[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