[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 14, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14862-14863]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-6351]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 000913257-0257-01; I.D. 081800D]
RIN 0648-AO52


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Prohibition of Trap Gear in the 
Royal Red Shrimp Fishery in the Gulf of Mexico

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

ACTION: Emergency interim rule; extension of expiration date.

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SUMMARY: An emergency interim rule that prohibits the use of trap gear 
in the royal red shrimp fishery within the exclusive economic zone 
(EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico is in effect through March 18, 2001. NMFS 
extends that emergency interim rule for an additional 180 days. The 
intended effect is to prevent gear conflict and overfishing in the 
royal red shrimp fishery.

DATES: The expiration date for the emergency interim rule published at 
65 FR 56500, September 19, 2000, is extended from March 18, 2001, 
through September 14, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Copies of documents supporting this action, such as the 
economic analysis and environmental assessment, may be obtained from, 
the Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive N., 
St. Petersburg, FL 33702, telephone: 727-570-5325; fax: 727-570-5583.
    Comments on any ambiguity or unnecessary complexity arising from 
the language used in this emergency interim rule should be directed to 
Rod Dalton,

[[Page 14863]]

Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive N., St. 
Petersburg, FL 33702.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Steve Branstetter, telephone: 727-
570-5305, fax: 727-570-5583, e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The shrimp fishery of the Gulf of Mexico is 
managed under the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the 
Gulf of Mexico (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the Gulf of Mexico 
Fishery Management Council (Council) and was approved and implemented 
by NMFS, under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), through 
regulations at 50 CFR part 622.
    In response to a request from the Council, NMFS published an 
interim rule (65 FR 56500, September 19, 2000), under section 305(c)(1) 
of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, that prohibits the use of trap gear in the 
royal red shrimp fishery within the EEZ of the Gulf of Mexico. This 
action was, and remains, necessary to prevent gear conflict and 
overfishing in the royal red shrimp fishery.
    Under section 305(c)(3)(B) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, NMFS may 
extend the effectiveness of an emergency interim rule for one 
additional period of 180 days, provided the public has had an 
opportunity to comment on the rule and the Council is actively 
preparing an FMP amendment to address the emergency on a permanent 
basis. NMFS solicited comments on the initial emergency rule; no public 
comments were received. The Council recently adopted final measures for 
FMP Amendment 11 that would address gear conflicts in the royal red 
shrimp fishery and overfishing of the royal red shrimp resource. If 
approved and implemented by NMFS, those measures would replace this 
emergency interim rule. The effectiveness of the initial emergency 
interim rule is being extended because the potential for gear conflicts 
and overfishing remain, and action to address these issues through 
Amendment 11 cannot be taken by March 18, 2001.
    Additional details concerning the basis for emergency action to 
prohibit the use of trap gear in the royal red shrimp fishery are 
contained in the preamble to the initial emergency interim rule and are 
not repeated here.

Classification

    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), has 
determined that the extension of this emergency interim rule is 
necessary to prevent gear conflict and overfishing in the royal red 
shrimp fishery. The AA has also determined that this rule is consistent 
with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable laws.
    This emergency interim rule has been determined to be not 
significant for purposes of E.O. 12866.
    NMFS prepared an economic evaluation of the regulatory impacts 
associated with the emergency interim rule that is summarized as 
follows.
    Currently, trap gear is not an authorized gear in the royal red 
shrimp fishery in the Gulf of Mexico. Trap gear is not on the list of 
authorized fishing gear for this fishery (see 50 CFR 600.725) and, 
therefore, is not allowed. However, consistent with the guidelines 
contained in 50 CFR 600.725, an individual fisherman may notify the 
Council of the intent to use a gear not on the list. Ninety days after 
such notification, the individual may use the gear unless regulatory 
action is taken to prohibit the use of such gear. The Council was 
notified on June 16, 2000, of an intent to use trap gear in the royal 
red fishery. This emergency interim rule is designed to maintain the 
status quo in the fishery until such time as the Council can prepare 
and submit to NMFS for review and approval FMP Amendment 11 that would 
prohibit the use of trap gear in the royal red shrimp fishery on a 
permanent basis. Because the emergency interim rule is designed to 
maintain the status quo situation where trap gear is not authorized in 
the royal red shrimp fishery, there are no economic consequences to the 
current participants in the fishery.
    Copies of the economic evaluation are available (see ADDRESSES).
    This extension of the interim rule will help to ensure avoidance of 
gear conflict and overfishing in the royal red shrimp fishery until a 
more permanent regulatory solution can be implemented. This extension 
of the emergency interim rule does not impose new or additional 
restrictions, rather, it maintains the status quo condition regarding 
allowable gear in the royal red shrimp fishery (i.e., trap gear is not 
allowed). Accordingly, under authority set forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), 
the AA finds that these reasons constitute good cause to waive the 
requirement to provide prior notice and the opportunity for prior 
public comment, as such procedures would be contrary to the public 
interest. For these same reasons, under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the AA 
finds for good cause that a delay in the effective date of this 
emergency interim rule would be contrary to the public interest.
    Because prior notice and an opportunity for public comment are not 
required to be provided for this emergency interim rule by 5 U.S.C. 553 
or any other law, the analytical requirements of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., are inapplicable.
    The President has directed Federal agencies to use plain language 
in their communications with the public, including regulations. To 
comply with this directive, we seek public comment on any ambiguity or 
unnecessary complexity arising from the language used in this emergency 
interim rule. Comments should be sent to the Southeast Regional Office 
(see ADDRESSES).

    Dated: March 6, 2001.
William T. Hogarth
Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service .
[FR Doc. 01-6351 Filed 3-13-01; 8:45 am]
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