[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 76 (Monday, April 20, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21789-21790]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-08324]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 635

[Docket No. 180117042-8884-02; RTID 0648-XA071]


Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna 
Fisheries

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

ACTION: Temporary rule.

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SUMMARY: NMFS closes the Angling category Gulf of Mexico area 
incidental trophy fishery for large medium and giant (``trophy'' (i.e., 
measuring 73 inches curved fork length or greater)) Atlantic bluefin 
tuna (BFT). This action is being taken to prevent further overharvest 
of the Angling category Gulf of Mexico incidental trophy BFT subquota.

DATES: Effective 11:30 p.m., local time, April 16, 2020, through 
December 31, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah McLaughlin, 978-281-9260, Larry 
Redd, 301-427-8503, or Nicholas Velseboer 978-675-2168.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations implemented under the authority 
of the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA; 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.) and 
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-
Stevens Act; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) governing the harvest of BFT by 
persons and vessels subject to U.S. jurisdiction are found at 50 CFR 
part 635. Section 635.27 subdivides the U.S. BFT quota recommended by 
the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas 
(ICCAT) among the various domestic fishing categories, per the 
allocations established in the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly 
Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan (2006 Consolidated HMS FMP) 
(71 FR 58058, October 2, 2006) and amendments.
    Under Sec.  635.28(a)(1), NMFS publishes a closure notice in the 
Federal Register when a BFT quota is reached or is projected to be 
reached. Retaining, possessing, or landing BFT under a quota category 
is prohibited on or after the effective date and time of a closure 
notice for that category until the opening of the relevant subsequent 
quota period or until such date as specified.

Angling Category Large Medium and Giant Gulf of Mexico ``Trophy'' 
Fishery Closure

    The 2020 BFT fishing year, which is managed on a calendar-year 
basis and subject to an annual calendar-year quota, began January 1, 
2020. The Angling category season opened January 1, 2020, and continues 
through December 31, 2020. The currently codified Angling category 
quota is 232.4 metric tons (mt), of which 5.3 mt is allocated for the 
harvest of large medium and giant (trophy) BFT by vessels fishing under 
the Angling category quota, with 1.8 mt allocated for each of the 
following areas: North of 39[deg]18' N lat. (off Great Egg Inlet, NJ); 
south of 39[deg]18' N lat. and outside the Gulf of Mexico (the 
``southern area''); and in the Gulf of Mexico. Trophy BFT measure 73 
inches (185 cm) curved fork length or greater.
    Based on reported landings from the NMFS Automated Catch Reporting, 
NMFS has determined that the codified Angling category Gulf of Mexico 
trophy BFT subquota of 1.8 mt has been reached and exceeded and that a 
closure of the Gulf of Mexico incidental trophy BFT fishery is 
warranted. Therefore, retaining, possessing, or landing large medium or 
giant BFT in the Gulf of Mexico by persons aboard vessels permitted in 
the HMS Angling category and the HMS Charter/Headboat category (when 
fishing recreationally) must cease at 11:30 p.m. local time on April 
16, 2020. This closure will remain effective through December 31, 2020. 
This action is intended to prevent further overharvest of the Angling 
category Gulf of Mexico incidental trophy BFT subquota, and is taken 
consistent with the regulations at Sec.  635.28(a)(1). NMFS previously 
closed the 2020 trophy BFT fishery in the southern area on February 20, 
2020 (85 FR 10341, February 24, 2020).
    If needed, subsequent Angling category adjustments will be 
published in the Federal Register. Information regarding the Angling 
category fishery for Atlantic tunas, including daily retention limits 
for BFT measuring 27 inches (68.5 cm) to less than 73 inches and any 
further Angling category adjustments, is available at 
hmspermits.noaa.gov or by calling (978) 281-9260. HMS Angling and HMS 
Charter/Headboat category permit holders may catch and release (or tag 
and release) BFT of all sizes, subject to the requirements of the 
catch-and-release and tag-and-release programs at Sec.  635.26. Anglers 
are also reminded that all BFT that are released must be handled in a 
manner that will maximize

[[Page 21790]]

survival, and without removing the fish from the water, consistent with 
requirements at Sec.  635.21(a)(1). For additional information on safe 
handling, see the ``Careful Catch and Release'' brochure available at 
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/resource/outreach-and-education/careful-catch-and-release-brochure.
    HMS Charter/Headboat and Angling category vessel owners are 
required to report the catch of all BFT retained or discarded dead, 
within 24 hours of the landing(s) or end of each trip, by accessing 
hmspermits.noaa.gov, using the HMS Catch Reporting app, or calling 
(888) 872-8862 (Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.).

Classification

    The Assistant Administrator for NMFS (AA) finds that it is 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest to provide prior 
notice of, and an opportunity for public comment on, this action for 
the following reasons:
    The regulations implementing the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and 
amendments provide for inseason retention limit adjustments and fishery 
closures to respond to the unpredictable nature of BFT availability on 
the fishing grounds, the migratory nature of this species, and the 
regional variations in the BFT fishery. The closure of the Angling 
category Gulf of Mexico incidental trophy fishery is necessary to 
prevent any further overharvest of the Gulf of Mexico incidental trophy 
subquota. NMFS provides notification of closures by publishing the 
notice in the Federal Register, emailing individuals who have 
subscribed to the Atlantic HMS News electronic newsletter, and updating 
the information posted on the Atlantic Tunas Information Line and on 
hmspermits.noaa.gov.
    These fisheries are currently underway, and delaying this action 
would be contrary to the public interest as it could result in 
excessive trophy BFT landings that may result in future potential quota 
reductions for the Angling category, depending on the magnitude of a 
potential Angling category overharvest. NMFS must close the Gulf of 
Mexico incidental trophy BFT fishery before additional landings of 
these sizes of BFT occur. Therefore, the AA finds good cause under 5 
U.S.C. 553(b)(B) to waive prior notice and the opportunity for public 
comment. For all of the above reasons, there is good cause under 5 
U.S.C. 553(d) to waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness.
    This action is being taken under 50 CFR 635.28(a)(1), and is exempt 
from review under Executive Order 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801 et seq.

    Dated: April 15, 2020.
H[eacute]l[egrave]ne M.N. Scalliet,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-08324 Filed 4-15-20; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P