81 FR 9151 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery; Framework Adjustment 27
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 36 (February 24, 2016)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 36 (February 24, 2016)
| Page Range | 9151-9159 | |
| FR Document | 2016-03624 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 24, 2016)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 9151-9159] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-03624] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 [Docket No. 151210999-6081-01] RIN 0648-BF59 Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery; Framework Adjustment 27 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Proposed rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS proposes to approve and implement measures included in Framework Adjustment 27 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan, which the New England Fishery Management Council adopted and submitted to NMFS for approval. The purpose of Framework 27 is to prevent overfishing, improve yield-per-recruit, and improve the overall management of the Atlantic sea scallop fishery. Framework 27 would: Set specifications for the scallop fishery for fishing year 2016, including days-at-sea allocations, individual fishing quotas, and sea scallop access area trip allocations; create a new rotational closed area south of Closed Area II to protect small scallops; and open the northern portion of the Nantucket Lightship Access Area to the Limited Access General Category fleet and transfer 19 percent of the Limited Access General Category access area trips from the Mid-Atlantic Access Area to the northern portion of the Nantucket Lightship Access Area. DATES: Comments must be received by March 25, 2016. ADDRESSES: The Council is developing an environmental assessment (EA) for this action that describes the proposed measures and other considered alternatives and provides a thorough analysis of the impacts of the proposed measures and alternatives. The Council submitted a decision draft of the framework to NMFS that includes the draft EA, a description of the Council's preferred alternative, the Council's rationale for selecting each alternative, and an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA). Copies of the decision draft of the framework, the draft EA, and the IRFA, are available upon request from Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Newburyport, MA 01950. [[Page 9152]] You may submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA-NMFS- 2015-0164, 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-2015-0164, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. Mail: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope, ``Comments on Scallop Framework 27 Proposed Rule.'' 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). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Travis Ford, Fishery Policy Analyst, 978-281-9233. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The scallop fishery's management unit ranges from the shorelines of Maine through North Carolina to the outer boundary of the Exclusive Economic Zone. The Scallop Fishery Management Plan (FMP), established in 1982, includes a number of amendments and framework adjustments that have revised and refined the fishery's management. The Council sets scallop fishery specifications through framework adjustments that occur annually or biennially. The Council adopted Framework 27 on December 3, 2015, and submitted a draft of the framework to NMFS on December 22, 2015, for review and approval. This annual action includes catch, effort, and quota allocations and adjustments to the rotational area management program for fishing year 2016. Framework 27 specifies measures for fishing year 2016, and includes fishing year 2017 measures that will go into place as a default should the next specifications-setting framework be delayed beyond the start of fishing year 2017. NMFS will implement Framework 27, if approved, after the start of fishing year 2016; 2016 default measures concerning allocations will go into place as of March 1, 2016. These default measures are more conservative than the Framework 27 proposed allocations and would be replaced by the higher Framework 27 allocations if this action is approved. The Council has reviewed the Framework 27 proposed rule regulations as drafted by NMFS and deemed them to be necessary and appropriate as specified in section 303(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). Specification of Scallop Overfishing Limit (OFL), Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC), Annual Catch Limits (ACLs), Annual Catch Targets (ACTs), and Set-Asides for the 2016 Fishing Year and Default Specifications for Fishing Year 2017 The Council set the proposed OFL based on a fishing mortality (F) of 0.48, equivalent to the F threshold updated through the 2014 assessment. The Council bases the proposed ABC and the equivalent total ACL for each fishing year on an F of 0.38, which is the F associated with a 25-percent probability of exceeding the OFL. The Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee recommended a scallop fishery ABC for both the 2016 and 2017 fishing years of 83.4 million lb (37,852 mt), after accounting for discards and incidental mortality. The Scientific and Statistical Committee will reevaluate an ABC for 2017 when the Council develops the next framework adjustment. Table 1 outlines the proposed scallop fishery catch limits that are derived from the ABC values. After deducting the incidental target total allowable catch (TAC) and the research set-aside (RSA) and the observer set-aside, the remaining ACL available to the fishery is allocated according to the fleet proportions established in Amendment 11 to the FMP (72 FR 20090; April 14, 2008): 94.5 percent allocated to the limited access (LA) scallop fleet (i.e., the larger ``trip boat'' fleet); 5 percent allocated to the limited access general category (LAGC) individual fishing quota (IFQ) fleet (i.e., the smaller ``day boat'' fleet); and the remaining 0.5 percent allocated to LA scallop vessels that also have LAGC IFQ permits. Amendment 15 to the FMP (76 FR 43746; July 21, 2011) specified that no buffers to account for management uncertainty are necessary in setting the LAGC ACLs, meaning that the LAGC ACL would equal the LAGC ACT. As a result, the LAGC ACL values in Table 1, based on an F of 0.38, represent the amount of catch from which IFQ percentage shares will be applied to calculate each vessel's IFQ for a given fishing year. For the LA fleet, the management uncertainty buffer is based on the F associated with a 75-percent probability of remaining below the F associated with ABC/ACL, which, using the updated Fs applied to the ABC/ACL, now results in an F of 0.34. Table 1--Scallop Catch Limits (mt) for Fishing Years 2016 and 2017 for the LA and LAGC IFQ Fleets ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2016 2017 (default) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Overfishing Limit....................... 68,418 68,418 Acceptable Biological Catch/ACL 37,852 37,852 (discards removed)..................... Incidental Catch........................ 23 23 Research Set-Aside (RSA)................ 567 567 Observer Set-Aside...................... 379 379 ACL for fishery......................... 36,884 36,884 LA ACL.................................. 34,855 34,855 LAGC ACL................................ 2,029 2,029 LAGC IFQ................................ 1,845 1,845 LA with LAGC IFQ........................ 184 184 LA ACT.................................. 18,290 18,290 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [[Page 9153]] This action would deduct 1.25 million lb (567 mt) of scallops annually for 2016 and 2017 from the ABC and set it aside as the Scallop RSA to fund scallop research and to compensate participating vessels through the sale of scallops harvested under RSA projects. As of March 1, 2016, this set-aside will be available for harvest by RSA-funded projects in open areas. Framework 27 would allow RSA to be harvested from the Mid-Atlantic Access Area (MAAA) that is proposed to be open for 2016, once this action is approved and implemented, but would prevent RSA harvesting from access areas under 2017 default measures. Of this 1.25 million lb (567 mt) allocation, NMFS has already allocated 3,393 lb (1.5 mt) to previously funded multi-year projects as part of the 2015 RSA awards process. NMFS is reviewing proposals submitted for consideration of 2016 RSA awards and will be selecting projects for funding in the near future. This action would also set aside 1 percent of the ABC for the industry-funded observer program to help defray the cost of scallop vessels that carry an observer. The observer set-aside for fishing years 2016 and 2017 is 379 mt. The Council may adjust the 2017 observer set-aside when it develops specific, non-default measures for 2017. Open Area Days-at-Sea (DAS) Allocations This action would implement vessel-specific DAS allocations for each of the three LA scallop DAS permit categories (i.e., full-time, part-time, and occasional) for 2016 and 2017 (Table 2). Proposed 2016 DAS allocations are higher than those allocated to the LA fleet in 2015 (30.86 DAS for full-time, 12.94 DAS for part-time, and 2.58 DAS for occasional vessels). We project DAS in fishing year 2017 to increase, but Framework 27 would set 2017 DAS allocations equal to fishing year 2016 as a precautionary measure. This is to avoid over-allocating DAS to the fleet in the event that the 2017 specifications action, if delayed past the start of the 2017 fishing year, estimates that DAS should be less than currently projected. The proposed allocations in Table 2 exclude any DAS deductions that are required if the LA scallop fleet exceeded its 2015 sub-ACL. In addition, these DAS values take into account a 0.14-DAS reduction necessary to compensate for a measure implemented in Framework Adjustment 26 to the FMP (80 FR 22119; April 21, 2015) that allows vessel to transit to ports south of 39[deg] N. Lat. while not on DAS. Table 2--Scallop Open Area DAS Allocations for 2016 and 2017 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Permit category 2016 2017 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Full-Time..................................... 34.55 34.55 Part-Time..................................... 13.82 13.82 Occasional.................................... 2.88 2.88 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ On March 1, 2016, full-time, part-time, and occasional vessels will receive 26, 10.40, and 2.17 DAS, respectively. These allocations would increase as soon as we implement Framework 27, if approved. LA Allocations and Trip Possession Limits for Scallop Access Areas For fishing year 2016 and the start of 2017, Framework 27 would keep all three Georges Bank Access Areas (i.e., Nantucket Lightship (NLS), Closed Area 1, and Closed Area 2 Access Areas) closed and keep the MAAA open to the LA fleet. This action proposes to close a new area, the Closed Area 2 Extension, to protect small scallops located south of the current Closed Area 2 boundary. The Council will reconsider this proposed closure area in a future framework action when the scallops are larger and ready for harvest. Table 3 outlines the proposed LA allocations that can be fished from the MAAA, which could be taken in as many trips as needed, so long as the trip possession limits (also in Table 3) are not exceeded. These proposed access area allocations for 2016 are equivalent to access area allocations for 2015. Table 3--Scallop Access Area Limited Access Vessel Poundage Allocations and Trip Possession Limits for 2016 and 2017 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Permit category Possession limits 2016 vessel allocation 2017 vessel allocation -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Full-Time......................... 17,000 lb (7,711 kg).................. 51,000 lb (23,133 kg)................ 17,000 lb (7,711 kg). Part-Time......................... 10,200 lb (4,627 kg).................. 20,400 lb (9,253 kg)................. 10,200 lb (4,627 kg). Occasional........................ 1,420 lb (644 kg)..................... 4,250 lb (1,928 kg).................. 1,420 lb (644 kg). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Additional Measures To Reduce Impacts on Scallops 1. Delayed Harvesting of Default 2017 MAAA Allocations. Although the Framework would include precautionary access area allocations for the 2017 fishing year (see 2017 allocations in Table 4), vessels would have to wait to fish these allocations until April 1, 2017. This precautionary measure is designed to protect scallops when scallop meat weights are lower than other times of the year (generally, this change in meat-weight is a physiological change in scallops due to spawning). However, if a vessel has not fully harvested its 2016 scallop access area allocation in fishing year 2016, it may still fish the remainder of its allocation in the first 60 days of 2017 (i.e., March 1, 2017, through April 29, 2017). 2. 2017 RSA Harvest Restrictions. This action proposes that vessels participating in RSA projects would be prohibited from harvesting RSA in access areas under default 2017 measures. At the start of 2017, RSA could only be harvested from open areas. The Council would re-evaluate this measure in the framework action that would set final 2017 specifications. LAGC Measures 1. ACL for LAGC vessels with IFQ permits. For LAGC vessels with IFQ permits, this action proposes a 1,845-mt ACL for 2016 and an initial ACL of 1,845 mt for 2017 (Table 1). We calculate IFQ allocations by applying each vessel's IFQ contribution percentage to these ACLs. IFQ allocations for each vessel assume that no LAGC IFQ AMs are triggered. The accountability measure (AM) dictates that if a vessel exceeds its IFQ in a given fishing year, its IFQ for the subsequent fishing year is reduced by the amount of the overage. Because Framework 27 would not go into effect until after the March 1 start of fishing year 2016, the default 2016 IFQ allocations will go into effect. These default 2016 IFQ allocations are lower than those proposed in Framework 27. If approved, this action would increase the current vessel IFQ allocations. [[Page 9154]] NMFS will send a letter to IFQ permit holders providing both March 1, 2016, IFQ allocations and Framework 27 proposed IFQ allocations so that vessel owners know what mid-year adjustments would occur if NMFS approves Framework 27. 2. ACL for LA Scallop Vessels with IFQ Permits. For LA scallop vessels with IFQ permits, this action proposes a 184-mt ACL for 2016 and an initial 184-mt ACL for 2017 (Table 1). We calculate IFQ allocations by applying each vessel's IFQ contribution percentage to these ACLs. IFQ allocations for each vessel assume that no LAGC IFQ AMs are triggered. The AM dictates that if a vessel exceeds its IFQ in a given fishing year, its IFQ for the subsequent fishing year would be reduced by the amount of the overage. 3. LAGC IFQ Trip Allocations and Possession Limits for Scallop Access Areas. Framework 27 proposes that LAGC IFQ vessels would receive a fleetwide number of trips in the MAAA and a fleetwide number of trips in the northern portion of the Nantucket Lightship Access Area (NLSN). This action would not grant access to the NLSN to the LA fleet. Under other alternatives in the Framework, all of the LAGC IFQ access area trips were allocated in the MAAA. However, the Council wanted to provide opportunities for more LAGC vessels throughout the region (North Carolina to Massachusetts) to have access in areas with higher catch rates compared to open areas. Based on the biological and economic projections, both the short and long term impacts of providing LAGC access to the NLSN are similar to keeping the area closed to all vessels. Because LAGC vessels are limited in their range, LAGC vessels homeported in New England may benefit from increased access to scallops in this access area closer to their home ports. Framework 27 would allocate 2,068 and 602 trips in 2016 and 2017, respectively, to the MAAA. Under default 2017 measures, LAGC IFQ vessels must wait to fish these trips until April 1, 2017. It would also allocate 485 trips to the NLSN for fishing year 2016. The total number of trips (2,553) for fishing year 2016 is equivalent to the overall proportion of total catch from access areas compared to total catch. Framework 27 would not allocate any trips in NLSN for the 2017 fishing year. 4. NGOM TAC. This action proposes a 70,000-lb (31,751-kg) annual NGOM TAC for fishing years 2016 and 2017. The allocation for 2016 assumes that there are no overages in 2015, which would trigger a pound-for-pound deduction in 2016 to account for the overage. 5. Scallop Incidental Catch Target TAC. This action proposes a 50,000-lb (22,680-kg) scallop incidental catch target TAC for fishing years 2016 and 2017 to account for mortality from this component of the fishery, and to ensure that F targets are not exceeded. The Council and NMFS may adjust this target TAC in a future action if vessels catch more scallops under the incidental target TAC than predicted. Regulatory Corrections Under Regional Administrator Authority This proposed rule includes several revisions to the regulatory text to address text that is unnecessary, outdated, unclear, or NMFS could otherwise improve. NMFS proposes these changes consistent with section 305(d) of the MSA which provides that the Secretary of Commerce may promulgate regulations necessary to ensure that amendments to an FMP are carried out in accordance with the FMP and the MSA. The first revision, at Sec. 648.14(i)(2)(ii)(B)(7), would clarify that the crew member restrictions, specified in Sec. 648.51(c) and Sec. 648.51(e)(3)(i), apply in all access areas. The second revision, at Sec. 648.14(i)(3)(v)(C), would clarify that LAGC IFQ vessels must be declared into the Sea Scallop Access Area Program if they fish for, possess, or land scallops in or from any Sea Scallop Access Area. The third revision, at Sec. 648.51(e)(2), clarifies that vessels participating in the small dredge program may carry component parts on board the vessel such that they do not conform with the definition of ``dredge or dredge gear.'' The fourth revision, at Sec. 648.52(f), clarifies that LAGC IFQ vessels are permitted to possess no more than 75 bu (26.4 hL) of in-shell scallops outside of the Access Areas. Finally, the fifth revision, at Sec. 648.60(g)(2), clarifies that IFQ LAGC vessels may fish with trawl gear in the MAAA. Classification Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the MSA, the NMFS Assistant Administrator has made a preliminary determination that this proposed rule is consistent with the FMP, other provisions of the MSA, and other applicable law. In making the final determination, NMFS will consider the data, views, and comments received during the public comment period. This proposed rule does not contain policies with federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866. An IRFA has been prepared, as required by section 603 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA). The IRFA consists of Framework 27 analyses, the draft IRFA, and the preamble to this action. Description of the Reasons Why Action by the Agency Is Being Considered and Statement of the Objectives of, and Legal Basis for, This Proposed Rule This action proposes the management measures and specifications for the Atlantic sea scallop fishery for 2016, with 2017 default measures. A description of the action, why it is being considered, and the legal basis for this action are contained in Framework 27 and the preamble of this proposed rule and are not repeated here. Description of Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping, and Other Compliance Requirements of the Proposed Rule This action contains no new collection-of-information, reporting, or recordkeeping requirements. Federal Rules Which May Duplicate, Overlap or Conflict With This Proposed Rule The proposed regulations do not create overlapping regulations with any state regulations or other federal laws. Description and Estimate of Number of Small Entities to Which the Rule Would Apply The proposed regulations would affect all vessels with LA and LAGC scallop permits. The Framework 27 decision draft provides extensive information on the number and size of vessels and small businesses that would be affected by the proposed regulations, by port and state (see ADDRESSES). There were 313 vessels that obtained full-time LA permits in 2014, including 250 dredge, 52 small-dredge, and 11 scallop trawl permits. In the same year, there were also 34 part-time LA permits in the sea scallop fishery. No vessels were issued occasional scallop permits. NMFS issued 220 LAGC IFQ permits in 2014 and 128 of these vessels actively fished for scallops that year (the remaining permits likely leased out scallop IFQ allocations with their permits in Confirmation of Permit History). The RFA defines a small business in shellfish fishery as a firm that is independently owned and operated and not dominant in its field of operation, with receipts of up to $5.5 million annually. Individually-permitted vessels may hold permits for several fisheries, harvesting species of fish that are regulated by several different fishery management plans, [[Page 9155]] even beyond those impacted by the proposed action. Furthermore, multiple permitted vessels and/or permits may be owned by entities with various personal and business affiliations. For the purposes of this analysis, ``ownership entities'' are defined as those entities with common ownership as listed on the permit application. Only permits with identical ownership are categorized as an ``ownership entity.'' For example, if five permits have the same seven persons listed as co- owners on their permit applications, those seven persons would form one ``ownership entity,'' that holds those five permits. If two of those seven owners also co-own additional vessels, that ownership arrangement would be considered a separate ``ownership entity'' for the purpose of this analysis. Ownership data from 2014 result in 166 distinct ownership entities for the LA fleet and 106 distinct ownership entities for the LAGC IFQ fleet. Of these, and based on the Small Business Administration (SBA) guidelines, 152 of the LA distinct ownership entities and 102 of the LAGC IFQ entities are categorized as small. The remaining 14 of the LA and 4 of the LAGC IFQ entities are categorized as large entities, all of which are shellfish businesses. Description of Significant Alternatives to the Proposed Action Which Accomplish the Stated Objectives of Applicable Statutes and Which Minimize Any Significant Economic Impact on Small Entities The proposed alternative would allocate each full-time LA vessel 34.55 open area DAS and a 51,000 lb (23,133 kg) allocation in the MAAA. The LAGC IFQ ACL is 4,473,180 lb (2,029 mt) and this fleet is allocated access area trips in the MAAA and NLSN which would be open to LAGC vessels only. NMFS expects that this alternative would positively impact profitability of small entities regulated by this action in 2016. NMFS expects the estimated revenues and net revenue for scallop vessels and small business entities would be higher under all considered allocations alternatives, including the preferred alternative, than under the No Action alternative (i.e., 2016 default measures conservatively set through Framework 26). Framework 27 includes five allocation alternatives including the ``No Action'' alternative. The preferred alternative (Alternative 3A) would have about 43 percent higher benefits compared to the No Action which would translate to higher profits. However, it would have lower revenue compared to other alternatives in the 2016 fishing year (Table 4). Alternative 2 would set target catches using the three principles developed as part of the ``hybrid'' overfishing definition approved in Amendment 15, and not include additional closures or modifications to boundaries of the overall area rotation program. Each full-time LA vessel would be allocated 36.53 DAS for the open areas and a 51,000 lb (23,133 kg) allocation in the MAAA and Closed Area 2 (one access area per trip; split trips for the fleet). Under Alternative 3 each full-time vessel would be allocated 34.55 DAS and 51,000 lb (23,133 kg) to MAAA and Closed Area 2 (one access area per trip; split trips for the fleet). However, a new area south of Closed Area 2 would be closed to fishing to protect the small scallops. Preferred Alternative 3A is similar to Alternative 3, except LA vessels would not be allocated trips in Closed Area 2. Instead, those trips would be shifted to MAAA with the existing Elephant Trunk Closed Area closed, Closed Area 1 and Closed Area 2 access areas closed, and NLSN open to LAGC vessels only. Similar to the other alternatives, each full-time LA vessel would be allocated 51,000 lb (23,133 kg) in MAAA. Alternative 4 would extend the boundaries of the existing Elephant Trunk Closed Area which was closed to fishing in 2015 to protect small scallops, but open area DAS and access area allocations would be similar to Alternative 2. Allocations for Alternative 5 would be similar to the allocations for Alternative 2; however, in addition to the MAAA and Closed Area 2, this alternative would also provide a limited amount of effort, for both the LA and the LAGC fleets, to a portion of the NLSN expected to have lower densities of small scallops. Table 4--Estimated Fleet Revenue and Revenue per Limited Access Vessel in 2015 Dollars ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revenue per % Change from Alternatives Total revenue FT vessel No Action ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ALT1. No Action................................................. 379.3 1,081,573 .............. ALT2. Basic Run................................................. 555.5 1,585,671 47 ALT3. CA2 ext................................................... 540.5 1,542,766 43 ALT3A. CA2 ext.................................................. 538.7 1,537,502 42 ALT4. ETA ext................................................... 557.6 1,591,545 47 ALT5. NLS Acc................................................... 557.1 1,590,136 47 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As for LAGC IFQ access area allocations, the preferred alternative (Option 2) would provide proportional access for LA and LAGC IFQ for the access areas. The number of trips would be based on the total proportion of catch from access areas compared to open areas (34 percent for 2,553 trips). Thus, it would allocate about 1.5 million lb (680 mt) of the total LAGC allocation of 4.4 million lb (1996 mt) from access areas, while about 3 million lb would still be left of the LAGC quota to be harvested in open areas. Preferred area option (option 3) would allocate about 19 percent of these trips (or 300,000 lb (136 mt)) to the NLSN which is open to LAGC vessels only. Because of the proximity of the LAGC vessels which are smaller in size and homeported in Massachusetts to NLSN, this option will reduce fishing costs and have positive impacts on their profits. Therefore, preferred alternative for LAGC access area allocations would have highest economic benefits compared to both No Action allocations and other options that allocate a smaller percentage of access area trips to the LAGC fishery. List of Subjects 50 CFR Part 648 Fisheries, Fishing, Recordkeeping and reporting requirements. [[Page 9156]] Dated: February 17, 2016. Samuel D. Rauch III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 648 is proposed to be amended as follows: PART 648--FISHERIES OF THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES 0 1. The authority citation for part 648 continues to read as follows: Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. 0 2. In Sec. 648.14, paragraphs (i)(2)(ii)(B)(7) and (i)(3)(v)(B) are revised, and paragraph (i)(3)(v)(C) is added to read as follows: Sec. 648.14 Prohibitions. * * * * * (i) * * * (2) * * * (ii) * * * (B) * * * (7) Fish in a Sea Scallop Access Area, as described in Sec. 648.59, with more persons on board the vessel than the number specified in Sec. 648.51(c) or Sec. 648.51(e)(3)(i), unless otherwise authorized by the Regional Administrator. * * * * * (3) * * * (v) * * * (B) Declare into or leave port for an area specified in Sec. 648.59(a) through (d) after the effective date of a notification published in the Federal Register stating that the number of LAGC trips have been taken, as specified in Sec. 648.60. (C) Fish for, possess, or land scallops in or from any Sea Scallop Access Area specified at Sec. 648.59, unless declared into the Sea Scallop Access Area Program. * * * * * 0 3. In Sec. 648.51, paragraph (e)(2) is revised to read as follows: Sec. 648.51 Gear and crew restrictions. * * * * * (e) * * * (2) The vessel may not use or have more than one dredge on board. However, component parts may be on board the vessel such that they do not conform with the definition of ``dredge or dredge gear'' in Sec. 648.2, i.e., the metal ring bag and the mouth frame, or bail, of the dredge are not attached, and no more than one complete spare dredge could be made from these component's parts. * * * * * 0 4. In Sec. 648.52, paragraph (f) is revised to read as follows: Sec. 648.52 Possession and landing limits. * * * * * (f) A limited access vessel or an LAGC vessel that is declared into the Sea Scallop Area Access Program as described in Sec. 648.60, may not possess more than 50 bu (17.6 hL) or 75 bu (26.4 hL), respectively, of in-shell scallops outside of the Access Areas described in Sec. 648.59(a) through (e). * * * * * 0 5. In Sec. 648.53, paragraphs (a), (b)(1), (b)(4), and (g)(1) are revised, and paragraph (h)(5)(iv)(D) is removed to read as follows: Sec. 648.53 Acceptable biological catch (ABC), annual catch limits (ACL), annual catch targets (ACT), DAS allocations, and individual fishing quotas (IFQ). (a) Scallop fishery ABC. The ABC for the scallop fishery shall be established through the framework adjustment process specified in Sec. 648.55 and is equal to the overall scallop fishery ACL minus discards. The ABC/ACL, after discards are removed, shall be divided as sub-ACLs between limited access vessels, limited access vessels that are fishing under a LAGC permit, and LAGC vessels as specified in paragraphs (a)(3) and (4) of this section, after deducting the scallop incidental catch target TAC specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, observer set- aside specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this section, and research set- aside specified in Sec. 648.56(d). The ABC/ACL for the 2017 fishing year is subject to change through a future framework adjustment. (1) ABC/ACL for fishing years 2016 through 2017, excluding discards, shall be: (i) 2016: 37,852 mt. (ii) 2017: 37,852 mt. (2) Scallop incidental catch target TAC. The annual incidental catch target TAC for vessels with incidental catch scallop permits is 22.7 mt. (3) Limited access fleet sub-ACL and ACT. The limited access scallop fishery shall be allocated 94.5 percent of the ACL specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, after deducting incidental catch, observer set-aside, and research set-aside, as specified in this paragraph (a)(3). ACT for the limited access scallop fishery shall be established through the framework adjustment process described in Sec. 648.55. DAS specified in paragraph (b) of this section shall be based on the ACTs specified in paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this section. The limited access fleet sub-ACL and ACT for the 2017 fishing year are subject to change through a future framework adjustment. (i) The limited access fishery sub-ACLs for fishing years 2016 and 2017 are: (A) 2016: 36,884 mt. (B) 2017: 36,884 mt. (ii) The limited access fishery ACTs for fishing years 2016 and 2017 are: (A) 2016: 18,290 mt. (B) 2017: 18,290 mt. (4) LAGC fleet sub-ACL. The sub-ACL for the LAGC IFQ fishery shall be equal to 5.5 percent of the ACL specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, after deducting incidental catch, observer set-aside, and research set-aside, as specified in this paragraph (a)(4). The LAGC IFQ fishery ACT shall be equal to the LAGC IFQ fishery's ACL. The ACL for the LAGC IFQ fishery for vessels issued only a LAGC IFQ scallop permit shall be equal to 5 percent of the ACL specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, after deducting incidental catch, observer set-aside, and research set-aside, as specified in this paragraph (a)(4). The ACL for the LAGC IFQ fishery for vessels issued only both a LAGC IFQ scallop permit and a limited access scallop permit shall be 0.5 percent of the ACL specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, after deducting incidental catch, observer set-aside, and research set-aside, as specified in this paragraph (a)(4). (i) The ACLs for fishing years 2016 and 2017 for LAGC IFQ vessels without a limited access scallop permit are: (A) 2016: 1,845 mt. (B) 2017: 1,845 mt. (ii) The ACLs for fishing years 2016 and 2017 for vessels issued both a LAGC and a limited access scallop permits are: (A) 2016: 184 mt. (B) 2017: 184 mt. (b) * * * (1) Landings per unit effort (LPUE). LPUE is an estimate of the average amount of scallops, in pounds, that the limited access scallop fleet lands per DAS fished. The estimated LPUE is the average LPUE for all limited access scallop vessels fishing under DAS, and shall be used to calculate DAS specified in paragraph (b)(4) of this section, the DAS reduction for the AM specified in paragraph (b)(4)(ii) of this section, and the observer set-aside DAS allocation specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this section. LPUE shall be: (i) 2016 fishing year: 2,316 lb/DAS (1,051 kg/DAS). (ii) 2017 fishing year: 2,690 lb/DAS (1,220 kg/DAS). (iii) [Reserved] * * * * * (4) Each vessel qualifying for one of the three DAS categories specified in the table in this paragraph (b)(4) (full-time, [[Page 9157]] part-time, or occasional) shall be allocated the maximum number of DAS for each fishing year it may participate in the open area limited access scallop fishery, according to its category, excluding carryover DAS in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section. DAS allocations shall be determined by distributing the portion of ACT specified in paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this section, as reduced by access area allocations specified in Sec. 648.59, and dividing that amount among vessels in the form of DAS calculated by applying estimates of open area LPUE specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. Allocation for part-time and occasional scallop vessels shall be 40 percent and 8.33 percent of the full-time DAS allocations, respectively. The annual open area DAS allocations for each category of vessel for the fishing years indicated are as follows: Scallop Open Area DAS Allocations ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Permit category 2016 2017 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Full-Time..................................... 34.55 34.55 Part-Time..................................... 13.82 13.82 Occasional.................................... 2.88 2.88 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ * * * * * (g) * * * (1) To help defray the cost of carrying an observer, 1 percent of the ABC/ACL specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall be set aside to be used by vessels that are assigned to take an at-sea observer on a trip. The total TAC for observer set aside is 379 mt in fishing year 2016, and 379 mt in fishing year 2017. * * * * * 0 6. In Sec. 648.58 paragraphs (b), (c), and (e) are revised to read as follows: Sec. 648.58 Rotational Closed Areas. * * * * * (b) Closed Area II--(1) Closed Area II Closed Area. No vessel may fish for scallops in, or possess or land scallops from, the area known as the Closed Area II Closed Area. No vessel may possess scallops in the Closed Area II Closed Area. The Closed Area II Closed Area is defined by straight lines, except where noted, connecting the following points in the order stated (copies of a chart depicting this area are available from the Regional Administrator upon request): ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Point Latitude Longitude Note ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CAIIA1.............................. 41[deg]00' N. 67[deg]20' W. CAIIA2.............................. 41[deg]00' N. 66[deg]35.8' W. CAIIA3.............................. 41[deg]18.45' N. (\1\) (\2\) CAIIA4.............................. 41[deg]30' N. (\3\) (\2\) CAIIA5.............................. 41[deg]30' N. 67[deg]20' W. CAIIA1.............................. 41[deg]00' N. 67[deg]20' W. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ The intersection of 41[deg]18.45' N. lat. and the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary, approximately 41[deg]18.45' N. lat. and 66[deg]24.89' W. long. \2\ From Point CAIIA3 connected to Point CAIIA4 along the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary. \3\ The intersection of 41[deg]30' N. lat. and the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary, approximately 41[deg]30' N. lat., 66[deg]34.73'W. long. (2) Closed Area II Extension Closed Area. No vessel may fish for scallops in, or possess or land scallops from, the area known as the Closed Area II Extension Closed Area. No vessel may possess scallops in the Closed Area II Extension Closed Area. The Closed Area II Extension Closed Area is defined by straight lines, except where noted, connecting the following points in the order stated (copies of a chart depicting this area are available from the Regional Administrator upon request): ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Point Latitude Longitude Note ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CAIIE1.............................. 40[deg]30' N. 67[deg]20' W. CAIIE2.............................. 41[deg]00' N. 67[deg]20' W. CAIIE3.............................. 41[deg]00' N. 66[deg]35.8' W. CAIIE4.............................. 41[deg]18.45' N. (\1\) (\2\) CAIIE5.............................. 40[deg]30' N. (\3\) (\2\) CAIIE1.............................. 40[deg]30' N. 67[deg]20' W. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ The intersection of 41[deg]18.45' N. lat. and the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary, approximately 41[deg]18.45' N. lat. and 66[deg]24.89' W. long. \2\ From Point CAIIE4 to Point CAIIE5 following the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary. \3\ The intersection of 40[deg]30' N. lat. and the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary, approximately, 65[deg]44.34' W. long. (c) Nantucket Lightship Closed Area. No vessel may fish for scallops in, or possess or land scallops from, the area known as the Nantucket Lightship Closed Area. No vessel may possess scallops in the Nantucket Lightship Closed Area, unless such vessel is an IFQ LAGC vessel participating in, and complying with the requirements of, the IFQ LAGC area access program described in Sec. 648.60(g)(3), or the vessel is only transiting the area as provided in paragraph (e) of this section. The Nantucket Lightship Closed Area is defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated (copies of a chart depicting this area are available from the Regional Administrator upon request), ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Point Latitude Longitude ------------------------------------------------------------------------ NLAA1.......................... 40[deg]50' N. 69[deg]30' W. NLAA2.......................... 40[deg]50' N. 69[deg]00' W. NLAA3.......................... 40[deg]33' N. 69[deg]00' W. NLAA4.......................... 40[deg]33' N. 68[deg]48' W. NLAA5.......................... 40[deg]20' N. 68[deg]48' W. NLAA6.......................... 40[deg]20' N. 69[deg]30' W. NLAA1.......................... 40[deg]50' N. 69[deg]30' W. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ * * * * * (e) Transiting. No vessel possessing scallops may enter or be in the area(s) specified in paragraphs (a) and (c) of this section unless the vessel is transiting the area and the vessel's fishing gear is stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in Sec. 648.2, or there is a compelling safety reason to be in such areas without such gear being stowed. A vessel may only transit the Closed Area II Closed Area or the Closed Area II Extension Closed Area, as described in paragraph (b) of this section, or the Elephant Trunk Closed Area, as described in paragraph (d) of this section, if there is a compelling safety reason for transiting the area and the vessel's fishing gear is stowed and [[Page 9158]] not available for immediate use as defined in Sec. 648.2. * * * * * 7. In Sec. 648.59, paragraphs (a)(1), (b)(1), (c)(1), and (d)(1) are revised and paragraph (a)(2)(i) is removed and reserved to read as follows: Sec. 648.59 Sea Scallop Access Areas. (a) * * * (1) Beginning March 1, 2016, through February 28, 2018 (i.e., fishing years 2016 and 2017), a vessel issued a scallop permit may not fish for, possess, or land scallops in or from the area known as the Mid-Atlantic Access Area unless the vessel is participating in, and complies with the requirements of, the area access program described in Sec. 648.60 or the vessel is transiting pursuant to paragraph (f) of this section. The Mid-Atlantic Access Area is comprised of the following scallop access areas: The Delmarva Scallop Access Area, as described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section; the Elephant Trunk Scallop Access Area, as described in paragraph (a)(3) of this section; and the Hudson Canyon Scallop Access Area, as described in paragraph (a)(4) of this section. (2) * * * (i) [Reserved] * * * * * (b) * * * (1) From March 1, 2016, through February 28, 2018 (i.e., fishing years 2016 and 2017), a vessel issued a scallop permit may not fish for, possess, or land scallops in or from, the area known as the Closed Area I Scallop Access Area, described in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, unless transiting in accordance with paragraph (f) of this section. A vessel issued both a NE multispecies permit and an LAGC scallop permit may not fish in an approved SAP under Sec. 648.85 and under multispecies DAS in the scallop access area, unless it complies with restrictions in paragraph (b)(5)(ii)(C) of this section. * * * * * (c) * * * (1) From March 1, 2016, through February 28, 2018 (i.e., fishing years 2016 and 2017), a vessel issued a scallop permit may not fish for, possess, or land scallops in or from, the area known as the Closed Area II Access Area, described in paragraph (c)(3) of this section, unless transiting in accordance with paragraph (f) of this section. A vessel issued both a NE multispecies permit and an LAGC scallop permit may not fish in an approved SAP under Sec. 648.85 and under multispecies DAS in the scallop access area, unless it complies with restrictions in paragraph (c)(5)(ii)(C) of this section. * * * * * (d) * * * (1) From March 1, 2016, through February 28, 2018 (i.e., fishing years 2016 and 2017), a vessel issued a scallop permit may not fish for, possess, or land scallops in or from the area known as the Nantucket Lightship Access Area, described in paragraph (d)(3) of this section, unless the vessel is an IFQ LAGC vessel participating in, and complying with the requirements of, the IFQ LAGC area access program described in Sec. 648.60(g)(3), or the vessel is transiting pursuant to paragraph (f) of this section. A vessel issued both a NE multispecies permit and an LAGC scallop permit may not fish in an approved SAP under Sec. 648.85 and under multispecies DAS in the scallop access area, unless it complies with restrictions in paragraph (d)(5)(ii)(C) of this section. * * * * * 8. In Sec. 648.60, paragraphs (a)(3)(i), (a)(5)(i), (c), (e), (g) introductory text and (g)(3) are revised to read as follows: Sec. 648.60 Sea scallop access area program requirements. (a) * * * (3) Sea Scallop Access Area Allocations--(i) Limited access vessel allocations. (A) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, paragraphs (a)(3)(i)(B) through (D) of this section specify the total amount of scallops, in weight, that a limited access scallop vessel may harvest from Sea Scallop Access Areas during applicable seasons specified in Sec. 648.59. A vessel may not possess or land in excess of its scallop allocation assigned to specific Sea Scallop Access Areas, unless authorized by the Regional Administrator, as specified in paragraph (d) of this section, unless the vessel owner has exchanged an area-specific scallop allocation with another vessel owner for additional scallop allocation in that area, as specified in paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this section. A vessel may harvest its scallop allocation, as specified in paragraph (a)(3)(i)(B) of this section, on any number of trips in a given fishing year, provided that no single trip exceeds the possession limits specified in paragraph (a)(5) of this section, unless authorized by the Regional Administrator, as specified in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section, (B) Full-time scallop vessels. (1) In fishing year 2016, each full- time vessel shall have a total of 51,000 lb (23,133 kg) of scallops that may be harvested from the Mid-Atlantic Access Area, as defined in Sec. 648.59(a). (2) For the 2017 fishing year, each full-time vessel shall have a total of 17,000 lb (7,711 kg) of scallops that may be harvested from the Mid-Atlantic Access Area, as defined in Sec. 648.59(a), starting on April 1, 2017. (C) Part-time scallop vessels. (1) For the 2016 fishing year, each part-time scallop vessel shall have a total of 20,400 lb (9,253 kg) of scallop that may be harvested from the Mid-Atlantic Access Area, as defined in Sec. 648.59(a). (2) For the 2016 fishing year, each part-time scallop vessel shall have a total of 10,200 lb (4,627 kg) of scallop that may be harvested from the Mid-Atlantic Access Area, as defined in Sec. 648.59(a), starting on April 1, 2017. (D) Occasional scallop vessels. (1) For the 2016 fishing year, each occasional scallop vessel shall have a total of 4,250 lb (1,928 kg) of scallop that may be harvested from the Mid-Atlantic Access Area, as defined in Sec. 648.59(a). (2) For the 2017 fishing year, each occasional scallop vessel shall have a total of 1,420 lb (644 kg) of scallop that may be harvested from the Mid-Atlantic Access Area, as defined in Sec. 648.59(a), starting on April 1, 2017. * * * * * (5) Possession and landing limits--(i) Scallop possession limits. Unless authorized by the Regional Administrator, as specified in paragraph (d) of this section, after declaring a trip into a Sea Scallop Access Area, a vessel owner or operator of a limited access scallop vessel may fish for, possess, and land, per trip, scallops, up to the maximum amounts specified in the table in this paragraph (a)(5). No vessel declared into the Access Areas as described in Sec. 648.59(a) through (e) may possess more than 50 bu (17.62 hL) of in- shell scallops outside of the Access Areas described in Sec. 648.59(a) through (e). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Permit category possession limit Fishing year --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Full-time Part-time Occasional -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2016.............................. 17,000 lb (57,711 kg)................. 10,200 lb (4,627 kg)................. 1,420 lb (644 kg). 2017.............................. 17,000 lb (57,711 kg)................. 10,200 lb (4,627 kg)................. 1,420 lb (644 kg). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Page 9159]] * * * * * (c) Access area scallop allocation carryover. Unless otherwise specified in Sec. 648.59, a limited access scallop vessel operator may fish any unharvested Scallop Access Area allocation from a given fishing year within the first 60 days of the subsequent fishing year if the Access Area is open. For example, if a full-time vessel has 7,000 lb (3,175 kg) remaining in the Mid-Atlantic Access Area at the end of fishing year 2016, that vessel may harvest 7,000 lb (3,175 kg) from its 2017 fishing year scallop access area allocation during the first 60 days that the Mid-Atlantic Access Area is open in fishing year 2017 (March 1, 2017, through April 29, 2018). Unless otherwise specified in Sec. 648.59, if an Access Area is not open in the subsequent fishing year, then the unharvested scallop allocation would expire at the end of the fishing year that the scallops were allocated. * * * * * (e) Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside Harvest in Access Areas--(1) Access Areas available for harvest of research set-aside (RSA). Unless otherwise specified, RSA may be harvested in any access area that is open in a given fishing year, as specified through a framework adjustment and pursuant to Sec. 648.56. The amount of scallops that can be harvested in each access area by vessels participating in approved RSA projects shall be determined through the RSA application review and approval process. The access areas open for RSA harvest for fishing years 2016 and 2017 are: (i) 2016: The Mid-Atlantic Scallop Access Area, as specified in Sec. 648.59(a). (ii) 2017: None. (2) [Reserved] * * * * * (g) Limited Access General Category Gear restrictions. An LAGC IFQ scallop vessel authorized to fish in the Access Areas specified in Sec. 648.59(b) through (e) must fish with dredge gear only. The combined dredge width in use by, or in possession on board of, an LAGC scallop vessel fishing in Closed Area I, Closed Area II, and Nantucket Lightship Access Areas may not exceed 10.5 ft (3.2 m). The combined dredge width in use by, or in possession on board of, an LAGC scallop vessel fishing in the remaining Access Areas described in Sec. 648.59 may not exceed 31 ft (9.4 m). Dredge width is measured at the widest point in the bail of the dredge. * * * * * (3) LAGC IFQ Access Area Trips. (i) An LAGC scallop vessel authorized to fish in the Access Areas specified in Sec. 648.59(a) through (e) or in (g)(3)(iv) of this section may land scallops, subject to the possession limit specified in Sec. 648.52(a), unless the Regional Administrator has issued a notice that the number of LAGC IFQ access area trips have been or are projected to be taken. The total number of LAGC IFQ trips in a specified Access Area for fishing year 2016 and 2017 are: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Access area 2016 2017 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mid-Atlantic Access Area................ 2,068 602 Closed Area 1........................... 0 0 Closed Area 2........................... 0 0 Nantucket Lightship..................... 0 0 Nantucket Lightship North............... 485 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (ii) Scallops landed by each LAGC IFQ vessel on an access area trip shall count against the vessel's IFQ. (iii) Upon a determination from the Regional Administrator that the total number of LAGC IFQ trips in a specified Access Area have been or are projected to be taken, the Regional Administrator shall publish notification of this determination in the Federal Register, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. Once this determination has been made, an LAGC IFQ scallop vessel may not fish for, possess, or land scallops in or from the specified Access Area after the effective date of the notification published in the Federal Register. (iv) Nantucket Lightship North Sea Scallop Access Area. (A) From March 1, 2016, through February 28, 2018 (i.e., fishing years 2016 and 2017), a vessel issued an LAGC IFQ scallop permit may not fish for, possess, or land scallops in or from the area known as the Nantucket Lightship North Access Area, described in paragraph (g)(3)(iv)(B) of this section, unless the vessel is participating in, and complying with the requirements of, the area access program described in this section or the vessel is transiting pursuant to Sec. 648.59 (f). A vessel issued both a NE multispecies permit and an LAGC scallop permit may not fish in an approved SAP under Sec. 648.85 and under multispecies DAS in the scallop access area, unless it complies with restrictions in paragraph (d)(5)(ii)(C) of this section. (B) The Nantucket Lightship North Sea Scallop Access Area is defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated (copies of a chart depicting this area are available from the Regional Administrator upon request): ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Point Latitude Longitude ------------------------------------------------------------------------ NLNAA1......................... 40[deg]50' N. 69[deg]00' W. NLNAA2......................... 40[deg]30' N. 69[deg]00' W. NLNAA3......................... 40[deg]30' N. 69[deg]30' W. NLNAA4......................... 40[deg]50' N. 69[deg]30' W. NLNAA1......................... 40[deg]50' N. 69[deg]00' W. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ * * * * * [FR Doc. 2016-03624 Filed 2-23-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 36 / Wednesday, February 24, 2016 / Proposed Rules 9151
in accordance with the leash that requires proof of a current rabies DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
requirements that apply to each area. vaccination, a valid, current county or
(6) May I leave a dog unattended? No. municipal license tag suffices for such National Oceanic and Atmospheric
An unattended dog is prohibited. proof. In counties or municipalities Administration
(7) May I walk more than three dogs where such current rabies
at one time? (i) Walking four to six dogs documentation is not required, where 50 CFR Part 648
per person at one time is prohibited such ‘‘annual’’ tags are not issued or [Docket No. 151210999–6081–01]
unless you obtain a dog walking permit where counties or municipalities are not
from the NPS and remain in areas able to release that information to NPS RIN 0648–BF59
designated for that use in paragraph
for purposes of health and safety or law Fisheries of the Northeastern United
(d)(3) of this section during the times
enforcement, a dog walker must States; Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery;
specified in paragraph (d)(9) below.
(ii) Walking more than six dogs at one produce official documentation meeting Framework Adjustment 27
time is prohibited. the requirements in paragraph (d)(10)(i)
of this section when asked by any AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
(iii) Persons may not enter the park
authorized person. Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
with more than six dogs at one time. In
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
addition, dog walkers entering the park (iii) A dog walker must immediately Commerce.
with four or more dogs may not pick up a dog’s excrement and place it
circumvent the permit requirement by ACTION: Proposed rule.
in a designated garbage container or
leaving dogs unattended or in a parked remove it from the park. Excrement may SUMMARY: NMFS proposes to approve
vehicle while they walk fewer than four not be left on the ground, even if and implement measures included in
dogs at one time. bagged, and may not be deposited in Framework Adjustment 27 to the
(8) How do I obtain an NPS dog compost or recycling receptacles, or left Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery
walking permit? (i) Annual permits may on the ground in the park for collection Management Plan, which the New
be obtained by applying in person at the later. England Fishery Management Council
Golden Gate National Recreation Area, adopted and submitted to NMFS for
Office of Special Uses, Fort Mason, San (iv) An uncontrolled dog is
prohibited. A dog walker must be in approval. The purpose of Framework 27
Francisco, CA. 94123, or on the park is to prevent overfishing, improve yield-
Web site. All permits will require proof control of his or her dog at all times
per-recruit, and improve the overall
of liability insurance and proof of regardless of circumstances or
management of the Atlantic sea scallop
successfully completing a dog-handling distractions. An authorized person may
fishery. Framework 27 would: Set
training course that is accepted by the instruct a dog walker to remove an
specifications for the scallop fishery for
superintendent. The NPS charges a fee uncontrolled dog from the park.
fishing year 2016, including days-at-sea
to recover the costs of administering the (v) A dog in heat is prohibited. allocations, individual fishing quotas,
special use permits. Permit applicants and sea scallop access area trip
must pay the fee charged by the NPS in (vi) A dog under four months old
must be leashed, crated or confined in allocations; create a new rotational
order to obtain a special use permit. closed area south of Closed Area II to
(ii) Violation of a term or condition of a carrier at all times, including in Voice
and Sight Control Areas. protect small scallops; and open the
a permit issued in accordance with this
northern portion of the Nantucket
section is prohibited. In addition, the (vii) Dogs are not allowed to breed in Lightship Access Area to the Limited
superintendent may temporarily or the park. Access General Category fleet and
permanently revoke a person’s dog (11) May the superintendent impose transfer 19 percent of the Limited
walking permit, or deny a person’s additional closures or restrictions in Access General Category access area
request for a dog walking permit, based
areas open to dog walking? Yes. Areas trips from the Mid-Atlantic Access Area
upon documented violation(s) of NPS
or portions thereof that are open to on- to the northern portion of the Nantucket
regulations or failure to comply with the
leash or off-leash dog walking may be Lightship Access Area.
terms and conditions of a dog walking
closed or subject to additional DATES: Comments must be received by
permit.
(9) At what times will permitted dog restrictions by the superintendent, on a March 25, 2016.
walking of four to six dogs be allowed? temporary or permanent basis, for the ADDRESSES: The Council is developing
Permitted dog walking of four to six protection or restoration of park an environmental assessment (EA) for
dogs is only authorized Monday through resources, special events, this action that describes the proposed
Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. The implementation of management measures and other considered
times for permitted dog walking of four responsibilities, health and safety, alternatives and provides a thorough
to six dogs may be adjusted by the infrastructure projects, visitor use analysis of the impacts of the proposed
superintendent following public notice conflicts, or other factors within the measures and alternatives. The Council
consistent with one of the methods discretion of the superintendent. Except submitted a decision draft of the
listed in § 1.7(a) of this chapter. in emergency situations, the NPS will framework to NMFS that includes the
(10) What other restrictions apply in provide public notice of such changes draft EA, a description of the Council’s
areas open to dog walking under this under one or more of the methods listed preferred alternative, the Council’s
paragraph (d)? (i) All dogs must have in § 1.7 of this chapter before any such rationale for selecting each alternative,
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
identification tags affixed to their collar changes are implemented. and an Initial Regulatory Flexibility
that confirm proof of current rabies Dated: January 28, 2016.
Analysis (IRFA). Copies of the decision
vaccinations and their owner’s name, draft of the framework, the draft EA, and
Michael Bean, the IRFA, are available upon request
address, and phone number; except as
provided for in paragraph (d)(10)(ii) of Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish from Thomas A. Nies, Executive
this section. and Wildlife and Parks. Director, New England Fishery
(ii) In counties or municipalities [FR Doc. 2016–03731 Filed 2–23–16; 8:45 am] Management Council, 50 Water Street,
where an annual dog license is issued BILLING CODE 4310–EJ–P Newburyport, MA 01950.
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:26 Feb 23, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\24FEP1.SGM 24FEP1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_9187/page/1.svg)
![9156 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 36 / Wednesday, February 24, 2016 / Proposed Rules
Dated: February 17, 2016. § 648.52 Possession and landing limits. (i) The limited access fishery sub-
Samuel D. Rauch III, * * * * * ACLs for fishing years 2016 and 2017
Deputy Assistant Administrator for (f) A limited access vessel or an LAGC are:
Regulatory Programs, National Marine vessel that is declared into the Sea (A) 2016: 36,884 mt.
Fisheries Service. (B) 2017: 36,884 mt.
Scallop Area Access Program as
For the reasons set out in the described in § 648.60, may not possess (ii) The limited access fishery ACTs
preamble, 50 CFR part 648 is proposed more than 50 bu (17.6 hL) or 75 bu (26.4 for fishing years 2016 and 2017 are:
to be amended as follows: hL), respectively, of in-shell scallops (A) 2016: 18,290 mt.
outside of the Access Areas described in (B) 2017: 18,290 mt.
PART 648—FISHERIES OF THE § 648.59(a) through (e). (4) LAGC fleet sub-ACL. The sub-ACL
NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES for the LAGC IFQ fishery shall be equal
* * * * *
to 5.5 percent of the ACL specified in
■ 1. The authority citation for part 648 ■ 5. In § 648.53, paragraphs (a), (b)(1), paragraph (a)(1) of this section, after
continues to read as follows: (b)(4), and (g)(1) are revised, and deducting incidental catch, observer set-
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
paragraph (h)(5)(iv)(D) is removed to aside, and research set-aside, as
read as follows: specified in this paragraph (a)(4). The
■ 2. In § 648.14, paragraphs
(i)(2)(ii)(B)(7) and (i)(3)(v)(B) are § 648.53 Acceptable biological catch LAGC IFQ fishery ACT shall be equal to
revised, and paragraph (i)(3)(v)(C) is (ABC), annual catch limits (ACL), annual the LAGC IFQ fishery’s ACL. The ACL
added to read as follows: catch targets (ACT), DAS allocations, and for the LAGC IFQ fishery for vessels
individual fishing quotas (IFQ). issued only a LAGC IFQ scallop permit
§ 648.14 Prohibitions. shall be equal to 5 percent of the ACL
(a) Scallop fishery ABC. The ABC for
* * * * * the scallop fishery shall be established specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this
(i) * * * section, after deducting incidental
(2) * * * through the framework adjustment
process specified in § 648.55 and is catch, observer set-aside, and research
(ii) * * * set-aside, as specified in this paragraph
(B) * * * equal to the overall scallop fishery ACL
minus discards. The ABC/ACL, after (a)(4). The ACL for the LAGC IFQ
(7) Fish in a Sea Scallop Access Area,
discards are removed, shall be divided fishery for vessels issued only both a
as described in § 648.59, with more
as sub-ACLs between limited access LAGC IFQ scallop permit and a limited
persons on board the vessel than the
vessels, limited access vessels that are access scallop permit shall be 0.5
number specified in § 648.51(c) or
fishing under a LAGC permit, and LAGC percent of the ACL specified in
§ 648.51(e)(3)(i), unless otherwise
vessels as specified in paragraphs (a)(3) paragraph (a)(1) of this section, after
authorized by the Regional
and (4) of this section, after deducting deducting incidental catch, observer set-
Administrator.
the scallop incidental catch target TAC aside, and research set-aside, as
* * * * * specified in this paragraph (a)(4).
(3) * * * specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this
section, observer set-aside specified in (i) The ACLs for fishing years 2016
(v) * * * and 2017 for LAGC IFQ vessels without
(B) Declare into or leave port for an paragraph (g)(1) of this section, and
research set-aside specified in a limited access scallop permit are:
area specified in § 648.59(a) through (d)
§ 648.56(d). The ABC/ACL for the 2017 (A) 2016: 1,845 mt.
after the effective date of a notification
fishing year is subject to change through (B) 2017: 1,845 mt.
published in the Federal Register
a future framework adjustment. (ii) The ACLs for fishing years 2016
stating that the number of LAGC trips
and 2017 for vessels issued both a LAGC
have been taken, as specified in (1) ABC/ACL for fishing years 2016
and a limited access scallop permits are:
§ 648.60. through 2017, excluding discards, shall
(C) Fish for, possess, or land scallops (A) 2016: 184 mt.
be:
in or from any Sea Scallop Access Area (B) 2017: 184 mt.
(i) 2016: 37,852 mt. (b) * * *
specified at § 648.59, unless declared
(ii) 2017: 37,852 mt. (1) Landings per unit effort (LPUE).
into the Sea Scallop Access Area
Program. (2) Scallop incidental catch target LPUE is an estimate of the average
TAC. The annual incidental catch target amount of scallops, in pounds, that the
* * * * * limited access scallop fleet lands per
TAC for vessels with incidental catch
■ 3. In § 648.51, paragraph (e)(2) is
scallop permits is 22.7 mt. DAS fished. The estimated LPUE is the
revised to read as follows:
(3) Limited access fleet sub-ACL and average LPUE for all limited access
§ 648.51 Gear and crew restrictions. ACT. The limited access scallop fishery scallop vessels fishing under DAS, and
* * * * * shall be allocated 94.5 percent of the shall be used to calculate DAS specified
(e) * * * ACL specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this in paragraph (b)(4) of this section, the
(2) The vessel may not use or have section, after deducting incidental DAS reduction for the AM specified in
more than one dredge on board. catch, observer set-aside, and research paragraph (b)(4)(ii) of this section, and
However, component parts may be on set-aside, as specified in this paragraph the observer set-aside DAS allocation
board the vessel such that they do not (a)(3). ACT for the limited access scallop specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this
conform with the definition of ‘‘dredge fishery shall be established through the section. LPUE shall be:
or dredge gear’’ in § 648.2, i.e., the metal framework adjustment process (i) 2016 fishing year: 2,316 lb/DAS
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
ring bag and the mouth frame, or bail, described in § 648.55. DAS specified in (1,051 kg/DAS).
of the dredge are not attached, and no paragraph (b) of this section shall be (ii) 2017 fishing year: 2,690 lb/DAS
more than one complete spare dredge based on the ACTs specified in (1,220 kg/DAS).
could be made from these component’s paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this section. The (iii) [Reserved]
parts. limited access fleet sub-ACL and ACT * * * * *
* * * * * for the 2017 fishing year are subject to (4) Each vessel qualifying for one of
■ 4. In § 648.52, paragraph (f) is revised change through a future framework the three DAS categories specified in the
to read as follows: adjustment. table in this paragraph (b)(4) (full-time,
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![9158 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 36 / Wednesday, February 24, 2016 / Proposed Rules
not available for immediate use as accordance with paragraph (f) of this year, provided that no single trip
defined in § 648.2. section. A vessel issued both a NE exceeds the possession limits specified
* * * * * multispecies permit and an LAGC in paragraph (a)(5) of this section,
7. In § 648.59, paragraphs (a)(1), (b)(1), scallop permit may not fish in an unless authorized by the Regional
(c)(1), and (d)(1) are revised and approved SAP under § 648.85 and under Administrator, as specified in
paragraph (a)(2)(i) is removed and multispecies DAS in the scallop access paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section,
reserved to read as follows: area, unless it complies with restrictions (B) Full-time scallop vessels. (1) In
in paragraph (c)(5)(ii)(C) of this section. fishing year 2016, each full-time vessel
§ 648.59 Sea Scallop Access Areas. * * * * * shall have a total of 51,000 lb (23,133
(a) * * * (d) * * * kg) of scallops that may be harvested
(1) Beginning March 1, 2016, through (1) From March 1, 2016, through from the Mid-Atlantic Access Area, as
February 28, 2018 (i.e., fishing years February 28, 2018 (i.e., fishing years defined in § 648.59(a).
2016 and 2017), a vessel issued a 2016 and 2017), a vessel issued a (2) For the 2017 fishing year, each
scallop permit may not fish for, possess, scallop permit may not fish for, possess, full-time vessel shall have a total of
or land scallops in or from the area or land scallops in or from the area 17,000 lb (7,711 kg) of scallops that may
known as the Mid-Atlantic Access Area known as the Nantucket Lightship be harvested from the Mid-Atlantic
unless the vessel is participating in, and Access Area, described in paragraph Access Area, as defined in § 648.59(a),
complies with the requirements of, the (d)(3) of this section, unless the vessel starting on April 1, 2017.
area access program described in is an IFQ LAGC vessel participating in,
and complying with the requirements (C) Part-time scallop vessels. (1) For
§ 648.60 or the vessel is transiting
of, the IFQ LAGC area access program the 2016 fishing year, each part-time
pursuant to paragraph (f) of this section.
described in § 648.60(g)(3), or the vessel scallop vessel shall have a total of
The Mid-Atlantic Access Area is
is transiting pursuant to paragraph (f) of 20,400 lb (9,253 kg) of scallop that may
comprised of the following scallop
this section. A vessel issued both a NE be harvested from the Mid-Atlantic
access areas: The Delmarva Scallop
multispecies permit and an LAGC Access Area, as defined in § 648.59(a).
Access Area, as described in paragraph
(a)(2) of this section; the Elephant Trunk scallop permit may not fish in an (2) For the 2016 fishing year, each
Scallop Access Area, as described in approved SAP under § 648.85 and under part-time scallop vessel shall have a
paragraph (a)(3) of this section; and the multispecies DAS in the scallop access total of 10,200 lb (4,627 kg) of scallop
Hudson Canyon Scallop Access Area, as area, unless it complies with restrictions that may be harvested from the Mid-
described in paragraph (a)(4) of this in paragraph (d)(5)(ii)(C) of this section. Atlantic Access Area, as defined in
section. * * * * * § 648.59(a), starting on April 1, 2017.
(2) * * * 8. In § 648.60, paragraphs (a)(3)(i), (D) Occasional scallop vessels. (1) For
(i) [Reserved] (a)(5)(i), (c), (e), (g) introductory text and the 2016 fishing year, each occasional
* * * * * (g)(3) are revised to read as follows: scallop vessel shall have a total of 4,250
(b) * * * lb (1,928 kg) of scallop that may be
§ 648.60 Sea scallop access area program harvested from the Mid-Atlantic Access
(1) From March 1, 2016, through requirements.
February 28, 2018 (i.e., fishing years Area, as defined in § 648.59(a).
(a) * * *
2016 and 2017), a vessel issued a (2) For the 2017 fishing year, each
(3) Sea Scallop Access Area
scallop permit may not fish for, possess, occasional scallop vessel shall have a
Allocations—(i) Limited access vessel
or land scallops in or from, the area allocations. (A) Except as provided in total of 1,420 lb (644 kg) of scallop that
known as the Closed Area I Scallop paragraph (c) of this section, paragraphs may be harvested from the Mid-Atlantic
Access Area, described in paragraph (a)(3)(i)(B) through (D) of this section Access Area, as defined in § 648.59(a),
(b)(3) of this section, unless transiting in specify the total amount of scallops, in starting on April 1, 2017.
accordance with paragraph (f) of this weight, that a limited access scallop * * * * *
section. A vessel issued both a NE vessel may harvest from Sea Scallop (5) Possession and landing limits—(i)
multispecies permit and an LAGC Access Areas during applicable seasons Scallop possession limits. Unless
scallop permit may not fish in an specified in § 648.59. A vessel may not authorized by the Regional
approved SAP under § 648.85 and under possess or land in excess of its scallop Administrator, as specified in paragraph
multispecies DAS in the scallop access allocation assigned to specific Sea (d) of this section, after declaring a trip
area, unless it complies with restrictions Scallop Access Areas, unless authorized into a Sea Scallop Access Area, a vessel
in paragraph (b)(5)(ii)(C) of this section. by the Regional Administrator, as owner or operator of a limited access
* * * * * specified in paragraph (d) of this scallop vessel may fish for, possess, and
(c) * * * section, unless the vessel owner has land, per trip, scallops, up to the
(1) From March 1, 2016, through exchanged an area-specific scallop maximum amounts specified in the
February 28, 2018 (i.e., fishing years allocation with another vessel owner for table in this paragraph (a)(5). No vessel
2016 and 2017), a vessel issued a additional scallop allocation in that declared into the Access Areas as
scallop permit may not fish for, possess, area, as specified in paragraph (a)(3)(ii) described in § 648.59(a) through (e) may
or land scallops in or from, the area of this section. A vessel may harvest its possess more than 50 bu (17.62 hL) of
known as the Closed Area II Access scallop allocation, as specified in in-shell scallops outside of the Access
Area, described in paragraph (c)(3) of paragraph (a)(3)(i)(B) of this section, on Areas described in § 648.59(a) through
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
this section, unless transiting in any number of trips in a given fishing (e).
Permit category possession limit
Fishing year
Full-time Part-time Occasional
2016 .................................................................................... 17,000 lb (57,711 kg) ....... 10,200 lb (4,627 kg) ......... 1,420 lb (644 kg).
2017 .................................................................................... 17,000 lb (57,711 kg) ....... 10,200 lb (4,627 kg) ......... 1,420 lb (644 kg).
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 36 / Wednesday, February 24, 2016 / Proposed Rules 9159
* * * * * (e) Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside combined dredge width in use by, or in
(c) Access area scallop allocation Harvest in Access Areas—(1) Access possession on board of, an LAGC
carryover. Unless otherwise specified in Areas available for harvest of research scallop vessel fishing in Closed Area I,
§ 648.59, a limited access scallop vessel set-aside (RSA). Unless otherwise Closed Area II, and Nantucket Lightship
operator may fish any unharvested specified, RSA may be harvested in any Access Areas may not exceed 10.5 ft (3.2
access area that is open in a given m). The combined dredge width in use
Scallop Access Area allocation from a
fishing year, as specified through a by, or in possession on board of, an
given fishing year within the first 60
framework adjustment and pursuant to LAGC scallop vessel fishing in the
days of the subsequent fishing year if
§ 648.56. The amount of scallops that remaining Access Areas described in
the Access Area is open. For example,
can be harvested in each access area by § 648.59 may not exceed 31 ft (9.4 m).
if a full-time vessel has 7,000 lb (3,175 vessels participating in approved RSA Dredge width is measured at the widest
kg) remaining in the Mid-Atlantic projects shall be determined through the point in the bail of the dredge.
Access Area at the end of fishing year RSA application review and approval * * * * *
2016, that vessel may harvest 7,000 lb process. The access areas open for RSA (3) LAGC IFQ Access Area Trips. (i)
(3,175 kg) from its 2017 fishing year harvest for fishing years 2016 and 2017 An LAGC scallop vessel authorized to
scallop access area allocation during the are: fish in the Access Areas specified in
first 60 days that the Mid-Atlantic (i) 2016: The Mid-Atlantic Scallop § 648.59(a) through (e) or in (g)(3)(iv) of
Access Area is open in fishing year 2017 Access Area, as specified in § 648.59(a). this section may land scallops, subject
(March 1, 2017, through April 29, 2018). (ii) 2017: None. to the possession limit specified in
Unless otherwise specified in § 648.59, (2) [Reserved] § 648.52(a), unless the Regional
if an Access Area is not open in the * * * * * Administrator has issued a notice that
subsequent fishing year, then the (g) Limited Access General Category the number of LAGC IFQ access area
unharvested scallop allocation would Gear restrictions. An LAGC IFQ scallop trips have been or are projected to be
expire at the end of the fishing year that vessel authorized to fish in the Access taken. The total number of LAGC IFQ
the scallops were allocated. Areas specified in § 648.59(b) through trips in a specified Access Area for
* * * * * (e) must fish with dredge gear only. The fishing year 2016 and 2017 are:
Access area 2016 2017
Mid-Atlantic Access Area ......................................................................................................................................... 2,068 602
Closed Area 1 .......................................................................................................................................................... 0 0
Closed Area 2 .......................................................................................................................................................... 0 0
Nantucket Lightship ................................................................................................................................................. 0 0
Nantucket Lightship North ....................................................................................................................................... 485 0
(ii) Scallops landed by each LAGC both a NE multispecies permit and an DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
IFQ vessel on an access area trip shall LAGC scallop permit may not fish in an
count against the vessel’s IFQ. approved SAP under § 648.85 and under National Oceanic and Atmospheric
(iii) Upon a determination from the multispecies DAS in the scallop access Administration
Regional Administrator that the total area, unless it complies with restrictions
number of LAGC IFQ trips in a specified in paragraph (d)(5)(ii)(C) of this section. 50 CFR Part 648
Access Area have been or are projected (B) The Nantucket Lightship North RIN 0648–BF04
to be taken, the Regional Administrator Sea Scallop Access Area is defined by
shall publish notification of this Fisheries of the Northeastern United
straight lines connecting the following
determination in the Federal Register, States; Amendment 17 to the Atlantic
points in the order stated (copies of a
in accordance with the Administrative Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fishery
chart depicting this area are available
Procedure Act. Once this determination Management Plan
from the Regional Administrator upon
has been made, an LAGC IFQ scallop AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
request):
vessel may not fish for, possess, or land Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
scallops in or from the specified Access Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Point Latitude Longitude
Area after the effective date of the Commerce.
notification published in the Federal NLNAA1 ......... 40°50′ N. 69°00′ W. ACTION: Notice of availability of
Register. NLNAA2 ......... 40°30′ N. 69°00′ W. proposed fishery management plan
(iv) Nantucket Lightship North Sea NLNAA3 ......... 40°30′ N. 69°30′ W. amendment; request for comments.
Scallop Access Area. (A) From March 1, NLNAA4 ......... 40°50′ N. 69°30′ W.
2016, through February 28, 2018 (i.e., NLNAA1 ......... 40°50′ N. 69°00′ W. SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the
fishing years 2016 and 2017), a vessel Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management
issued an LAGC IFQ scallop permit may * * * * * Council has submitted Amendment 17
not fish for, possess, or land scallops in [FR Doc. 2016–03624 Filed 2–23–16; 8:45 am] to the Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
or from the area known as the Nantucket BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Quahog Fishery Management Plan for
Lightship North Access Area, described review and approval by the Secretary of
in paragraph (g)(3)(iv)(B) of this section, Commerce. We are requesting comments
unless the vessel is participating in, and from the public on the amendment.
complying with the requirements of, the Amendment 17 would establish cost
area access program described in this recovery provisions for these individual
section or the vessel is transiting transferable quota clam fisheries,
pursuant to § 648.59 (f). A vessel issued modify how biological reference points
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Document Created: 2016-02-23 23:55:44
Document Modified: 2016-02-23 23:55:44
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Proposed Rules | |
| Action | Proposed rule. | |
| Dates | Comments must be received by March 25, 2016. | |
| Contact | Travis Ford, Fishery Policy Analyst, 978-281-9233. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 9151 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-BF59 | |
| CFR Associated | Fisheries; Fishing and Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements |
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