[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 187 (Friday, September 26, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55554-55555]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-24387]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 001005281-0369-02; I.D. 092303A]


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South 
Atlantic; Closure

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

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS closes the commercial fishery for king mackerel in the 
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the western zone of the Gulf of 
Mexico. This closure is necessary to protect the Gulf king mackerel 
resource.

DATES: The closure is effective 12 noon, local time, September 24, 
2003, through June 30, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Godcharles, 727-570-5727, fax: 
727-570-5583, e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The fishery for coastal migratory pelagic 
fish (king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, cero, cobia, little tunny, 
dolphin, and, in the Gulf of Mexico only, bluefish) is managed under 
the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources 
of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (FMP). The FMP was prepared by 
the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils 
(Councils) and is implemented under the authority of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) 
by regulations at 50 CFR part 622.
    Based on the Councils' recommended total allowable catch and the 
allocation ratios in the FMP, NMFS implemented a commercial quota for 
the Gulf of Mexico migratory group of king mackerel in the western zone 
of 1.01 million lb (0.46 million kg) (66 FR 17368, March 30, 2001).
    Under 50 CFR 622.43(a), NMFS is required to close any segment of 
the king mackerel commercial fishery when its quota has been reached, 
or is projected to be reached, by filing a notification at the Office 
of the Federal Register. NMFS has determined that the commercial quota 
of 1.01 million lb (0.46 million kg) for Gulf group king mackerel in 
the western zone will be reached on September 23, 2003. Accordingly, 
the commercial fishery for Gulf group king mackerel in the western zone 
is closed effective 12 noon, local time, September 24, 2003, through 
June 30, 2004, the end of the fishing year. The boundary between the 
eastern and western zones is 87[deg]31'06'' W. long., which is a line 
directly south from the Alabama/Florida boundary.
    Except for a person aboard a charter vessel or headboat, during the 
closure, no person aboard a vessel for which a commercial permit for 
king mackerel has been issued may fish for Gulf group king mackerel in 
the EEZ in the closed zones or subzones. A person aboard a vessel that 
has a valid charter vessel/headboat permit for coastal migratory 
pelagic fish may continue to retain king mackerel in or from the closed 
zones or subzones under the bag and possession limits set forth in 50 
CFR 622.39(c)(1)(ii) and (c)(2), provided the vessel is operating as a 
charter vessel or headboat. A charter vessel or headboat that also has 
a commercial king mackerel permit is considered to be operating as a 
charter vessel or headboat when it carries a passenger who pays a fee 
or when there are more than three persons aboard, including operator 
and crew.
    During the closure, king mackerel from the closed zones or subzones 
taken in the EEZ, including those harvested under the bag and 
possession limits, may not be purchased or sold. This prohibition does 
not apply to trade in king mackerel from the closed zones or subzones 
that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to the closure and

[[Page 55555]]

were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, 
NOAA, (AA), finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior 
notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set 
forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B) as such prior notice and opportunity for 
public comment is unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. Such 
procedures would be unnecessary because the rule itself already has 
been subject to notice and comment, and all that remains is to notify 
the public of the closure. Allowing prior notice and opportunity for 
public comment is contrary to the public interest because of the need 
to immediately implement this action in order to protect the fishery 
since the capacity of the fishing fleet allows for rapid harvest of the 
quota. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment will require 
time and would potentially result in a harvest well in excess of the 
established quota.
    For the aforementioned reasons, the AA also finds good cause to 
waive the 30 day delay in the effectiveness of this action under 5 
U.S.C. 553(d)(3).
    This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.43(a) and is exempt from 
review under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: September 23, 2003.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-24387 Filed 9-23-03; 2:19 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S