[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 201 (Tuesday, October 18, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 71641]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-25139]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 160301164-6694-02]
RIN 0648-XE955


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Skate 
Complex; Adjustment to the Skate Bait Inseason Possession Limit

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason adjustment.

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SUMMARY: We announce the reduction of the commercial per-trip skate 
bait possession limit from 25,000 lb (11,340 kg) to 9,307 lb (4,222 kg) 
whole weight through October 31, 2016. This action is required to 
prevent the skate bait Season 2 quota from being exceeded. This 
announcement informs the public that the skate bait possession limit is 
reduced.

DATES: Effective October 17, 2016, through October 31, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Whitmore, Fishery Policy 
Analyst, 978-281-9182.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The bait skate fishery is managed primarily through the Northeast 
Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan. The regulations describing the 
process to adjust inseason commercial possession limits of skate bait 
are described at 50 CFR 648.322(b) and (d). When the National Marine 
Fisheries Service Regional Administrator, Greater Atlantic Region 
projects that 90 percent of the skate bait fishery seasonal quota has 
been landed, the Regional Administrator is required to reduce the skate 
bait trip limit unless such a reduction would be expected to prevent 
attainment of the seasonal quota or annual TAL. The current skate bait 
trip limit is 25,000 lb (11,340 kg) and the current skate wing trip 
limit is 9,307 lb (4,222 kg) whole weight, 4,100 lb (1,860 kg) skate 
wings.

Inseason Action

    Based on commercial landings data reported through October 1, 2016, 
the skate bait fishery is projected to reach or exceed 90 percent of 
the Season 2 quota on or around October 15, 2016. Further, catch 
projections indicate that retaining the current skate bait possession 
limits would result in 109 percent of the Season 2 quota being 
harvested. Additional projections indicate that the annual TAL is 
likely to be attained in Season 3, even with this season 2 possession 
limit reduction. Therefore, consistent with Sec.  648.322(b) and (d) we 
are reducing the skate wing trip limit from 25,000 lb (11,340 kg) to 
9,307 lb (4,222 kg) whole weight [4,100 lb (1,860 kg) skate wings] to 
prevent the season 2 quota from being exceeded. Beginning October 17, 
2016, no person may possess on board or land more than 9,307 lb (4,222 
kg) of skate bait per trip for the remainder of Season 2 (i.e., through 
October 31, 2016). The 25,000 lb (11,340 kg) skate bait trip limit is 
reinstated on November 1, 2016, the start of Season 3.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from 
review under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: October 13, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-25139 Filed 10-13-16; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P