86 FR 57 pgs. 16077-16078 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Fishery; Final 2021 Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Specifications
Type: RULEVolume: 86Number: 57Pages: 16077 - 16078
Pages: 16077, 16078Docket number: [Docket No.: 210322-0061; RTID 0648-XX067]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2021-06287 Filed 3-25-21; 8:45 am]
Agency: Commerce Department
Sub Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 648
[Docket No.: 210322-0061; RTID 0648-XX067]
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Fishery; Final 2021 Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Specifications
AGENCY:
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION:
Final rule.
SUMMARY:
We are finalizing specifications for the 2021 Atlantic deep-sea red crab fishery, including an annual catch limit and total allowable landings limit. This action is necessary to fully implement previously projected allowable red crab harvest levels that will prevent overfishing and allow harvesting of optimum yield. This action is intended to establish the allowable 2021 harvest levels, consistent with the Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Fishery Management Plan.
DATES:
The final specifications for the 2021 Atlantic deep-sea red crab fishery are effective April 26, 2021, through February 28, 2022.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Allison Murphy, Fishery Policy Analyst, (978) 281-9122.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Atlantic deep-sea red crab fishery is managed by the New England Fishery Management Council. The Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Fishery Management Plan includes a specification process that requires the New England Fishery Management Council to recommend an acceptable biological catch, an annual catch limit, and total allowable landings every 4 years. Collectively, these are the red crab specifications. Prior to the start of fishing year 2020, the Council recommended specifications for the 2020-2023 fishing years (Table 1).
| Metric ton | Million lb | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptable Biological Catch | 2,000 | 4.41 |
| Annual Catch Limit | 2,000 | 4.41 |
| Total Allowable Landings | 2,000 | 4.41 |
On April 14, 2020, we approved the Council-recommended specifications for the 2020 fishing year, effective through February 28, 2021, and we projected the continuation of those specifications for 2021-2023 (85 FR 20615). At the end of each fishing year, we evaluate catch information and determine if the quota has been exceeded. If a quota is exceeded, the regulations at 50 CFR 648.262(b) require a pound-for-pound reduction in a subsequent fishing year. We have reviewed available 2020 fishery information against the projected 2021 specifications. There have been no annual catch limit or total allowable landings overages, nor is there any new biological information that would require altering the projected 2021 specifications published in 2020. Based on this information, we are finalizing specifications for fishing year 2021, as projected in the 2020 specifications rule (85 FR 20615), and outlined above in Table 1. These specifications are not expected to result in overfishing, and they adequately account for scientific uncertainty.
Classification
The NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that this final rule is consistent with the Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Fishery Management Plan, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and other applicable law.
This rule is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
[top] Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), we find good cause to waive prior public notice and opportunity for public comment on the catch limit and allocation adjustments, because
The Chief Counsel for Regulation, Department of Commerce, previously certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration (SBA) that the 2020-2023 red crab specifications would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Implementing the 2021 specifications will not change the conclusions drawn in that previous certification to the SBA. Because advance notice and the opportunity for public comment are not required for this action under the Administrative Procedure Act, or any other law, the analytical requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq., do not apply to this rule. Therefore, no new regulatory flexibility analysis is required and none has been prepared.
This action does not contain a collection of information requirement for the purposes of the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Authority:
16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: March 23, 2021.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-06287 Filed 3-25-21; 8:45 am]
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