83_FR_5763 83 FR 5735 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder Fishery; Quota Transfer

83 FR 5735 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder Fishery; Quota Transfer

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 28 (February 9, 2018)

Page Range5735-5736
FR Document2018-02660

NMFS announces that the State of North Carolina is transferring a portion of its 2018 commercial summer flounder quota to the State of Rhode Island. This quota adjustment is necessary to comply with the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan quota transfer provisions. This announcement informs the public of the revised commercial quotas for North Carolina and Rhode Island.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 28 (Friday, February 9, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 28 (Friday, February 9, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5735-5736]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-02660]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 170828822-70999-02]
RIN 0648-XG001


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder 
Fishery; Quota Transfer

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; quota transfer.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the State of North Carolina is 
transferring a portion of its 2018 commercial summer flounder quota to 
the State of Rhode Island. This quota adjustment is necessary to comply 
with the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management 
Plan quota transfer provisions. This announcement informs the public of 
the revised commercial quotas for North Carolina and Rhode Island.

[[Page 5736]]


DATES: Effective February 6, 2018, through December 31, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cynthia Hanson, Fishery Management 
Specialist, (978) 281-9180.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations governing the summer flounder 
fishery are found in 50 CFR 648.100 through 648.110. These regulations 
require annual specification of a commercial quota that is apportioned 
among the coastal states from Maine through North Carolina. The process 
to set the annual commercial quota and the percent allocated to each 
state is described in Sec.  648.102, and the initial 2018 allocations 
were published on December 22, 2017 (82 FR 60682), and corrected 
January 30, 2018 (83 FR 4165).
    The final rule implementing Amendment 5 to the Summer Flounder 
Fishery Management Plan, as published in the Federal Register on 
December 17, 1993 (58 FR 65936), provided a mechanism for transferring 
summer flounder commercial quota from one state to another. Two or more 
states, under mutual agreement and with the concurrence of the NMFS 
Greater Atlantic Regional Administrator, can transfer or combine summer 
flounder commercial quota under Sec.  648.102(c)(2). The Regional 
Administrator is required to consider the criteria in Sec.  
648.102(c)(2)(i)(A) through (C) in the evaluation of requests for quota 
transfers or combinations.
    North Carolina is transferring 5,008 lb (2,272 kg) of summer 
flounder commercial quota to Rhode Island. This transfer was requested 
to repay landings by North Carolina-permitted vessels that landed in 
Rhode Island under safe harbor agreements. The revised summer flounder 
quotas for calendar year 2018 are now: North Carolina, 1,761,439 lb 
(798,975 kg); and Rhode Island, 1,001,381 lb (454,219 kg); based on the 
initial quotas published in the 2018 Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black 
Sea Bass Specifications and subsequent adjustments.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from 
review under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: February 6, 2018.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-02660 Filed 2-6-18; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 28 / Friday, February 9, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 5735 Therefore, we conclude that critical accordance with Secretarial Order 3206 www.regulations.gov under Docket habitat is not determinable for the Texas of June 5, 1997 (American Indian Tribal Number FWS–R2–ES–2016–0077. hornshell at this time. Rights, Federal-Tribal Trust Authors Responsibilities, and the Endangered Required Determinations The primary authors of this final rule Species Act), we readily acknowledge National Environmental Policy Act (42 our responsibilities to work directly are the staff members of the Texas U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) with tribes in developing programs for Coastal Ecological Services Field Office. healthy ecosystems, to acknowledge that List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17 We have determined that tribal lands are not subject to the same environmental assessments and Endangered and threatened species, controls as Federal public lands, to environmental impact statements, as Exports, Imports, Reporting and remain sensitive to Indian culture, and defined under the authority of the recordkeeping requirements, to make information available to tribes. National Environmental Policy Act Transportation. (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), need not The Kickapoo Indian Reservation of be prepared in connection with listing Texas owns 1.3 km (0.8 mi) adjacent to Regulation Promulgation a species as an endangered or the Rio Grande, downstream of Eagle Accordingly, we amend part 17, threatened species under the Pass, Texas. We sent notification letters subchapter B of chapter I, title 50 of the Endangered Species Act. We published to the tribe on August 10, 2016, and Code of Federal Regulations, as follows: a notice outlining our reasons for this June 1, 2017, inviting their review and determination in the Federal Register comment on the proposed rule. We did PART 17—ENDANGERED AND on October 25, 1983 (48 FR 49244). not receive a response. We also sent THREATENED WILDLIFE AND PLANTS notification letters on August 10, 2016, Government-to-Government to the following tribes with interests in ■ 1. The authority citation for part 17 Relationship With Tribes the Black and Delaware River continues to read as follows: In accordance with the President’s watersheds: Comanche, Hopi, Isleta, Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361–1407; 1531– memorandum of April 29, 1994 Mescalero Apache, Oklahoma Apache, 1544; and 4201–4245; unless otherwise (Government-to-Government Relations Tesuque, and Ysleta del Sur tribes, and noted. with Native American Tribal we did not receive a response. ■ 2. Amend § 17.11(h) by adding an Governments; 59 FR 22951), Executive References Cited entry for ‘‘Hornshell, Texas’’ to the List Order 13175 (Consultation and of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife Coordination With Indian Tribal A complete list of references cited is in alphabetical order under CLAMS to Governments), and the Department of available in Appendix A of the SSA read as follows: the Interior’s manual at 512 DM 2, we report (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. readily acknowledge our responsibility 2018. Species status assessment report § 17.11 Endangered and threatened to communicate meaningfully with for the Texas hornshell (Popenaias wildlife. recognized Federal Tribes on a popeii), Version 1.2. Albuquerque, NM), * * * * * government-to-government basis. In available online at http:// (h) * * * Common name Scientific name Where listed Status Listing citations and applicable rules * * * * * * * CLAMS * * * * * * * Hornshell, Texas ............ Popenaias popeii ......... Wherever found ........... E 83 FR [insert Federal Register page where the document begins], 2/9/2018. * * * * * * * * * * * * DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Dated: December 19, 2017. Commerce. National Oceanic and Atmospheric James W. Kurth, Administration ACTION: Temporary rule; quota transfer. Deputy Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Exercising the Authority of the 50 CFR Part 648 SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the Director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. State of North Carolina is transferring a [FR Doc. 2018–02672 Filed 2–8–18; 8:45 am] [Docket No. 170828822–70999–02] portion of its 2018 commercial summer BILLING CODE 4333–15–P flounder quota to the State of Rhode Island. This quota adjustment is RIN 0648–XG001 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES necessary to comply with the Summer Fisheries of the Northeastern United Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass States; Summer Flounder Fishery; Fishery Management Plan quota transfer Quota Transfer provisions. This announcement informs the public of the revised commercial AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries quotas for North Carolina and Rhode Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Island. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:59 Feb 08, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\09FER1.SGM 09FER1

5736 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 28 / Friday, February 9, 2018 / Rules and Regulations DATES: Effective February 6, 2018, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE one inseason adjustment (82 FR 60327, through December 31, 2018. December 20, 2017). National Oceanic and Atmospheric In accordance with § 680.22(e)(2)(i), FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Administration the Administrator, Alaska Region, Cynthia Hanson, Fishery Management Specialist, (978) 281–9180. NMFS (Regional Administrator) has 50 CFR Part 679 determined that the A season allowance SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: of the 2018 Pacific cod sideboard limit [Docket No. 160920866–7167–02] Regulations governing the summer established for non-AFA crab vessels flounder fishery are found in 50 CFR RIN 0648–XF940 that are operating as CVs using pot gear 648.100 through 648.110. These in the Central Regulatory Area of the regulations require annual specification Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, of a commercial quota that is Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Non- the Regional Administrator is apportioned among the coastal states American Fisheries Act Crab Vessels establishing a sideboard directed fishing from Maine through North Carolina. The Operating as Catcher Vessels Using allowance of 164 mt, and is setting aside process to set the annual commercial Pot Gear in the Central Regulatory the remaining 10 mt as bycatch to quota and the percent allocated to each Area of the Gulf of Alaska support other anticipated groundfish state is described in § 648.102, and the AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries fisheries. In accordance with initial 2018 allocations were published Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and § 680.22(e)(3), the Regional on December 22, 2017 (82 FR 60682), Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Administrator finds that this sideboard and corrected January 30, 2018 (83 FR Commerce. directed fishing allowance has been 4165). reached. Consequently, NMFS is ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. The final rule implementing prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific Amendment 5 to the Summer Flounder SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed cod by non-AFA crab vessels that are Fishery Management Plan, as published fishing for Pacific cod by non-American operating as CVs using pot gear in the in the Federal Register on December 17, Fisheries Act (AFA) crab vessels that are Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. 1993 (58 FR 65936), provided a subject to sideboard limits, and After the effective date of this closure mechanism for transferring summer operating as catcher vessels (CVs) using the maximum retainable amounts at flounder commercial quota from one pot gear, in the Central Regulatory Area § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time state to another. Two or more states, of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action during a trip. under mutual agreement and with the is necessary to prevent exceeding the A Classification concurrence of the NMFS Greater season allowance of the 2018 Pacific Atlantic Regional Administrator, can cod sideboard limit established for non- This action responds to the best transfer or combine summer flounder AFA crab vessels that are operating as available information recently obtained commercial quota under § 648.102(c)(2). CVs using pot gear in the Central from the fishery. The Assistant The Regional Administrator is required Regulatory Area of the GOA. Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA to consider the criteria in DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska (AA), finds good cause to waive the § 648.102(c)(2)(i)(A) through (C) in the local time (A.l.t.), February 6, 2018, requirement to provide prior notice and evaluation of requests for quota transfers through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, opportunity for public comment or combinations. 2018. pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 North Carolina is transferring 5,008 lb U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: (2,272 kg) of summer flounder impracticable and contrary to the public Obren Davis, 907–586–7228. commercial quota to Rhode Island. This interest. This requirement is SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS impracticable and contrary to the public transfer was requested to repay landings manages the groundfish fishery in the interest as it would prevent NMFS from by North Carolina-permitted vessels that GOA exclusive economic zone responding to the most recent fisheries landed in Rhode Island under safe according to the Fishery Management data in a timely fashion and would harbor agreements. The revised summer Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of delay the sideboard directed fishing flounder quotas for calendar year 2018 Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North closure of Pacific cod for non-AFA crab are now: North Carolina, 1,761,439 lb Pacific Fishery Management Council vessels that are subject to sideboard (798,975 kg); and Rhode Island, under authority of the Magnuson- limits, and that are operating as CVs 1,001,381 lb (454,219 kg); based on the Stevens Fishery Conservation and using pot gear in the Central Regulatory initial quotas published in the 2018 Management Act. Regulations governing Area of the GOA. NMFS was unable to Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance publish a notice providing time for Bass Specifications and subsequent with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 public comment because the most adjustments. CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. recent, relevant data only became Classification Regulations governing sideboard available as of February 5, 2018. protections for GOA groundfish This action is taken under 50 CFR The AA also finds good cause to fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from review waive the 30-day delay in the effective part 680. under Executive Order 12866. date of this action under 5 U.S.C. The A season allowance of the 2018 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Pacific cod sideboard limit established the reasons provided above for waiver of sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES for non-AFA crab vessels, and that are Dated: February 6, 2018. prior notice and opportunity for public operating as CVs using pot gear in the Jennifer M. Wallace, comment. Central Regulatory Area of the GOA, is Acting Director, Office of Sustainable 174 metric tons (mt), as established by This action is required by § 680.22 Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. the final 2017 and 2018 harvest and is exempt from review under [FR Doc. 2018–02660 Filed 2–6–18; 4:15 pm] specifications for groundfish of the GOA Executive Order 12866. BILLING CODE 3510–22–P (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017) and Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:59 Feb 08, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\09FER1.SGM 09FER1


Document Created: 2018-02-09 00:12:04
Document Modified: 2018-02-09 00:12:04
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionTemporary rule; quota transfer.
DatesEffective February 6, 2018, through December 31, 2018.
ContactCynthia Hanson, Fishery Management Specialist, (978) 281-9180.
FR Citation83 FR 5735 
RIN Number0648-XG00
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