99-22760. Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Red Snapper Management Measures  

  • [Federal Register Volume 64, Number 169 (Wednesday, September 1, 1999)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 47711-47713]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 99-22760]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
    
    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    
    50 CFR Part 622
    
    [Docket No. 990506119-9236-02; I.D. 040799B]
    RIN 0648-AM66
    
    
    Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
    Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Red Snapper Management 
    Measures
    
    AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
    Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: NMFS issues this final rule to implement the approved 
    provisions of a regulatory amendment prepared by the Gulf of Mexico 
    Fishery Management Council (Council) in accordance with the framework 
    procedures for adjusting management measures of the Fishery Management 
    Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP). The rule 
    establishes a 4-fish recreational red snapper bag limit with a 0-fish 
    bag limit for the captain (operator) and crew of a charter vessel or 
    headboat and changes the open periods of the fall red snapper 
    commercial season from the first 15 days of each month to the first 10 
    days of each month, beginning September 1 each year. The rule's 
    intended effect is to maximize the economic benefits from the 
    overfished red snapper resource within the constraints of the red 
    snapper stock rebuilding program.
    
    
    [[Page 47712]]
    
    
    DATES: This final rule is effective October 1, 1999, except for the 
    amendments to Secs. 622.34(l) and 622.34(m), which are effective 
    September 1, 1999.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roy E. Crabtree, 727-570-5305.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The reef fish fishery in the exclusive 
    economic zone of the Gulf of Mexico is managed under the FMP. The 
    Council prepared the FMP, which was approved by NMFS and implemented 
    under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
    Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by regulations at 50 CFR part 
    622.
        In accordance with the framework procedures of the FMP, the Council 
    recommended, and NMFS published, a proposed rule (64 FR 34756, June 29, 
    1999) to: Set the opening date of the recreational red snapper fishing 
    season at March 1, beginning with the 2000 fishing year; establish a 4-
    fish recreational red snapper bag limit with a 0-fish bag limit for 
    captain and crew of a charter vessel or headboat; and change the open 
    periods of the fall red snapper commercial season from the first 15 
    days of each month to the first 10 days of each month, beginning 
    September 1 each year. The Council also recommended a reduction in the 
    minimum size limit for red snapper from 15 (38.1 cm) inches to 14 
    inches (35.6 cm) total length. NMFS disapproved this measure under the 
    FMP framework procedures prior to publication of the proposed rule; the 
    preamble to the proposed rule explained NMFS' rationale for this 
    disapproval action. After considering the Council's proposed red 
    snapper measures and the public comments, NMFS has approved the 
    proposed 0-fish bag limit for captain and crew of the for-hire vessels, 
    the 4-fish bag limit for persons not fishing under the commercial 
    quota, and the change in the duration of the commercial fall season 
    open periods. NMFS has disapproved the proposed delay in the opening of 
    the recreational red snapper fishing season (see response to comment 2 
    under ``Comments and Responses''). The preamble to the proposed rule 
    described the need and rationale for these approved measures and also 
    explained NMFS' rationale for disapproving the Council's recommendation 
    to reduce the minimum size limit for red snapper to 14 inches. That 
    information is not repeated here.
    
    Comments and Responses
    
        NMFS received 197 written comments on the proposed rule. A summary 
    of the comments and NMFS' responses follow.
        Comment 1: The Council requested that NMFS disapprove the 0-fish 
    bag limit for captain and crew of for-hire vessels. The Council 
    contends that this measure was explicitly linked with its proposal for 
    a 4-fish bag limit and a 14-inch (35.6-cm) minimum size limit. The 
    intent of these combined measures was to provide a substantial 
    extension of the recreational season. The Council states that because 
    NMFS disapproved the 14-inch (35.6-cm) minimum size limit, approval of 
    the 0-fish bag limit for captain and crew measure would be inconsistent 
    with its original intent.
        Response: NMFS has approved the 0-fish bag limit for captain and 
    crew of for-hire vessels based on analyses that suggest that this 
    measure reduces catch rates by about 3 percent. The 0-fish bag limit 
    for captain and crew, along with the 4-fish bag limit, will extend the 
    recreational season substantially. In contrast, the 14-inch (35.6-cm) 
    minimum size limit requested by the Council would have reduced the 
    length of the recreational season, which is contrary to the intent of 
    the Council, with little or no corresponding benefit to the stock.
        Comment 2: One hundred ninety-four commenters opposed the delay of 
    the start of the recreational season from January 1 to March 1. They 
    argued that this delay would result in a 6-month closure of the 
    recreational fishery and would cause economic hardship in the Texas 
    tourism and hospitality industries.
        Response: NMFS agrees that a delay in the opening of the 
    recreational fishery until March 1 would cause economic hardship in 
    areas such as South Texas that are dependent on winter tourism and that 
    the adverse economic impact of the lost fishing days in January and 
    February would be greatest in Texas. With a January 1 opening date, 
    preliminary projections indicate the year 2000 fishing season would 
    close on July 29; with a March 1 opening these analyses project an 
    August 27 closure. Thus, the measure would extend the season further 
    into the summer but would result in a net loss of 30 fishing days. The 
    Council's economic analysis based on a total allowable catch of 9.12 
    million lb, a 5-fish bag limit, and a 15-inch minimum size limit 
    suggests a net loss of 6,891 total fishing trips--a 1.76 percent 
    reduction. Of these, 1,566 would be for-hire trips. While a reduction 
    in recreational fishing effort and an extension of the season further 
    into the summer were the intent of the Council in proposing to delay 
    the start of the season until March 1, NMFS has disapproved this 
    measure based upon finding it inconsistent with national standard 4 of 
    the Magnuson-Stevens Act, which requires that the allocation of fishing 
    privileges be fair and equitable. Approval of this measure would place 
    an unfair economic burden on the Texas for-hire sector and would 
    shorten the red snapper recreational fishing season.
         Comment 3: Nineteen commenters supported a 4-fish bag limit; 171 
    commenters supported a 5-fish bag limit.
        Response: NMFS believes that a bag limit of no more than 4 fish per 
    person is necessary to reduce catch rates and extend the recreational 
    fishing season. The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires NMFS to close the red 
    snapper recreational fishery once the quota is caught. The Council's 
    Socioeconomic Panel has noted that a lower bag limit with a longer 
    season yields more economic benefits than a higher bag limit with a 
    closure, provided the lower bag limit does not discourage anglers from 
    fishing. Based on public testimony, the Council believes that a 4-fish 
    bag limit would not significantly discourage anglers from fishing.
        Comment 4: One individual commented on the proposed change in the 
    duration of the commercial fall season from the first 15 days of each 
    month to the first 10 days of each month until the fall subquota is 
    reached. This individual believes the current commercial season has 
    caused economic hardship in the commercial sector and suggested a 
    continuation of the spring commercial season along with a 100-lb (45.5-
    kg) trip limit for the remainder of the year. This individual suggested 
    that the fall season be eliminated if necessary to prevent exceeding 
    the commercial quota.
        Response: Trip limits to allow a red snapper bycatch were not part 
    of the regulatory amendment submitted by the Council. The Council may 
    wish to consider additional changes for its 2000 red snapper commercial 
    season specifications.
    
    Changes From the Proposed Rule
    
        For the reasons discussed under the Response to Comment 2, NMFS has 
    disapproved the measure delaying the opening of the recreational red 
    snapper fishing season until March 1. That measure has been removed 
    from this final rule.
    
    [[Page 47713]]
    
    Classification
    
        This final rule has been determined to be significant for purposes 
    of E.O. 12866.
        The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce 
    certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
    Administration when this rule was proposed that this rule would not 
    have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
    entities. No comments were received regarding this certification. As a 
    result, a regulatory flexibility analysis was not prepared.
        The amendments to Secs. 622.34(l) and 622.34(m) are necessary to 
    mitigate derby fishery effects, e.g., market gluts and lower exvessel 
    prices, and to prevent associated adverse social and economic impacts. 
    It is essential that these amendments are effective when the fall 
    commercial red snapper season opens on September 1, 1999. Accordingly, 
    under authority set forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Assistant 
    Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, finds for good cause that a 30-day 
    delay in the effective date of those measures would be contrary to the 
    public interest.
    
    List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 622
    
        Fisheries, Fishing, Puerto Rico, Reporting and recordkeeping 
    requirements, Virgin Islands.
    
        Dated: August 27, 1999.
    Gary C. Matlock,
    Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
    Service.
        For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 622 is amended 
    as follows:
    
    PART 622--FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC
    
        1. The authority citation for part 622 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    
        2. In Sec. 622.34, the suspension of paragraph (l) is lifted; 
    paragraph (m) is removed; and paragraph (l) is revised to read as 
    follows:
    
    
    Sec. 622.34  Gulf EEZ seasonal and/or area closures.
    
    * * * * *
        (l) Closures of the commercial fishery for red snapper. The 
    commercial fishery for red snapper in or from the Gulf EEZ is closed 
    from January 1 to noon on February 1 and thereafter from noon on the 
    15th of each month to noon on the first of each succeeding month until 
    the quota specified in Sec. 622.42(a)(1)(i)(A) is reached or until noon 
    on September 1, whichever occurs first. From September 1 to December 1, 
    the commercial fishery for red snapper in or from the Gulf EEZ is 
    closed from noon on the 10th of each month to noon on the first of each 
    succeeding month until the quota specified in Sec. 622.42(a)(1)(i)(B) 
    is reached or until the end of the fishing year, whichever occurs 
    first. All times are local times. During these closed periods, the 
    possession of red snapper in or from the Gulf EEZ and in the Gulf on 
    board a vessel for which a commercial permit for Gulf reef fish has 
    been issued, as required under Sec. 622.4(a)(2)(v), without regard to 
    where such red snapper were harvested, is limited to the bag and 
    possession limits, as specified in Sec. 622.39(b)(1)(iii) and (b)(2), 
    respectively, and such red snapper are subject to the prohibition on 
    sale or purchase of red snapper possessed under the bag limit, as 
    specified in Sec. 622.45(c)(1). However, when the recreational quota 
    for red snapper has been reached and the bag and possession limit has 
    been reduced to zero, the limit for such possession during a closed 
    period is zero.
    * * * * *
        3. In Sec. 622.39, the suspension of paragraph (b)(1)(iii) is 
    lifted; paragraph (b)(1)(vi) is removed; and paragraph (b)(1)(iii), is 
    revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 622.39  Bag and possession limits.
    
    * * * * *
        (b) * * *
        (1) * * *
        (iii) Red snapper--4, except that for an operator or member of the 
    crew of a charter vessel or headboat, the bag limit is 0.
    * * * * *
    [FR Doc. 99-22760 Filed 8-27-99; 4:44 pm]
    BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
10/1/1999
Published:
09/01/1999
Department:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
99-22760
Dates:
This final rule is effective October 1, 1999, except for the amendments to Secs. 622.34(l) and 622.34(m), which are effective September 1, 1999.
Pages:
47711-47713 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 990506119-9236-02, I.D. 040799B
RINs:
0648-AM66
PDF File:
99-22760.pdf
CFR: (2)
50 CFR 622.34
50 CFR 622.39