[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 163 (Thursday, August 22, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43725-43726]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-18129]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 121004518-3398-01]
RIN 0648-XG974
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; 2019 Commercial
Accountability Measures; Annual Catch Limit & Annual Catch Target
Reductions
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule.
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SUMMARY: Through this temporary rule, NMFS implements accountability
measures (AMs) for the gray triggerfish commercial sector in the
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) for the 2019
fishing year. NMFS has determined that the 2018 commercial annual catch
limit (ACL) for Gulf gray triggerfish was exceeded. Therefore, NMFS
reduces the ACL and annual catch target (ACT) for the commercial sector
for Gulf gray triggerfish on August 24, 2019, and these reductions will
remain in effect through the end of the fishing year on December 31,
2019. These reductions are necessary to protect the Gulf gray
triggerfish resource.
DATES: This temporary rule is effective from 12:01 a.m., local time, on
August 24, 2019, until 12:01 a.m., local time, on January 1, 2020.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelli O'Donnell, 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 commercial ACL for Gulf gray triggerfish is 64,100 lb (29,075
kg) (50 CFR 622.41(b)(1)), and the commercial ACT (quota) is 60,900 lb
(27,624 kg) (50 CFR 622.39(a)(1)(vi)). The regulations at 50 CFR
622.41(b)(1) require an overage of the commercial ACL be subtracted
from the following year's ACL and ACT. Landings of gray triggerfish for
the commercial sector in 2018 totaled 64,702 lb (29,348 kg); 602 lb
(273 kg), which is 602 lb greater than the 2018 ACL of 64,100 lb
(29,075 kg). Accordingly, this temporary rule reduces both the ACL and
ACT for the commercial sector for Gulf gray triggerfish by the overage
amount of 602 lb (273 kg). The revised commercial ACT (commercial
quota) for gray triggerfish is 60,298 lb (27,351 kg), and the revised
commercial ACL for gray triggerfish is 63,498 lb (28,802 kg). Both
reductions in the ACL and ACT for the commercial sector for gray
triggerfish are effective at 12:01 a.m., local time, on August 24,
2019, and they will remain in effect through the end of the fishing
year on December 31, 2019.
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)(1) 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 Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries (AA) finds that the need
to immediately implement this action to reduce the commercial ACL and
ACT 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 ACL and ACT revision provisions was subject to notice
[[Page 43726]]
and comment, and all that remains is to notify the public of the
reductions. 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 of the reductions in ACL and
ACT for the commercial sector.
For the aforementioned reasons, the AA also finds good cause to
waive the 30-day delay in the effectiveness of this action under 5
U.S.C. 553(d)(3).
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: August 19, 2019.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-18129 Filed 8-19-19; 4:15 pm]
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