SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The fishery for coastal migratory pelagic fish includes king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and cobia, and is managed under the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils and is implemented by NMFS under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by regulations at 50 CFR part 622.

Separate migratory groups of cobia were established in Amendment 18 to the FMP (76 FR 82058, December 29, 2011), and then revised in Amendment 20B to the FMP (80 FR 4216, January 27, 2015). The southern boundary for Atlantic cobia occurs at a line that ( printed page 43558) extends due east of the Florida and Georgia state border at 30°42′45.6″ N lat. The northern boundary for Atlantic migratory is the jurisdictional boundary between the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils, as specified in 50 CFR 600.105(a).

Atlantic cobia are unique among federally managed species in the southeast region, because no commercial permit is required to harvest and sell them. The distinction between commercial and recreational sectors is not as clear as other federally managed species in the southeast region. For example, regulations at 50 CFR part 622 specify quotas, annual catch limits, and AMs for cobia that are sold and cobia that are not sold. However, for purposes of this temporary rule, Atlantic cobia that are sold are considered commercially caught, and those that are not sold are considered recreationally caught.

The commercial quota for Atlantic cobia is 50,000 lb (22,680 kg), round or gutted weight, for the 2018 fishing year, which runs from January 1 through December 31 (50 CFR 622.384(d)(2)).

The AM for the commercial sector of Atlantic cobia, specified at 50 CFR 622.388(f)(1)(i), requires that NMFS file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to prohibit the sale and purchase of cobia for the remainder of the fishing year if commercial landings reach or are projected to reach the commercial quota specified in § 622.384(d)(2). The commercial AM is triggered for 2018, because NMFS projects that commercial landings of Atlantic cobia will reach the commercial quota on September 5, 2018. Accordingly, the commercial sector for Atlantic cobia is closed in the EEZ at 12:01 a.m., local time, on September 5, 2018, and remains closed until the start of the next fishing year on January 1, 2019.

During the commercial closure, the sale and purchase of Atlantic cobia is prohibited. The recreational bag and possession limits for Atlantic cobia apply while the recreational sector is open. The prohibition on sale and purchase does not apply to Atlantic cobia that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, on September 5, 2018, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.

Classification

The Regional Administrator for the NMFS Southeast Region has determined this temporary rule is necessary for the conservation and management of Atlantic cobia and is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable laws.

This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.388(f)(1)(i) and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

These measures are exempt from the procedures of the Regulatory Flexibility Act because the temporary rule is issued without opportunity for prior notice and comment.

This action is based on the best scientific information available. The Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries (AA) finds good cause to waive the requirements 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 are unnecessary because the AM for Atlantic cobia has already been subject to notice and comment, and all that remains is to notify the public of the commercial closure for the remainder of the 2018 fishing year. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment on this action is contrary to the public interest, because of the need to immediately implement the commercial closure to protect Atlantic cobia, since the capacity of the fishing fleet allows for rapid harvest of the commercial quota. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment would require time and would potentially result in a harvest that exceeds the commercial 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).

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.