83 FR 55638 - Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Commercial Aggregated Large Coastal Shark and Hammerhead Shark Management Group Retention Limit Adjustment
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 216 (November 7, 2018)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 216 (November 7, 2018)
| Page Range | 55638-55640 | |
| FR Document | 2018-24274 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 7, 2018)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 55638-55640] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-24274] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 635 [Docket No. 150413357-5999-02] RIN 0648-XG582 Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Commercial Aggregated Large Coastal Shark and Hammerhead Shark Management Group Retention Limit Adjustment AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason retention limit adjustment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is adjusting the commercial aggregated large coastal shark (LCS) and hammerhead shark management group retention limit for directed shark limited access permit holders in the Atlantic region from 36 LCS other than sandbar sharks per vessel per trip to 45 LCS other than sandbar sharks per vessel per trip. This action is based on consideration of the regulatory determination criteria regarding inseason adjustments. The retention limit will remain at 45 LCS other than sandbar sharks per vessel per trip in the Atlantic region through the rest of the 2018 fishing season or until NMFS announces via a notice in the Federal Register another adjustment to the retention limit or a fishery closure. This retention limit adjustment affects anyone with a directed shark limited access permit fishing for LCS in the Atlantic region. DATES: This retention limit adjustment is effective on November 6, 2018 through December 31, 2018, or until NMFS announces via a notice in the Federal Register another adjustment to the retention limit or a fishery closure, if warranted. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lauren Latchford, Chant[eacute] Davis, or Karyl Brewster-Geisz 301-427-8503; fax 301-713-1917. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Atlantic shark fisheries are managed under the 2006 Consolidated Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP), its amendments, and implementing regulations (50 CFR part 635) issued under authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.). Atlantic shark fisheries have separate regional (Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic) quotas for all management groups except those for blue shark, porbeagle shark, pelagic sharks (other than porbeagle or blue sharks), and the shark research fishery for LCS and sandbar sharks. The boundary between the Gulf of Mexico region and the Atlantic region is defined at Sec. 635.27(b)(1) as a line beginning on the East Coast of Florida at the mainland at 25[deg]20.4' N lat., proceeding due east. Any water and land to the north and east of that boundary is considered, for the purposes of setting and monitoring quotas, to be within the Atlantic region. This inseason action only affects the aggregated LCS and hammerhead shark management groups in the Atlantic region. Under Sec. 635.24(a)(8), NMFS may adjust the commercial retention limits in the shark fisheries during the fishing season. Before making any adjustment, NMFS must consider specified regulatory criteria (see Sec. 635.24(a)(8)(i) through (vi)). After considering these criteria as discussed below, NMFS has concluded that increasing the retention limit of the Atlantic aggregated LCS and hammerhead management groups for directed shark limited access permit holders in the Atlantic region will allow use of available aggregated LCS and hammerhead shark management group quotas and will provide fishermen throughout the region equitable fishing opportunities for the rest of the year. Therefore, NMFS is increasing the commercial Atlantic aggregated LCS and hammerhead shark retention limit in the Atlantic region from 36 to 45 LCS other than sandbar shark per vessel per trip. NMFS considered the inseason retention limit adjustment criteria listed at Sec. 635.24(a)(8)(i) through (vi), which includes:The amount of remaining shark quota in the relevant area, region, or sub-region to date, based on dealer reports. Based on dealer reports through October 15, 2018, 65.2 metric tons (mt) [[Page 55639]] dressed weight (dw) (143,809 lb dw), or 39 percent, of the 168.9 mt dw shark quota for aggregated LCS and 8.3 mt dw (18,328 lb dw), or 31 percent, of the 27.1 mt dw shark quota for the hammerhead management groups have been harvested in the Atlantic region. This means that approximately 61 percent of the aggregated LCS quota remains available and approximately 69 percent of the hammerhead shark quota remains available. NMFS took action in May of 2018 to reduce retention rates after considering the relevant inseason adjustment criteria, particularly the need for all regions to have an equitable opportunity to utilize the quota (83 FR 21744; May 10, 2018). The catch rates of the relevant shark species/complexes in the region or sub-region, to date, based on dealer reports. Based on the current commercial retention limit and average catch rate of landings data from dealer reports, the amount of Atlantic aggregated LCS and hammerhead shark quota available is high, while harvest in the Atlantic region on a daily basis is low. Using current catch rates, projections indicate that landings would not reach 80 percent of the quota before the end of the 2018 fishing season (December 31, 2018). A higher retention limit authorized under this action will promote increased fishing opportunities and utilization of available quota in the Atlantic region. Estimated date of fishery closure based on when the landings are projected to reach 80 percent of the available overall, regional, and/or sub-regional quota, if the fishery's landings are not projected to reach 100 percent of the applicable quota before the end of the season. Once the landings reach 80 percent of either the aggregated LCS or hammerhead shark quotas, NMFS would, as required by the regulations at Sec. 635.28(b)(3), close the aggregated LCS and hammerhead shark management groups since they are ``linked quotas.'' However, current catch rates would likely result in the fisheries remaining open for the remainder of the year. The higher retention limit should increase the likelihood of full utilization of the quota in the Atlantic region. Effects of the adjustment on accomplishing the objectives of the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and its amendments. Increasing the retention limit on the aggregated LCS and hammerhead management groups in the Atlantic region from 36 to 45 LCS other than sandbar sharks per vessel per trip would continue to allow for fishing opportunities throughout the rest of the year while not compromising the rebuilding objectives established in the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP. Variations in seasonal distribution, abundance, or migratory patterns of the relevant shark species based on scientific and fishery-based knowledge. The directed shark fisheries in the Atlantic region are composed of a mix of species, with a high abundance of aggregated LCS caught in conjunction with hammerhead sharks. Migratory patterns of many LCS in the Atlantic region indicate that sharks move farther north in the summer and then return south in the fall. Taking these migration patterns into account, NMFS increased the retention limit on July 18, 2018 from 3 to 36 LCS other than sandbar sharks per vessel per trip (83 FR 33870) to provide additional fishing opportunities for fishermen in the Mid-Atlantic and New England areas. However, based on dealer reports through October 15, 2018, harvest in the Atlantic region on a daily basis has been low. Therefore, NMFS is increasing the retention limit from 36 to 45 LCS other than sandbar sharks per vessel per trip in order to fully utilize the quota in the entire Atlantic region. Effects of catch rates in one part of a region or sub- region precluding vessels in another part of that region or sub-region from having a reasonable opportunity to harvest a portion of the relevant quota. NMFS' goal for the 2018 commercial shark fishery is to ensure fishing opportunities throughout the fishing season and the Atlantic region (82 FR 55512; November 22, 2017, 83 FR 21744; May 10, 2018, and 83 FR 33870; July 18, 2018). While dealer reports indicate that, under current catch rates, the aggregated LCS and hammerhead shark management groups in the Atlantic region would remain open for the remainder of the year, the catch rates also indicate that the quotas would likely not be fully harvested under the current retention limit. If the harvest of these species is increased through an increased retention limit, NMFS estimates that the fishery would remain open for the remainder of the year and fishermen throughout the Atlantic region would have a reasonable opportunity to harvest a portion of the quota. On November 22, 2017 (82 FR 55512), NMFS announced in a final rule that the aggregated LCS and hammerhead shark fisheries management groups for the Atlantic region would open on January 1 with a quota of 168.9 mt dw (372,552 lb dw) and 27.1 mt dw (59,736 lb dw), respectively, and a commercial retention limit of 25 LCS other than sandbar sharks per trip for directed shark limited access permit holders in those fisheries. NMFS published a proposed rule on August 22, 2017 (82 FR 39735) and invited and considered public comment. In the final rule, NMFS explained that if it appeared that the quota is being harvested too quickly, thus precluding fishing opportunities throughout the entire region (e.g., if approximately 20 percent of the quota is caught at the beginning of the year), NMFS would consider reducing the commercial retention limit to 3 or fewer LCS other than sandbar sharks and then later consider increasing the retention limit, perhaps to 36 LCS other than sandbar sharks per vessel per trip around July 15, 2018, consistent with the applicable regulatory requirements. In May 2018, dealer reports indicated that landings had reached 19 percent of the quota, and NMFS therefore reduced the commercial Atlantic aggregated LCS and hammerhead shark retention limit from 25 to 3 LCS other than sandbar sharks per vessel per trip on May 12, 2018 (83 FR 21744; May 10, 2018) after considering the inseason retention limit adjustment criteria listed in Sec. 635.24(a)(8). Based on dealer reports through June 18, 2018, approximately 75 percent and 82 percent of the aggregated LCS and hammerhead shark quotas remain unharvested, respectively. On July 18, 2018, NMFS increased the retention limit from 3 LCS other than sandbar sharks to 36 LCS other than sandbar sharks (83 FR 33870). Based on dealer reports through October 15, 2018, approximately 61 percent and 69 percent of the aggregated LCS and hammerhead shark quotas remain unharvested, respectively. Commercial shark landings in the Atlantic region at this point in the season are uncharacteristically low. Fishermen in the Atlantic region may not have an opportunity to fully utilize the quotas for the remainder of the year if the retention limits are not increased, and available quota will be underutilized. Accordingly, as of November 6, 2018, NMFS is increasing the retention limit for the commercial aggregated LCS and hammerhead shark management groups in the Atlantic region for directed shark limited access permit holders from 36 LCS other than sandbar sharks per vessel per trip to 45 LCS other than sandbar sharks per vessel per trip. This retention limit adjustment does not apply to directed shark limited access permit holders if the vessel is properly permitted to operate as a charter vessel or headboat for HMS and is engaged in a for-hire trip, in which case the recreational retention limits for sharks [[Page 55640]] and ``no sale'' provisions apply (Sec. 635.22(a) and (c)); or if the vessel possesses a valid shark research permit under Sec. 635.32 and a NMFS-approved observer is onboard, in which case the restrictions noted on the shark research permit apply. All other retention limits and shark fisheries in the Atlantic region remain unchanged. This retention limit will remain at 45 LCS other than sandbar sharks per vessel per trip for the rest of the 2018 fishing season, or until NMFS announces via a notice in the Federal Register another adjustment to the retention limit or a fishery closure, if warranted. 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: Prior notice is impracticable because the regulatory criteria for inseason retention limit adjustments are intended to allow the agency to respond quickly to existing management considerations, including remaining available shark quotas, estimated dates for the fishery closures, the regional variations in the shark fisheries, and equitable fishing opportunities. Additionally, regulations implementing Amendment 6 of the 2006 Atlantic Consolidated HMS FMP (80 FR 50074, August 18, 2015) intended that the LCS retention limit could be adjusted quickly throughout the fishing season to provide management flexibility for the shark fisheries and provide equitable fishing opportunities to fishermen throughout a region. Based on available shark quotas and informed by shark landings in previous seasons, responsive adjustment to the LCS commercial retention limit from the incidental level is warranted as quickly as possible to allow fishermen to take advantage of available quotas while sharks are present in their region. For such adjustment to be practicable, it must occur in a timeframe that allows fishermen to take advantage of it. Adjustment of the LCS fisheries retention limit in the Atlantic region will begin on November 6, 2018. Prior notice would result in delays in increasing the retention limit and would adversely affect those shark fishermen that would otherwise have an opportunity to harvest more than the current retention limit of 36 LCS other than sandbar sharks per vessel per trip and could result in low catch rates and underutilized quotas. Analysis of available data shows that adjustment of the LCS commercial retention limit upward to 45 would result in minimal risks of exceeding the aggregated LCS and hammerhead shark quotas in the Atlantic region based on our consideration of previous years' data, in which the fisheries have opened in July. With quota available and with no measurable impacts to the stocks expected, it would be contrary to the public interest to require vessels to wait to harvest the sharks otherwise allowable 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 LCS commercial retention limit in the Atlantic region is effective November 6, 2018, to minimize any unnecessary disruption in fishing patterns and to allow fishermen to benefit from the adjustment. Foregoing opportunities to harvest the respective quotas could have negative social and economic impacts for U.S. fishermen that depend upon catching the available quotas. Therefore, the AA finds there is also good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness. This action is being taken under Sec. 635.24(a)(2) and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: November 1, 2018. Karen H. Abrams, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018-24274 Filed 11-6-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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Fraser River Panel Order Number 2018– would not allow fishers appropriately FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
10: Issued 1:05 p.m., August 21, 2018 controlled access to the available fish at Lauren Latchford, Chanté Davis, or
that time they are available. Karyl Brewster-Geisz 301–427–8503; fax
Treaty Indian Fisheries
This action is authorized by 50 CFR 301–713–1917.
Areas 4B, 5, and 6C: Extend for drift 300.97, and is exempt from review SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Atlantic
gillnets from 12 p.m. (noon), under Executive Order 12866. shark fisheries are managed under the
Wednesday, August 22, 2018, to 1 p.m., 2006 Consolidated Highly Migratory
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 3636(b).
Friday, August 24, 2018. Species (HMS) Fishery Management
Areas 6, 7, and 7A: Open to net Dated: November 2, 2018.
Plan (FMP), its amendments, and
fishing from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, Karen H. Abrams,
implementing regulations (50 CFR part
August 24, 2018. Acting Director, Office of Sustainable 635) issued under authority of the
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
Fraser River Panel Order Number 2018– Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
[FR Doc. 2018–24371 Filed 11–6–18; 8:45 am]
11: Issued 3:10 p.m., August 23, 2018 Conservation and Management Act (16
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P U.S.C. 1801 et seq.).
Treaty Indian Fisheries Atlantic shark fisheries have separate
Areas 4B, 5, and 6C: Extend for drift regional (Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic)
gillnets from 1 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
quotas for all management groups
(midnight), Friday August 24, 2018. National Oceanic and Atmospheric except those for blue shark, porbeagle
Areas 6, 7, and 7A: Extend for purse shark, pelagic sharks (other than
Administration
seines from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, porbeagle or blue sharks), and the shark
August 24, 2018. Extend for gillnets research fishery for LCS and sandbar
50 CFR Part 635
from 1 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. (midnight), sharks. The boundary between the Gulf
Friday, August 24, 2018. [Docket No. 150413357–5999–02] of Mexico region and the Atlantic region
Fraser River Panel Order Number 2018– is defined at § 635.27(b)(1) as a line
RIN 0648–XG582
12: Issued 12:10 p.m., September 11, beginning on the East Coast of Florida
2018 Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; at the mainland at 25°20.4′ N lat.,
Commercial Aggregated Large Coastal proceeding due east. Any water and
Treaty Indian and All Citizen Fisheries Shark and Hammerhead Shark land to the north and east of that
Areas 4B, 5, 6, 6C, 7, and 7A, Management Group Retention Limit boundary is considered, for the
excluding the Apex: Relinquish Adjustment purposes of setting and monitoring
regulatory control effective 11:59 p.m. quotas, to be within the Atlantic region.
(midnight), Saturday, September 15, AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries This inseason action only affects the
2018. The Apex is those waters north Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and aggregated LCS and hammerhead shark
and west of the Area 7A ‘‘East Point Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), management groups in the Atlantic
Line,’’ defined as a line projected from Commerce. region.
the low water range marker in Boundary ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason Under § 635.24(a)(8), NMFS may
Bay on the International Boundary retention limit adjustment. adjust the commercial retention limits
through the east tip of Point Roberts in in the shark fisheries during the fishing
the state of Washington to the East Point SUMMARY: NMFS is adjusting the season. Before making any adjustment,
light on Saturna Island in the Province commercial aggregated large coastal NMFS must consider specified
of British Columbia. shark (LCS) and hammerhead shark regulatory criteria (see § 635.24(a)(8)(i)
management group retention limit for through (vi)). After considering these
Classification directed shark limited access permit criteria as discussed below, NMFS has
The Assistant Administrator for holders in the Atlantic region from 36 concluded that increasing the retention
Fisheries NOAA (AA), finds that good LCS other than sandbar sharks per limit of the Atlantic aggregated LCS and
cause exists for the inseason orders to be vessel per trip to 45 LCS other than hammerhead management groups for
issued without affording the public sandbar sharks per vessel per trip. This directed shark limited access permit
prior notice and opportunity for action is based on consideration of the holders in the Atlantic region will allow
comment under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as regulatory determination criteria use of available aggregated LCS and
such prior notice and opportunity for regarding inseason adjustments. The hammerhead shark management group
comments is impracticable and contrary retention limit will remain at 45 LCS quotas and will provide fishermen
to the public interest. Prior notice and other than sandbar sharks per vessel per throughout the region equitable fishing
opportunity for public comment is trip in the Atlantic region through the opportunities for the rest of the year.
impracticable because NMFS has rest of the 2018 fishing season or until Therefore, NMFS is increasing the
insufficient time to allow for prior NMFS announces via a notice in the commercial Atlantic aggregated LCS and
notice and opportunity for public Federal Register another adjustment to hammerhead shark retention limit in the
comment between the time the stock the retention limit or a fishery closure. Atlantic region from 36 to 45 LCS other
abundance information is available to This retention limit adjustment affects than sandbar shark per vessel per trip.
determine how much fishing can be anyone with a directed shark limited NMFS considered the inseason
allowed and the time the fishery must access permit fishing for LCS in the retention limit adjustment criteria listed
open and close in order to harvest the Atlantic region. at § 635.24(a)(8)(i) through (vi), which
appropriate amount of fish while they DATES: This retention limit adjustment includes:
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are available. is effective on November 6, 2018 • The amount of remaining shark
The AA also finds good cause to through December 31, 2018, or until quota in the relevant area, region, or
waive the 30-day delay in the effective NMFS announces via a notice in the sub-region to date, based on dealer
date, required under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), Federal Register another adjustment to reports.
of the inseason orders. A delay in the the retention limit or a fishery closure, Based on dealer reports through
effective date of the inseason orders if warranted. October 15, 2018, 65.2 metric tons (mt)
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![55640 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 216 / Wednesday, November 7, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
and ‘‘no sale’’ provisions apply upward to 45 would result in minimal status quo. Regulations governing these
(§ 635.22(a) and (c)); or if the vessel risks of exceeding the aggregated LCS fisheries require NMFS to notify the
possesses a valid shark research permit and hammerhead shark quotas in the public of the allowable harvest levels for
under § 635.32 and a NMFS-approved Atlantic region based on our Atlantic surfclams and ocean quahogs
observer is onboard, in which case the consideration of previous years’ data, in from the Exclusive Economic Zone if
restrictions noted on the shark research which the fisheries have opened in July. the previous year’s quota specifications
permit apply. With quota available and with no remain unchanged.
All other retention limits and shark measurable impacts to the stocks DATES: Effective January 1, 2019,
fisheries in the Atlantic region remain expected, it would be contrary to the through December 31, 2019.
unchanged. This retention limit will public interest to require vessels to wait FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
remain at 45 LCS other than sandbar to harvest the sharks otherwise Douglas Potts, Fishery Policy Analyst,
sharks per vessel per trip for the rest of allowable through this action. 978–281–9341.
the 2018 fishing season, or until NMFS Therefore, the AA finds good cause SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
announces via a notice in the Federal under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) to waive prior
Register another adjustment to the regulations implementing the Atlantic
notice and the opportunity for public Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fishery
retention limit or a fishery closure, if comment. Adjustment of the LCS
warranted. Management Plan (FMP) at 50 CFR
commercial retention limit in the 648.75(b)(3) authorize the
Classification Atlantic region is effective November 6, Administrator, Greater Atlantic Region,
2018, to minimize any unnecessary NMFS (Regional Administrator), to
The Assistant Administrator for disruption in fishing patterns and to
NMFS (AA) finds that it is impracticable suspend annually, by publication in the
allow fishermen to benefit from the Federal Register, the minimum size
and contrary to the public interest to adjustment. Foregoing opportunities to
provide prior notice of, and an limit for Atlantic surfclams. This action
harvest the respective quotas could have may be taken unless discard, catch, and
opportunity for public comment on, this negative social and economic impacts
action for the following reasons: biological sampling data indicate that 30
for U.S. fishermen that depend upon percent or more of the Atlantic surfclam
Prior notice is impracticable because
catching the available quotas. Therefore, resource have a shell length less than
the regulatory criteria for inseason
retention limit adjustments are intended the AA finds there is also good cause 4.75 inches (120 mm), and the overall
to allow the agency to respond quickly under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive the reduced size is not attributable to
to existing management considerations, 30-day delay in effectiveness. harvest from beds where growth of the
This action is being taken under
including remaining available shark individual clams has been reduced
§ 635.24(a)(2) and is exempt from
quotas, estimated dates for the fishery because of density-dependent factors. At
review under Executive Order 12866.
closures, the regional variations in the its June 2018 meeting, the Mid-Atlantic
shark fisheries, and equitable fishing Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Fishery Management Council
opportunities. Additionally, regulations Dated: November 1, 2018. recommended the Regional
implementing Amendment 6 of the 2006 Karen H. Abrams, Administrator suspend the minimum
Atlantic Consolidated HMS FMP (80 FR Acting Director, Office of Sustainable size limit for Atlantic surfclams for the
50074, August 18, 2015) intended that Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. 2019 fishing year. Commercial surfclam
the LCS retention limit could be [FR Doc. 2018–24274 Filed 11–6–18; 8:45 am] data for 2018 were analyzed to
adjusted quickly throughout the fishing BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
determine the percentage of surfclams
season to provide management that were smaller than the minimum
flexibility for the shark fisheries and size requirement. The analysis indicated
provide equitable fishing opportunities DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE that 20.2 percent of the overall
to fishermen throughout a region. Based commercial landings were composed of
on available shark quotas and informed National Oceanic and Atmospheric surfclams that were less than the 4.75-
by shark landings in previous seasons, Administration in (120-mm) default minimum size.
responsive adjustment to the LCS Based on the information available,
commercial retention limit from the 50 CFR Part 648 the Regional Administrator concurs
incidental level is warranted as quickly [Docket No. 900124–0127]
with the Council’s recommendation,
as possible to allow fishermen to take and is suspending the minimum size
advantage of available quotas while RIN 0648–XG418 limit for Atlantic surfclams in the
sharks are present in their region. For upcoming fishing year (January 1
such adjustment to be practicable, it Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog through December 31, 2019).
must occur in a timeframe that allows Fisheries; 2019 Fishing Quotas for The Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean
fishermen to take advantage of it. Atlantic Surfclams and Ocean Quahog FMP requires that NMFS issue
Adjustment of the LCS fisheries Quahogs; and Suspension of Minimum a notice in the Federal Register of the
retention limit in the Atlantic region Atlantic Surfclam Size Limit upcoming year’s quota, even in cases
will begin on November 6, 2018. Prior AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries where the quota remains unchanged
notice would result in delays in Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and from the previous year. At its June 2018
increasing the retention limit and would Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), meeting, the Council recommended no
adversely affect those shark fishermen Commerce. change to the quota specifications for
that would otherwise have an ACTION: Temporary rule.
Atlantic surfclams and ocean quahogs
opportunity to harvest more than the for the 2019 fishing year. As a result, we
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current retention limit of 36 LCS other SUMMARY: NMFS suspends the are announcing that the 2018 quota
than sandbar sharks per vessel per trip minimum size limit for Atlantic levels of 3.4 million bu (181 million L)
and could result in low catch rates and surfclams for the 2019 fishing year. for Atlantic surfclams, 5.33 million bu
underutilized quotas. Analysis of NMFS also announces that the quotas (288 million L) for ocean quahogs, and
available data shows that adjustment of for the Atlantic surfclam and ocean 100,000 Maine bu (3.52 million L) for
the LCS commercial retention limit quahog fisheries for 2019 will remain Maine ocean quahogs, as announced in
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Document Created: 2018-11-07 00:04:22
Document Modified: 2018-11-07 00:04:22
| 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 retention limit adjustment. | |
| Dates | This retention limit adjustment is effective on November 6, 2018 through December 31, 2018, or until NMFS announces via a notice in the Federal Register another adjustment to the retention limit or a fishery closure, if warranted. | |
| Contact | Lauren Latchford, Chant[eacute] Davis, or Karyl Brewster-Geisz 301-427-8503; fax 301-713-1917. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 55638 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XG58 |
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