[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 207 (Friday, October 24, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 63436]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-25413]
[[Page 63436]]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-AS67
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic;
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Gulf Red Snapper Individual
Fishing Quota Program
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of determination of extended duration of catastrophic
conditions.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the regulations implementing the individual
fishing quota (IFQ) program for the commercial red snapper fishery in
the Gulf of Mexico, the Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS (RA) has
determined that catastrophic conditions still exist in certain parts of
Louisiana and Texas, specifically from Cameron, Louisiana southwest to
Galveston Island, Texas, as a result of recent hurricanes. The RA,
therefore, is extending authorization for the use of paper-based forms
for basic required IFQ administrative functions, e.g., landing
transactions, through December 31, 2008. Although electronic
transactions are to be used if power to the affected area has been
restored, paper-based forms will be authorized in the areas from
Cameron, Louisiana southwest to Galveston Island, Texas. The
determination of catastrophic conditions and allowance of alternative
methods for completing required IFQ administrative functions is
intended to facilitate continuation of IFQ operations during the period
of catastrophic conditions.
DATES: The RA is authorizing IFQ participants within this affected area
to use paper-based forms from October 24, 2008 through December 31,
2008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: IFQ Customer Service, telephone 727-
425-7627, fax 727-824-5308, e-mail [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations implementing the IFQ program for
the commercial red snapper fishery in the Gulf of Mexico (50 CFR
622.16) require that IFQ participants have access to a computer and
Internet access and that they conduct administrative functions
associated with the IFQ program, e.g., landing transactions, online.
However, these regulations also specify that during catastrophic
conditions, as determined by the RA, the RA can authorize IFQ
participants in the affected area who are unable to submit information
electronically to use paper-based forms to complete IFQ administrative
functions for the duration of the catastrophic conditions. In a notice
published September 24, 2008 (73 FR 55052), the RA published his
determination that catastrophic conditions existed in those areas of
the states of Louisiana and Texas from the mouth of the Mississippi
River west to Freeport, Texas, and authorized the use of paper-based
forms until October 24, 2008.
Power has been restored in portions of the previously affected
area, but some communities along the northeast coast of Texas and
western coast of Louisiana are still without power and have significant
damage to infrastructure. The RA has determined that catastrophic
conditions from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike still exist from Cameron,
Louisiana southwest to Galveston Island, Texas. Therefore, the RA is
extending the authorization for IFQ participants within this affected
area to use paper-based forms through December 31, 2008. NMFS will
provide additional notification to affected participants via NOAA
weather radio, fishery bulletins, and other appropriate means.
NMFS previously provided each IFQ dealer the necessary paper forms
(sequentially coded) and instructions in the event catastrophic
conditions exist. Paper-based forms for such functions as landing
transactions must be returned to the RA as soon as possible after the
transaction has been completed. The electronic system for submitting
information to NMFS will continue to be available to all participants,
and participants in the affected area are encouraged to continue using
this system, if accessible.
The administrative program functions available to participants in
the area affected by catastrophic conditions will be limited under the
paper-based system. There will be no mechanism for transfers of IFQ
shares or allocation under the paper-based system in effect during
catastrophic conditions. Assistance in complying with the requirements
of the paper-based system will be available via IFQ Customer Service 1-
866-425-7627 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. eastern
time.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: October 21, 2008.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-25413 Filed 10-23-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S