[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 219 (Wednesday, November 17, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 64082]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-25082]



[[Page 64082]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 120815345-3525-02; RTID 0648-XB588]


Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; 2021 Recreational 
Accountability Measure and Closure for the South Atlantic Other Jacks 
Complex

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 
recreational sector for the other jacks complex (lesser amberjack, 
almaco jack, and banded rudderfish) in the South Atlantic for the 2021 
fishing year through this temporary rule. NMFS has determined that 
recreational landings of the other jacks complex have reached its 
recreational annual catch limit (ACL). Therefore, NMFS closes the 
recreational sector for this complex on November 17, 2021, through the 
remainder of the 2021 fishing year in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) 
of the South Atlantic. This closure is necessary to protect the lesser 
amberjack, almaco jack, and banded rudderfish resources.

DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m., local time, November 17, 
2021, until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Vara, NMFS Southeast Regional 
Office, telephone: 727-824-5305, email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The snapper-grouper fishery of the South 
Atlantic includes lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and banded rudderfish, 
and is managed under the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-
Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (FMP). The FMP was 
prepared by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and is 
implemented by NMFS under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by regulations 
at 50 CFR part 622.
    The recreational ACL for the other jacks complex is 267,799 lb 
(121,472 kg), round weight. Under 50 CFR 622.193(l)(2)(i), NMFS is 
required to close the recreational sector for the other jacks complex 
when the recreational ACL has been reached, or is projected to be 
reached, by filing a notification to that effect with the Office of the 
Federal Register, unless NMFS determines that no closure is necessary 
based on the best scientific information available. The NMFS Southeast 
Fisheries Science Center has determined that the recreational sector 
for this complex has reached its ACL. Therefore, this temporary rule 
implements an AM to close the recreational sector for the other jacks 
complex in the South Atlantic EEZ, effective 12:01 a.m., local time, 
November 17, 2021, until January 1, 2022, the start of the next fishing 
year.
    During the recreational closure, the bag and possession limits for 
the fish in the other jacks complex in or from the South Atlantic EEZ 
are zero.

Classification

    NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act. This action is required by 50 CFR 50 CFR 622.193(l)(2)(i), 
which was issued pursuant to section 304(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act, and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the NMFS Assistant Administrator 
(AA) finds good cause to waive prior notice and an opportunity for 
public comment on this action, as notice and comment are unnecessary 
and contrary to the public interest. Such procedures are unnecessary 
because the rule that established the recreational ACL and AMs for the 
other jacks complex has already been 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 the South Atlantic other 
jacks complex stock. The recreational ACL for the other jacks complex 
in the South Atlantic has been reached and prior notice and opportunity 
for public comment would require time, potentially resulting in a 
harvest well in excess of the established recreational ACL.
    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: November 12, 2021.
Michael Ruccio,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-25082 Filed 11-12-21; 4:15 pm]
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