81_FR_77122 81 FR 76908 - Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 43

81 FR 76908 - Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 43

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 214 (November 4, 2016)

Page Range76908-76910
FR Document2016-26616

The Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) Fishery Management Council (Gulf Council) has submitted Amendment 43 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP) for review, approval, and implementation by NMFS. If approved by the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), Amendment 43 would revise the hogfish fishery management unit (FMU) to be the West Florida stock and define the geographic range of this stock consistent with the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (South Atlantic Council) proposed boundary between the Florida Keys/East Florida and West Florida stocks, set the status determination criteria (SDC) and annual catch limits (ACLs) for the West Florida stock, increase the minimum size limit for the West Florida stock, and remove the powerhead exception for harvest of hogfish in the Gulf reef fish stressed area. The purpose of Amendment 43 is to establish management measures for the West Florida hogfish stock in the Gulf using the best scientific information available.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 214 (Friday, November 4, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 214 (Friday, November 4, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 76908-76910]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-26616]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

RIN 0648-BG18


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 43

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

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) Fishery Management Council (Gulf 
Council) has submitted Amendment 43 to the Fishery Management Plan for 
the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP) for review, 
approval, and implementation by NMFS. If approved by the Secretary of 
Commerce (Secretary), Amendment 43 would revise the hogfish fishery 
management unit (FMU) to be the West Florida stock and define the 
geographic range of this stock consistent with the South Atlantic 
Fishery Management Council's (South Atlantic Council) proposed boundary 
between the Florida Keys/East Florida and West Florida stocks, set the 
status determination criteria (SDC) and annual catch limits (ACLs) for 
the West Florida stock, increase the minimum size limit for the West 
Florida stock, and remove the powerhead exception for harvest of 
hogfish in the Gulf reef fish stressed area. The purpose of Amendment 
43 is to establish management measures for the West Florida hogfish 
stock in the Gulf using the best scientific information available.

DATES: Written comments must be received by January 3, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on Amendment 43 identified by 
``NOAA-NMFS-2016-0126'' by either 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-2016-0126, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit all written comments to Peter Hood, NMFS 
Southeast Regional Office, 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).
    Electronic copies of Amendment 43, which includes an environmental 
assessment, a fishery impact statement, a Regulatory Flexibility Act 
analysis, and a regulatory impact review, may be obtained from 
www.regulations.gov or the Southeast Regional Office Web site at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_fisheries/reef_fish/2016/am43/index.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Hood, NMFS Southeast Regional 
Office, telephone: 727-824-5305, email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 
and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) requires each regional 
fishery management council to submit any FMP or amendment to NMFS for 
review and approval, partial approval, or disapproval. The Magnuson-
Stevens Act also requires that NMFS, upon receiving an FMP or 
amendment, publish an announcement in the Federal Register notifying 
the public that the FMP or amendment is available for review and 
comment.
    The FMP being revised by Amendment 43 was prepared by the Gulf 
Council and, if approved, would be

[[Page 76909]]

implemented by NMFS through regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the 
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

Background

    Currently, hogfish in the Gulf exclusive economic zone (EEZ) are 
managed as a single stock with a stock ACL and no allocation between 
the commercial and recreational sectors. Although hogfish occur 
throughout the Gulf, they are caught primarily off the Florida west 
coast. Generally, the fishing season for both sectors is open year-
round, January 1 through December 31. However, accountability measures 
(AMs) for hogfish specify that if commercial and recreational landings 
exceed the stock ACL in a fishing year, then during the following 
fishing year if the stock ACL is reached or is projected to be reached, 
the commercial and recreational sectors will be closed for the 
remainder of the fishing year. The hogfish ACL and AMs were implemented 
in 2012 (76 FR 82044, December 29, 2011). The AMs were triggered when 
the hogfish ACL was exceeded in 2012, and the 2013 season was closed on 
December 2 because NMFS determined that the 2013 hogfish stock ACL had 
been harvested (78 FR 72583, December 3, 2013). The stock ACL was 
exceeded again in 2013. However, there was no closure in 2014, and the 
stock ACL was not exceeded in the 2014 or 2015 fishing years.
    In 2014, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 
(FWC) completed the most recent stock assessment for hogfish through 
the Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review process (SEDAR 37). SEDAR 37 
divided the hogfish stock into three stocks based upon genetic analysis 
as follows: The West Florida stock, Florida Keys/East Florida stock, 
and the Georgia through North Carolina stock. The West Florida stock is 
completely within the jurisdiction of the Gulf Council and the Georgia 
through North Carolina stock is completely within the jurisdiction of 
the South Atlantic Council. The Florida Keys/East Florida stock crosses 
the Councils' jurisdictional boundary, with a small portion of the 
stock extending into the Gulf Council's jurisdiction off the west coast 
of Florida. Based on SEDAR 37 and the Gulf and South Atlantic Councils' 
Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) recommendations, NMFS 
determined the West Florida stock is not overfished or undergoing 
overfishing, the Florida Keys/East Florida stock is overfished and 
undergoing overfishing, and the status of the Georgia-North Carolina 
stock status is unknown.

Actions Contained in Amendment 43

    Amendment 43 includes actions to revise the FMU for hogfish to be 
the West Florida stock and define the geographic range of this stock 
consistent with the South Atlantic Council's proposed boundary between 
the Florida Keys/East Florida and West Florida stocks, and set the SDC 
and ACL for the West Florida stock. In addition, actions in Amendment 
43 increase the minimum size limit for the West Florida stock, and 
remove the powerhead exception for harvest of hogfish in the Gulf reef 
fish stressed area.

Fishery Management Unit

    The South Atlantic Council developed and submitted for review by 
the Secretary of Commerce a rebuilding plan for the Florida Keys/East 
Florida hogfish stock through Amendment 37 to the FMP for the Snapper-
Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region. Because SEDAR 37 
indicated only a small portion of the Florida Keys/East Florida stock 
extends into the Gulf Council's jurisdiction off south Florida, the 
Gulf Council through Amendment 43 proposes to revise the hogfish FMU to 
be the West Florida stock and define the geographic range of this stock 
consistent with the South Atlantic Council's proposed boundary between 
the Florida Keys/East Florida and West Florida hogfish stocks near Cape 
Sable, Florida. This boundary would be a line extending west along 
25[deg]09' N. lat. to the outer boundary of the EEZ. The Gulf Council 
would manage hogfish (the West Florida stock) in the Gulf EEZ except 
south of 25[deg]09' N. lat. off the west coast of Florida. The South 
Atlantic Council would manage hogfish (the Florida Keys/East Florida 
stock) in the Gulf EEZ south of 25[deg]09' N. lat. off the west coast 
of Florida, and in the South Atlantic EEZ to the state border of 
Florida and Georgia. The boundary line near Cape Sable is south of the 
line used in SEDAR 37, which defined the West Florida stock as north of 
the Monroe and Collier County, Florida, boundary line. Therefore, it is 
possible that some fish from the Florida Keys/East Florida stock will 
be harvested under the regulations by the Gulf Council. However, the 
majority of hogfish landings in Monroe County occur in the Florida 
Keys, and the proposed boundary is far enough north of the Florida Keys 
that fishing trips originating in the Florida Keys rarely travel north 
of the boundary, and far enough south of Naples and Marco Island, 
Florida, that fishing trips originating from these locations rarely 
travel south of the boundary. In addition, the boundary line proposed 
by the Gulf and South Atlantic Councils is currently used by the FWC as 
a regulatory boundary for certain state-managed species. Using a pre-
existing management boundary will increase enforceability and help 
fishermen by simplifying regulations across adjacent management 
jurisdictions.
    In accordance with section 304(f) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the 
Gulf Council requested that the Secretary designate the South Atlantic 
Council as the responsible Council for management of the Florida Keys/
East Florida hogfish stock in Gulf Federal waters south of 25[deg]09' 
N. lat. near Cape Sable on the west coast of Florida. If the Gulf 
Council's request is approved, the Gulf Council would continue to 
manage hogfish in Federal waters in the Gulf, except in Federal waters 
south of this boundary. Therefore, the South Atlantic Council, and not 
the Gulf Council, would establish the management measures for the 
entire range of the Florida Keys/East Florida hogfish stock, including 
in Federal waters south of 25[deg]09' N. lat. near Cape Sable in the 
Gulf. Commercial and recreational for-hire vessels fishing for hogfish 
in Gulf Federal waters, i.e., north and west of the jurisdictional 
boundary between the Gulf and South Atlantic Councils (approximately 
the Florida Keys), as defined at 50 CFR 600.105(c), would still be 
required to have the appropriate Federal Gulf reef fish permits, and 
vessels fishing for hogfish in South Atlantic Federal waters, i.e., 
south and east of the jurisdictional boundary, would still be required 
to have the appropriate Federal South Atlantic snapper-grouper permits. 
Those permit holders would still be required to follow the sale and 
reporting requirements associated with the respective permits.
    NMFS specifically seeks public comment regarding the revised stock 
boundaries and the manner in which the Councils would have jurisdiction 
over these stocks if both Amendment 37 for the South Atlantic and 
Amendment 43 for the Gulf of Mexico are approved and implemented.

Status Determination Criteria

    Currently, the only SDC implemented for Gulf hogfish is the 
overfishing threshold, or maximum fishing mortality rate (MFMT). The 
overfished threshold, or minimum stock size threshold (MSST), and 
maximum sustainable yield (MSY) actions were disapproved when the Gulf 
Council's Sustainable Fisheries Act Generic Amendment was approved by 
NMFS on November 17, 1999. Amendment 43 would maintain the current MFMT

[[Page 76910]]

value at the fishing mortality corresponding to 30 percent of the 
stock's spawning potential ratio (SPR) 
(F30SPR). Amendment 43 would also specify 
the MSST and MSY values. The MSY proxy would equal the equilibrium 
yield at F30SPR and the MSST value would 
be equal to 75 percent of the spawning stock biomass capable of 
producing an equilibrium yield of the MSY proxy.

Annual Catch Limit

    The current ACL and annual catch target (ACT) for Gulf hogfish were 
established based on 1999 through 2008 landings. The ACL and ACT were 
set using the Gulf Council's acceptable biological catch (ABC) control 
rule for stocks that have not been assessed but are stable over time. 
Amendment 43 would set the ACL for the West Florida hogfish stock at 
219,000 lb (99,337 kg), round weight, for the 2017 and 2018 fishing 
years based on recommendations from the Gulf Council's SSC after its 
review of SEDAR 37. In 2019, and subsequent fishing years, the ACL 
would be set at the equilibrium ABC of 159,300 lb (72,257 kg), round 
weight. The Gulf Council decided to discontinue the designation of an 
ACT, because it is not used in the current AMs or for other management 
purposes.

Minimum Size Limit

    Although the West Florida hogfish stock is not overfished or 
undergoing overfishing, the stock could be subject to seasonal closures 
should landings exceed the stock ACL and AMs are triggered. In 2012 and 
2013, the stock ACL was exceeded, thus causing landings to be closely 
monitored in 2013 and 2014. This resulted in an in-season closure in 
2013 but not in 2014. To reduce the likelihood of AMs being triggered, 
the Gulf Council determined that increasing the minimum size limit in 
Federal waters from 12 inches (30.5 cm), fork length (FL), to 14 inches 
(35.6 cm), FL, could reduce the directed harvest rate and, 
consequently, reduce the probability of exceeding the stock ACL and 
triggering AMs. This action has an additional benefit of allowing the 
hogfish to grow larger and have an additional spawning opportunity 
before being susceptible to harvest.

Powerhead Exemption

    Currently, as described at 50 CFR 622.35(a), a regulatory exemption 
allows for the harvest of hogfish using powerheads in the reef fish 
stressed area. Amendment 43 would remove this exemption. The powerhead 
exemption provision is a regulatory holdover from when hogfish were 
listed as a species in the fishery but not in the reef fish FMU. 
Harvesting species in the FMU with powerheads in the stressed area was 
prohibited. By removing the powerhead exemption for hogfish, hogfish 
would be subject to the same regulations for Gulf reef fish in the 
stressed area as other species in the reef fish FMU. The coordinates 
for the reef fish stressed area are provided in 50 CFR part 622, Table 
2 in Appendix B.

Proposed Rule for Amendment 43

    A proposed rule that would implement Amendment 43 has been drafted. 
In accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Act, NMFS is evaluating 
Amendment 43 to determine whether it is consistent with the FMP, the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable law. If the determination is 
affirmative, NMFS will publish the proposed rule in the Federal 
Register for public review and comment.

Consideration of Public Comments

    The Gulf Council has submitted Amendment 43 for Secretarial review, 
approval, and implementation. Comments on Amendment 43 must be received 
by January 3, 2017. Comments received during the respective comment 
periods, whether specifically directed to Amendment 43 or the proposed 
rule, will be considered by NMFS in its decision to approve, partially 
approve, or disapprove Amendment 43. Comments received after the 
comment periods will not be considered by NMFS in this decision. All 
comments received by NMFS on Amendment 43 or the proposed rule during 
their respective comment periods will be addressed in the final rule.

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

    Dated: October 31, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-26616 Filed 11-3-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P



                                                 76908                  Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 214 / Friday, November 4, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                                 Proposed Supplementary Rules That                       and any person whose activities are                   Gulf using the best scientific
                                                 Clarify Existing Restrictions Established               authorized in writing by the BLM.                     information available.
                                                 in 1996 and Direction From the 2007                                                                           DATES: Written comments must be
                                                                                                         Enforcement
                                                 Record of Decision                                                                                            received by January 3, 2017.
                                                                                                           Any person who violates any of these                ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
                                                    10. Motorized vehicles and other
                                                                                                         supplementary rules may be tried before               on Amendment 43 identified by
                                                 motorized devices, including electronic
                                                                                                         a United States Magistrate and fined in               ‘‘NOAA–NMFS–2016–0126’’ by either
                                                 bicycles, are prohibited on all roads and
                                                                                                         accordance with 18 U.S.C. 3571,                       of the following methods:
                                                 trails excluding Creekside Terrace Road
                                                                                                         imprisoned no more than 12 months                        • Electronic Submission: Submit all
                                                 and Badger Hills Driveway. Motorized
                                                                                                         under 43 U.S.C. 1733(a) and 43 CFR                    electronic public comments via the
                                                 vehicle use on these two roadways is
                                                                                                         8360.0–7, or both.                                    Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
                                                 restricted to highway licensed street-
                                                                                                           In accordance with 43 CFR 8365.1–7,                 www.regulations.gov/
                                                 legal vehicles.
                                                                                                         State or local officials may also impose              #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2016-
                                                    11. Use and/or occupancy of all lands
                                                                                                         penalties for violations of California                0126, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon,
                                                 within the FONM, including leaving
                                                                                                         law.                                                  complete the required fields, and enter
                                                 personal property unattended, is
                                                 prohibited between 1⁄2 hour after sunset                Jerome E. Perez,                                      or attach your comments.
                                                 and 1⁄2 hour before sunrise.                            State Director, California.                              • Mail: Submit all written comments
                                                    12. All use (including pet use) is                                                                         to Peter Hood, NMFS Southeast
                                                                                                         [FR Doc. 2016–26457 Filed 11–3–16; 8:45 am]
                                                 restricted to designated routes and                                                                           Regional Office, 263 13th Avenue
                                                                                                         BILLING CODE 4310–40–P
                                                 trails. Open routes and trails are                                                                            South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
                                                 indicated on BLM maps and signed with                                                                            Instructions: Comments sent by any
                                                 route or trail markers. Any unsigned                                                                          other method, to any other address or
                                                 route which does not appear on the                      DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE                                individual, or received after the end of
                                                 most current BLM map is closed to all                                                                         the comment period, may not be
                                                 uses.                                                   National Oceanic and Atmospheric                      considered by NMFS. All comments
                                                    13. Campfires and other open flame                   Administration                                        received are a part of the public record
                                                 fires are prohibited.                                                                                         and will generally be posted for public
                                                    14. Possession or discharge of                       50 CFR Part 622                                       viewing on www.regulations.gov
                                                 fireworks, including ‘‘safe and sane’’                                                                        without change. All personal identifying
                                                                                                         RIN 0648–BG18                                         information (e.g., name, address, etc.),
                                                 fireworks, is prohibited.
                                                    15. Wood cutting and the collection of                                                                     confidential business information, or
                                                                                                         Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of                   otherwise sensitive information
                                                 downed wood are prohibited.                             Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish                 submitted voluntarily by the sender will
                                                 Proposed FONM Supplementary Rules                       Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico;                        be publicly accessible. NMFS will
                                                 That Are Currently Monterey County                      Amendment 43                                          accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/
                                                 Ordinances                                              AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries                    A’’ in the required fields if you wish to
                                                    16. It shall be unlawful for the owner               Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and                  remain anonymous).
                                                 or person having custody of any dog,                    Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),                       Electronic copies of Amendment 43,
                                                 either willfully or through failure to                  Commerce.                                             which includes an environmental
                                                 exercise due care or control, to allow                                                                        assessment, a fishery impact statement,
                                                                                                         ACTION: Notice of availability; request
                                                 said dog to defecate and to allow the                                                                         a Regulatory Flexibility Act analysis,
                                                                                                         for comments.
                                                 feces thereafter to remain on FONM                                                                            and a regulatory impact review, may be
                                                 other than within trash receptacles                     SUMMARY:   The Gulf of Mexico (Gulf)                  obtained from www.regulations.gov or
                                                 provided for such purposes. This                        Fishery Management Council (Gulf                      the Southeast Regional Office Web site
                                                 includes bagged feces—Reference                         Council) has submitted Amendment 43                   at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/
                                                 Monterey County ordinance, 8.36.030.                    to the Fishery Management Plan for the                sustainable_fisheries/gulf_fisheries/
                                                    17. All dogs under four months of age                Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of                    reef_fish/2016/am43/index.html.
                                                 shall be kept under physical restraint by               Mexico (FMP) for review, approval, and                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                 the owner, keeper, or harborer when on                  implementation by NMFS. If approved                   Peter Hood, NMFS Southeast Regional
                                                 FONM—Reference Monterey County                          by the Secretary of Commerce                          Office, telephone: 727–824–5305, email:
                                                 ordinance, 8.20.020.                                    (Secretary), Amendment 43 would                       peter.hood@noaa.gov.
                                                    18. Dogs on FONM shall wear a                        revise the hogfish fishery management                 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
                                                 license tag with or without a chip                      unit (FMU) to be the West Florida stock               Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
                                                 implant at all times. The tag shall be                  and define the geographic range of this               Conservation and Management Act
                                                 attached at all times to a collar, harness,             stock consistent with the South Atlantic              (Magnuson-Stevens Act) requires each
                                                 or other suitable device upon the dog for               Fishery Management Council’s (South                   regional fishery management council to
                                                 which the license tag was issued—                       Atlantic Council) proposed boundary                   submit any FMP or amendment to
                                                 Reference Monterey County ordinance,                    between the Florida Keys/East Florida                 NMFS for review and approval, partial
                                                 8.08.040.                                               and West Florida stocks, set the status               approval, or disapproval. The
                                                                                                         determination criteria (SDC) and annual               Magnuson-Stevens Act also requires
                                                 Exemptions
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                                                                         catch limits (ACLs) for the West Florida              that NMFS, upon receiving an FMP or
                                                    The following persons are exempt                     stock, increase the minimum size limit                amendment, publish an announcement
                                                 from these supplementary rules: Any                     for the West Florida stock, and remove                in the Federal Register notifying the
                                                 Federal, State, or local officer or                     the powerhead exception for harvest of                public that the FMP or amendment is
                                                 employee in the scope of their duties;                  hogfish in the Gulf reef fish stressed                available for review and comment.
                                                 members of any organized law                            area. The purpose of Amendment 43 is                     The FMP being revised by
                                                 enforcement, rescue, or fire-fighting                   to establish management measures for                  Amendment 43 was prepared by the
                                                 force in performance of an official duty;               the West Florida hogfish stock in the                 Gulf Council and, if approved, would be


                                            VerDate Sep<11>2014   11:53 Nov 03, 2016   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00032   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\04NOP1.SGM   04NOP1


                                                                        Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 214 / Friday, November 4, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                         76909

                                                 implemented by NMFS through                             Actions Contained in Amendment 43                     addition, the boundary line proposed by
                                                 regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the                  Amendment 43 includes actions to                    the Gulf and South Atlantic Councils is
                                                 authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.                  revise the FMU for hogfish to be the                  currently used by the FWC as a
                                                                                                         West Florida stock and define the                     regulatory boundary for certain state-
                                                 Background                                                                                                    managed species. Using a pre-existing
                                                                                                         geographic range of this stock consistent
                                                    Currently, hogfish in the Gulf                       with the South Atlantic Council’s                     management boundary will increase
                                                 exclusive economic zone (EEZ) are                       proposed boundary between the Florida                 enforceability and help fishermen by
                                                 managed as a single stock with a stock                  Keys/East Florida and West Florida                    simplifying regulations across adjacent
                                                 ACL and no allocation between the                       stocks, and set the SDC and ACL for the               management jurisdictions.
                                                 commercial and recreational sectors.                                                                             In accordance with section 304(f) of
                                                                                                         West Florida stock. In addition, actions
                                                 Although hogfish occur throughout the                                                                         the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the Gulf
                                                                                                         in Amendment 43 increase the
                                                 Gulf, they are caught primarily off the                                                                       Council requested that the Secretary
                                                                                                         minimum size limit for the West Florida
                                                 Florida west coast. Generally, the                                                                            designate the South Atlantic Council as
                                                                                                         stock, and remove the powerhead                       the responsible Council for management
                                                 fishing season for both sectors is open                 exception for harvest of hogfish in the
                                                 year-round, January 1 through December                                                                        of the Florida Keys/East Florida hogfish
                                                                                                         Gulf reef fish stressed area.                         stock in Gulf Federal waters south of
                                                 31. However, accountability measures
                                                 (AMs) for hogfish specify that if                       Fishery Management Unit                               25°09′ N. lat. near Cape Sable on the
                                                 commercial and recreational landings                       The South Atlantic Council                         west coast of Florida. If the Gulf
                                                 exceed the stock ACL in a fishing year,                                                                       Council’s request is approved, the Gulf
                                                                                                         developed and submitted for review by
                                                 then during the following fishing year if                                                                     Council would continue to manage
                                                                                                         the Secretary of Commerce a rebuilding
                                                 the stock ACL is reached or is projected                                                                      hogfish in Federal waters in the Gulf,
                                                                                                         plan for the Florida Keys/East Florida
                                                 to be reached, the commercial and                                                                             except in Federal waters south of this
                                                                                                         hogfish stock through Amendment 37 to
                                                 recreational sectors will be closed for                                                                       boundary. Therefore, the South Atlantic
                                                                                                         the FMP for the Snapper-Grouper
                                                 the remainder of the fishing year. The                                                                        Council, and not the Gulf Council,
                                                                                                         Fishery of the South Atlantic Region.
                                                 hogfish ACL and AMs were                                                                                      would establish the management
                                                                                                         Because SEDAR 37 indicated only a
                                                 implemented in 2012 (76 FR 82044,                                                                             measures for the entire range of the
                                                                                                         small portion of the Florida Keys/East
                                                 December 29, 2011). The AMs were                                                                              Florida Keys/East Florida hogfish stock,
                                                                                                         Florida stock extends into the Gulf
                                                 triggered when the hogfish ACL was                                                                            including in Federal waters south of
                                                                                                         Council’s jurisdiction off south Florida,             25°09′ N. lat. near Cape Sable in the
                                                 exceeded in 2012, and the 2013 season                   the Gulf Council through Amendment
                                                 was closed on December 2 because                                                                              Gulf. Commercial and recreational for-
                                                                                                         43 proposes to revise the hogfish FMU                 hire vessels fishing for hogfish in Gulf
                                                 NMFS determined that the 2013 hogfish                   to be the West Florida stock and define
                                                 stock ACL had been harvested (78 FR                                                                           Federal waters, i.e., north and west of
                                                                                                         the geographic range of this stock                    the jurisdictional boundary between the
                                                 72583, December 3, 2013). The stock                     consistent with the South Atlantic                    Gulf and South Atlantic Councils
                                                 ACL was exceeded again in 2013.                         Council’s proposed boundary between                   (approximately the Florida Keys), as
                                                 However, there was no closure in 2014,                  the Florida Keys/East Florida and West                defined at 50 CFR 600.105(c), would
                                                 and the stock ACL was not exceeded in                   Florida hogfish stocks near Cape Sable,               still be required to have the appropriate
                                                 the 2014 or 2015 fishing years.                         Florida. This boundary would be a line                Federal Gulf reef fish permits, and
                                                    In 2014, the Florida Fish and Wildlife               extending west along 25°09′ N. lat. to                vessels fishing for hogfish in South
                                                 Conservation Commission (FWC)                           the outer boundary of the EEZ. The Gulf               Atlantic Federal waters, i.e., south and
                                                 completed the most recent stock                         Council would manage hogfish (the                     east of the jurisdictional boundary,
                                                 assessment for hogfish through the                      West Florida stock) in the Gulf EEZ                   would still be required to have the
                                                 Southeast Data, Assessment, and                         except south of 25°09′ N. lat. off the                appropriate Federal South Atlantic
                                                 Review process (SEDAR 37). SEDAR 37                     west coast of Florida. The South                      snapper-grouper permits. Those permit
                                                 divided the hogfish stock into three                    Atlantic Council would manage hogfish                 holders would still be required to follow
                                                 stocks based upon genetic analysis as                   (the Florida Keys/East Florida stock) in              the sale and reporting requirements
                                                 follows: The West Florida stock, Florida                the Gulf EEZ south of 25°09′ N. lat. off              associated with the respective permits.
                                                 Keys/East Florida stock, and the Georgia                the west coast of Florida, and in the                    NMFS specifically seeks public
                                                 through North Carolina stock. The West                  South Atlantic EEZ to the state border                comment regarding the revised stock
                                                 Florida stock is completely within the                  of Florida and Georgia. The boundary                  boundaries and the manner in which
                                                 jurisdiction of the Gulf Council and the                line near Cape Sable is south of the line             the Councils would have jurisdiction
                                                 Georgia through North Carolina stock is                 used in SEDAR 37, which defined the                   over these stocks if both Amendment 37
                                                 completely within the jurisdiction of the               West Florida stock as north of the                    for the South Atlantic and Amendment
                                                 South Atlantic Council. The Florida                     Monroe and Collier County, Florida,                   43 for the Gulf of Mexico are approved
                                                 Keys/East Florida stock crosses the                     boundary line. Therefore, it is possible              and implemented.
                                                 Councils’ jurisdictional boundary, with                 that some fish from the Florida Keys/
                                                 a small portion of the stock extending                  East Florida stock will be harvested                  Status Determination Criteria
                                                 into the Gulf Council’s jurisdiction off                under the regulations by the Gulf                       Currently, the only SDC implemented
                                                 the west coast of Florida. Based on                     Council. However, the majority of                     for Gulf hogfish is the overfishing
                                                 SEDAR 37 and the Gulf and South                         hogfish landings in Monroe County                     threshold, or maximum fishing
                                                 Atlantic Councils’ Scientific and                       occur in the Florida Keys, and the                    mortality rate (MFMT). The overfished
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                                                 Statistical Committee (SSC)                             proposed boundary is far enough north                 threshold, or minimum stock size
                                                 recommendations, NMFS determined                        of the Florida Keys that fishing trips                threshold (MSST), and maximum
                                                 the West Florida stock is not overfished                originating in the Florida Keys rarely                sustainable yield (MSY) actions were
                                                 or undergoing overfishing, the Florida                  travel north of the boundary, and far                 disapproved when the Gulf Council’s
                                                 Keys/East Florida stock is overfished                   enough south of Naples and Marco                      Sustainable Fisheries Act Generic
                                                 and undergoing overfishing, and the                     Island, Florida, that fishing trips                   Amendment was approved by NMFS on
                                                 status of the Georgia-North Carolina                    originating from these locations rarely               November 17, 1999. Amendment 43
                                                 stock status is unknown.                                travel south of the boundary. In                      would maintain the current MFMT


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                                                 76910                  Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 214 / Friday, November 4, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                                 value at the fishing mortality                          triggered. In 2012 and 2013, the stock                Proposed Rule for Amendment 43
                                                 corresponding to 30 percent of the                      ACL was exceeded, thus causing                           A proposed rule that would
                                                 stock’s spawning potential ratio (SPR)                  landings to be closely monitored in                   implement Amendment 43 has been
                                                 (F30%SPR). Amendment 43 would also                      2013 and 2014. This resulted in an in-                drafted. In accordance with the
                                                 specify the MSST and MSY values. The                    season closure in 2013 but not in 2014.               Magnuson-Stevens Act, NMFS is
                                                 MSY proxy would equal the equilibrium                   To reduce the likelihood of AMs being                 evaluating Amendment 43 to determine
                                                 yield at F30%SPR and the MSST value                     triggered, the Gulf Council determined                whether it is consistent with the FMP,
                                                 would be equal to 75 percent of the                     that increasing the minimum size limit                the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other
                                                 spawning stock biomass capable of                       in Federal waters from 12 inches (30.5                applicable law. If the determination is
                                                 producing an equilibrium yield of the                   cm), fork length (FL), to 14 inches (35.6             affirmative, NMFS will publish the
                                                 MSY proxy.                                              cm), FL, could reduce the directed                    proposed rule in the Federal Register
                                                 Annual Catch Limit                                      harvest rate and, consequently, reduce                for public review and comment.
                                                    The current ACL and annual catch                     the probability of exceeding the stock
                                                                                                                                                               Consideration of Public Comments
                                                 target (ACT) for Gulf hogfish were                      ACL and triggering AMs. This action
                                                 established based on 1999 through 2008                  has an additional benefit of allowing the               The Gulf Council has submitted
                                                 landings. The ACL and ACT were set                      hogfish to grow larger and have an                    Amendment 43 for Secretarial review,
                                                 using the Gulf Council’s acceptable                     additional spawning opportunity before                approval, and implementation.
                                                 biological catch (ABC) control rule for                 being susceptible to harvest.                         Comments on Amendment 43 must be
                                                 stocks that have not been assessed but                                                                        received by January 3, 2017. Comments
                                                                                                         Powerhead Exemption                                   received during the respective comment
                                                 are stable over time. Amendment 43
                                                 would set the ACL for the West Florida                                                                        periods, whether specifically directed to
                                                                                                           Currently, as described at 50 CFR
                                                 hogfish stock at 219,000 lb (99,337 kg),                                                                      Amendment 43 or the proposed rule,
                                                                                                         622.35(a), a regulatory exemption allows
                                                 round weight, for the 2017 and 2018                                                                           will be considered by NMFS in its
                                                                                                         for the harvest of hogfish using
                                                 fishing years based on recommendations                                                                        decision to approve, partially approve,
                                                                                                         powerheads in the reef fish stressed
                                                 from the Gulf Council’s SSC after its                                                                         or disapprove Amendment 43.
                                                                                                         area. Amendment 43 would remove this                  Comments received after the comment
                                                 review of SEDAR 37. In 2019, and                        exemption. The powerhead exemption
                                                 subsequent fishing years, the ACL                                                                             periods will not be considered by NMFS
                                                                                                         provision is a regulatory holdover from               in this decision. All comments received
                                                 would be set at the equilibrium ABC of
                                                                                                         when hogfish were listed as a species in              by NMFS on Amendment 43 or the
                                                 159,300 lb (72,257 kg), round weight.
                                                                                                         the fishery but not in the reef fish FMU.             proposed rule during their respective
                                                 The Gulf Council decided to
                                                                                                         Harvesting species in the FMU with                    comment periods will be addressed in
                                                 discontinue the designation of an ACT,
                                                 because it is not used in the current                   powerheads in the stressed area was                   the final rule.
                                                 AMs or for other management purposes.                   prohibited. By removing the powerhead
                                                                                                                                                                 Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
                                                                                                         exemption for hogfish, hogfish would be
                                                 Minimum Size Limit                                      subject to the same regulations for Gulf                Dated: October 31, 2016.
                                                   Although the West Florida hogfish                     reef fish in the stressed area as other               Emily H. Menashes,
                                                 stock is not overfished or undergoing                   species in the reef fish FMU. The                     Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
                                                 overfishing, the stock could be subject                 coordinates for the reef fish stressed                Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
                                                 to seasonal closures should landings                    area are provided in 50 CFR part 622,                 [FR Doc. 2016–26616 Filed 11–3–16; 8:45 am]
                                                 exceed the stock ACL and AMs are                        Table 2 in Appendix B.                                BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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Document Created: 2018-02-14 08:26:13
Document Modified: 2018-02-14 08:26:13
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
ActionNotice of availability; request for comments.
DatesWritten comments must be received by January 3, 2017.
ContactPeter Hood, NMFS Southeast Regional Office, telephone: 727-824-5305, email: [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 76908 
RIN Number0648-BG18

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