Rule2021-20285
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; 2021 Commercial and Recreational Closure of Silk Snapper, Queen Snapper, Blackfin Snapper, and Wenchman
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 20, 2021
Effective
September 18, 2021
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) applicable to all harvest of species in the mid-water snapper stock complex, consisting of silk snapper, queen snapper, blackfin snapper, and wenchman in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) exclusive economic zone (EEZ). NMFS determined that combined commercial and recreational landings of the species in the mid-water snapper complex in the 2021 fishing year have exceeded the annual catch limit (ACL). Therefore, NMFS closes the Gulf EEZ to all harvest of species in the mid-water snapper complex on September 18, 2021, for the remainder of the 2021 fishing year. This closure is necessary to protect the species in the mid-water snapper complex.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 179 (Monday, September 20, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 179 (Monday, September 20, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52103-52104]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-20285]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 100217097-1757-02; RTID 0648-XB419]
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; 2021 Commercial and
Recreational Closure of Silk Snapper, Queen Snapper, Blackfin Snapper,
and Wenchman
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) applicable to
all harvest of species in the mid-water snapper stock complex,
consisting of silk snapper, queen snapper, blackfin snapper, and
wenchman in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
NMFS determined that combined commercial and recreational landings of
the species in the mid-water snapper complex in the 2021 fishing year
have exceeded the annual catch limit (ACL). Therefore, NMFS closes the
Gulf EEZ to all harvest of species in the mid-water snapper complex on
September 18, 2021, for the remainder of the 2021 fishing year. This
closure is necessary to protect the species in the mid-water snapper
complex.
DATES: The closure is effective at 12:01 a.m., local time, September
18, 2021, until January 1, 2022.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelli O'Donnell, NMFS Southeast
Regional Office, telephone: 727-824-5305, email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d2b9b7bebebbfcbdb6bdbcbcb7bebe92bcbdb3b3fcb5bda4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="97fcf2fbfbfeb9f8f3f8f9f9f2fbfbd7f9f8f6f6b9f0f8e1">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the Gulf reef fish fishery,
which includes the mid-water snapper complex (silk snapper, queen
snapper, blackfin snapper, and wenchman) 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. The FMP
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. All weights described in this temporary
rule apply as round weight.
The ACL for the mid-water snapper complex is 166,000 lb (75,296 kg)
during the fishing year of January 1 through December 31. As specified
in 50 CFR 622.41(i), if NMFS estimates that the sum of commercial and
recreational landings (total landings) exceed the stock complex ACL,
then during the following fishing year, if total landings again reach
or are projected to reach the stock complex ACL, NMFS will close the
commercial and recreational sectors for the remainder of that fishing
year by filing a notification to that effect with the Office of the
Federal Register.
In the 2020 fishing year, combined commercial and recreational
landings of species in the mid-water snapper complex exceeded the stock
ACL. As of September 7, 2021, available commercial and recreational
landings data from the NMFS Southeast Fishery Science Center indicate
that stock ACL for the mid-water snapper complex for the 2021 fishing
year has been exceeded.
Accordingly, NMFS closes the Gulf EEZ to all harvest of species
from the mid-water snapper complex from 12:01 a.m., local time, on
September 18, 2021, through December 31, 2021, the end of the current
fishing year. During the closure, the commercial sale or purchase of
species from the mid-water snapper complex harvested from the Gulf EEZ
is prohibited, and the recreational bag and possession limits are zero.
Commercial and recreational harvest of species in the mid-water snapper
complex will reopen on January 1, 2022.
[[Page 52104]]
Classification
NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act. This action is required by 50 CFR 622.41(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), there is 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 implementing the stock
complex ACL and the associated AM has already been subject to notice
and public comment, and all that remains is to notify the public of the
closure. Such procedures are also contrary to the public interest
because of the need to immediately implement the closure to protect the
mid-water snapper stock complex. The capacity of the fishing fleet
allows for rapid harvest of the ACL and the ACL has already been met.
Prior notice and opportunity for public comment would require time and
could result in additional harvest.
For the aforementioned reasons, there is 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: September 15, 2021.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-20285 Filed 9-15-21; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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