[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 146 (Tuesday, July 30, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45896-45897]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-18408]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 120109034-2171-01]
RIN 0648-XC782


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast 
Multispecies Fishery; Trimester Closure for the Common Pool Fishery

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.

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SUMMARY: This action closes the Georges Bank (GB) cod Trimester Total 
Allowable Catch (TAC) Area for the remainder of Trimester 1, through 
August 31, 2013. Based on our projection, the common pool fishery has 
caught 90 percent of its GB cod Trimester 1 TAC triggering the 
regulatory requirement to close the TAC area for the remainder of the 
trimester. This action is intended to prevent an overage of the common 
pool's GB cod quota.

DATES: This action is effective July 30, 2013, through August 31, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Heil, Fishery Policy Analyst, 
978-281-9257.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The regulations at Sec.  648.82(n)(2)(ii) 
require the Regional Administrator to close the Trimester TAC Area for 
a stock when 90 percent of the Trimester TAC is projected to be caught. 
The fishing year (FY) 2013 common pool quota for GB cod is 32 mt 
(70,547.9 lb), which is divided into Trimester TACs. The Trimester 1 
TAC is 8.0 mt (17,600 lb). Based on the most recent data, which include 
vessel trip reports (VTRs), dealer reported landings, and vessel 
monitoring system (VMS) information, we projected that 90 percent of 
the

[[Page 45897]]

Trimester 1 TAC for GB cod was caught by July 27, 2013. Therefore, 
effective July 30, 2013, the GB cod Trimester TAC Area is closed for 
the remainder of Trimester 1, through August 31, 2013, to all common 
pool vessels fishing with trawl gear, sink gillnet gear, and longline/
hook gear. The GB cod Trimester TAC Area includes statistical areas 
521, 522, 525, and 561. The GB cod Trimester TAC Area will reopen to 
common pool vessels fishing with trawl, sink gillnet, and longline/hook 
gear at the beginning of Trimester 2, on September 1, 2013.
    We are required to deduct any overages of the GB cod Trimester 1 
and 2 TACs from the Trimester 3 TAC. If the Trimester 1 or 2 TACs are 
not fully caught, the remaining portions will be carried over to 
Trimester 3. At the end of FY 2013, we will evaluate total common pool 
catch, and if the common pool fishery exceeds its annual quota for any 
stock, we are required to deduct the overage from the respective common 
pool quota for FY 2014. Uncaught portions of the common pool's annual 
quota may not be carried over to the next fishing year. Weekly quota 
monitoring reports for the common pool fishery can be found on our Web 
site at: http://www.nero.noaa.gov/ro/fso/MultiMonReports.htm. We will 
continue to monitor common pool catch through VTRs, dealer-reported 
landings, VMS catch reports, and other available information, and if 
necessary, we will make additional adjustments to common pool 
management measures.

Classification

    This action is required by 50 CFR part 648, and is exempt from 
review under Executive Order 12866.
    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), finds good 
cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) and 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive 
prior notice and the opportunity for public comment and the 30-day 
delayed effectiveness period because it would be impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest.
    The regulations require the Regional Administrator to close a 
trimester TAC area to the common pool fishery when 90 percent of the 
Trimester TAC for a stock has been caught. Updated catch information 
only recently became available indicating that the common pool fishery 
would catch 90 percent of its Trimester 1 TAC for GB cod by July 27, 
2013. The time necessary to provide for prior notice and comment, and a 
30-day delay in effectiveness, would prevent the immediate closure of 
the GB cod Trimester 1 TAC area, and would increase the likelihood that 
the common pool fishery exceeds its quota of GB cod to the detriment of 
this stock.
    Any overage of the Trimester 1 TAC is required to be deducted from 
the Trimester 3 TAC, which could cause the premature closure of 
Trimester 3, and have negative economic impacts on the common pool 
fishery. Any overage of the Trimester 1 TAC would also increase the 
likelihood that the common pool fishery exceeds its total annual quota 
for GB cod, which would trigger accountability measures in the 2014 
fishing year. Overages would not only have negative economic impacts on 
the common pool fishery, but would also undermine the conservation 
objectives of the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. As a 
result, immediate implementation of this action is necessary to help 
ensure that the common pool fishery does not exceed its GB cod quota.

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

    Dated: July 26, 2013.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-18408 Filed 7-29-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P