83 FR 59362 - Determination of Overfishing or an Overfished Condition

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 226 (November 23, 2018)

Page Range		59362-59362
FR Document		2018-25558

This action serves as a notice that NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), has found that the following stocks are subject to overfishing or overfished. Gulf of Mexico gray snapper is now subject to overfishing. Thorny skate is still overfished. NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary, notifies the appropriate regional fishery management council (Council) whenever it determines that overfishing is occurring, a stock is in an overfished condition or a stock is approaching an overfished condition.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 226 (Friday, November 23, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 226 (Friday, November 23, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 59362]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-25558]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG533


Determination of Overfishing or an Overfished Condition

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This action serves as a notice that NMFS, on behalf of the 
Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), has found that the following stocks 
are subject to overfishing or overfished. Gulf of Mexico gray snapper 
is now subject to overfishing. Thorny skate is still overfished. NMFS, 
on behalf of the Secretary, notifies the appropriate regional fishery 
management council (Council) whenever it determines that overfishing is 
occurring, a stock is in an overfished condition or a stock is 
approaching an overfished condition.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Regina Spallone, (301) 427-8568.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 304(e)(2) of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-
Stevens Act), 16 U.S.C. 1854(e)(2), NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary, 
must notify Councils, and publish in the Federal Register, whenever it 
determines that a stock or stock complex is subject to overfishing, 
overfished, or approaching an overfished condition.
    NMFS has determined that the Gulf of Mexico stock of gray snapper 
is now subject to overfishing. The most recent benchmark assessment for 
this stock was finalized in 2018, using data through 2015. The 
assessment supports a determination that the stock is subject to 
overfishing because the current estimate of fishing mortality 
(F2013-2015), 0.138, is greater than the maximum fishing 
mortality threshold (MFMT), 0.115. NMFS has informed the Gulf of Mexico 
Fishery Management Council (Gulf Council) that it must prepare and 
implement a plan amendment or proposed regulations to end overfishing 
immediately and prevent overfishing from occurring in the fishery. The 
Gulf Council has already started working on a fishery management plan 
amendment to address the results of this stock assessment.
    NMFS has determined that thorny skate is still overfished. A stock 
status update was completed for this stock in 2018, using data through 
2017. The update supports a determination that the stock remains 
overfished because the three-year average biomass index 
(B2015-2017), 0.285kg/tow, is below the biomass threshold, 
2.06 kg/tow. Thorny skate is currently in year 15 of a 25-year 
rebuilding plan that was implemented in 2003. NMFS continues to work 
with the New England Fishery Management Council to rebuild this stock.

    Dated: November 19, 2018.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-25558 Filed 11-21-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

59362 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 226 / Friday, November 23, 2018 / Notices

This correction to the Amended Final estimate of fishing mortality (F2013–2015), Needs and Uses: This request is for
Determination and to the Amended 0.138, is greater than the maximum extension of a currently approved
Order is issued and published in fishing mortality threshold (MFMT), information collection.
accordance with sections 735(d), 736(a), 0.115. NMFS has informed the Gulf of NOAA has, or is given, authority
and 777(i) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as Mexico Fishery Management Council under the Coastal Zone Management
amended. (Gulf Council) that it must prepare and Act (CZMA), annual appropriations or
Dated: November 19, 2018. implement a plan amendment or other authorities, to issue funds to
Gary Taverman,
proposed regulations to end overfishing coastal states, localities or other
immediately and prevent overfishing recipients for planning, conservation,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping
and Countervailing Duty Operations,
from occurring in the fishery. The Gulf acquisition, protection, restoration, or
performing the non-exclusive functions and Council has already started working on construction projects. The required
duties of the Assistant Secretary for a fishery management plan amendment information enables NOAA to
Enforcement and Compliance. to address the results of this stock implement the CELCP, under its current
[FR Doc. 2018–25516 Filed 11–21–18; 8:45 am] assessment. or future authorization, and facilitate
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
NMFS has determined that thorny the review of similar projects under
skate is still overfished. A stock status different, but related, authorities.
update was completed for this stock in
This includes projects funded
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 2018, using data through 2017. The
through:
update supports a determination that
National Oceanic and Atmospheric the stock remains overfished because • The Coastal and Estuarine Land
Administration the three-year average biomass index Conservation Program (CZMA Section
(B2015–2017), 0.285kg/tow, is below the 307A) to protect important coastal and
RIN 0648–XG533 estuarine areas that have significant
biomass threshold, 2.06 kg/tow. Thorny
skate is currently in year 15 of a 25-year conservation, recreation, ecological,
Determination of Overfishing or an historical, or aesthetic values, or that are
Overfished Condition rebuilding plan that was implemented
in 2003. NMFS continues to work with threatened by conversion, and
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries the New England Fishery Management procedures for eligible applicants who
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Council to rebuild this stock. choose to participate in the program to
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), use when developing state conservation
Dated: November 19, 2018.
Commerce. plans, proposing or soliciting projects
Karen H. Abrams, under this program, applying for funds,
ACTION: Notice. Acting Director, Office of Sustainable and carrying out projects under this
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. program in a manner that is consistent
SUMMARY: This action serves as a notice
[FR Doc. 2018–25558 Filed 11–21–18; 8:45 am] with the purposes of the program
that NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary of
Commerce (Secretary), has found that BILLING CODE 3510–22–P pursuant to program guidelines which
the following stocks are subject to can be found on NOAA’s website at:
overfishing or overfished. Gulf of www.coast.noaa.gov/czm/
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE landconservation/ or may be obtained
Mexico gray snapper is now subject to
overfishing. Thorny skate is still upon request via the contact
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
overfished. NMFS, on behalf of the information listed above;
Administration
Secretary, notifies the appropriate • the National Estuarine Research
regional fishery management council Submission for OMB Review; Reserve System (CZMA Section 315)
(Council) whenever it determines that Comment Request Land Acquisition and Construction
overfishing is occurring, a stock is in an program;
The Department of Commerce will
overfished condition or a stock is • the Coastal Zone Management
approaching an overfished condition. submit to the Office of Management and
Program’s low-cost acquisition and
Budget (OMB) for clearance the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: construction program (CZMA Section
following proposal for collection of
Regina Spallone, (301) 427–8568. 306A); or the
information under the provisions of the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. • Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act.
to section 304(e)(2) of the Magnuson- Chapter 35). Affected Public: State, local or tribal
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Agency: National Oceanic and government; not-for-profit institutions.
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Frequency: One time and semi-
Act), 16 U.S.C. 1854(e)(2), NMFS, on Title: Coastal and Estuarine Land annually.
behalf of the Secretary, must notify Conservation, Planning, Protection, or
Councils, and publish in the Federal Respondent’s Obligation: Required to
Restoration.
Register, whenever it determines that a obtain or retain benefits.
OMB Control Number: 0648–0459.
stock or stock complex is subject to Form Number(s): None. This information collection request
overfishing, overfished, or approaching Type of Request: Regular (extension of may be viewed at reginfo.gov. Follow
an overfished condition. a currently approved information the instructions to view Department of
NMFS has determined that the Gulf of collection). Commerce collections currently under
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1

Mexico stock of gray snapper is now Number of Respondents: 51. review by OMB.
subject to overfishing. The most recent Average Hours per Response:: CELCP Written comments and
benchmark assessment for this stock Plans, 120 hours to develop, 35 hours to recommendations for the proposed
was finalized in 2018, using data revise or update; project application and information collection should be sent
through 2015. The assessment supports checklist, 20 hours; semi-annual and within 30 days of publication of this
a determination that the stock is subject annual reporting, 5 hours each. notice to OIRA_Submission@
to overfishing because the current Burden Hours: 1,410. omb.eop.gov or fax to (202) 395–5806.

VerDate Sep<11>2014 21:21 Nov 21, 2018 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\23NON1.SGM 23NON1

Document Created: 2018-11-27 12:59:03
Document Modified: 2018-11-27 12:59:03

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		Notices
Action		Notice.
Contact		Regina Spallone, (301) 427-8568.
FR Citation		83 FR 59362
RIN Number		0648-XG53

83 FR 59362 - Determination of Overfishing or an Overfished Condition

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 226 (November 23, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration