Rule2024-27699
Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico; 2024 Commercial and Recreational Accountability Measure and Closures for Gulf of Mexico Lane Snapper
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
November 26, 2024
Effective
November 26, 2024
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for the lane snapper commercial and recreational sectors in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) for the 2024 fishing year through this temporary rule. NMFS projects that the 2024 stock annual catch limit (ACL) for Gulf lane snapper has been reached. Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial and recreational sectors for Gulf lane snapper on November 26, 2024, and they will remain closed through December 31, 2024. These closures are necessary to protect the Gulf lane snapper resource.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 228 (Tuesday, November 26, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 228 (Tuesday, November 26, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 93220-93221]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-27699]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 211217-0261; RTID 0648-XE473]
Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico; 2024 Commercial and
Recreational Accountability Measure and Closures for Gulf of Mexico
Lane Snapper
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 lane
snapper commercial and recreational sectors in the exclusive economic
zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) for the 2024 fishing year
through this temporary rule. NMFS projects that the 2024 stock annual
catch limit (ACL) for Gulf lane snapper has been reached. Therefore,
NMFS closes the commercial and recreational sectors for Gulf lane
snapper on November 26, 2024, and they will remain closed through
December 31, 2024. These closures are necessary to protect the Gulf
lane snapper resource.
DATES: This temporary rule is effective from 12:01 a.m., local time, on
November 26, 2024, through December 31, 2024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Helies, NMFS Southeast Regional
Office, 727-824-5305, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#84c2f6e5eaefaacce1e8ede1f7c4eaebe5e5aae3ebf2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="541226353a3f7a1c31383d3127143a3b35357a333b22">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the Gulf reef fish fishery,
which includes lane snapper, 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 (Council), approved by
the Secretary of Commerce, and is implemented by NMFS under the
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management
Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) through regulations at 50 CFR part 622. All
lane snapper weights discussed in this temporary rule are in round
weight.
The current stock ACL for Gulf lane snapper was implemented on
October 18, 2024, and is 1,088,873 lb (493,904 kg) (50 CFR 622.41(k))
(89 FR 76438, September 18, 2024). As specified in 50 CFR 622.41(k), if
the sum of the commercial and recreational landings reaches or is
projected to reach the stock ACL, NMFS will close the commercial and
recreational sectors for the remainder of the fishing year. Based on
latest landings estimates, which were available in October 2024, NMFS
has determined that the stock ACL for Gulf lane snapper has been
reached. Accordingly, this temporary rule closes the commercial and
recreational sectors for Gulf lane snapper effective at 12:01 a.m.,
local time, on November 26, 2024, and both sectors will remain closed
through the end of the current fishing year on December 31, 2024.
During the commercial and recreational closures, all harvest or
possession in or from the Gulf EEZ of lane snapper is prohibited. The
prohibition on possession of Gulf lane snapper also applies in Gulf
state waters for a vessel issued a valid Federal charter vessel/
headboat permit for Gulf reef fish. During the closures, the operator
of a vessel with a valid commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish
having lane snapper on board must
[[Page 93221]]
have landed and bartered, traded, or sold such lane snapper prior to
12:01 a.m., local time, on November 26, 2024. The prohibition on the
sale or purchase of lane snapper does not apply to fish that were
harvested, landed, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, on
November 26, 2024, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or
processor.
Classification
NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act. This action is required by 50 CFR 622.41(k), 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 opportunity for public comment on this action, as prior
notice and public comment are unnecessary and contrary to the public
interest. Such procedures are unnecessary because the regulation
authorizing this temporary closure, 50 CFR 622.41(k), has already been
subject to prior notice and public comment, and all that remains is to
notify the public of the closure. Prior notice and opportunity for
public comment are contrary to the public interest because there is a
need to immediately implement this action to protect the lane snapper
stock. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment would require
time and allow for additional harvest in excess of the stock ACL.
For the aforementioned reasons, the Assistant Administrator 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 21, 2024.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-27699 Filed 11-21-24; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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