NMFS issues this temporary rule to extend the expiration date of interim measures to reduce overfishing of gray triggerfish in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) implemented by a temporary rule published by NMFS on May 14, 2012. This temporary rule extends the reduced commercial quota (commercial annual catch target (ACT)), commercial and recreational annual catch limits (ACLs), and recreational ACT; and the revised recreational accountability measures (AMs) for gray triggerfish, as requested by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). The intended effect of this temporary rule is to reduce overfishing of the gray triggerfish resource in the Gulf while the Council develops permanent management measures.
The expiration date for the interim rule published at 77 FR 28308, May 14, 2012, is extended from November 10, 2012, through May 15, 2013, unless NMFS publishes a superseding document in the Federal Register.
ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of documents supporting this temporary rule, which include an environmental assessment (EA) and a regulatory flexibility analysis, may be obtained from the Southeast Regional Office Web site at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Hood, telephone: 727-824-5305 or email: Peter.Hood@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The reef fish fishery of the Gulf is managed
under the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the
Gulf of Mexico (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the Council and is
implemented through regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the authority
of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
(Magnuson-Stevens Act). The Magnuson-Stevens Act provides the legal
authority for the promulgation of interim regulations under section
305(c) (16 U.S.C. 1855(c)).
Section 305(c)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act provides the Council
the authority to request interim measures, if necessary, to reduce
overfishing. On April 19, 2012, the Council requested that NMFS
implement a temporary rule to reduce overfishing of gray triggerfish in
the Gulf while the Council and NMFS develop Amendment 37 to the FMP.
Amendment 37 will contain permanent measures to end overfishing of the
gray triggerfish stock. On May 14, 2012, NMFS published the final
temporary rule (77 FR 28308) to implement measures to reduce
overfishing of gray triggerfish in the Gulf and requested public
comment. The interim measures implemented revised commercial and
recreational ACLs and ACTs and revised the AMs for the recreational
sector. Through the final temporary rule, the commercial sector ACL was
reduced to 64,100 lb (29,075 kg), round weight, and the commercial ACT
(commercial quota) was reduced to 60,900 lb (27,624 kg), round weight.
The recreational sector ACL was reduced to 241,200 lb (109,406 kg),
round weight, and the recreational ACT was reduced to 217,100 (98,475
kg), round weight. Additionally, the temporary rule established an in-
season AM for the gray triggerfish recreational sector that prohibits
the recreational harvest of gray triggerfish (a recreational sector
closure) after the recreational ACT is reached or projected to be
reached.
The Council requested an extension of the interim rule on August
23, 2012, to ensure that management measures remain in effect for gray
triggerfish to reduce overfishing while more permanent measures are
developed through Amendment 37. Section 305(c)(3)(B) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act allows for interim measures to be extended for one
additional period of 186 days provided that the public has had an
opportunity to comment on the interim measures and the Council is
actively preparing a plan amendment to address the overfishing on a
permanent basis.
Amendment 37 is scheduled to be implemented early in the 2013
fishing year.NMFS issues this temporary rule to extend the expiration date
of interim measures to reduce overfishing of gray triggerfish in the
Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) implemented by a temporary rule published by NMFS
on May 14, 2012. This temporary rule extends the reduced commercial
quota (commercial annual catch target (ACT)), commercial and
recreational annual catch limits (ACLs), and recreational ACT; and the
revised recreational accountability measures (AMs) for gray
triggerfish, as requested by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management
Council (Council). The intended effect of this temporary rule is to
reduce overfishing of the gray triggerfish resource in the Gulf while
the Council develops permanent management measures.
DATES: The expiration date for the interim rule published at 77 FR
28308, May 14, 2012, is extended from November 10, 2012, through May
15, 2013, unless NMFS publishes a superseding document in the Federal
Register.
ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of documents supporting this temporary
rule, which include an environmental assessment (EA) and a regulatory
flexibility analysis, may be obtained from the Southeast Regional
Office Web site at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov.
[[Page 67304]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Hood, telephone: 727-824-5305 or
email: Peter.Hood@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The reef fish fishery of the Gulf is managed
under the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the
Gulf of Mexico (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the Council and is
implemented through regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the authority
of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
(Magnuson-Stevens Act). The Magnuson-Stevens Act provides the legal
authority for the promulgation of interim regulations under section
305(c) (16 U.S.C. 1855(c)).
Section 305(c)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act provides the Council
the authority to request interim measures, if necessary, to reduce
overfishing. On April 19, 2012, the Council requested that NMFS
implement a temporary rule to reduce overfishing of gray triggerfish in
the Gulf while the Council and NMFS develop Amendment 37 to the FMP.
Amendment 37 will contain permanent measures to end overfishing of the
gray triggerfish stock. On May 14, 2012, NMFS published the final
temporary rule (77 FR 28308) to implement measures to reduce
overfishing of gray triggerfish in the Gulf and requested public
comment. The interim measures implemented revised commercial and
recreational ACLs and ACTs and revised the AMs for the recreational
sector. Through the final temporary rule, the commercial sector ACL was
reduced to 64,100 lb (29,075 kg), round weight, and the commercial ACT
(commercial quota) was reduced to 60,900 lb (27,624 kg), round weight.
The recreational sector ACL was reduced to 241,200 lb (109,406 kg),
round weight, and the recreational ACT was reduced to 217,100 (98,475
kg), round weight. Additionally, the temporary rule established an in-
season AM for the gray triggerfish recreational sector that prohibits
the recreational harvest of gray triggerfish (a recreational sector
closure) after the recreational ACT is reached or projected to be
reached.
The Council requested an extension of the interim rule on August
23, 2012, to ensure that management measures remain in effect for gray
triggerfish to reduce overfishing while more permanent measures are
developed through Amendment 37. Section 305(c)(3)(B) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act allows for interim measures to be extended for one
additional period of 186 days provided that the public has had an
opportunity to comment on the interim measures and the Council is
actively preparing a plan amendment to address the overfishing on a
permanent basis.
Amendment 37 is scheduled to be implemented early in the 2013
fishing year.NMFS issues this temporary rule to extend the expiration date
of interim measures to reduce overfishing of gray triggerfish in the
Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) implemented by a temporary rule published by NMFS
on May 14, 2012. This temporary rule extends the reduced commercial
quota (commercial annual catch target (ACT)), commercial and
recreational annual catch limits (ACLs), and recreational ACT; and the
revised recreational accountability measures (AMs) for gray
triggerfish, as requested by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management
Council (Council). The intended effect of this temporary rule is to
reduce overfishing of the gray triggerfish resource in the Gulf while
the Council develops permanent management measures.
DATES: The expiration date for the interim rule published at 77 FR
28308, May 14, 2012, is extended from November 10, 2012, through May
15, 2013, unless NMFS publishes a superseding document in the Federal
Register.
ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of documents supporting this temporary
rule, which include an environmental assessment (EA) and a regulatory
flexibility analysis, may be obtained from the Southeast Regional
Office Web site at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov.
[[Page 67304]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Hood, telephone: 727-824-5305 or
email: Peter.Hood@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The reef fish fishery of the Gulf is managed
under the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the
Gulf of Mexico (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the Council and is
implemented through regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the authority
of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
(Magnuson-Stevens Act). The Magnuson-Stevens Act provides the legal
authority for the promulgation of interim regulations under section
305(c) (16 U.S.C. 1855(c)).
Section 305(c)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act provides the Council
the authority to request interim measures, if necessary, to reduce
overfishing. On April 19, 2012, the Council requested that NMFS
implement a temporary rule to reduce overfishing of gray triggerfish in
the Gulf while the Council and NMFS develop Amendment 37 to the FMP.
Amendment 37 will contain permanent measures to end overfishing of the
gray triggerfish stock. On May 14, 2012, NMFS published the final
temporary rule (77 FR 28308) to implement measures to reduce
overfishing of gray triggerfish in the Gulf and requested public
comment. The interim measures implemented revised commercial and
recreational ACLs and ACTs and revised the AMs for the recreational
sector. Through the final temporary rule, the commercial sector ACL was
reduced to 64,100 lb (29,075 kg), round weight, and the commercial ACT
(commercial quota) was reduced to 60,900 lb (27,624 kg), round weight.
The recreational sector ACL was reduced to 241,200 lb (109,406 kg),
round weight, and the recreational ACT was reduced to 217,100 (98,475
kg), round weight. Additionally, the temporary rule established an in-
season AM for the gray triggerfish recreational sector that prohibits
the recreational harvest of gray triggerfish (a recreational sector
closure) after the recreational ACT is reached or projected to be
reached.
The Council requested an extension of the interim rule on August
23, 2012, to ensure that management measures remain in effect for gray
triggerfish to reduce overfishing while more permanent measures are
developed through Amendment 37. Section 305(c)(3)(B) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act allows for interim measures to be extended for one
additional period of 186 days provided that the public has had an
opportunity to comment on the interim measures and the Council is
actively preparing a plan amendment to address the overfishing on a
permanent basis.
Amendment 37 is scheduled to be implemented early in the 2013
fishing year.NMFS issues this temporary rule to extend the expiration date
of interim measures to reduce overfishing of gray triggerfish in the
Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) implemented by a temporary rule published by NMFS
on May 14, 2012. This temporary rule extends the reduced commercial
quota (commercial annual catch target (ACT)), commercial and
recreational annual catch limits (ACLs), and recreational ACT; and the
revised recreational accountability measures (AMs) for gray
triggerfish, as requested by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management
Council (Council). The intended effect of this temporary rule is to
reduce overfishing of the gray triggerfish resource in the Gulf while
the Council develops permanent management measures.
DATES: The expiration date for the interim rule published at 77 FR
28308, May 14, 2012, is extended from November 10, 2012, through May
15, 2013, unless NMFS publishes a superseding document in the Federal
Register.
ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of documents supporting this temporary
rule, which include an environmental assessment (EA) and a regulatory
flexibility analysis, may be obtained from the Southeast Regional
Office Web site at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov.
[[Page 67304]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Hood, telephone: 727-824-5305 or
email: Peter.Hood@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The reef fish fishery of the Gulf is managed
under the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the
Gulf of Mexico (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the Council and is
implemented through regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the authority
of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
(Magnuson-Stevens Act). The Magnuson-Stevens Act provides the legal
authority for the promulgation of interim regulations under section
305(c) (16 U.S.C. 1855(c)).
Section 305(c)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act provides the Council
the authority to request interim measures, if necessary, to reduce
overfishing. On April 19, 2012, the Council requested that NMFS
implement a temporary rule to reduce overfishing of gray triggerfish in
the Gulf while the Council and NMFS develop Amendment 37 to the FMP.
Amendment 37 will contain permanent measures to end overfishing of the
gray triggerfish stock. On May 14, 2012, NMFS published the final
temporary rule (77 FR 28308) to implement measures to reduce
overfishing of gray triggerfish in the Gulf and requested public
comment. The interim measures implemented revised commercial and
recreational ACLs and ACTs and revised the AMs for the recreational
sector. Through the final temporary rule, the commercial sector ACL was
reduced to 64,100 lb (29,075 kg), round weight, and the commercial ACT
(commercial quota) was reduced to 60,900 lb (27,624 kg), round weight.
The recreational sector ACL was reduced to 241,200 lb (109,406 kg),
round weight, and the recreational ACT was reduced to 217,100 (98,475
kg), round weight. Additionally, the temporary rule established an in-
season AM for the gray triggerfish recreational sector that prohibits
the recreational harvest of gray triggerfish (a recreational sector
closure) after the recreational ACT is reached or projected to be
reached.
The Council requested an extension of the interim rule on August
23, 2012, to ensure that management measures remain in effect for gray
triggerfish to reduce overfishing while more permanent measures are
developed through Amendment 37. Section 305(c)(3)(B) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act allows for interim measures to be extended for one
additional period of 186 days provided that the public has had an
opportunity to comment on the interim measures and the Council is
actively preparing a plan amendment to address the overfishing on a
permanent basis.
Amendment 37 is scheduled to be implemented early in the 2013
fishing year.NMFS issues this temporary rule to extend the expiration date
of interim measures to reduce overfishing of gray triggerfish in the
Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) implemented by a temporary rule published by NMFS
on May 14, 2012. This temporary rule extends the reduced commercial
quota (commercial annual catch target (ACT)), commercial and
recreational annual catch limits (ACLs), and recreational ACT; and the
revised recreational accountability measures (AMs) for gray
triggerfish, as requested by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management
Council (Council). The intended effect of this temporary rule is to
reduce overfishing of the gray triggerfish resource in the Gulf while
the Council develops permanent management measures.
DATES: The expiration date for the interim rule published at 77 FR
28308, May 14, 2012, is extended from November 10, 2012, through May
15, 2013, unless NMFS publishes a superseding document in the Federal
Register.
ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of documents supporting this temporary
rule, which include an environmental assessment (EA) and a regulatory
flexibility analysis, may be obtained from the Southeast Regional
Office Web site at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov.
[[Page 67304]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Hood, telephone: 727-824-5305 or
email: Peter.Hood@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The reef fish fishery of the Gulf is managed
under the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the
Gulf of Mexico (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the Council and is
implemented through regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the authority
of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
(Magnuson-Stevens Act). The Magnuson-Stevens Act provides the legal
authority for the promulgation of interim regulations under section
305(c) (16 U.S.C. 1855(c)).
Section 305(c)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act provides the Council
the authority to request interim measures, if necessary, to reduce
overfishing. On April 19, 2012, the Council requested that NMFS
implement a temporary rule to reduce overfishing of gray triggerfish in
the Gulf while the Council and NMFS develop Amendment 37 to the FMP.
Amendment 37 will contain permanent measures to end overfishing of the
gray triggerfish stock. On May 14, 2012, NMFS published the final
temporary rule (77 FR 28308) to implement measures to reduce
overfishing of gray triggerfish in the Gulf and requested public
comment. The interim measures implemented revised commercial and
recreational ACLs and ACTs and revised the AMs for the recreational
sector. Through the final temporary rule, the commercial sector ACL was
reduced to 64,100 lb (29,075 kg), round weight, and the commercial ACT
(commercial quota) was reduced to 60,900 lb (27,624 kg), round weight.
The recreational sector ACL was reduced to 241,200 lb (109,406 kg),
round weight, and the recreational ACT was reduced to 217,100 (98,475
kg), round weight. Additionally, the temporary rule established an in-
season AM for the gray triggerfish recreational sector that prohibits
the recreational harvest of gray triggerfish (a recreational sector
closure) after the recreational ACT is reached or projected to be
reached.
The Council requested an extension of the interim rule on August
23, 2012, to ensure that management measures remain in effect for gray
triggerfish to reduce overfishing while more permanent measures are
developed through Amendment 37. Section 305(c)(3)(B) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act allows for interim measures to be extended for one
additional period of 186 days provided that the public has had an
opportunity to comment on the interim measures and the Council is
actively preparing a plan amendment to address the overfishing on a
permanent basis.
Amendment 37 is scheduled to be implemented early in the 2013
fishing year.NMFS issues this temporary rule to extend the expiration date
of interim measures to reduce overfishing of gray triggerfish in the
Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) implemented by a temporary rule published by NMFS
on May 14, 2012. This temporary rule extends the reduced commercial
quota (commercial annual catch target (ACT)), commercial and
recreational annual catch limits (ACLs), and recreational ACT; and the
revised recreational accountability measures (AMs) for gray
triggerfish, as requested by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management
Council (Council). The intended effect of this temporary rule is to
reduce overfishing of the gray triggerfish resource in the Gulf while
the Council develops permanent management measures.
DATES: The expiration date for the interim rule published at 77 FR
28308, May 14, 2012, is extended from November 10, 2012, through May
15, 2013, unless NMFS publishes a superseding document in the Federal
Register.
ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of documents supporting this temporary
rule, which include an environmental assessment (EA) and a regulatory
flexibility analysis, may be obtained from the Southeast Regional
Office Web site at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov.
[[Page 67304]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Hood, telephone: 727-824-5305 or
email: Peter.Hood@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The reef fish fishery of the Gulf is managed
under the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the
Gulf of Mexico (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the Council and is
implemented through regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the authority
of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
(Magnuson-Stevens Act). The Magnuson-Stevens Act provides the legal
authority for the promulgation of interim regulations under section
305(c) (16 U.S.C. 1855(c)).
Section 305(c)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act provides the Council
the authority to request interim measures, if necessary, to reduce
overfishing. On April 19, 2012, the Council requested that NMFS
implement a temporary rule to reduce overfishing of gray triggerfish in
the Gulf while the Council and NMFS develop Amendment 37 to the FMP.
Amendment 37 will contain permanent measures to end overfishing of the
gray triggerfish stock. On May 14, 2012, NMFS published the final
temporary rule (77 FR 28308) to implement measures to reduce
overfishing of gray triggerfish in the Gulf and requested public
comment. The interim measures implemented revised commercial and
recreational ACLs and ACTs and revised the AMs for the recreational
sector. Through the final temporary rule, the commercial sector ACL was
reduced to 64,100 lb (29,075 kg), round weight, and the commercial ACT
(commercial quota) was reduced to 60,900 lb (27,624 kg), round weight.
The recreational sector ACL was reduced to 241,200 lb (109,406 kg),
round weight, and the recreational ACT was reduced to 217,100 (98,475
kg), round weight. Additionally, the temporary rule established an in-
season AM for the gray triggerfish recreational sector that prohibits
the recreational harvest of gray triggerfish (a recreational sector
closure) after the recreational ACT is reached or projected to be
reached.
The Council requested an extension of the interim rule on August
23, 2012, to ensure that management measures remain in effect for gray
triggerfish to reduce overfishing while more permanent measures are
developed through Amendment 37. Section 305(c)(3)(B) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act allows for interim measures to be extended for one
additional period of 186 days provided that the public has had an
opportunity to comment on the interim measures and the Council is
actively preparing a plan amendment to address the overfishing on a
permanent basis.
Amendment 37 is scheduled to be implemented early in the 2013
fishing year.NMFS issues this temporary rule to extend the expiration date
of interim measures to reduce overfishing of gray triggerfish in the
Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) implemented by a temporary rule published by NMFS
on May 14, 2012. This temporary rule extends the reduced commercial
quota (commercial annual catch target (ACT)), commercial and
recreational annual catch limits (ACLs), and recreational ACT; and the
revised recreational accountability measures (AMs) for gray
triggerfish, as requested by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management
Council (Council). The intended effect of this temporary rule is to
reduce overfishing of the gray triggerfish resource in the Gulf while
the Council develops permanent management measures.
DATES: The expiration date for the interim rule published at 77 FR
28308, May 14, 2012, is extended from November 10, 2012, through May
15, 2013, unless NMFS publishes a superseding document in the Federal
Register.
ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of documents supporting this temporary
rule, which include an environmental assessment (EA) and a regulatory
flexibility analysis, may be obtained from the Southeast Regional
Office Web site at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov.
[[Page 67304]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Hood, telephone: 727-824-5305 or
email: Peter.Hood@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The reef fish fishery of the Gulf is managed
under the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the
Gulf of Mexico (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the Council and is
implemented through regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the authority
of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
(Magnuson-Stevens Act). The Magnuson-Stevens Act provides the legal
authority for the promulgation of interim regulations under section
305(c) (16 U.S.C. 1855(c)).
Section 305(c)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act provides the Council
the authority to request interim measures, if necessary, to reduce
overfishing. On April 19, 2012, the Council requested that NMFS
implement a temporary rule to reduce overfishing of gray triggerfish in
the Gulf while the Council and NMFS develop Amendment 37 to the FMP.
Amendment 37 will contain permanent measures to end overfishing of the
gray triggerfish stock. On May 14, 2012, NMFS published the final
temporary rule (77 FR 28308) to implement measures to reduce
overfishing of gray triggerfish in the Gulf and requested public
comment. The interim measures implemented revised commercial and
recreational ACLs and ACTs and revised the AMs for the recreational
sector. Through the final temporary rule, the commercial sector ACL was
reduced to 64,100 lb (29,075 kg), round weight, and the commercial ACT
(commercial quota) was reduced to 60,900 lb (27,624 kg), round weight.
The recreational sector ACL was reduced to 241,200 lb (109,406 kg),
round weight, and the recreational ACT was reduced to 217,100 (98,475
kg), round weight. Additionally, the temporary rule established an in-
season AM for the gray triggerfish recreational sector that prohibits
the recreational harvest of gray triggerfish (a recreational sector
closure) after the recreational ACT is reached or projected to be
reached.
The Council requested an extension of the interim rule on August
23, 2012, to ensure that management measures remain in effect for gray
triggerfish to reduce overfishing while more permanent measures are
developed through Amendment 37. Section 305(c)(3)(B) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act allows for interim measures to be extended for one
additional period of 186 days provided that the public has had an
opportunity to comment on the interim measures and the Council is
actively preparing a plan amendment to address the overfishing on a
permanent basis.
Amendment 37 is scheduled to be implemented early in the 2013
fishing year.NMFS issues this temporary rule to extend the expiration date
of interim measures to reduce overfishing of gray triggerfish in the
Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) implemented by a temporary rule published by NMFS
on May 14, 2012. This temporary rule extends the reduced commercial
quota (commercial annual catch target (ACT)), commercial and
recreational annual catch limits (ACLs), and recreational ACT; and the
revised recreational accountability measures (AMs) for gray
triggerfish, as requested by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management
Council (Council). The intended effect of this temporary rule is to
reduce overfishing of the gray triggerfish resource in the Gulf while
the Council develops permanent management measures.
DATES: The expiration date for the interim rule published at 77 FR
28308, May 14, 2012, is extended from November 10, 2012, through May
15, 2013, unless NMFS publishes a superseding document in the Federal
Register.
ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of documents supporting this temporary
rule, which include an environmental assessment (EA) and a regulatory
flexibility analysis, may be obtained from the Southeast Regional
Office Web site at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov.
[[Page 67304]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Hood, telephone: 727-824-5305 or
email: Peter.Hood@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The reef fish fishery of the Gulf is managed
under the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the
Gulf of Mexico (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the Council and is
implemented through regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the authority
of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
(Magnuson-Stevens Act). The Magnuson-Stevens Act provides the legal
authority for the promulgation of interim regulations under section
305(c) (16 U.S.C. 1855(c)).
Section 305(c)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act provides the Council
the authority to request interim measures, if necessary, to reduce
overfishing. On April 19, 2012, the Council requested that NMFS
implement a temporary rule to reduce overfishing of gray triggerfish in
the Gulf while the Council and NMFS develop Amendment 37 to the FMP.
Amendment 37 will contain permanent measures to end overfishing of the
gray triggerfish stock. On May 14, 2012, NMFS published the final
temporary rule (77 FR 28308) to implement measures to reduce
overfishing of gray triggerfish in the Gulf and requested public
comment. The interim measures implemented revised commercial and
recreational ACLs and ACTs and revised the AMs for the recreational
sector. Through the final temporary rule, the commercial sector ACL was
reduced to 64,100 lb (29,075 kg), round weight, and the commercial ACT
(commercial quota) was reduced to 60,900 lb (27,624 kg), round weight.
The recreational sector ACL was reduced to 241,200 lb (109,406 kg),
round weight, and the recreational ACT was reduced to 217,100 (98,475
kg), round weight. Additionally, the temporary rule established an in-
season AM for the gray triggerfish recreational sector that prohibits
the recreational harvest of gray triggerfish (a recreational sector
closure) after the recreational ACT is reached or projected to be
reached.
The Council requested an extension of the interim rule on August
23, 2012, to ensure that management measures remain in effect for gray
triggerfish to reduce overfishing while more permanent measures are
developed through Amendment 37. Section 305(c)(3)(B) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act allows for interim measures to be extended for one
additional period of 186 days provided that the public has had an
opportunity to comment on the interim measures and the Council is
actively preparing a plan amendment to address the overfishing on a
permanent basis.
Amendment 37 is scheduled to be implemented early in the 2013
fishing year.NMFS issues this temporary rule to extend the expiration date
of interim measures to reduce overfishing of gray triggerfish in the
Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) implemented by a temporary rule published by NMFS
on May 14, 2012. This temporary rule extends the reduced commercial
quota (commercial annual catch target (ACT)), commercial and
recreational annual catch limits (ACLs), and recreational ACT; and the
revised recreational accountability measures (AMs) for gray
triggerfish, as requested by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management
Council (Council). The intended effect of this temporary rule is to
reduce overfishing of the gray triggerfish resource in the Gulf while
the Council develops permanent management measures.
DATES: The expiration date for the interim rule published at 77 FR
28308, May 14, 2012, is extended from November 10, 2012, through May
15, 2013, unless NMFS publishes a superseding document in the Federal
Register.
ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of documents supporting this temporary
rule, which include an environmental assessment (EA) and a regulatory
flexibility analysis, may be obtained from the Southeast Regional
Office Web site at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov.
[[Page 67304]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Hood, telephone: 727-824-5305 or
email: Peter.Hood@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The reef fish fishery of the Gulf is managed
under the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the
Gulf of Mexico (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the Council and is
implemented through regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the authority
of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
(Magnuson-Stevens Act). The Magnuson-Stevens Act provides the legal
authority for the promulgation of interim regulations under section
305(c) (16 U.S.C. 1855(c)).
Section 305(c)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act provides the Council
the authority to request interim measures, if necessary, to reduce
overfishing. On April 19, 2012, the Council requested that NMFS
implement a temporary rule to reduce overfishing of gray triggerfish in
the Gulf while the Council and NMFS develop Amendment 37 to the FMP.
Amendment 37 will contain permanent measures to end overfishing of the
gray triggerfish stock. On May 14, 2012, NMFS published the final
temporary rule (77 FR 28308) to implement measures to reduce
overfishing of gray triggerfish in the Gulf and requested public
comment. The interim measures implemented revised commercial and
recreational ACLs and ACTs and revised the AMs for the recreational
sector. Through the final temporary rule, the commercial sector ACL was
reduced to 64,100 lb (29,075 kg), round weight, and the commercial ACT
(commercial quota) was reduced to 60,900 lb (27,624 kg), round weight.
The recreational sector ACL was reduced to 241,200 lb (109,406 kg),
round weight, and the recreational ACT was reduced to 217,100 (98,475
kg), round weight. Additionally, the temporary rule established an in-
season AM for the gray triggerfish recreational sector that prohibits
the recreational harvest of gray triggerfish (a recreational sector
closure) after the recreational ACT is reached or projected to be
reached.
The Council requested an extension of the interim rule on August
23, 2012, to ensure that management measures remain in effect for gray
triggerfish to reduce overfishing while more permanent measures are
developed through Amendment 37. Section 305(c)(3)(B) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act allows for interim measures to be extended for one
additional period of 186 days provided that the public has had an
opportunity to comment on the interim measures and the Council is
actively preparing a plan amendment to address the overfishing on a
permanent basis.
Amendment 37 is scheduled to be implemented early in the 2013
fishing year.