[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 185 (Friday, September 24, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58334-58335]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-23992]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 970730185-7206-02]
RIN 0648-XY73


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Re-Opening of the 2010 Gulf of 
Mexico Recreational Red Snapper Season

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; re-opening.

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SUMMARY: NMFS re-opens the recreational red snapper component of the 
reef fish fishery in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of 
Mexico (Gulf). NMFS previously determined the recreational red snapper 
quota would be reached by 12:01 a.m., local time, July 24, 2010. 
However, due to the Deepwater Horizon MC252 oil spill and the 
associated large-area fishery closure (fishery closed area) in the 
north-central Gulf where a substantial portion of the recreational red 
snapper fishing efforts occurs, the latest landings estimates indicate 
the quota was not reached by that date. Therefore, NMFS will re-open 
the recreational red snapper season, for eight consecutive weekends 
(Friday through Sunday), beginning October 1, 2010. The intent of this 
action is to provide fishermen the opportunity to harvest the 
recreational red snapper quota, and the opportunity to achieve the 
optimum yield for the fishery, thus enhancing social and economic 
benefits to the fishery.

DATES: The re-opening is effective each weekend, from 12:01 a.m., local 
time, Fridays, through 12:01 a.m., local time, Mondays, beginning 
October 1, 2010, until 12:01 a.m., local time, November 22, 2010. The 
season will then be closed until it reopens on June 1, 2011, the 
beginning of the 2011 recreational fishing season.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf reef fish fishery is managed under 
the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of 
Mexico (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery 
Management Council (Council) and is implemented through regulations at 
50 CFR part 622 under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
    On June 2, 2010, NMFS implemented a recreational quota for Gulf red 
snapper of 3.403 million lb (1.544 million kg) and a commercial quota 
of 3.542 million lb (1.607 million kg) through a regulatory amendment 
(75 FR 23186, May 3, 2010). These quotas are based on the Councils( 
recommended total allowable catch of 6.945 million lb (3.150 million 
kg) for 2010 and subsequent fishing years, and the allocation ratios in 
the FMP.
    The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires NMFS to close the recreational 
red snapper component of the Gulf reef fish fishery in Federal waters 
when the quota is met or projected to be met. Finalized 2009 
recreational landings data indicated the recreational quota was 
projected to be met on or by July 23, 2010. Therefore, in the rule that 
published May 3, 2010 (75 FR 23186), NMFS announced the recreational 
red snapper fishing season would close at 12:01 a.m., local time, July 
24, 2010, which constituted a 53-day fishing season.
    Because of the Deepwater Horizon MC252 oil spill, NMFS subsequently 
closed a large area in the north-central Gulf to fishing (fishery 
closed area), resulting in lower than expected landings for 
recreational red snapper. Because the fishery closed area is located 
where a substantial portion of the recreational red snapper fishing 
occurs, the Council did not expect the recreational red snapper quota 
to be met by July 23rd. Therefore, at its June 2010 meeting, the 
Council requested NMFS publish emergency rulemaking to authorize the RA 
to re-open the recreational red snapper season after September 30th, 
the end of the fishing season. A proposed rule was published on August 
16, 2010 (75 FR 49883) and NMFS requested public comment through August 
31, 2010. NMFS published a final rule in the same issue of the Federal 
Register, authorizing the RA to re-open the recreational red snapper 
fishing season after September 30th.
    Based on the most recent landings data, NMFS has determined that 32 
percent of the available recreational quota was landed by the July 23rd 
closure date. Based on landings rates and the remaining recreational 
quota of approximately 2.3 million lb (1.1 million kg), NMFS has 
determined the recreational red snapper season can re-open. At its 
August 2010 meeting, the Council voted to re-open the season on eight 
consecutive Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, beginning at 12:01 a.m., 
local time, on October 1, 2010 and closing at 12:01 a.m., local time, 
on Monday, November 22, 2010 (24 fishing days). In the interim, weekend 
openings would start at 12:01 a.m., local time, on Fridays and stay 
open through 12:01 a.m., local time, on Mondays. The season will then 
be closed until 12:01 a.m., local time, June 1, 2011, the beginning of 
the 2011 recreational fishing season.
    During the open period, the bag and possession limit for 
recreational Gulf red snapper is two fish. However, no red snapper may 
be retained by the captain and crew of a vessel operating as a charter 
vessel or headboat. The bag limit for such captain and crew is zero.
    During the closed period, the bag and possession limit for 
recreational Gulf red snapper is zero. A person aboard a vessel for 
which a Federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef fish has 
been issued, must also abide by these closure provisions in state 
waters if Federal regulations are more restrictive than applicable 
state law.

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). Allowing prior

[[Page 58335]]

notice and opportunity for public comment on the re-opening is 
unnecessary because the rule establishing the annual quota has already 
been subject to notice and comment, and all that remains is to notify 
the public that additional harvest remains in the established quota 
and, therefore, the fishery will re-open for a limited time period.
    This rule relieves a restriction by re-opening the recreational red 
snapper season after September 30, the end of the fishing season. 
Because it relieves a restriction, this rule is not subject to the 30-
day delayed effectiveness provision of the Administrative Procedures 
Act pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(1).
    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 21, 2010.
Carrie Selberg,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-23992 Filed 9-21-10; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S