2018. This action is based on consideration of the regulatory determination criteria regarding inseason adjustments and applies to Atlantic Tunas General category (commercial) permitted vessels and Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Charter/Headboat category permitted vessels with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing commercially for BFT. DATES: Effective June 1, 2018, through August 31, 2018. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah McLaughlin or Brad McHale, (978) 281-9260. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations implemented under the authority of the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson- Stevens Act; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) governing the harvest of BFT by persons and vessels subject to U.S. jurisdiction are found at 50 CFR part 635. Section 635.27 subdivides the U.S. BFT quota recommended by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) among the various domestic fishing categories, per the allocations established in the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan (2006 Consolidated HMS FMP) (71 FR 58058, October 2, 2006) and amendments, and in accordance with implementing regulations. NMFS is required under ATCA and the Magnuson- Stevens Act to provide U.S. fishing vessels with a reasonable opportunity to harvest the ICCAT-recommended quota. The current baseline U.S. quota is 1,058.9 mt (not including the 25 mt ICCAT allocated to the United States to account for bycatch of BFT in pelagic longline fisheries in the Northeast Distant Gear Restricted Area). See Sec. 635.27(a). The current baseline General category quota is 466.7 mt. Each of the General category time periods (``January,'' June through August, September, October through November, and December) is allocated a portion of the annual General category quota. Although it is called the ``January'' subquota, the regulations allow the General category fishery under this quota to continue until the subquota is reached or March 31, whichever comes [[Page 21937]] first. The current baseline subquotas for each time period are as follows: 24.7 mt (5.3 percent) for January; 233.3 mt (50 percent) for June through August; 123.7 mt (26.5 percent) for September; 60.7 mt (13 percent) for October through November; and 24.3 mt (5.2 percent) for December. Any unused General category quota rolls forward within the fishing year, which coincides with the calendar year, from one time period to the next, and is available for use in subsequent time periods. This action would adjust the daily retention limit for the second time period in 2018, June through August. Although the 2017 ICCAT recommendation regarding western Atlantic bluefin tuna management would result in an increase to the baseline U.S. bluefin tuna quota (i.e., from 1,058.79 mt to 1,247.86 mt) and subquotas for 2018 (including an expected increase in General category quota from 466.7 mt to 555.7 mt, consistent with the annual bluefin tuna quota calculation process established in Sec. 635.27(a)), domestic implementation of that recommendation will take place in a separate rulemaking, likely to be finalized in mid-2018. Adjustment of General Category Daily Retention Limit Unless changed, the General category daily retention limit starting on June 1 would be the default retention limit of one large medium or giant BFT (measuring 73 inches (185 cm) curved fork length (CFL) or greater) per vessel per day/trip (Sec. 635.23(a)(2)). This default retention limit would apply to General category permitted vessels and to HMS Charter/Headboat category permitted vessels when fishing commercially for BFT. Under Sec. 635.23(a)(4), NMFS may increase or decrease the daily retention limit of large medium and giant BFT over a range of zero to a maximum of five per vessel based on consideration of the relevant criteria provided under Sec. 635.27(a)(8). NMFS has considered these criteria and their applicability to the General category BFT retention limit for June through August 2018. These considerations include, but are not limited to, the following: Regarding the usefulness of information obtained from catches in the particular category for biological sampling and monitoring of the status of the stock (Sec. 635.27(a)(8)(i)), biological samples collected from BFT landed by General category fishermen and provided by BFT dealers continue to provide NMFS with valuable data for ongoing scientific studies of BFT age and growth, migration, and reproductive status. Additional opportunity to land BFT would support the collection of a broad range of data for these studies and for stock monitoring purposes. NMFS also considered the catches of the General category quota to date (including landings and catch rates during the last several years) and the likelihood of closures for the General category if no adjustment is made (Sec. 635.27(a)(8)(ii)). Commercial-size BFT are anticipated to migrate to the fishing grounds off the northeast U.S. coast by early June. Based on General category catch rates during the June through August time period over the last several years, it is unlikely that the June through August subquota will be filled with the default daily retention limit of one BFT per vessel. NMFS set the June through August 2017 time period limit at four fish initially and reduced it to one fish effective August 5 through August 16, when NMFS closed the fishery until the start of the September 2017 quota subperiod. Due to a combination of fish availability and extremely favorable fishing conditions, NMFS needed to close the General category fishery in each of the subquota time periods (September, October- November, and December) to allow for harvest of the subsequent subquotas without exceeding the adjusted General category quota while simultaneously maintaining equitable distribution of fishing opportunities. NMFS is setting the June through August 2018 limit in such a way that NMFS believes, informed by past experience, increases the likelihood that the fishery will remain open throughout the subperiod and year. NMFS also considered the effects of the adjustment on BFT rebuilding and overfishing and the effects of the adjustment on accomplishing the objectives of the FMP (Sec. 635.27(a)(8)(v) and (vi)). The adjusted retention limit would be consistent with the established quotas and with objectives of the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and amendments and is not expected to negatively impact stock health or to affect the stock in ways not already analyzed in those documents. It is also important that NMFS limit landings to the subquotas both to adhere to the FMP quota allocations and to ensure that landings are as consistent as possible with the pattern of fishing mortality (e.g., fish caught at each age) that was assumed in the projections of stock rebuilding. Another principal consideration in setting the retention limit is the objective of providing opportunities to harvest the full General category quota without exceeding it based on the goals of the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and amendments, including to achieve optimum yield on a continuing basis and to optimize the ability of all permit categories to harvest their full BFT quota allocations (related to Sec. 635.27(a)(8)(x)). Adjustment of the retention limit is also supported by the Environmental Analysis for the 2011 final rule regarding General and Harpoon category management measures, which increased the General category maximum daily retention limit from three to five fish. Despite elevated General category limits, the vast majority of successful trips (i.e., General or Charter/Headboat trips on which at least one BFT is landed under General category quota) land only one or two BFT. For instance, the landings data for 2017 show that, under the four-fish limit that applied June 1 through August 4, the proportion of trips that landed one, two, three, or four bluefin tuna was as follows: 68 percent landed one; 20 percent landed two; 6 percent landed three; and 6 percent landed four. In the last few years, NMFS has received conflicting comments that a high daily retention limit (specifically five fish) is needed to optimize General category fishing opportunities and account for seasonal distributions by enabling vessels to make overnight trips to distant fishing grounds. Others have noted that a higher General category limit at the start of the June-August period would reduce the likelihood of effort shifting into the Harpoon category, which has a relatively small quota. NMFS also has received general comment that a lower limit increases the likelihood that opportunities will extend through the late fall and the end of the calendar year, as well as improve market conditions. Requests also will vary depending on actual fish behavior, weather, and availability (i.e., abundance and proximity to shore) in any given year. NMFS anticipates that some underharvest of the 2017 adjusted U.S. BFT quota will be carried forward to 2018 to the Reserve category, in accordance with the regulations, this summer when complete BFT catch information for 2017 is available and finalized. Because such quota would be available to be transferred from the Reserve category to the General category, and such transfers have occurred in the past, the carryover of underharvest would make it more likely that General category quota will remain available through the end of 2018 for December fishery participants, despite the transfer of 14.3 mt from the 24.3-mt General category December 2018 [[Page 21938]] subquota period to the January 2018 period (81 FR 91873, December 19, 2016). General category landings were relatively high in the summer and fall of 2017, due to a combination of fish availability, favorable fishing conditions, and higher daily retention limits. NMFS transferred 156.4 mt from the Reserve category (82 FR 46000, October 3, 2017) and later transferred another 25.6 mt from the Harpoon category (82 FR 55520, November 22, 2017). Although NMFS needed to close the September and the October-November fisheries effective September 17 and October 5, respectively, to prevent further overharvest of the adjusted 2017 General category subquotas, NMFS anticipates that General category participants in all areas and time periods will have opportunities to harvest the General category quota in 2018, through more proactive inseason management such as retention limit adjustments and/or the timing and amount of quota transfers (based on consideration of the determination criteria regarding inseason adjustments), as practicable. NMFS will closely monitor General category catch rates associated with the various authorized gear types (e.g., harpoon, rod and reel) during the June through August period and actively adjust the daily retention limit as appropriate to enhance scientific data collection from, and ensure fishing opportunities in all respective time-period subquotas as well as ensure available quota is not exceeded. A limit lower than three fish at the start of the June through August period could result in diminished fishing opportunities for those General category vessels using harpoon gear based on past fish behavior early in the season. Lower limits may also result in effort shifts from the General category to the Harpoon category, which could result in premature closure of the Harpoon category, and potentially additional inseason adjustments. General category harpoon gear participants land approximately five percent of the General category landings each year and these landings occur early in the season. A three-fish retention limit for an appropriate period of time will provide a greater opportunity to harvest the June through August subquota with harpoon gear without exceeding it while also maintaining equitable distribution of fishing opportunities for harpoon and rod and reel participants. NMFS also considered general input on 2018 General category limits from the HMS Advisory Panel at its March 2018 meeting. Based on these considerations, we have determined that a three-fish General category retention limit is warranted for the beginning of the June-August 2018 subquota period. These retention limits are effective in all areas, except for the Gulf of Mexico, where targeted fishing for bluefin tuna is prohibited. Based on these considerations, NMFS has determined that a three- fish General category retention limit is warranted for the June-August 2018 subquota period. This limit would provide a reasonable opportunity to harvest the full U.S. BFT quota (including the expected increase in available 2018 quota based on 2017 underharvest), without exceeding it, while maintaining an equitable distribution of fishing opportunities; help optimize the ability of the General category to harvest its full quota; allow the collection of a broad range of data for stock monitoring purposes; and be consistent with the objectives of the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and amendments. Therefore, NMFS increases the General category retention limit from the default limit (one) to three large medium or giant BFT per vessel per day/trip, effective June 1, 2018, through August 31, 2018. Regardless of the duration of a fishing trip, the daily retention limit applies upon landing. For example (and specific to the June through August 2018 limit), whether a vessel fishing under the General category limit takes a two-day trip or makes two trips in one day, the daily limit of four fish may not be exceeded upon landing. This General category retention limit is effective in all areas, except for the Gulf of Mexico, where NMFS prohibits targeting fishing for BFT, and applies to those vessels permitted in the General category, as well as to those HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing commercially for BFT fishing commercially for BFT. For information regarding the HMS Charter/Headboat commercial sale endorsement, see 82 FR 57543, December 6, 2017. Monitoring and Reporting NMFS will actively monitor the BFT fishery closely. Dealers are required to submit landing reports within 24 hours of a dealer receiving BFT. In addition, General and HMS Charter/Headboat vessel owners are required to report their own catch of all BFT retained or discarded dead, within 24 hours of the landing(s) or end of each trip, by accessing hmspermits.noaa.gov or by using the Android or iPhone app. Depending on the level of fishing effort and catch rates of BFT, NMFS may determine that additional adjustments are necessary to ensure available quota is not exceeded or to enhance scientific data collection from, and fishing opportunities in, all geographic areas. If needed, subsequent adjustments will be published in the Federal Register. In addition, fishermen may call the Atlantic Tunas Information Line at (978) 281-9260, or access hmspermits.noaa.gov, for updates on quota monitoring and inseason adjustments. Classification The Assistant Administrator for NMFS (AA) finds that it is impracticable and contrary to the public interest to provide prior notice of, and an opportunity for public comment on, this action for the following reasons: The regulations implementing the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and amendments provide for inseason retention limit adjustments to respond to the unpredictable nature of BFT availability on the fishing grounds, the migratory nature of this species, and the regional variations in the BFT fishery. The timing of this rulemaking will allow approximately two weeks' prior notice to the regulated community. Affording additional prior notice and an opportunity for public comment on the change in the daily retention limit from the default level for the June through August 2018 subquota period would be impracticable. Based on available BFT quotas, fishery performance in recent years, and the availability of BFT on the fishing grounds, responsive adjustment to the General category BFT daily retention limit from the default level is warranted to allow fishermen to take advantage of availability of fish and of quota. NMFS could not have proposed these actions earlier, as it needed to consider and respond to updated data and information about fishery conditions and this year's landings. If NMFS was to offer a public comment period now, after having appropriately considered that data, it would preclude fishermen from harvesting BFT that are legally available consistent with all of the regulatory criteria, and/or could result in selection of a retention limit inappropriate to the amount of quota available for the period. Fisheries under the General category daily retention limit will commence on June 1 and thus prior notice would be contrary to the public interest. Delays in increasing these retention limits would adversely affect those General and Charter/Headboat category vessels that would otherwise have an opportunity to harvest more than the default retention limit of one BFT per day/trip and may result in low catch rates and quota [[Page 21939]] rollovers. Analysis of available data shows that adjustment to the BFT daily retention limit from the default level would result in minimal risks of exceeding the ICCAT-allocated quota. NMFS provides notification of retention limit adjustments by publishing the notice in the Federal Register, emailing individuals who have subscribed to the Atlantic HMS News electronic newsletter, and updating the information posted on the Atlantic Tunas Information Line and on hmspermits.noaa.gov. With quota available and fish available on the grounds, and with no expected impacts to the stock, it would be contrary to the public interest to require vessels to wait to harvest the additional fish allowed through this action. Therefore, the AA finds good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) to waive prior notice and the opportunity for public comment. Adjustment of the General category retention limit needs to be effective June 1, 2018, or as soon as possible thereafter, to minimize any unnecessary disruption in fishing patterns, to allow the impacted sectors to benefit from the adjustment, and to not preclude fishing opportunities for fishermen in geographic areas with access to the fishery only during this time period. Foregoing opportunities to harvest the respective quotas may have negative social and economic impacts for U.S. fishermen that depend upon catching the available quota within the time periods designated in the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and amendments. Therefore, the AA finds there is also good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d) to waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness. This action is being taken under Sec. 635.23(a)(4) and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801 et seq. Dated: May 7, 2018. Jennifer M. Wallace, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018-09960 Filed 5-8-18; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![21936 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 92 / Friday, May 11, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
Required Determinations New Mexico Ecological Services Field Code of Federal Regulations, as set forth
Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION below:
National Environmental Policy Act
CONTACT).
We determined we do not need to PART 17—ENDANGERED AND
Authors
prepare an environmental assessment or THREATENED WILDLIFE AND PLANTS
an environmental impact statement, as The primary author of this rule is the
defined under the authority of the New Mexico Ecological Services Field ■ 1. The authority citation for part 17
National Environmental Policy Act of Office Southwest Regional Office in continues to read as follows:
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in
coordination with the Southwest Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361–1407; 1531–
connection with regulations adopted 1544; 4201–4245, unless otherwise noted.
pursuant to section 4(a) of the Act. We Regional Office in Albuquerque, New
published a notice outlining our reasons Mexico (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
■ 2. Amend § 17.12(h) by revising the
CONTACT).
for this determination in the Federal entry for ‘‘Echinocereus fendleri var.
Register on October 25, 1983 (48 FR List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17 kuenzleri’’ under FLOWERING PLANTS
49244). Endangered and threatened species, in the List of Endangered and
References Cited Exports, Imports, Reporting and Threatened Plants to read as follows:
recordkeeping requirements,
A complete list of all references cited § 17.12 Endangered and threatened plants.
Transportation.
in this rule is available on the internet * * * * *
at http://www.regulations.gov under Regulation Promulgation
(h) * * *
Docket No. FWS–R2–ES–2016–0137, or Accordingly, we amend part 17,
upon request from the Field Supervisor, subchapter B of chapter I, title 50 of the
Listing citations and applicable
Scientific name Common name Where listed Status rules
FLOWERING PLANTS
* * * * * * *
Echinocereus fendleri var. Kuenzler hedgehog cactus ....... Wherever found ........................ T 44 FR 61924, 10/26/1979; 83
kuenzleri. FR [Insert Federal Register
page where the document
begins], 5/11/2018.
* * * * * * *
Dated: May 1, 2018. default limit of one large medium or Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)
James W. Kurth, giant BFT to three large medium or giant among the various domestic fishing
Deputy Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife BFT for June 1 through August 31, 2018. categories, per the allocations
Service, Exercising the Authority of the This action is based on consideration of established in the 2006 Consolidated
Director U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. the regulatory determination criteria Atlantic Highly Migratory Species
[FR Doc. 2018–10034 Filed 5–10–18; 8:45 am] regarding inseason adjustments and Fishery Management Plan (2006
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P applies to Atlantic Tunas General Consolidated HMS FMP) (71 FR 58058,
category (commercial) permitted vessels October 2, 2006) and amendments, and
and Highly Migratory Species (HMS) in accordance with implementing
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Charter/Headboat category permitted regulations. NMFS is required under
vessels with a commercial sale ATCA and the Magnuson-Stevens Act to
National Oceanic and Atmospheric endorsement when fishing provide U.S. fishing vessels with a
Administration commercially for BFT. reasonable opportunity to harvest the
DATES: Effective June 1, 2018, through ICCAT-recommended quota.
50 CFR Part 635 The current baseline U.S. quota is
August 31, 2018.
[Docket No. 150121066–5717–02] 1,058.9 mt (not including the 25 mt
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: ICCAT allocated to the United States to
RIN 0648–XG216 Sarah McLaughlin or Brad McHale, account for bycatch of BFT in pelagic
(978) 281–9260. longline fisheries in the Northeast
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species;
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Distant Gear Restricted Area). See
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries
Regulations implemented under the § 635.27(a). The current baseline
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries authority of the Atlantic Tunas General category quota is 466.7 mt. Each
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Convention Act (ATCA; 16 U.S.C. 971 et of the General category time periods
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), seq.) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery (‘‘January,’’ June through August,
Commerce. Conservation and Management Act September, October through November,
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES
ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason (Magnuson-Stevens Act; 16 U.S.C. 1801 and December) is allocated a portion of
General category retention limit et seq.) governing the harvest of BFT by the annual General category quota.
adjustment. persons and vessels subject to U.S. Although it is called the ‘‘January’’
jurisdiction are found at 50 CFR part subquota, the regulations allow the
SUMMARY: NMFS is adjusting the 635. Section 635.27 subdivides the U.S. General category fishery under this
Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) General BFT quota recommended by the quota to continue until the subquota is
category daily retention limit from the International Commission for the reached or March 31, whichever comes
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![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 92 / Friday, May 11, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 21939
rollovers. Analysis of available data DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Restoration Network, et al. v. U.S. Dept.
shows that adjustment to the BFT daily of Commerce, et al., (U.S.D.C. 2013),
retention limit from the default level National Oceanic and Atmospheric Civil No. 12–00594). Plaintiffs appealed
would result in minimal risks of Administration the Court’s decision and, on December
exceeding the ICCAT-allocated quota. 27, 2017, a U.S Ninth Circuit Court of
NMFS provides notification of retention 50 CFR Part 665 Appeals panel issued a split decision
limit adjustments by publishing the [Docket No. 120416010–2476–01]
affirming the NMFS BiOp regarding
notice in the Federal Register, emailing leatherback sea turtles, but holding that
RIN 0648–XG160 NMFS was arbitrary and capricious in
individuals who have subscribed to the
its no-jeopardy determination for North
Atlantic HMS News electronic Pacific Island Fisheries; Closure of the Pacific loggerhead turtles (see Turtle
newsletter, and updating the 2018 Hawaii Shallow-Set Longline Island Restoration Network, et al. v.
information posted on the Atlantic Fishery; Court Order U.S. Dept. of Commerce, et al., 878 F.3d
Tunas Information Line and on 725 (9th Cir. 2017)).
hmspermits.noaa.gov. With quota AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and All parties agreed to settle the case
available and fish available on the pursuant to the terms outlined in a May
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
grounds, and with no expected impacts 4, 2018, Stipulated Settlement
Commerce.
to the stock, it would be contrary to the Agreement and Court Order. As part of
ACTION: Temporary rule; fishery closure.
public interest to require vessels to wait the agreement, the U.S. District Court
to harvest the additional fish allowed SUMMARY: This final rule closes the for the District of Hawaii ordered NMFS
through this action. Therefore, the AA Hawaii shallow-set pelagic longline to take several actions, including closing
finds good cause under 5 U.S.C. fishery in compliance with an order of the Hawaii shallow-set longline fishery
553(b)(B) to waive prior notice and the the U.S. District Court for the District of through December 31, 2018. This rule
opportunity for public comment. Hawaii. implements the Court order to close the
DATES: Effective May 8, 2018, through
Hawaii shallow-set longline fishery
Adjustment of the General category
December 31, 2018. through December 31, 2018.
retention limit needs to be effective June
1, 2018, or as soon as possible Compliance date: May 4, 2018, Classification
thereafter, to minimize any unnecessary through December 31, 2018.
The Assistant Administrator for
disruption in fishing patterns, to allow FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bob Fisheries, NOAA, has determined that
the impacted sectors to benefit from the Harman, NMFS PIR, 808–725–5170. this final rule is consistent with the
adjustment, and to not preclude fishing SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a Court order, the Magnuson-Stevens
opportunities for fishermen in January 30, 2012, NMFS completed a Fishery Conservation and Management
geographic areas with access to the biological opinion (BiOp) on the effects Act, the Endangered Species Act, and
fishery only during this time period. of the Hawaii shallow-set longline other applicable laws.
Foregoing opportunities to harvest the fishery, pursuant to the Endangered This final rule has been determined to
respective quotas may have negative Species Act (ESA). In the BiOp, NMFS be not significant for purposes of
social and economic impacts for U.S. concluded that the continued operation Executive Order 12866.
of the Hawaii shallow-set fishery, as NMFS has good cause under the
fishermen that depend upon catching
managed under the regulatory Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C.
the available quota within the time
framework of the Fishery Ecosystem 553(b)(B)) to waive prior notice and
periods designated in the 2006
Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western comment and 30 days delayed
Consolidated HMS FMP and Pacific (FEP), was not likely to effectiveness for this temporary rule.
amendments. Therefore, the AA finds jeopardize the continued existence of The Court Order, in relevant parts,
there is also good cause under 5 U.S.C. any ESA-listed species, or result in vacates that portion of the 2012
553(d) to waive the 30-day delay in destruction or adverse modification of Biological Opinion that relates to North
effectiveness. designated critical habitat. Pacific loggerheads, and requires NMFS
This action is being taken under The BiOp established an annual to immediately close the Hawaii
§ 635.23(a)(4) and is exempt from incidental take statement authorizing shallow-set longline fishery until the
review under Executive Order 12866. the fishery to interact with up to 26 end of 2018. Under the ESA, NMFS may
leatherback and 34 loggerhead sea not continue to authorize the shallow-
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801
turtles. Consistent with the BiOp, NMFS set longline fishery until the
et seq.
revised its regulations establishing consultation requirements of ESA
Dated: May 7, 2018. annual limits on allowable incidental section 7(a)(2) have been satisfied.
Jennifer M. Wallace, interactions between the fishery and Accordingly, providing the public with
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable leatherback and North Pacific prior notice and comment rule would be
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. loggerhead sea turtles (77 FR 60638, contrary to the public interest because
[FR Doc. 2018–09960 Filed 5–8–18; 4:15 pm] October 4, 2012, codified at 50 CFR NMFS is required to immediately close
665.813). If the fishery reaches either of the fishery to prevent further impacts to
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
the interaction limits in a given year, the North Pacific loggerhead sea turtles
regulations require NMFS to close the while it completes the new biological
fishery for the remainder of the calendar opinion. In addition, providing prior
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES
year. notice and comment and 30 days
In the U.S. District Court of Hawaii, delayed effectiveness are unnecessary
several plaintiffs challenged, among because NMFS has no discretion to take
other things, the NMFS final rule that other action that is inconsistent with
revised the annual sea turtle interaction any term of the Court Order.
limits, and the Court ruled in favor of In addition, the regulatory flexibility
NMFS on all claims (see Turtle Island analysis requirements of the Regulatory
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Document Created: 2018-11-02 09:49:12
Document Modified: 2018-11-02 09:49:12
| 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 General category retention limit adjustment. | |
| Dates | Effective June 1, 2018, through August 31, 2018. | |
| Contact | Sarah McLaughlin or Brad McHale, (978) 281-9260. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 21936 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XG21 |
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