[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 62 (Thursday, March 31, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 18739]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-06712]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 140501394-5279-02; RTID 0648-XB887]


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
2022 Recreational Accountability Measure and Closure for Blueline 
Tilefish in the South Atlantic Region

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS implements accountability measures (AMs) for recreational 
blueline tilefish in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South 
Atlantic. NMFS has determined that recreational landings for blueline 
tilefish will reach the recreational annual catch limit (ACL) by July 
26, 2022. Therefore, NMFS will close the recreational sector for 
blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic EEZ at 12:01 a.m., local time, 
July 26, 2022, and it will remain closed until the 2023 recreational 
fishing season begins on May 1, 2023. This closure is necessary to 
protect the blueline tilefish resource.

DATES: This rule is effective 12:01 a.m., local time, July 26, 2022, 
until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2023.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The snapper-grouper fishery of the South 
Atlantic includes blueline tilefish 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.
    NMFS implemented management measures for blueline tilefish in 
Amendment 32 to the FMP (Amendment 32) (80 FR 16583; March 30, 2015), 
including current recreational AMs. Abbreviated Framework 3 to the FMP, 
which was implemented in August 2020 (85 FR 43145; July 16, 2020), set 
the recreational ACL for blueline tilefish at 116,820 lb, (52,989 kg), 
round weight. Under 50 CFR 622.193(z)(2)(i), NMFS is required to close 
the recreational sector for blueline tilefish when the recreational ACL 
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 that recreational landings for South Atlantic 
blueline tilefish will reach the recreational ACL by July 26, 2022. 
Accordingly, the recreational sector for South Atlantic blueline 
tilefish will close effective at 12:01 a.m., local time, July 26, 2022, 
until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2023, the start of the next 
fishing year. However, as described in 50 CFR 622.183(b)(7), the 
recreational sector for blueline tilefish is also closed from January 1 
through April 30, and September 1 through December 31, each year. 
Therefore, after the effective date of the closure on July 26, 2022, 
the recreational sector may not harvest blueline tilefish in the South 
Atlantic EEZ until May 1, 2023.
    During the closure, the bag and possession limits for blueline 
tilefish 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 622.193(z)(2)(i), issued 
pursuant to section 304(b), and is exempt from review under Executive 
Order 12866.
    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), there is good cause to waive prior 
notice and an opportunity for public comment on this action, as notice 
and comment is unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. Such 
procedures are unnecessary because the regulations associated with the 
closure of the blueline tilefish recreational sector have already been 
subject to notice and public comment, and all that remains is to notify 
the public of the date of the recreational closure. Prior notice and 
opportunity for public comment on this action is contrary to the public 
interest because of the need to protect the South Atlantic blueline 
tilefish resource. Additionally, providing as much advance notice to 
the public of this closure allows charter vessel and headboat 
businesses that fish for blueline tilefish to prepare for the rest of 
the fishing season and to schedule or reschedule trips for their 
clients and to maximize opportunities for their business revenues and 
profits.

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

    Dated: March 25, 2022.
Ngagne Jafnar Gueye,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-06712 Filed 3-28-22; 8:45 am]
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