[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 57 (Monday, March 25, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10996-10997]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-05509]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 121004518-3398-01]
RIN 0648-XG870
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; 2019 Recreational
Accountability Measure and Closure for Gulf of Mexico Gray Triggerfish
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for the gray
triggerfish recreational sector in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of
the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) for the 2019 fishing year through this
temporary rule. NMFS has projected that the 2019 recreational annual
catch target (ACT) for Gulf gray triggerfish will be met by May 11,
2019. Therefore, NMFS closes the recreational sector for Gulf gray
triggerfish on May 11, 2019, and it will remain closed through the end
of the fishing year on December 31, 2019. This closure is necessary to
protect the Gulf gray triggerfish resource.
DATES: This temporary rule is effective from 12:01 a.m., local time, on
May 11, 2019, until 12:01 a.m., local time, on January 1, 2020.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lauren Waters, NMFS Southeast Regional
Office, telephone: 727-824-5305, email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the Gulf reef fish fishery,
which includes gray triggerfish, 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 by NMFS under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) through
regulations at 50 CFR part 622. All gray triggerfish weights discussed
in this temporary rule are in round weight.
The recreational annual catch limit (ACL) for Gulf gray triggerfish
is 241,200 lb (109,406 kg), and the recreational ACT is 217,100 lb
(98,475 kg) (50 CFR 622.41(b)(2)(iii)).
As specified in 50 CFR 622.41(b)(2)(i), NMFS is required to close
the recreational sector for gray triggerfish when the recreational ACT
is reached or is projected to be reached by filing a notification to
that effect with the Office of the Federal Register. NMFS has
determined the 2019 recreational ACT for Gulf gray triggerfish will be
reached by May 11, 2019. Accordingly, this temporary rule closes the
recreational sector for Gulf gray triggerfish effective at 12:01 a.m.,
local time, on May 11, 2019, and it will remain closed through the end
of the fishing year on December 31, 2019.
During the recreational closure, the bag and possession limits for
gray triggerfish in or from the Gulf EEZ are zero. The prohibition on
possession of Gulf gray triggerfish also applies in Gulf state waters
for a vessel issued a valid Federal charter vessel/headboat permit for
Gulf reef fish.
As specified in 50 CFR 622.34(f), there is a seasonal closure for
Gulf gray triggerfish at the beginning of each fishing year from
January 1 through the end of February; therefore, after the closure
implemented by this temporary rule is effective on May 11, 2019, the
recreational harvest or possession of Gulf gray triggerfish will not
again be allowed until March 1, 2020.
Classification
The Regional Administrator for the NMFS Southeast Region has
determined this temporary rule is necessary for the conservation and
management of Gulf gray triggerfish and is consistent with the
Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable laws.
This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.41(b)(2)(i) and is exempt
from review under Executive Order 12866.
These measures are exempt from the procedures of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act because the temporary rule is issued without
opportunity for prior notice and comment.
This action responds to the best scientific information available.
The
[[Page 10997]]
Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries (AA) finds that the need to
immediately implement this action to close the recreational sector for
gray triggerfish constitutes good cause to waive the requirements to
provide prior notice and opportunity for public comment on this
temporary rule pursuant to the authority set forth in 5 U.S.C.
553(b)(B), because such procedures are unnecessary and contrary to the
public interest. Such procedures are unnecessary because the rule
establishing the closure provisions was subject to notice and comment,
and all that remains is to notify the public of the closure. Such
procedures are contrary to the public interest because of the need to
immediately implement this action to protect gray triggerfish and to
provide advance notice to the recreational sector of the closure. Prior
notice and opportunity for public comment would require time and would
potentially allow the recreational sector to exceed the recreational
ACL.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: March 19, 2019.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-05509 Filed 3-20-19; 8:45 am]
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