[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 106 (Friday, May 31, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47105-47106]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-11992]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 635

[Docket No. 220919-0193; RTID 0648-XD922]


Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna 
Fisheries; Closure of the Angling Category Gulf of Mexico Area Trophy 
Fishery for 2024

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS closes the Angling category Gulf of Mexico area fishery 
for large medium and giant (``trophy'' (i.e., measuring 73 inches (185 
centimeters) curved fork length or greater)) Atlantic bluefin tuna 
(BFT). This action applies to Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling 
and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels when fishing recreationally.

DATES: Effective 11:30 p.m., local time, May 29, 2024, through December 
31, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Becky Curtis, [email protected], 
301-427-8503 or Larry Redd, Jr., [email protected], 301-427-8503.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BFT fisheries are managed under the 2006 
Consolidated Atlantic HMS Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and its 
amendments, pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) and 
consistent with the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA; 16 U.S.C. 971 
et seq.). HMS implementing regulations are at 50 CFR part 635. Section 
635.27 divides the U.S. BFT quota recommended by the International 
Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and as 
implemented by the United States among the various domestic fishing 
categories, per the allocations established in the 2006 Consolidated 
HMS FMP and its amendments. NMFS is required under the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act at 16 U.S.C. 1854(g)(1)(D) to provide U.S. fishing vessels with a 
reasonable opportunity to harvest quotas under relevant international 
fishery agreements, such as the ICCAT Convention, which is implemented 
domestically pursuant to ATCA.
    Under Sec.  635.28(a)(1), NMFS files a closure action with the 
Office of the Federal Register for publication when a BFT quota (or 
subquota) is reached or is projected to be reached. Retaining, 
possessing, or landing BFT under that quota category is prohibited on 
and after the effective date and time of a closure action for that 
category, for the remainder of the fishing year, until the opening of 
the subsequent quota period or until such date as specified.
    The 2024 BFT fishing year, which is managed on a calendar-year 
basis and subject to an annual calendar-year quota, began January 1, 
2024. The Angling category season opened January 1, 2024, and continues 
through December 31, 2024. As described in Sec.  635.27(a), the current 
baseline U.S. BFT quota is 1,316.14 metric tons (mt) (not including the 
25 mt ICCAT allocated to the United States to account for bycatch of 
BFT in pelagic longline fisheries in the Northeast Distant Gear 
Restricted Area per Sec.  635.27(a)(3)). The Angling category baseline 
quota is 297.4 mt, of which 9.2 mt (3.1 percent of the annual Angling 
category quota) is suballocated for the harvest of large medium and 
giant (trophy) BFT by vessels fishing under the Angling category quota, 
with 2.3 mt (25 percent of the annual large medium and giant BFT 
Angling category quota) allocated for each of the following areas: 
north of lat. 42[deg] N (the Gulf of Maine area); south of lat. 42[deg] 
N and north of lat. 39[deg]18' N (the southern New England area); south 
of lat. 39[deg]18' N, and outside of the Gulf of Mexico (the southern 
area); and the Gulf of Mexico region. Trophy BFT measure 73 inches (185 
centimeters) curved fork length or greater. We note, when the Gulf of 
Mexico area trophy fishery is open, no large medium or giant BFT may be 
retained, possessed, landed, or sold in the Gulf of Mexico, except one 
per vessel per year may be landed if caught incidentally to fishing for 
other species as specified at Sec.  635.23(b)(1)(i) while the fishery 
is open. This closure action applies to the Gulf of Mexico area.

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

    Based on landings data from the NMFS Automated Catch Reporting 
System, as well as average catch rates and anticipated fishing 
conditions, the Angling category Gulf of Mexico area trophy BFT 
subquota of 2.3 mt has been reached and exceeded. Therefore, retaining, 
possessing, or landing large medium or giant (i.e., measuring 73 inches 
(185 centimeters) curved fork length or greater) BFT in the Gulf of 
Mexico by persons aboard HMS Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted 
vessels (when fishing recreationally) must cease at 11:30 p.m. local 
time on May 29, 2024. This closure will remain effective through 
December 31, 2024. This action applies to HMS Angling and HMS Charter/
Headboat permitted vessels when fishing recreationally for BFT, and is 
taken consistent with the regulations at Sec.  635.28(a)(1). This 
action is intended to prevent further overharvest of the Angling 
category Gulf of Mexico area trophy BFT subquota.
    If needed to ensure available quotas or subquotas are not exceeded 
or to enhance fishing opportunities, subsequent Angling category 
adjustments or closures will be published in the Federal Register per 
Sec.  635.27(a)(7) and Sec.  635.28(a)(1). Information regarding the 
Angling category fishery for Atlantic tunas, including daily retention 
limits for BFT measuring 27 inches (68.5 centimeters) to less than 73 
inches (185 centimeters), and any further Angling category adjustments, 
is available at https://hmspermits.noaa.gov. During a closure, 
fishermen aboard HMS Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels 
when fishing recreationally may continue to 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. All BFT 
that are released must be handled in a manner that will maximize 
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.

Monitoring and Reporting

    NMFS will continue to monitor the BFT fisheries closely. Per Sec.  
635.5(c)(1), HMS Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted 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 https://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.).

[[Page 47106]]

Classification

    NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act (16 U.S.C. 1855(d)) and regulations at 50 CFR part 635, and 
this action is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
    The Assistant Administrator for NMFS (AA) finds that pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 553(b)(B), 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. Specifically, the 
regulations implementing the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and its 
amendments provide for inseason 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. Providing for prior notice and 
opportunity to comment is impracticable and contrary to the public 
interest as this fishery is currently underway and, based on landings 
information, the Angling category Gulf of Mexico area trophy fishery 
subquota has been reached and exceeded. Delaying this action could 
result in further 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 area trophy BFT fishery before additional 
landings of these sizes of BFT occur. Taking this action does not raise 
conservation and management concerns, and would support effective 
management of the BFT fishery. NMFS notes that the public had an 
opportunity to comment on the underlying rulemakings that established 
the U.S. BFT quota and the inseason adjustment criteria.
    For all of the above reasons, the AA also finds that pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 553(d), there is good cause to waive the 30-day delay in 
effectiveness.

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

    Dated: May 28, 2024.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-11992 Filed 5-28-24; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P