80_FR_19124 80 FR 19056 - Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region; Framework Amendment

80 FR 19056 - Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region; Framework Amendment

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 68 (April 9, 2015)

Page Range19056-19058
FR Document2015-08069

NMFS proposes to implement management measures described in Framework Amendment 2 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic (CMP) Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region (Framework Amendment 2), as prepared and submitted by the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils (Councils). If implemented, this proposed rule would remove the unlimited commercial trip limit for Spanish mackerel in Federal waters off the east coast of Florida on weekdays beginning December 1 of each year. Since the trip limit system has been in place, fishery conditions and regulations have changed. This proposed rule intends to modify the current trip limit system to better fit the current fishery conditions and catch limits for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel in the southern zone, while increasing social and economic benefits of the CMP fishery.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 68 (Thursday, April 9, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 68 (Thursday, April 9, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19056-19058]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-08069]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 140819687-5314-01]
RIN 0648-BE40


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic 
Region; Framework Amendment

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS proposes to implement management measures described in 
Framework Amendment 2 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the 
Coastal Migratory Pelagic (CMP) Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and 
Atlantic Region (Framework Amendment 2), as prepared and submitted by 
the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils 
(Councils). If implemented, this proposed rule would remove the 
unlimited commercial trip limit for Spanish mackerel in Federal waters 
off the east coast of Florida on weekdays beginning December 1 of each 
year. Since the trip limit system has been in place, fishery conditions 
and regulations have changed. This proposed rule intends to modify the 
current trip limit system to better fit the current fishery conditions 
and catch limits for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel in the 
southern zone, while increasing social and economic benefits of the CMP 
fishery.

DATES: NMFS must receive written comments on the proposed rule by May 
11, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the proposed rule, identified by 
``NOAA-NMFS-2014-0136'' by any of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to 
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2014-0136, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to Karla Gore, Southeast 
Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South St., Petersburg, FL 33701.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous).
    Framework Amendment 2 to the FMP, which includes an environmental 
assessment and a regulatory impact review, is available from 
www.regulations.gov or the Southeast Regional Office Web site at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karla Gore, NMFS Southeast Regional

[[Page 19057]]

Office, telephone: 727-824-5305, or email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The CMP fishery of the South Atlantic and 
Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) includes Spanish mackerel and is managed under 
the FMP. The FMP was prepared by the Councils and implemented through 
regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the authority of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).

Background

    The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires that NMFS and regional fishery 
management councils prevent overfishing and achieve, on a continuing 
basis, the optimum yield from federally managed fish stocks. These 
mandates are intended to ensure that fishery resources are managed for 
the greatest overall benefit to the nation, particularly with respect 
to providing food production and recreational opportunities, and 
protecting marine ecosystems. To further this goal, the Magnuson-
Stevens Act requires fishery managers to minimize bycatch and bycatch 
mortality to the extent practicable.

Management Measure Contained in This Proposed Rule

    This proposed rule would modify the commercial trip limit system 
for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel. Since the current trip 
limit regime has been in place, changes in fishery conditions, such as 
an increase of the commercial annual catch limit (ACL), have 
necessitated modifications to some elements of the current trip limit 
system.
    Currently, the commercial trip limit for Atlantic migratory group 
Spanish mackerel in Federal waters off the eastern coast of Florida is 
3,500 lb (1,588 kg) from the start of the fishing year on March 1 
through November 30. Starting December 1, there is no trip limit on 
weekdays, and the trip limit is 1,500 lb (680 kg) on weekends. There is 
no trip limit on weekdays until 75 percent of the adjusted quota (set 
at 250,000 lb (113,400 kg) below the commercial ACL (adjusted quota)) 
is landed, after which the trip limit is 1,500 lb (680 kg) every day. 
When 100 percent of the adjusted quota is reached, the trip limit is 
reduced to 500 lb (227 kg) until the end of the fishing year or until 
the full quota is met or projected to be met. The adjusted quota 
provides a buffer to help prevent the commercial sector from exceeding 
the commercial ACL. North of a line extending offshore from the state 
boundary of Georgia and Florida, the trip limit in Federal waters is 
3,500 lb (1,588 kg) year-round.
    The lack of a commercial trip limit for Atlantic migratory group 
Spanish mackerel in Federal waters off the eastern coast of Florida on 
weekdays beginning December 1 may contribute to early closures. 
Therefore, this proposed rule would establish a trip limit of 3,500 lb 
(1,588 kg) for Spanish mackerel in Federal waters offshore of South 
Carolina, Georgia, and eastern Florida, which is the area recently 
established by the final rule implementing Amendment 20B to the FMP as 
the southern zone (80 FR 4216, January 27, 2015). When 75 percent of 
the adjusted southern zone quota (2,417,330 lb (1,096,482 kg)) is met 
or projected to be met, the trip limit would be reduced to 1,500 lb 
(680 kg). When 100 percent of the adjusted southern zone quota is met 
or projected to be met, the trip limit would be reduced to 500 lb (227 
kg) until the end of the fishing year or until the southern zone 
commercial quota is met or projected to be met, at which time the 
commercial sector in the southern zone would be closed to harvest of 
Spanish mackerel. The modified system of trip limits described above 
would remove the unlimited weekday trip limit to control harvest more 
effectively.

Classification

    Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the 
NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that this proposed rule is 
consistent with the FMP, other provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, 
and other applicable laws, subject to further consideration after 
public comment.
    This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce 
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration (SBA) that this proposed rule, if implemented, would not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. The factual basis for this determination is as follows:
    The objective of this proposed rule is to respond to changing 
fishery characteristics for the Atlantic migratory group Spanish 
mackerel component of the CMP fishery, reduce the complexity of the 
commercial trip limit system for this component, and increase social 
and economic benefits while ensuring resource protection. The Magnuson-
Stevens Act provides the statutory basis for this proposed rule.
    If implemented, NMFS expects this proposed rule to directly affect 
all commercial fishing vessels that harvest Atlantic migratory group 
Spanish mackerel. A Federal commercial permit is required to harvest 
Spanish mackerel in the Atlantic exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in 
excess of the bag limit and to sell these species. On May 6, 2014, 
1,729 vessels possessed a valid Federal commercial Spanish mackerel 
permit. A valid permit is a permit that has not expired and may be 
actively fished. Because the Federal commercial Spanish mackerel permit 
is an open access permit, expired permits are not renewed; if a permit 
expires before renewal, a new permit would be issued (if applied for) 
instead of renewal of the expired permit. The Federal commercial 
Spanish mackerel permit allows fishermen to harvest commercial 
quantities of Atlantic and Gulf migratory group Spanish mackerel in the 
Atlantic and the Gulf EEZ. Over the 2007-2008 through 2011-2012 fishing 
years (March through February), an average of 387 vessels per year 
recorded harvests of Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel. More 
recent data on vessel identification and harvest revenues from all 
fishing activity by these vessels are not available. Therefore, NMFS 
expects this proposed rule would affect an estimated 387 commercial 
fishing vessels per year.
    NMFS has not identified any other small entities that this proposed 
rule would be expected to directly affect.
    The SBA has established size criteria for all major industry 
sectors in the U.S., including commercial fish harvesters. A business 
involved in commercial fish harvesting is classified as a small 
business if it is independently owned and operated, is not dominant in 
its field of operation (including its affiliates), and has combined 
annual receipts not in excess of $20.5 million (NAICS code 114111, 
finfish fishing) for all its affiliated operations worldwide. The 
estimated average annual gross revenue from all fishing activity by a 
commercial vessel that harvests Atlantic migratory group Spanish 
mackerel is approximately $32,100 (2013 dollars). Because the average 
annual revenue estimate provided above is significantly less than the 
SBA revenue threshold for this sector, all commercial vessels expected 
to be directly affected by this proposed rule are believed to be small 
business entities.
    This proposed rule would not require any new reporting, record-
keeping, or other compliance requirements associated with reporting or 
record-keeping that may require professional skills.
    If implemented, NMFS expects the effects of this proposed rule to 
range from no economic effects to a small

[[Page 19058]]

increase in revenue to directly affected fishing vessels. Analysis of 
the economic effects of the proposed rule was conducted with and 
without 2012-2013 harvest data, which is the most recent final data 
available. The commercial harvest of Atlantic migratory group Spanish 
mackerel in 2012-2013 was approximately 3.15 million pounds (mp), 
compared to harvests in excess of 4 mp in the previous three fishing 
years. Commercial harvests of Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel 
have shown a cyclical harvest pattern of high, medium, and low harvests 
on approximately a three-year cycle. As a result, removal of data for 
the low harvest in 2012-2013 from the analysis may capture the 
potential effects of the proposed rule under high and low harvest 
rates.
    Based on data from the 2003-2004 through 2012-2013 fishing years, 
i.e., inclusive of 2012-2013 data, the proposed rule would be expected 
to result in a gain in revenue to all directly affected vessels 
combined of approximately $74,000 (2013 dollars), or approximately $190 
per vessel. If data from the 2012-2013 fishing year are excluded from 
the analysis, the proposed rule would be expected to result in the same 
total harvest and revenue as the status quo. Although the actual 
effects may be between these estimates, neither harvest scenario would 
be expected to result in a reduction in revenue, or profit, to any 
directly affected small entities as a result of the proposed rule. 
Instead, this proposed rule would be expected to have a small 
beneficial to no economic effect on the affected small entities. As a 
result, this proposed rule, if implemented, would not be expected to 
have a significant economic effect on a substantial number of small 
entities and an initial regulatory flexibility analysis is not required 
and none has been prepared.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 622

    Annual catch limit, Fisheries, Fishing, Gulf of Mexico, Quotas, 
South Atlantic, Spanish mackerel.

    Dated: April 2, 2015.
Eileen Sobeck,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 622 is 
proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 622--FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF MEXICO, AND SOUTH 
ATLANTIC

0
1. The authority citation for part 622 continues to read as follows:

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

0
2. In Sec.  622.385, paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) are revised to read as 
follows:


Sec.  622.385  Commercial trip limits.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) Atlantic migratory group. The following trip limits apply to 
vessels for which commercial permits for Spanish mackerel have been 
issued, as required under Sec.  622.370(a)(3).
    (i) Northern zone. Spanish mackerel in or from the EEZ may not be 
possessed on board or landed in a day from a vessel for which a permit 
for Spanish mackerel has been issued, as required under Sec.  
622.370(a)(3), in amounts exceeding 3,500 lb (1,588 kg).
    (ii) Southern zone. Spanish mackerel in or from the EEZ may not be 
possessed on board or landed in a day from a vessel for which a permit 
for Spanish mackerel has been issued, as required under Sec.  
622.370(a)(3)--
    (A) From March 1 until 75 percent of the adjusted quota for the 
southern zone has been reached or is projected to be reached, in 
amounts exceeding 3,500 lb (1,588 kg).
    (B) After 75 percent of the adjusted quota for the southern zone 
has been reached or is projected to be reached, in amounts exceeding 
1,500 lb (680 kg).
    (C) After 100 percent of the adjusted quota for the southern zone 
has been reached or is projected to be reached, and until the end of 
the fishing year or the southern zone's quota has been reached or 
projected to be reached, in amounts exceeding 500 lb (227 kg). See 
Sec.  622.384(e) for limitations regarding Atlantic migratory group 
Spanish mackerel after the southern zone's quota is reached.
    (2) For the purpose of paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section, the 
adjusted quota for the southern zone is 2,417,330 lb (1,096,482 kg). 
The adjusted quota for the southern zone is the quota for the Atlantic 
migratory group Spanish mackerel southern zone reduced by an amount 
calculated to allow continued harvest of Atlantic migratory group 
Spanish mackerel at the rate of 500 lb (227 kg) per vessel per day for 
the remainder of the fishing year after the adjusted quota is reached. 
Total commercial harvest in the southern zone is still subject to the 
southern zone quota and accountability measures. By filing a 
notification with the Office of the Federal Register, the Assistant 
Administrator will announce when 75 percent and 100 percent of the 
adjusted quota are reached or is projected to be reached.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2015-08069 Filed 4-8-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P



                                                 19056                    Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 68 / Thursday, April 9, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                 Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44                     Proposed Regulation Promulgation                       Framework Amendment 2 to the Fishery
                                                 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.)                                       Accordingly, we propose to further                  Management Plan (FMP) for the Coastal
                                                   This rule does not contain any new                    amend part 17, subchapter B of chapter                 Migratory Pelagic (CMP) Resources in
                                                 collections of information that require                 I, title 50 of the Code of Federal                     the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region
                                                 approval by the Office of Management                    Regulations, as proposed to be amended                 (Framework Amendment 2), as prepared
                                                 and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork                    at 79 FR 10077 (February 24, 2014) as                  and submitted by the South Atlantic
                                                 Reduction Act. This rule will not                       set forth below:                                       and Gulf of Mexico Fishery
                                                 impose recordkeeping or reporting                                                                              Management Councils (Councils). If
                                                 requirements on State or local                          PART 17—[AMENDED]                                      implemented, this proposed rule would
                                                 governments, individuals, businesses, or                                                                       remove the unlimited commercial trip
                                                 organizations. An agency may not                        ■ 1. The authority citation for part 17                limit for Spanish mackerel in Federal
                                                 conduct or sponsor, and a person is not                 continues to read as follows:                          waters off the east coast of Florida on
                                                 required to respond to, a collection of                   Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361–1407; 1531–                weekdays beginning December 1 of each
                                                 information unless it displays a                        1544; 4201–4245; unless otherwise noted.               year. Since the trip limit system has
                                                 currently valid OMB control number.                                                                            been in place, fishery conditions and
                                                                                                         ■ 2. Amend § 17.43 by revising                         regulations have changed. This
                                                 National Environmental Policy Act (42                   paragraph (e)(2), as proposed to be                    proposed rule intends to modify the
                                                 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)                                    added on February 24, 2014 (79 FR                      current trip limit system to better fit the
                                                   We have prepared a draft                              10077), to read as follows:                            current fishery conditions and catch
                                                 environmental assessment, as defined                    § 17.43    Special rules—amphibians.                   limits for Atlantic migratory group
                                                 under the authority of the National                     *     *    *      *    *                               Spanish mackerel in the southern zone,
                                                 Environmental Policy Act of 1969. For                     (e) * * *                                            while increasing social and economic
                                                 information on how to obtain a copy of                    (2) Exemptions from prohibitions.                    benefits of the CMP fishery.
                                                 the draft environmental assessment, see                 Incidental take of the Georgetown                      DATES: NMFS must receive written
                                                 ADDRESSES, above.                                                                                              comments on the proposed rule by May
                                                                                                         salamander will not be considered a
                                                 Government-to-Government                                violation of section 9 of the Act if the               11, 2015.
                                                 Relationship With Tribes                                take occurs on privately owned, State,                 ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
                                                                                                         or county land from regulated activities               on the proposed rule, identified by
                                                    In accordance with the President’s
                                                                                                         that are conducted consistent with the                 ‘‘NOAA–NMFS–2014–0136’’ by any of
                                                 memorandum of April 29, 1994
                                                                                                         water quality protection measures                      the following methods:
                                                 (Government-to-Government Relations                                                                               • Electronic Submission: Submit all
                                                 with Native American Tribal                             contained in chapter 11.07 and
                                                                                                         Appendix A of the City of Georgetown                   electronic public comments via the
                                                 Governments; 59 FR 22951), Executive                                                                           Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
                                                 Order 13175 (Consultation and                           (Texas) Unified Development Code
                                                                                                         (UDC) dated February 24, 2015.                         www.regulations.gov/
                                                 Coordination with Indian Tribal
                                                                                                         *     *    *      *    *                               #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2014-
                                                 Governments), and the Department of
                                                                                                                                                                0136, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon,
                                                 the Interior’s manual at 512 DM 2, we                     Dated: March 31, 2015.                               complete the required fields, and enter
                                                 readily acknowledge our responsibility                  Robert Dreher,                                         or attach your comments.
                                                 to communicate meaningfully with                        Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife                   • Mail: Submit written comments to
                                                 recognized Federal Tribes on a                          Service.                                               Karla Gore, Southeast Regional Office,
                                                 government-to-government basis. In                      [FR Doc. 2015–08093 Filed 4–8–15; 8:45 am]             NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South St.,
                                                 accordance with Secretarial Order 3206                                                                         Petersburg, FL 33701.
                                                                                                         BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
                                                 of June 5, 1997 (American Indian Tribal                                                                           Instructions: Comments sent by any
                                                 Rights, Federal-Tribal Trust                                                                                   other method, to any other address or
                                                 Responsibilities, and the Endangered                                                                           individual, or received after the end of
                                                 Species Act), we readily acknowledge                    DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
                                                                                                                                                                the comment period, may not be
                                                 our responsibilities to work directly                   National Oceanic and Atmospheric                       considered by NMFS. All comments
                                                 with tribes in developing programs for                  Administration                                         received are a part of the public record
                                                 healthy ecosystems, to acknowledge that                                                                        and will generally be posted for public
                                                 tribal lands are not subject to the same                50 CFR Part 622                                        viewing on www.regulations.gov
                                                 controls as Federal public lands, to                                                                           without change. All personal identifying
                                                 remain sensitive to Indian culture, and                 [Docket No. 140819687–5314–01]
                                                                                                                                                                information (e.g., name, address, etc.),
                                                 to make information available to tribes.                RIN 0648–BE40                                          confidential business information, or
                                                 We determined that there are no known                                                                          otherwise sensitive information
                                                 tribal lands within the range of the                    Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of                    submitted voluntarily by the sender will
                                                 Georgetown salamander.                                  Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coastal                    be publicly accessible. NMFS will
                                                 Authors                                                 Migratory Pelagic Resources in the                     accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/
                                                                                                         Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region;                    A’’ in the required fields if you wish to
                                                   The primary authors of this proposed                  Framework Amendment
                                                 rule are the staff members of the Austin                                                                       remain anonymous).
                                                                                                         AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries                        Framework Amendment 2 to the FMP,
                                                 Ecological Services Field Office (see FOR
Rmajette on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                                                                         Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and                   which includes an environmental
                                                 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) and the
                                                                                                         Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),                     assessment and a regulatory impact
                                                 Southwest Regional Office.
                                                                                                         Commerce.                                              review, is available from
                                                 List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17                                                                             www.regulations.gov or the Southeast
                                                                                                         ACTION: Proposed rule; request for
                                                   Endangered and threatened species,                                                                           Regional Office Web site at http://
                                                                                                         comments.                                              sero.nmfs.noaa.gov.
                                                 Exports, Imports, Reporting and
                                                 recordkeeping requirements,                             SUMMARY:NMFS proposes to implement                     FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                 Transportation.                                         management measures described in                       Karla Gore, NMFS Southeast Regional


                                            VerDate Sep<11>2014   15:12 Apr 08, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00020   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\09APP1.SGM   09APP1


                                                                          Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 68 / Thursday, April 9, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                            19057

                                                 Office, telephone: 727–824–5305, or                     Florida, the trip limit in Federal waters              Atlantic migratory group Spanish
                                                 email: karla.gore@noaa.gov.                             is 3,500 lb (1,588 kg) year-round.                     mackerel. A Federal commercial permit
                                                 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The CMP                         The lack of a commercial trip limit for             is required to harvest Spanish mackerel
                                                 fishery of the South Atlantic and Gulf of               Atlantic migratory group Spanish                       in the Atlantic exclusive economic zone
                                                 Mexico (Gulf) includes Spanish                          mackerel in Federal waters off the                     (EEZ) in excess of the bag limit and to
                                                 mackerel and is managed under the                       eastern coast of Florida on weekdays                   sell these species. On May 6, 2014,
                                                 FMP. The FMP was prepared by the                        beginning December 1 may contribute to                 1,729 vessels possessed a valid Federal
                                                 Councils and implemented through                        early closures. Therefore, this proposed               commercial Spanish mackerel permit. A
                                                 regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the                rule would establish a trip limit of 3,500             valid permit is a permit that has not
                                                 authority of the Magnuson-Stevens                       lb (1,588 kg) for Spanish mackerel in                  expired and may be actively fished.
                                                 Fishery Conservation and Management                     Federal waters offshore of South                       Because the Federal commercial
                                                 Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).                             Carolina, Georgia, and eastern Florida,                Spanish mackerel permit is an open
                                                                                                         which is the area recently established by              access permit, expired permits are not
                                                 Background                                              the final rule implementing Amendment                  renewed; if a permit expires before
                                                    The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires                    20B to the FMP as the southern zone (80                renewal, a new permit would be issued
                                                 that NMFS and regional fishery                          FR 4216, January 27, 2015). When 75                    (if applied for) instead of renewal of the
                                                 management councils prevent                             percent of the adjusted southern zone                  expired permit. The Federal commercial
                                                 overfishing and achieve, on a                           quota (2,417,330 lb (1,096,482 kg)) is                 Spanish mackerel permit allows
                                                                                                         met or projected to be met, the trip limit             fishermen to harvest commercial
                                                 continuing basis, the optimum yield
                                                                                                         would be reduced to 1,500 lb (680 kg).                 quantities of Atlantic and Gulf
                                                 from federally managed fish stocks.
                                                                                                         When 100 percent of the adjusted                       migratory group Spanish mackerel in
                                                 These mandates are intended to ensure
                                                                                                         southern zone quota is met or projected                the Atlantic and the Gulf EEZ. Over the
                                                 that fishery resources are managed for
                                                                                                         to be met, the trip limit would be                     2007–2008 through 2011–2012 fishing
                                                 the greatest overall benefit to the nation,
                                                                                                         reduced to 500 lb (227 kg) until the end               years (March through February), an
                                                 particularly with respect to providing
                                                                                                         of the fishing year or until the southern              average of 387 vessels per year recorded
                                                 food production and recreational
                                                                                                         zone commercial quota is met or                        harvests of Atlantic migratory group
                                                 opportunities, and protecting marine
                                                                                                         projected to be met, at which time the                 Spanish mackerel. More recent data on
                                                 ecosystems. To further this goal, the
                                                                                                         commercial sector in the southern zone                 vessel identification and harvest
                                                 Magnuson-Stevens Act requires fishery
                                                                                                         would be closed to harvest of Spanish                  revenues from all fishing activity by
                                                 managers to minimize bycatch and
                                                                                                         mackerel. The modified system of trip                  these vessels are not available.
                                                 bycatch mortality to the extent
                                                                                                         limits described above would remove                    Therefore, NMFS expects this proposed
                                                 practicable.
                                                                                                         the unlimited weekday trip limit to                    rule would affect an estimated 387
                                                 Management Measure Contained in This                    control harvest more effectively.                      commercial fishing vessels per year.
                                                 Proposed Rule                                                                                                     NMFS has not identified any other
                                                                                                         Classification                                         small entities that this proposed rule
                                                    This proposed rule would modify the                    Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the              would be expected to directly affect.
                                                 commercial trip limit system for                        Magnuson-Stevens Act, the NMFS                            The SBA has established size criteria
                                                 Atlantic migratory group Spanish                        Assistant Administrator has determined                 for all major industry sectors in the U.S.,
                                                 mackerel. Since the current trip limit                  that this proposed rule is consistent                  including commercial fish harvesters. A
                                                 regime has been in place, changes in                    with the FMP, other provisions of the                  business involved in commercial fish
                                                 fishery conditions, such as an increase                 Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other                        harvesting is classified as a small
                                                 of the commercial annual catch limit                    applicable laws, subject to further                    business if it is independently owned
                                                 (ACL), have necessitated modifications                  consideration after public comment.                    and operated, is not dominant in its
                                                 to some elements of the current trip                      This proposed rule has been                          field of operation (including its
                                                 limit system.                                           determined to be not significant for                   affiliates), and has combined annual
                                                    Currently, the commercial trip limit                 purposes of Executive Order 12866.                     receipts not in excess of $20.5 million
                                                 for Atlantic migratory group Spanish                      The Chief Counsel for Regulation of                  (NAICS code 114111, finfish fishing) for
                                                 mackerel in Federal waters off the                      the Department of Commerce certified                   all its affiliated operations worldwide.
                                                 eastern coast of Florida is 3,500 lb                    to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the               The estimated average annual gross
                                                 (1,588 kg) from the start of the fishing                Small Business Administration (SBA)                    revenue from all fishing activity by a
                                                 year on March 1 through November 30.                    that this proposed rule, if implemented,               commercial vessel that harvests Atlantic
                                                 Starting December 1, there is no trip                   would not have a significant economic                  migratory group Spanish mackerel is
                                                 limit on weekdays, and the trip limit is                impact on a substantial number of small                approximately $32,100 (2013 dollars).
                                                 1,500 lb (680 kg) on weekends. There is                 entities. The factual basis for this                   Because the average annual revenue
                                                 no trip limit on weekdays until 75                      determination is as follows:                           estimate provided above is significantly
                                                 percent of the adjusted quota (set at                     The objective of this proposed rule is               less than the SBA revenue threshold for
                                                 250,000 lb (113,400 kg) below the                       to respond to changing fishery                         this sector, all commercial vessels
                                                 commercial ACL (adjusted quota)) is                     characteristics for the Atlantic migratory             expected to be directly affected by this
                                                 landed, after which the trip limit is                   group Spanish mackerel component of                    proposed rule are believed to be small
                                                 1,500 lb (680 kg) every day. When 100                   the CMP fishery, reduce the complexity                 business entities.
                                                 percent of the adjusted quota is reached,               of the commercial trip limit system for                   This proposed rule would not require
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                                                 the trip limit is reduced to 500 lb (227                this component, and increase social and                any new reporting, record-keeping, or
                                                 kg) until the end of the fishing year or                economic benefits while ensuring                       other compliance requirements
                                                 until the full quota is met or projected                resource protection. The Magnuson-                     associated with reporting or record-
                                                 to be met. The adjusted quota provides                  Stevens Act provides the statutory basis               keeping that may require professional
                                                 a buffer to help prevent the commercial                 for this proposed rule.                                skills.
                                                 sector from exceeding the commercial                      If implemented, NMFS expects this                       If implemented, NMFS expects the
                                                 ACL. North of a line extending offshore                 proposed rule to directly affect all                   effects of this proposed rule to range
                                                 from the state boundary of Georgia and                  commercial fishing vessels that harvest                from no economic effects to a small


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                                                 19058                    Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 68 / Thursday, April 9, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                 increase in revenue to directly affected                substantial number of small entities and               mackerel has been issued, as required
                                                 fishing vessels. Analysis of the                        an initial regulatory flexibility analysis             under § 622.370(a)(3)—
                                                 economic effects of the proposed rule                   is not required and none has been                         (A) From March 1 until 75 percent of
                                                 was conducted with and without 2012–                    prepared.                                              the adjusted quota for the southern zone
                                                 2013 harvest data, which is the most                                                                           has been reached or is projected to be
                                                                                                         List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 622
                                                 recent final data available. The                                                                               reached, in amounts exceeding 3,500 lb
                                                 commercial harvest of Atlantic                            Annual catch limit, Fisheries, Fishing,              (1,588 kg).
                                                 migratory group Spanish mackerel in                     Gulf of Mexico, Quotas, South Atlantic,                   (B) After 75 percent of the adjusted
                                                 2012–2013 was approximately 3.15                        Spanish mackerel.                                      quota for the southern zone has been
                                                 million pounds (mp), compared to                          Dated: April 2, 2015.                                reached or is projected to be reached, in
                                                 harvests in excess of 4 mp in the                       Eileen Sobeck,                                         amounts exceeding 1,500 lb (680 kg).
                                                 previous three fishing years.                                                                                     (C) After 100 percent of the adjusted
                                                                                                         Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,
                                                 Commercial harvests of Atlantic                         National Marine Fisheries Service.                     quota for the southern zone has been
                                                 migratory group Spanish mackerel have                                                                          reached or is projected to be reached,
                                                 shown a cyclical harvest pattern of high,                 For the reasons set out in the                       and until the end of the fishing year or
                                                 medium, and low harvests on                             preamble, 50 CFR part 622 is proposed                  the southern zone’s quota has been
                                                 approximately a three-year cycle. As a                  to be amended as follows:                              reached or projected to be reached, in
                                                 result, removal of data for the low                                                                            amounts exceeding 500 lb (227 kg). See
                                                 harvest in 2012–2013 from the analysis                  PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE                              § 622.384(e) for limitations regarding
                                                 may capture the potential effects of the                CARIBBEAN, GULF OF MEXICO, AND                         Atlantic migratory group Spanish
                                                 proposed rule under high and low                        SOUTH ATLANTIC                                         mackerel after the southern zone’s quota
                                                 harvest rates.                                                                                                 is reached.
                                                                                                         ■ 1. The authority citation for part 622
                                                    Based on data from the 2003–2004                     continues to read as follows:                             (2) For the purpose of paragraph
                                                 through 2012–2013 fishing years, i.e.,                                                                         (b)(1)(ii) of this section, the adjusted
                                                                                                             Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.                  quota for the southern zone is 2,417,330
                                                 inclusive of 2012–2013 data, the
                                                 proposed rule would be expected to                      ■ 2. In § 622.385, paragraphs (b)(1) and               lb (1,096,482 kg). The adjusted quota for
                                                 result in a gain in revenue to all directly             (2) are revised to read as follows:                    the southern zone is the quota for the
                                                 affected vessels combined of                                                                                   Atlantic migratory group Spanish
                                                                                                         § 622.385    Commercial trip limits.                   mackerel southern zone reduced by an
                                                 approximately $74,000 (2013 dollars), or
                                                 approximately $190 per vessel. If data                  *      *    *    *     *                               amount calculated to allow continued
                                                 from the 2012–2013 fishing year are                       (b) * * *                                            harvest of Atlantic migratory group
                                                 excluded from the analysis, the                           (1) Atlantic migratory group. The                    Spanish mackerel at the rate of 500 lb
                                                 proposed rule would be expected to                      following trip limits apply to vessels for             (227 kg) per vessel per day for the
                                                 result in the same total harvest and                    which commercial permits for Spanish                   remainder of the fishing year after the
                                                 revenue as the status quo. Although the                 mackerel have been issued, as required                 adjusted quota is reached. Total
                                                 actual effects may be between these                     under § 622.370(a)(3).                                 commercial harvest in the southern
                                                 estimates, neither harvest scenario                       (i) Northern zone. Spanish mackerel                  zone is still subject to the southern zone
                                                 would be expected to result in a                        in or from the EEZ may not be possessed                quota and accountability measures. By
                                                 reduction in revenue, or profit, to any                 on board or landed in a day from a                     filing a notification with the Office of
                                                 directly affected small entities as a                   vessel for which a permit for Spanish                  the Federal Register, the Assistant
                                                 result of the proposed rule. Instead, this              mackerel has been issued, as required                  Administrator will announce when 75
                                                 proposed rule would be expected to                      under § 622.370(a)(3), in amounts                      percent and 100 percent of the adjusted
                                                 have a small beneficial to no economic                  exceeding 3,500 lb (1,588 kg).                         quota are reached or is projected to be
                                                 effect on the affected small entities. As                 (ii) Southern zone. Spanish mackerel                 reached.
                                                 a result, this proposed rule, if                        in or from the EEZ may not be possessed                *      *     *      *    *
                                                 implemented, would not be expected to                   on board or landed in a day from a                     [FR Doc. 2015–08069 Filed 4–8–15; 8:45 am]
                                                 have a significant economic effect on a                 vessel for which a permit for Spanish                  BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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Document Created: 2015-12-18 11:23:40
Document Modified: 2015-12-18 11:23:40
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionProposed rule; request for comments.
DatesNMFS must receive written comments on the proposed rule by May 11, 2015.
ContactKarla Gore, NMFS Southeast Regional Office, telephone: 727-824-5305, or email: [email protected]
FR Citation80 FR 19056 
RIN Number0648-BE40
CFR AssociatedAnnual Catch Limit; Fisheries; Fishing; Gulf of Mexico; Quotas; South Atlantic and Spanish Mackerel

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