80_FR_52583 80 FR 52415 - Pacific Island Fisheries; 2015 Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures

80 FR 52415 - Pacific Island Fisheries; 2015 Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 168 (August 31, 2015)

Page Range52415-52418
FR Document2015-21394

In this final rule, NMFS specifies the 2015 annual catch limits (ACLs) for Pacific Island bottomfish, crustacean, precious coral, and coral reef ecosystem fisheries, and accountability measures (AMs) to correct or mitigate any overages of catch limits. The ACLs and AMs support the long-term sustainability of fishery resources of the U.S. Pacific Islands.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 168 (Monday, August 31, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 168 (Monday, August 31, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52415-52418]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-21394]


=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 665

[Docket No. 141009847-5746-02]
RIN 0648-XD558


Pacific Island Fisheries; 2015 Annual Catch Limits and 
Accountability Measures

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

ACTION: Final specifications.

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

SUMMARY: In this final rule, NMFS specifies the 2015 annual catch 
limits (ACLs) for Pacific Island bottomfish, crustacean, precious 
coral, and coral reef ecosystem fisheries, and accountability measures 
(AMs) to correct or mitigate any overages of catch limits. The ACLs and 
AMs support the long-term sustainability of fishery resources of the 
U.S. Pacific Islands.

DATES: The final specifications are effective September 30, 2015, 
through December 31, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the fishery ecosystem plans are available from the 
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), 1164 Bishop St., 
Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, tel 808-522-8220, fax 808-522-8226, or 
www.wpcouncil.org. Copies of the environmental assessments and findings 
of no significant impact for this action, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2013-
0156, are available from www.regulations.gov, or from Michael D. 
Tosatto, Regional Administrator, NMFS Pacific Islands Region (PIR), 
1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg. 176, Honolulu, HI 96818.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jarad Makaiau, NMFS PIRO Sustainable 
Fisheries, 808-725-5176.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS is specifying the 2015 ACLs and AMs for 
bottomfish, crustacean, precious coral, and coral reef ecosystem 
fishery management unit species (MUS) in American Samoa, Guam, the 
CNMI, and Hawaii. NMFS proposed these specifications on July 21, 2015 
(80 FR 43046), and the final specifications do not differ from those 
proposed. The 2015 fishing year began on January 1 and ends on December 
31, except for precious coral fisheries, for which the fishing year 
began on July 1, 2015, and ends on June 30, 2016.
    NMFS is not specifying ACLs for MUS that are currently subject to 
Federal fishing moratoria or prohibitions. These MUS include all 
species of gold coral, the three Hawaii seamount groundfish (pelagic 
armorhead, alfonsin, and raftfish), and deepwater precious corals at 
the Westpac Bed Refugia. The current prohibitions on fishing for these 
MUS serve as the functional equivalent of an ACL of zero.
    Additionally, NMFS is not specifying ACLs for bottomfish, 
crustacean, precious coral, or coral reef ecosystem MUS identified in 
the Pacific Remote Islands Area (PRIA) FEP. This is because fishing is 
prohibited in the EEZ within 12 nm of emergent land of the PRIA, unless 
authorized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), in 
consultation with NMFS and the Council. Additionally, there is no 
suitable habitat for these stocks beyond the 12-nm no-fishing zone, 
except at Kingman Reef, where fishing for these resources does not 
occur. To date, the USFWS has not consulted with NMFS for any fishing 
that the USFWS may authorize within 12 nm of the PRIA. NMFS will 
continue to monitor authorized fishing within 12 nm of the PRIA in 
consultation with the USFWS, and may develop additional fishing 
requirements, including catch limits for species that may require them.
    NMFS is also not specifying ACLs for pelagic MUS at this time, 
because NMFS previously determined that pelagic species are subject to 
international fishery agreements or have a life cycle of approximately 
1 year and are, therefore, statutorily excepted from the ACL 
requirements.

2015 Annual Catch Limit Specifications

    Tables 1-4 list the ACL specifications for 2015.

                         Table 1--American Samoa
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               ACL
            Fishery                 Management unit       Specification
                                        species               (lb)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bottomfish....................  Bottomfish multi-                101,000
                                 species stock complex.
Crustacean....................  Deepwater shrimp......            80,000
                                Spiny lobster.........             4,845
                                Slipper lobster.......                30
                                Kona crab.............             3,200
Precious Coral................  Black coral...........               790
                                Precious corals in the             2,205
                                 American Samoa
                                 Exploratory Area.
Coral Reef Ecosystem..........  Selar                             37,400
                                 crumenophthalmus--atu
                                 le, bigeye scad.
                                Acanthuridae--surgeonf           129,400
                                 ish.
                                Carangidae--jacks.....            19,900
                                Carcharhinidae--reef               1,615
                                 sharks.
                                Crustaceans--crabs....             4,300
                                Holocentridae--squirre            15,100
                                 lfish.
                                Kyphosidae--rudderfish             2,000
                                 es.
                                Labridae--wrasses.....            16,200

[[Page 52416]]

 
                                Lethrinidae--emperors.            19,600
                                Lutjanidae--snappers..            63,100
                                Mollusks--turbo snail;            18,400
                                 octopus; giant clams.
                                Mugilidae--mullets....             4,600
                                Mullidae--goatfishes..            11,900
                                Scaridae--parrotfish..           272,000
                                Serranidae--groupers..            25,300
                                Siganidae--rabbitfishe               200
                                 s.
                                Bolbometopon                         235
                                 muricatum--bumphead
                                 parrotfish.
                                Cheilinus undulatus--              1,743
                                 Humphead (Napoleon)
                                 wrasse.
                                All other CREMUS                  18,400
                                 combined.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                   Table 2--Mariana Archipelago--Guam
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               ACL
            Fishery                 Management unit       Specification
                                        species               (lb)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bottomfish....................  Bottomfish multi-                 66,800
                                 species stock complex.
Crustaceans...................  Deepwater shrimp......            48,488
                                Spiny lobster.........             3,135
                                Slipper lobster.......                20
                                Kona crab.............             1,900
Precious Coral................  Black coral...........               700
                                Precious corals in the             2,205
                                 Guam Exploratory Area.
Coral Reef Ecosystem..........  Selar                             50,200
                                 crumenophthalmus--atu
                                 lai, bigeye scad.
                                Acanthuridae--surgeonf            97,600
                                 ish.
                                Carangidae--jacks.....            29,300
                                Carcharhinidae--reef               1,900
                                 sharks.
                                Crustaceans--crabs....             7,300
                                Holocentridae--squirre            11,400
                                 lfish.
                                Kyphosidae--chubs/                 9,600
                                 rudderfish.
                                Labridae--wrasses.....            25,200
                                Lethrinidae--emperors.            53,000
                                Lutjanidae--snappers..            18,000
                                Mollusks--octopus.....            23,800
                                Mugilidae--mullets....            17,900
                                Mullidae--goatfish....            15,300
                                Scaridae--parrotfish..            71,600
                                Serranidae--groupers..            22,500
                                Siganidae--rabbitfish.            18,600
                                Bolbometopon                         797
                                 muricatum--bumphead
                                 parrotfish.
                                Cheilinus undulatus--              1,960
                                 humphead (Napoleon)
                                 wrasse.
                                All other CREMUS                 185,000
                                 combined.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(CNMI and Guam combined)


                   Table 3--Mariana Archipelago--CNMI
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               ACL
            Fishery                 Management unit       Specification
                                        species               (lb)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bottomfish....................  Bottomfish multi-                228,000
                                 species stock complex.
Crustacean....................  Deepwater shrimp......           275,570
                                Spiny lobster.........             7,410
                                Slipper lobster.......                60
                                Kona crab.............             6,300
Precious Coral................  Black coral...........             2,100
                                Precious corals in the             2,205
                                 CNMI Exploratory Area.
Coral Reef Ecosystem..........  Selar                             77,400
                                 crumenophthalmus--Atu
                                 lai, bigeye scad.
                                Acanthuridae--surgeonf           302,600
                                 ish.
                                Carangidae--jacks.....            44,900
                                Carcharhinidae--reef               5,600
                                 sharks.
                                Crustaceans--crabs....             4,400
                                Holocentridae--squirre            66,100
                                 lfishes.
                                Kyphosidae--rudderfish            22,700
                                 es.
                                Labridae--wrasses.....            55,100
                                Lethrinidae--emperors.            53,700
                                Lutjanidae--snappers..           190,400

[[Page 52417]]

 
                                Mollusks--turbo snail;             9,800
                                 octopus; giant clams.
                                Mugilidae--mullets....             4,500
                                Mullidae--goatfish....            28,400
                                Scaridae--parrotfish..           144,000
                                Serranidae--groupers..            86,900
                                Siganidae--rabbitfish.            10,200
                                Bolbometopon                         797
                                 muricatum--Bumphead
                                 parrotfish.
                                Cheilinus undulatus--              2,009
                                 Humphead (Napoleon)
                                 wrasse.
                                All other CREMUS                   7,300
                                 combined.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(CNMI and Guam combined)


                             Table 4--Hawaii
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               ACL
            Fishery                 Management unit       Specification
                                        species               (lb)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bottomfish....................  Non-Deep 7 bottomfish.           178,000
Crustacean....................  Deepwater shrimp......           250,773
                                Spiny lobster.........            15,000
                                Slipper lobster.......               280
                                Kona crab.............            27,600
Precious Coral................  Auau Channel black                 5,512
                                 coral.
                                Makapuu Bed--Pink                  2,205
                                 coral.
                                Makapuu Bed--Bamboo                  551
                                 coral.
                                180 Fathom Bank--Pink                489
                                 coral.
                                180 Fathom Bank--                    123
                                 Bamboo coral.
                                Brooks Bank--Pink                    979
                                 coral.
                                Brooks Bank--Bamboo                  245
                                 coral.
                                Kaena Point Bed--Pink                148
                                 coral.
                                Kaena Point Bed--                     37
                                 Bamboo coral.
                                Keahole Bed--Pink                    148
                                 coral.
                                Keahole Bed--Bamboo                   37
                                 coral.
                                Precious corals in the             2,205
                                 Hawaii Exploratory
                                 Area.
Coral Reef Ecosystem..........  Selar                            988,000
                                 crumenophthalmus--aku
                                 le, bigeye scad.
                                Decapterus macarellus--          438,000
                                 opelu, mackerel scad.
                                Acanthuridae--surgeonf           342,000
                                 ishes.
                                Carangidae--jacks.....           161,200
                                Carcharhinidae--reef               9,310
                                 sharks.
                                Crustaceans--crabs....            33,500
                                Holocentridae--squirre           148,000
                                 lfishes.
                                Kyphosidae--rudderfish           105,000
                                 es.
                                Labridae--wrasses.....           205,000
                                Lethrinidae--emperors.            35,500
                                Lutjanidae--snappers..           330,300
                                Mollusks--octopus.....            35,700
                                Mugilidae--mullets....            19,200
                                Mullidae--goatfishes..           165,000
                                Scaridae--parrotfishes           239,000
                                Serranidae--groupers..           128,400
                                All other CREMUS                 485,000
                                 combined.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Accountability Measures

    Federal logbook and reporting from fisheries in Federal waters is 
not sufficient to monitor and track catches towards the proposed ACL 
specifications accurately. This is because most fishing for bottomfish, 
crustacean, precious coral, and coral reef ecosystem MUS occurs in 
state waters, generally 0-3 nm from shore. For these reasons, NMFS will 
apply a moving 3-yr average catch to evaluate fishery performance 
against the proposed ACLs. Specifically, NMFS and the Council will use 
the average catch during fishing year 2013, 2014, and 2015 to evaluate 
fishery performance against the appropriate 2015 ACL. At the end of 
each fishing year, the Council will review catches relative to each 
ACL. If NMFS and the Council determine the three-year average catch for 
the fishery exceeds the specified ACL, NMFS and the Council will reduce 
the ACL for that fishery by the amount of the overage in the subsequent 
year.
    You may find additional background information on this action in 
the preamble to the proposed specifications published on July 21, 2015 
(80 FR 43046).

Comments and Responses

    The comment period for the proposed specifications ended on August 
5, 2015. NMFS received comments from a commercial bottomfish fisherman 
on the proposed specifications for non-Deep 7 bottomfish in the main 
Hawaiian Islands (MHI), and from the U.S. Air

[[Page 52418]]

Force on the applicability of annual catch limits for recreational 
fishing at Wake Atoll in the Pacific Remote Island Areas. NMFS responds 
to these comments as follows:
    Comment 1: The proposed ACL should account for changes in the 
historical landings of non-Deep 7 bottomfish in the MHI that resulted 
from changes in market conditions and regulatory actions. The commenter 
suggested that, in the past, MHI fishermen limited their catch of 
certain non-Deep 7 bottomfish species because they were associated with 
ciguatera (a toxin) and because fishermen received low prices for their 
catch due to higher volume of fish provided by the bottomfish fishery 
in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI). The commenter noted, 
however, that the closure of the NWHI fishery in 2010 and restrictions 
on landing MHI Deep 7 bottomfish upon reaching the annual catch limit 
in past fishing season have resulted in MHI fishermen targeting non-
Deep 7 bottomfish, and landing more fish in recent years.
    Response: NMFS and the Council considered changes in the historical 
landing when specifying the ACL and AMs for MHI non-Deep 7 bottomfish. 
The Biomass Augmented Catch Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) model, 
which generates the estimate of MSY which is used as the basis for the 
overfishing limit, acceptable biological catch, and ACL, uses the 
historical catch record for MHI non-Deep 7 bottomfish from 1966-2013. 
Thus, in estimating MSY, the model includes the period of time when 
changes occurred in the landings of MHI non-Deep 7 bottomfish. NMFS and 
the Council continue to work on improving the scientific, commercial, 
and other information that provide the basis for management decisions, 
and are exploring fishery-independent methods and technologies for 
assessing bottomfish resources. As information becomes available, NMFS 
will accommodate such data in future models and stock assessments.
    Comment 2: The commenter asserts that, because the ACL for MHI non-
Deep 7 bottomfish is based on imperfect data, NMFS should allow more 
leeway in applying the AMs if the fishery exceeds the ACL.
    Response: Under federal regulations at 50 CFR 600.310 implementing 
the ACL requirement, the ACL serves as the basis for invoking the AM. 
AMs are management controls to prevent a fishery from exceeding an ACL 
and to correct or mitigate any overage of the ACL. While the data may 
be imperfect, the Council and NMFS established the ACLs using the best 
available information, and NMFS must adhere to the established ACL and 
AM process. See 50 CFR 665.4 and 50 CFR 600.310.
    Comment 3: The U.S. Air Force requested confirmation that the 
proposed ACLs and AMs for Pacific Island bottomfish, crustacean, 
precious coral and coral reef fisheries at Wake Island take into 
account the annual recreational harvest levels described in the Air 
Force Fishing Management Plan for Wake Atoll.
    Response: In the proposed specifications (80 FR 43046, July 21, 
2015), NMFS explained that we did not propose ACLs for bottomfish, 
crustacean, precious coral, or coral reef ecosystem MUS regulated under 
the PRIA FEP. In the Supplementary section of this final rule, NMFS 
again clarifies that it is not specifying ACLs for PRIA bottomfish, 
crustacean, precious coral, or coral reef ecosystem MUS. This is 
because fishing is currently prohibited within 12 nm of emergent land, 
unless authorized by the USFWS in consultation with NMFS and the 
Council (See 50 CFR 665.933). Also, there is no coral reef habitat 
seaward of the 12-nm prohibited fishing area. To date, the USFWS has 
not consulted with NMFS for any fishing that the USFWS may authorize 
within 12 nm of the PRIA. Consultation with the USFWS would provide 
information that NMFS and the Council need to monitor catch and effort 
in the PRIA, and to develop any future catch limits that would be 
necessary.

Classification

    The Regional Administrator, NMFS PIR, determined that this action 
is necessary for the conservation and management of Pacific Island 
fishery resources, and that it is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act and other applicable laws.
    The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce 
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration during the proposed rule stage that this action would 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. NMFS published the factual basis for the certification in the 
proposed rule and does not repeat it here. NMFS received no comments on 
this certification; as a result, a regulatory flexibility analysis is 
not required, and none has been prepared.
    This action is exempt from review under E.O. 12866 because it 
contains no implementing regulations.

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

    Dated: August 25, 2015.
Eileen Sobeck,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-21394 Filed 8-28-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P



                                                                    Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 168 / Monday, August 31, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                                                                        52415

                                                (2) Applications to use any frequency                              SUMMARY:    In this final rule, NMFS                                       Federal fishing moratoria or
                                             or frequency band exclusively allocated                               specifies the 2015 annual catch limits                                     prohibitions. These MUS include all
                                             to the passive services (including the                                (ACLs) for Pacific Island bottomfish,                                      species of gold coral, the three Hawaii
                                             radio astronomy service) must include                                 crustacean, precious coral, and coral                                      seamount groundfish (pelagic
                                             an explicit justification of why nearby                               reef ecosystem fisheries, and                                              armorhead, alfonsin, and raftfish), and
                                             bands that have non-passive allocations                               accountability measures (AMs) to                                           deepwater precious corals at the
                                             are not adequate for the experiment.                                  correct or mitigate any overages of catch                                  Westpac Bed Refugia. The current
                                             Such applications must also state that                                limits. The ACLs and AMs support the                                       prohibitions on fishing for these MUS
                                             the applicant acknowledges that long                                  long-term sustainability of fishery                                        serve as the functional equivalent of an
                                             term or multiple location use of passive                              resources of the U.S. Pacific Islands.                                     ACL of zero.
                                             bands is not possible and that the                                    DATES: The final specifications are
                                             applicant intends to transition any long-                             effective September 30, 2015, through                                         Additionally, NMFS is not specifying
                                             term use to a band with appropriate                                   December 31, 2015.                                                         ACLs for bottomfish, crustacean,
                                             allocations.                                                                                                                                     precious coral, or coral reef ecosystem
                                                                                                                   ADDRESSES: Copies of the fishery
                                                                                                                   ecosystem plans are available from the                                     MUS identified in the Pacific Remote
                                             *      *    *     *     *
                                                                                                                   Western Pacific Fishery Management                                         Islands Area (PRIA) FEP. This is
                                             ■ 6. Section 5.402 is amended by adding                                                                                                          because fishing is prohibited in the EEZ
                                             paragraph (c) to read as follows:                                     Council (Council), 1164 Bishop St.,
                                                                                                                   Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, tel                                        within 12 nm of emergent land of the
                                             § 5.402      Eligibility and usage.                                   808–522–8220, fax 808–522–8226, or                                         PRIA, unless authorized by the U.S.
                                             *     *     *     *    *                                              www.wpcouncil.org. Copies of the                                           Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), in
                                               (c) Marketing of devices (as defined in                             environmental assessments and findings                                     consultation with NMFS and the
                                             § 2.803(a) of this chapter) is permitted                              of no significant impact for this action,                                  Council. Additionally, there is no
                                             under this license as provided in                                     identified by NOAA–NMFS–2013–0156,                                         suitable habitat for these stocks beyond
                                             § 5.602.                                                              are available from www.regulations.gov,                                    the 12-nm no-fishing zone, except at
                                             [FR Doc. 2015–21295 Filed 8–28–15; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                                   or from Michael D. Tosatto, Regional                                       Kingman Reef, where fishing for these
                                                                                                                   Administrator, NMFS Pacific Islands                                        resources does not occur. To date, the
                                             BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
                                                                                                                   Region (PIR), 1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg.                                       USFWS has not consulted with NMFS
                                                                                                                   176, Honolulu, HI 96818.                                                   for any fishing that the USFWS may
                                                                                                                   FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                                           authorize within 12 nm of the PRIA.
                                             DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE                                                Jarad Makaiau, NMFS PIRO Sustainable                                       NMFS will continue to monitor
                                                                                                                   Fisheries, 808–725–5176.                                                   authorized fishing within 12 nm of the
                                             National Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                                                                                   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS is                                         PRIA in consultation with the USFWS,
                                             Administration
                                                                                                                   specifying the 2015 ACLs and AMs for                                       and may develop additional fishing
                                             50 CFR Part 665                                                       bottomfish, crustacean, precious coral,                                    requirements, including catch limits for
                                                                                                                   and coral reef ecosystem fishery                                           species that may require them.
                                             [Docket No. 141009847–5746–02]                                        management unit species (MUS) in                                              NMFS is also not specifying ACLs for
                                                                                                                   American Samoa, Guam, the CNMI, and                                        pelagic MUS at this time, because
                                             RIN 0648–XD558                                                        Hawaii. NMFS proposed these                                                NMFS previously determined that
                                                                                                                   specifications on July 21, 2015 (80 FR                                     pelagic species are subject to
                                             Pacific Island Fisheries; 2015 Annual
                                                                                                                   43046), and the final specifications do
                                             Catch Limits and Accountability                                                                                                                  international fishery agreements or have
                                                                                                                   not differ from those proposed. The
                                             Measures                                                                                                                                         a life cycle of approximately 1 year and
                                                                                                                   2015 fishing year began on January 1
                                                                                                                                                                                              are, therefore, statutorily excepted from
                                             AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries                                    and ends on December 31, except for
                                                                                                                   precious coral fisheries, for which the                                    the ACL requirements.
                                             Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
                                             Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),                                    fishing year began on July 1, 2015, and                                    2015 Annual Catch Limit Specifications
                                             Commerce.                                                             ends on June 30, 2016.
                                                                                                                      NMFS is not specifying ACLs for                                           Tables 1–4 list the ACL specifications
                                             ACTION: Final specifications.
                                                                                                                   MUS that are currently subject to                                          for 2015.

                                                                                                                             TABLE 1—AMERICAN SAMOA
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              ACL
                                                                     Fishery                                                                         Management unit species                                                               Specification
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               (lb)

                                             Bottomfish ................................................   Bottomfish multi-species stock complex ...................................................................                             101,000
                                             Crustacean ..............................................     Deepwater shrimp .....................................................................................................                  80,000
                                                                                                           Spiny lobster ..............................................................................................................             4,845
                                                                                                           Slipper lobster ............................................................................................................                30
                                                                                                           Kona crab ..................................................................................................................             3,200
                                             Precious Coral .........................................      Black coral .................................................................................................................              790
                                                                                                           Precious corals in the American Samoa Exploratory Area .......................................                                           2,205
                                             Coral Reef Ecosystem .............................            Selar crumenophthalmus—atule, bigeye scad ..........................................................                                    37,400
rmajette on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                                                                                           Acanthuridae—surgeonfish .......................................................................................                       129,400
                                                                                                           Carangidae—jacks ....................................................................................................                   19,900
                                                                                                           Carcharhinidae—reef sharks .....................................................................................                         1,615
                                                                                                           Crustaceans—crabs ..................................................................................................                     4,300
                                                                                                           Holocentridae—squirrelfish ........................................................................................                     15,100
                                                                                                           Kyphosidae—rudderfishes .........................................................................................                        2,000
                                                                                                           Labridae—wrasses ....................................................................................................                   16,200



                                        VerDate Sep<11>2014       13:58 Aug 28, 2015        Jkt 235001     PO 00000       Frm 00041        Fmt 4700      Sfmt 4700       E:\FR\FM\31AUR1.SGM              31AUR1


                                             52416                  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 168 / Monday, August 31, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                                                                                                 TABLE 1—AMERICAN SAMOA—Continued
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              ACL
                                                                     Fishery                                                                         Management unit species                                                               Specification
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               (lb)

                                                                                                           Lethrinidae—emperors ..............................................................................................                     19,600
                                                                                                           Lutjanidae—snappers ................................................................................................                    63,100
                                                                                                           Mollusks—turbo snail; octopus; giant clams .............................................................                                18,400
                                                                                                           Mugilidae—mullets ....................................................................................................                   4,600
                                                                                                           Mullidae—goatfishes .................................................................................................                   11,900
                                                                                                           Scaridae—parrotfish ..................................................................................................                 272,000
                                                                                                           Serranidae—groupers ...............................................................................................                     25,300
                                                                                                           Siganidae—rabbitfishes .............................................................................................                       200
                                                                                                           Bolbometopon muricatum—bumphead parrotfish .....................................................                                           235
                                                                                                           Cheilinus undulatus—Humphead (Napoleon) wrasse ..............................................                                            1,743
                                                                                                           All other CREMUS combined ....................................................................................                          18,400


                                                                                                                TABLE 2—MARIANA ARCHIPELAGO—GUAM
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              ACL
                                                                     Fishery                                                                         Management unit species                                                               Specification
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               (lb)

                                             Bottomfish ................................................   Bottomfish multi-species stock complex ...................................................................                              66,800
                                             Crustaceans .............................................     Deepwater shrimp .....................................................................................................                  48,488
                                                                                                           Spiny lobster ..............................................................................................................             3,135
                                                                                                           Slipper lobster ............................................................................................................                20
                                                                                                           Kona crab ..................................................................................................................             1,900
                                             Precious Coral .........................................      Black coral .................................................................................................................              700
                                                                                                           Precious corals in the Guam Exploratory Area .........................................................                                   2,205
                                             Coral Reef Ecosystem .............................            Selar crumenophthalmus—atulai, bigeye scad .........................................................                                    50,200
                                                                                                           Acanthuridae—surgeonfish .......................................................................................                        97,600
                                                                                                           Carangidae—jacks ....................................................................................................                   29,300
                                                                                                           Carcharhinidae—reef sharks .....................................................................................                         1,900
                                                                                                           Crustaceans—crabs ..................................................................................................                     7,300
                                                                                                           Holocentridae—squirrelfish ........................................................................................                     11,400
                                                                                                           Kyphosidae—chubs/rudderfish ..................................................................................                           9,600
                                                                                                           Labridae—wrasses ....................................................................................................                   25,200
                                                                                                           Lethrinidae—emperors ..............................................................................................                     53,000
                                                                                                           Lutjanidae—snappers ................................................................................................                    18,000
                                                                                                           Mollusks—octopus .....................................................................................................                  23,800
                                                                                                           Mugilidae—mullets ....................................................................................................                  17,900
                                                                                                           Mullidae—goatfish .....................................................................................................                 15,300
                                                                                                           Scaridae—parrotfish ..................................................................................................                  71,600
                                                                                                           Serranidae—groupers ...............................................................................................                     22,500
                                                                                                           Siganidae—rabbitfish .................................................................................................                  18,600
                                                                                                           Bolbometopon muricatum—bumphead parrotfish .....................................................                                           797
                                                                                                           Cheilinus undulatus—humphead (Napoleon) wrasse ...............................................                                           1,960
                                                                                                           All other CREMUS combined ....................................................................................                         185,000
                                                (CNMI and Guam combined)

                                                                                                                TABLE 3—MARIANA ARCHIPELAGO—CNMI
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              ACL
                                                                     Fishery                                                                         Management unit species                                                               Specification
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               (lb)

                                             Bottomfish ................................................   Bottomfish multi-species stock complex ...................................................................                             228,000
                                             Crustacean ..............................................     Deepwater shrimp .....................................................................................................                 275,570
                                                                                                           Spiny lobster ..............................................................................................................             7,410
                                                                                                           Slipper lobster ............................................................................................................                60
                                                                                                           Kona crab ..................................................................................................................             6,300
                                             Precious Coral .........................................      Black coral .................................................................................................................            2,100
                                                                                                           Precious corals in the CNMI Exploratory Area .........................................................                                   2,205
                                             Coral Reef Ecosystem .............................            Selar crumenophthalmus—Atulai, bigeye scad ........................................................                                     77,400
                                                                                                           Acanthuridae—surgeonfish .......................................................................................                       302,600
                                                                                                           Carangidae—jacks ....................................................................................................                   44,900
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                                                                                                           Carcharhinidae—reef sharks .....................................................................................                         5,600
                                                                                                           Crustaceans—crabs ..................................................................................................                     4,400
                                                                                                           Holocentridae—squirrelfishes ....................................................................................                       66,100
                                                                                                           Kyphosidae—rudderfishes .........................................................................................                       22,700
                                                                                                           Labridae—wrasses ....................................................................................................                   55,100
                                                                                                           Lethrinidae—emperors ..............................................................................................                     53,700
                                                                                                           Lutjanidae—snappers ................................................................................................                   190,400



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                                                                    Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 168 / Monday, August 31, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                                                                       52417

                                                                                                     TABLE 3—MARIANA ARCHIPELAGO—CNMI—Continued
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             ACL
                                                                     Fishery                                                                         Management unit species                                                              Specification
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              (lb)

                                                                                                           Mollusks—turbo snail; octopus; giant clams .............................................................                                9,800
                                                                                                           Mugilidae—mullets ....................................................................................................                  4,500
                                                                                                           Mullidae—goatfish .....................................................................................................                28,400
                                                                                                           Scaridae—parrotfish ..................................................................................................                144,000
                                                                                                           Serranidae—groupers ...............................................................................................                    86,900
                                                                                                           Siganidae—rabbitfish .................................................................................................                 10,200
                                                                                                           Bolbometopon muricatum—Bumphead parrotfish ....................................................                                           797
                                                                                                           Cheilinus undulatus—Humphead (Napoleon) wrasse ..............................................                                           2,009
                                                                                                           All other CREMUS combined ....................................................................................                          7,300
                                                (CNMI and Guam combined)

                                                                                                                                       TABLE 4—HAWAII
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             ACL
                                                                     Fishery                                                                         Management unit species                                                              Specification
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              (lb)

                                             Bottomfish ................................................   Non-Deep 7 bottomfish .............................................................................................                   178,000
                                             Crustacean ..............................................     Deepwater shrimp .....................................................................................................                250,773
                                                                                                           Spiny lobster ..............................................................................................................           15,000
                                                                                                           Slipper lobster ............................................................................................................              280
                                                                                                           Kona crab ..................................................................................................................           27,600
                                             Precious Coral .........................................      Auau Channel black coral .........................................................................................                      5,512
                                                                                                           Makapuu Bed—Pink coral .........................................................................................                        2,205
                                                                                                           Makapuu Bed—Bamboo coral ..................................................................................                               551
                                                                                                           180 Fathom Bank—Pink coral ..................................................................................                             489
                                                                                                           180 Fathom Bank—Bamboo coral ............................................................................                                 123
                                                                                                           Brooks Bank—Pink coral ...........................................................................................                        979
                                                                                                           Brooks Bank—Bamboo coral ....................................................................................                             245
                                                                                                           Kaena Point Bed—Pink coral ....................................................................................                           148
                                                                                                           Kaena Point Bed—Bamboo coral .............................................................................                                 37
                                                                                                           Keahole Bed—Pink coral ..........................................................................................                         148
                                                                                                           Keahole Bed—Bamboo coral ....................................................................................                              37
                                                                                                           Precious corals in the Hawaii Exploratory Area ........................................................                                 2,205
                                             Coral Reef Ecosystem .............................            Selar crumenophthalmus—akule, bigeye scad .........................................................                                   988,000
                                                                                                           Decapterus macarellus—opelu, mackerel scad ........................................................                                   438,000
                                                                                                           Acanthuridae—surgeonfishes ....................................................................................                       342,000
                                                                                                           Carangidae—jacks ....................................................................................................                 161,200
                                                                                                           Carcharhinidae—reef sharks .....................................................................................                        9,310
                                                                                                           Crustaceans—crabs ..................................................................................................                   33,500
                                                                                                           Holocentridae—squirrelfishes ....................................................................................                     148,000
                                                                                                           Kyphosidae—rudderfishes .........................................................................................                     105,000
                                                                                                           Labridae—wrasses ....................................................................................................                 205,000
                                                                                                           Lethrinidae—emperors ..............................................................................................                    35,500
                                                                                                           Lutjanidae—snappers ................................................................................................                  330,300
                                                                                                           Mollusks—octopus .....................................................................................................                 35,700
                                                                                                           Mugilidae—mullets ....................................................................................................                 19,200
                                                                                                           Mullidae—goatfishes .................................................................................................                 165,000
                                                                                                           Scaridae—parrotfishes ..............................................................................................                  239,000
                                                                                                           Serranidae—groupers ...............................................................................................                   128,400
                                                                                                           All other CREMUS combined ....................................................................................                        485,000



                                             Accountability Measures                                               proposed ACLs. Specifically, NMFS and                                        You may find additional background
                                                                                                                   the Council will use the average catch                                     information on this action in the
                                                Federal logbook and reporting from                                 during fishing year 2013, 2014, and                                        preamble to the proposed specifications
                                             fisheries in Federal waters is not                                    2015 to evaluate fishery performance                                       published on July 21, 2015 (80 FR
                                             sufficient to monitor and track catches                               against the appropriate 2015 ACL. At                                       43046).
                                             towards the proposed ACL                                              the end of each fishing year, the Council
                                             specifications accurately. This is                                                                                                               Comments and Responses
                                                                                                                   will review catches relative to each
                                             because most fishing for bottomfish,
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                                                                                                                   ACL. If NMFS and the Council                                                  The comment period for the proposed
                                             crustacean, precious coral, and coral                                                                                                            specifications ended on August 5, 2015.
                                                                                                                   determine the three-year average catch
                                             reef ecosystem MUS occurs in state                                                                                                               NMFS received comments from a
                                                                                                                   for the fishery exceeds the specified
                                             waters, generally 0–3 nm from shore.                                                                                                             commercial bottomfish fisherman on the
                                                                                                                   ACL, NMFS and the Council will reduce
                                             For these reasons, NMFS will apply a                                                                                                             proposed specifications for non-Deep 7
                                                                                                                   the ACL for that fishery by the amount
                                             moving 3-yr average catch to evaluate                                                                                                            bottomfish in the main Hawaiian
                                                                                                                   of the overage in the subsequent year.
                                             fishery performance against the                                                                                                                  Islands (MHI), and from the U.S. Air


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                                             52418             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 168 / Monday, August 31, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                             Force on the applicability of annual                    and technologies for assessing                        Council (See 50 CFR 665.933). Also,
                                             catch limits for recreational fishing at                bottomfish resources. As information                  there is no coral reef habitat seaward of
                                             Wake Atoll in the Pacific Remote Island                 becomes available, NMFS will                          the 12-nm prohibited fishing area. To
                                             Areas. NMFS responds to these                           accommodate such data in future                       date, the USFWS has not consulted with
                                             comments as follows:                                    models and stock assessments.                         NMFS for any fishing that the USFWS
                                                Comment 1: The proposed ACL                             Comment 2: The commenter asserts                   may authorize within 12 nm of the
                                             should account for changes in the                       that, because the ACL for MHI non-Deep                PRIA. Consultation with the USFWS
                                             historical landings of non-Deep 7                       7 bottomfish is based on imperfect data,              would provide information that NMFS
                                             bottomfish in the MHI that resulted                     NMFS should allow more leeway in                      and the Council need to monitor catch
                                             from changes in market conditions and                   applying the AMs if the fishery exceeds               and effort in the PRIA, and to develop
                                             regulatory actions. The commenter                       the ACL.                                              any future catch limits that would be
                                             suggested that, in the past, MHI                           Response: Under federal regulations                necessary.
                                             fishermen limited their catch of certain                at 50 CFR 600.310 implementing the
                                             non-Deep 7 bottomfish species because                   ACL requirement, the ACL serves as the                Classification
                                             they were associated with ciguatera (a                  basis for invoking the AM. AMs are                      The Regional Administrator, NMFS
                                             toxin) and because fishermen received                   management controls to prevent a                      PIR, determined that this action is
                                             low prices for their catch due to higher                fishery from exceeding an ACL and to                  necessary for the conservation and
                                             volume of fish provided by the                          correct or mitigate any overage of the                management of Pacific Island fishery
                                             bottomfish fishery in the Northwestern                  ACL. While the data may be imperfect,
                                                                                                                                                           resources, and that it is consistent with
                                             Hawaiian Islands (NWHI). The                            the Council and NMFS established the
                                                                                                                                                           the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
                                             commenter noted, however, that the                      ACLs using the best available
                                                                                                                                                           Conservation and Management Act and
                                             closure of the NWHI fishery in 2010 and                 information, and NMFS must adhere to
                                                                                                                                                           other applicable laws.
                                             restrictions on landing MHI Deep 7                      the established ACL and AM process.
                                             bottomfish upon reaching the annual                     See 50 CFR 665.4 and 50 CFR 600.310.                    The Chief Counsel for Regulation of
                                             catch limit in past fishing season have                    Comment 3: The U.S. Air Force                      the Department of Commerce certified
                                             resulted in MHI fishermen targeting                     requested confirmation that the                       to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the
                                             non-Deep 7 bottomfish, and landing                      proposed ACLs and AMs for Pacific                     Small Business Administration during
                                             more fish in recent years.                              Island bottomfish, crustacean, precious               the proposed rule stage that this action
                                                Response: NMFS and the Council                       coral and coral reef fisheries at Wake                would not have a significant economic
                                             considered changes in the historical                    Island take into account the annual                   impact on a substantial number of small
                                             landing when specifying the ACL and                     recreational harvest levels described in              entities. NMFS published the factual
                                             AMs for MHI non-Deep 7 bottomfish.                      the Air Force Fishing Management Plan                 basis for the certification in the
                                             The Biomass Augmented Catch                             for Wake Atoll.                                       proposed rule and does not repeat it
                                             Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY)                            Response: In the proposed                          here. NMFS received no comments on
                                             model, which generates the estimate of                  specifications (80 FR 43046, July 21,                 this certification; as a result, a
                                             MSY which is used as the basis for the                  2015), NMFS explained that we did not                 regulatory flexibility analysis is not
                                             overfishing limit, acceptable biological                propose ACLs for bottomfish,                          required, and none has been prepared.
                                             catch, and ACL, uses the historical catch               crustacean, precious coral, or coral reef               This action is exempt from review
                                             record for MHI non-Deep 7 bottomfish                    ecosystem MUS regulated under the                     under E.O. 12866 because it contains no
                                             from 1966–2013. Thus, in estimating                     PRIA FEP. In the Supplementary section                implementing regulations.
                                             MSY, the model includes the period of                   of this final rule, NMFS again clarifies                Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
                                             time when changes occurred in the                       that it is not specifying ACLs for PRIA
                                             landings of MHI non-Deep 7 bottomfish.                  bottomfish, crustacean, precious coral,                 Dated: August 25, 2015.
                                             NMFS and the Council continue to work                   or coral reef ecosystem MUS. This is                  Eileen Sobeck,
                                             on improving the scientific, commercial,                because fishing is currently prohibited               Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,
                                             and other information that provide the                  within 12 nm of emergent land, unless                 National Marine Fisheries Service.
                                             basis for management decisions, and are                 authorized by the USFWS in                            [FR Doc. 2015–21394 Filed 8–28–15; 8:45 am]
                                             exploring fishery-independent methods                   consultation with NMFS and the                        BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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Document Created: 2018-02-23 11:04:32
Document Modified: 2018-02-23 11:04:32
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal specifications.
DatesThe final specifications are effective September 30, 2015, through December 31, 2015.
ContactJarad Makaiau, NMFS PIRO Sustainable Fisheries, 808-725-5176.
FR Citation80 FR 52415 
RIN Number0648-XD55

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