[Federal Register: November 5, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 213)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 62415-62416]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05no07-7]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 001005281-0369-02]
RIN 0648-XC59
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic;
Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South
Atlantic; Closure
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS closes the commercial fishery for king mackerel in the
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the western zone of the Gulf of
Mexico. This closure is necessary to protect the Gulf king mackerel
resource.
DATES: The closure is effective from 12 noon, local time, November 3,
2007, through June 30, 2008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Gerhart, 727-824-5305, fax: 727-
824-5308, e-mail: Susan.Gerhart@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The fishery for coastal migratory pelagic
fish (king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, cero, cobia, little tunny, and,
in the Gulf of Mexico only, dolphin and bluefish) is managed under the
Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of
the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (FMP). The FMP was prepared by
the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils
(Councils) and is
[[Page 62416]]
implemented under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by regulations
at 50 CFR part 622.
Based on the Councils' recommended total allowable catch and the
allocation ratios in the FMP, NMFS implemented a commercial quota for
the Gulf of Mexico migratory group of king mackerel in the western zone
of 1.01 million lb (0.46 million kg) (66 FR 17368, March 30, 2001).
Under 50 CFR 622.43(a), NMFS is required to close any segment of
the king mackerel commercial fishery when its quota has been reached,
or is projected to be reached, by filing a notification at the Office
of the Federal Register. NMFS has determined the commercial quota of
1.01 million lb (0.46 million kg) for Gulf group king mackerel in the
western zone will be reached by November 3, 2007. Accordingly, the
commercial fishery for Gulf group king mackerel in the western zone is
closed effective 12 noon, local time, November 3, 2007, through June
30, 2008, the end of the fishing year. The boundary between the eastern
and western zones is 87[deg]31'06'' W. long., which is a line directly
south from the Alabama/Florida boundary.
Except for a person aboard a charter vessel or headboat, during the
closure, no person aboard a vessel for which a commercial permit for
king mackerel has been issued may fish for or retain Gulf group king
mackerel in the EEZ in the closed zones or subzones. A person aboard a
vessel that has a valid charter vessel/headboat permit for coastal
migratory pelagic fish may continue to retain king mackerel in or from
the closed zones or subzones under the bag and possession limits set
forth in 50 CFR 622.39(c)(1)(ii) and (c)(2), provided the vessel is
operating as a charter vessel or headboat. A charter vessel or headboat
that also has a commercial king mackerel permit is considered to be
operating as a charter vessel or headboat when it carries a passenger
who pays a fee or when there are more than three persons aboard,
including operator and crew.
During the closure, king mackerel from the closed zones or subzones
taken in the EEZ, including those harvested under the bag and
possession limits, may not be purchased or sold. This prohibition does
not apply to trade in king mackerel from the closed zones or subzones
that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to the closure and
were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
Classification
This action responds to the best available information recently
obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,
NOAA, (AA), finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior
notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set
forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), as such prior notice and opportunity for
public comment is unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. Such
procedures would be unnecessary because the rule itself already has
been subject to notice and comment, and all that remains is to notify
the public of the closure. Allowing prior notice and opportunity for
public comment is contrary to the public interest because of the need
to immediately implement this action in order to protect the fishery
since the capacity of the fishing fleet allows for rapid harvest of the
quota. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment will require
time and would potentially result in a harvest well in excess of the
quota.
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).
This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.43(a) and is exempt from
review under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: October 30, 2007.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 07-5461 Filed 10-30-07; 3:01 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S