[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 101 (Friday, May 23, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29989-29990]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-11538]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 060525140-6221-02]
RIN 0648-XI05


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Snapper-Grouper Resources of the South Atlantic; Trip Limit Reduction

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

ACTION:  Temporary rule; trip limit reduction.

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SUMMARY:  NMFS reduces the commercial trip limit for golden tilefish in 
the South Atlantic to 300 lb (136 kg) per trip in or from the exclusive 
economic zone (EEZ). This trip limit reduction is necessary to protect 
the South Atlantic golden tilefish resource.

DATES:  This rule is effective 12:01 a.m., local time, May 27, 2008, 
through December 31, 2008, unless changed by further notification in 
the Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Britni Tokotch, telephone 727-824-
5305, fax 727-824-5308, e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The snapper-grouper fishery of the South 
Atlantic is managed under the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-
Grouper Resources of the South Atlantic (FMP). The FMP was prepared by 
the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council 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.

[[Page 29990]]

    Under 50 CFR 622.44(c)(2), NMFS is required to reduce the trip 
limit in the commercial fishery for golden tilefish from 4,000 lb 
(1,814 kg) to 300 lb (136 kg) per trip when 75 percent of the fishing 
year quota is met, by filing a notification to that effect in the 
Federal Register. Based on current statistics, NMFS has determined that 
75 percent of the available commercial quota of 295,000 lb (133,810 
kg), gutted weight, for golden tilefish will be reached on or before 
May 20, 2008. Accordingly, NMFS is reducing the commercial golden 
tilefish trip limit to 300 lb (136 kg) in the South Atlantic EEZ from 
12:01 a.m., local time, on May 20, 2008, until the quota is reached and 
the fishery closes or 12:01 a.m., local time, on January 1, 2009, 
whichever occurs first.

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)(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 has already 
been subject to notice and comment, and all that remains is to notify 
the public of the trip limit reduction. Allowing prior notice and 
opportunity for public comment is contrary to the public interest 
because of the need to immediately implement this action to protect the 
fishery because the capacity of the fishing fleet allows for rapid 
harvest of the quota. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment 
would 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: May 19, 2008.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-11538 Filed 5-22-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S