82_FR_50312 82 FR 50104 - Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Modifications to the Number of Unrigged Hooks Carried On Board Bottom Longline Vessels

82 FR 50104 - Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Modifications to the Number of Unrigged Hooks Carried On Board Bottom Longline Vessels

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 208 (October 30, 2017)

Page Range50104-50106
FR Document2017-23460

NMFS proposes to implement management measures described in an abbreviated framework action to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP), as prepared by the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) Fishery Management Council (Council). This proposed rule would remove the limit on the number of unrigged hooks that a commercial reef fish vessel with a bottom longline endorsement is allowed on board when using or carrying bottom longline gear in the Federal waters of the eastern Gulf. The proposed rule would not change the limit of 750 hooks that these vessels can have rigged for fishing at any given time. The purpose of the proposed rule is to reduce the regulatory and potential economic burden to bottom longline fishers.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 208 (Monday, October 30, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 208 (Monday, October 30, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 50104-50106]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-23460]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 170619570-7570-01]
RIN 0648-BG92


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Modifications to the Number of 
Unrigged Hooks Carried On Board Bottom Longline Vessels

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS proposes to implement management measures described in an 
abbreviated framework action to the Fishery Management Plan for the 
Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP), as prepared by the 
Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) Fishery Management Council (Council). This 
proposed rule would remove the limit on the number of unrigged hooks 
that a commercial reef fish vessel with a bottom longline endorsement 
is allowed on board when using or carrying bottom longline gear in the 
Federal waters of the eastern Gulf. The proposed rule would not change 
the limit of 750 hooks that these vessels can have rigged for fishing 
at any given time. The purpose of the proposed rule is to reduce the 
regulatory and potential economic burden to bottom longline fishers.

DATES: Written comments must be received by November 14, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the proposed rule, identified by 
``NOAA-NMFS-2017-0081'' by either of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic comments via 
the Federal Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-0081, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, 
complete the required fields, and enter your attached comments.
     Mail: Submit all written comments to Kelli O'Donnell, NMFS 
Southeast Regional Office (SERO), 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

[[Page 50105]]

and will generally be posted for public viewing on www.regulations.gov 
without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, 
address), 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 
required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).
    Electronic copies of the abbreviated framework action, which 
includes an environmental assessment, Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) 
analysis, and a regulatory impact review, may be obtained from 
www.regulations.gov or the SERO Web site at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_fisheries/reef_fish/2017/Unrigged%20hooks/Unrigged_hooks_index.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelli O'Donnell, NMFS SERO, telephone: 
727-824-5305, email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf reef fish fishery includes the 
commercial bottom longline component and is managed under the FMP. The 
Council prepared the FMP and NMFS implements the FMP under the 
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (Magnuson-Steven Act) through regulations at 50 CFR part 622.

Background

    The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires NMFS and regional fishery 
management councils to prevent overfishing and achieve, on a continuing 
basis, the optimum yield from federally managed fish stocks to ensure 
that fishery resources are managed for the greatest overall benefit to 
the nation.
    In 2008, using data from Federal fishery observers, the NMFS 
Southeast Fisheries Science Center estimated sea turtle takes by the 
commercial bottom longline component of the Gulf reef fish fishery 
exceeded the 3-year anticipated take levels that were described in the 
2005 Endangered Species Act biological opinion on the reef fish 
fishery. Therefore, the Council and NMFS developed management measures 
in Amendment 31 to the FMP to reduce sea turtle takes by the bottom 
longline component of the Gulf reef fish fishery (75 FR 21512; April 
26, 2010). These management measures require an endorsement to the 
Federal commercial reef fish permit to fish for reef fish using bottom 
longline gear in the Gulf east of 85[deg]30' west longitude (near Cape 
San Blas, FL), and a seasonal closure for bottom longline gear use in 
that area. In addition, vessels in that area that have the endorsement 
and are fishing with bottom longline gear or have bottom longline gear 
on board cannot possess more than 1,000 hooks total per vessel of which 
no more than 750 hooks can be rigged for fishing.

Management Measures Contained in This Proposed Rule

    This proposed rule would remove the current limitation on the 
number of unrigged hooks allowed per bottom longline vessel in the 
eastern Gulf EEZ, while retaining the limit of 750 hooks that can be 
rigged for fishing.
    Since the implementation of Amendment 31, bottom longline 
endorsement holders using bottom longline gear in the eastern Gulf EEZ 
have reported increases in bottom longline hook losses due to shark 
bite-offs and through normal fishing effort. Therefore, vessel 
operators that use bottom longline gear in the eastern Gulf EEZ 
requested that the Council increase the number of total unrigged hooks 
per vessel, while still keeping in place the restriction of 750 hooks 
rigged to fish at any one time.
    Observer data from 2010-2016 has shown the average amount of hooks 
lost per commercial bottom longline trip in the eastern Gulf EEZ is 300 
hooks. Under the current total possession limit, if more than 250 hooks 
are lost, a vessel either has to fish with fewer than 750 hooks, get 
additional hooks from other vessels to maintain the maximum number of 
hooks in the water, or return to port. Based on public testimony, 
removing the restriction on the total number of hooks kept on board is 
expected to make trips more economical by allowing fishing with the 
maximum number of hooks to continue without having to return to port or 
request additional hooks from other vessels. In addition, maintaining 
the current limit of 750 hooks rigged for fishing would preserve the 
reductions in sea turtle interactions since the implementation of 
Amendment 31.

Classification

    Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the 
NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that this proposed rule is 
consistent with the FMP, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable 
law, subject to further consideration after public comment.
    This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce 
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration (SBA) that this proposed rule, if adopted, would not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. The factual basis for this certification is as follows.
    A description of this proposed rule, why it is being considered, 
and the objectives of, and legal basis for this proposed rule are 
contained in the preamble.
    This proposed rule would directly affect commercial fishing vessels 
that use bottom longline gear to harvest reef fish from the Gulf EEZ 
east of 85[deg]30' west longitude, east of Cape San Blas, FL. These 
vessels are required to have an eastern Gulf reef fish bottom longline 
endorsement, and as of July 6, 2017, 62 vessels have that endorsement.
    NMFS estimates up to 62 commercial longline vessels could be 
directly affected annually, and that 36 to 37 businesses own these 62 
vessels. These businesses represent approximately 6 percent of the 631 
businesses that own at least one commercial fishing vessel with a Gulf 
reef fish permit. NMFS expects that most to all of the directly 
affected vessels make their landings in Florida, and from 2011 through 
2015, an annual average of 59 longline vessels landed Gulf reef fish in 
the state and individually landed an average of 71,130 lb (32,264 kg), 
gutted weight, of reef fish annually. With an average 2015 dockside 
price of $4.01 per lb, gutted weight, the average longline vessel had 
annual dockside revenue of $285,231 from reef fish landings. That 
annual revenue is estimated to represent approximately 98 to 99 percent 
of the average longline vessel's annual revenues from all landings.
    For RFA purposes, NMFS has established a small business size 
standard for businesses, including their affiliates, whose primary 
industry is commercial fishing (see 50 CFR 200.2). A business primarily 
involved in commercial fishing (NAICS 11411) is classified as a small 
business if it is independently owned and operated, is not dominant in 
its field of operation (including its affiliates), and its combined 
annual receipts are not in excess of $11 million for all of its 
affiliated operations worldwide. Based on the average annual dockside 
revenue of a longline vessel, it is expected that most to all of the 
businesses that would be directly affected by the proposed rule are 
small.
    Since May 2010, within the Gulf EEZ east of 85[deg]30' west 
longitude, a vessel for which a valid eastern Gulf reef fish bottom 
longline endorsement has been issued and that is fishing bottom 
longline gear or has bottom longline

[[Page 50106]]

gear on board cannot possess more than a total of 1,000 hooks, and no 
more than 750 hooks can be rigged for fishing at any given time.
    Industry representatives have indicated that a total of 1,000 hooks 
is not enough on long trips to compensate for hook losses due to 
sharks' biting hooks off and other general reasons. Under the current 
total possession limit, if more than 250 hooks are lost, a vessel 
either has to fish with fewer than 750 hooks or acquire additional 
hooks from other vessels to maintain the maximum number of hooks in the 
water. A third option is for the vessel to end the trip and return to 
port; however, that reduces the vessel landings. Observer data 
indicates an average of over 250 hooks were lost per trip from 2011 
through 2016; however, despite the total hook limit and the average 
hook loss, average landings of reef fish per longline trip increased 
over that time.
    The proposed rule would allow a vessel with a longline endorsement 
to possess an unlimited number of hooks, but it would not change the 
maximum number that can be rigged for fishing. Any bottom longline 
vessel that would increase the total number of hooks it possesses 
beyond 1,000 would do so only if there were an economic benefit of 
doing so. Removing the limit on the number of unrigged hooks that can 
be onboard is expected to improve fishers' ability to maintain the 
maximum number of rigged hooks over the duration of a trip. There is 
insufficient information to estimate the number of vessels that may 
benefit from possessing more than 1,000 hooks and the magnitude of such 
a benefit.
    NMFS expects this proposed rule would not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, and an 
initial regulatory flexibility analysis is not required and none has 
been prepared.
    No duplicative, overlapping, or conflicting Federal rules have been 
identified. In addition, no new reporting, record-keeping, or other 
compliance requirements are introduced by this proposed rule. 
Accordingly, this proposed rule does not implicate the Paperwork 
Reduction Act.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 622

    Bottom longline gear, Fisheries, Fishing, Gulf of Mexico, Reef 
fish.

    Dated: October 24, 2017.
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 622 is 
proposed to be amended as follows:

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

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

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

0
2. In Sec.  622.35, revise the first sentence of paragraph (b)(3) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  622.35  Gear restricted areas.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (3) Within the Gulf EEZ east of 85[deg]30' W. long., a vessel for 
which a valid eastern Gulf reef fish bottom longline endorsement has 
been issued that is fishing bottom longline gear or has bottom longline 
gear on board cannot possess more than 750 hooks rigged for fishing at 
any given time. * * *
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2017-23460 Filed 10-27-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P



                                                 50104                  Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 208 / Monday, October 30, 2017 / Proposed Rules

                                                 PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE                               quotas) specified in § 622.190(a)(2)(iv),             DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
                                                 CARIBBEAN, GULF OF MEXICO, AND                          and the combined commercial and
                                                 SOUTH ATLANTIC                                          recreational ACL of 323,000 lb (146,510               National Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                                                                         kg), gutted weight, 361,760 lb (164,092               Administration
                                                 ■ 1. The authority citation for part 622                kg), round weight, is exceeded during
                                                 continues to read as follows:                           the same fishing year, and golden                     50 CFR Part 622
                                                     Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.                   tilefish are overfished based on the most             [Docket No. 170619570–7570–01]
                                                 ■ 2. In § 622.190, suspend paragraphs                   recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to
                                                                                                                                                               RIN 0648–BG92
                                                 (a)(2)(i) through (iii) and add paragraphs              Congress, the AA will file a notification
                                                 (a)(2)(iv) through (vi) to read as follows:             with the Office of the Federal Register               Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of
                                                                                                         to reduce the commercial ACL for that                 Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish
                                                 § 622.190    Quotas.                                    following fishing year by the amount of               Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico;
                                                 *      *      *     *       *                           the commercial ACL overage in the                     Modifications to the Number of
                                                    (a) * * *                                            prior fishing year.                                   Unrigged Hooks Carried On Board
                                                    (2) * * *                                            *       *     *     *     *                           Bottom Longline Vessels
                                                    (iv) Hook-and-line and longline
                                                 components combined—313,310 lb                             (3) Recreational sector. (i) If                    AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries
                                                 (142,115 kg).                                           recreational landings of golden tilefish,             Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
                                                    (v) Hook-and-line component—78,328                   as estimated by the SRD, reach or are                 Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
                                                 lb (35,529 kg).                                         projected to reach the recreational ACL               Commerce.
                                                    (vi) Longline component—234,982 lb                   of 2,187 fish, the AA will file a                     ACTION: Proposed rule; request for
                                                 (106,586 kg).                                           notification with the Office of the                   comments.
                                                 *      *      *     *       *                           Federal Register to close the recreational
                                                                                                                                                               SUMMARY:    NMFS proposes to implement
                                                 ■ 3. In § 622.193, suspend paragraphs                   sector for the remainder of the fishing
                                                                                                                                                               management measures described in an
                                                 (a)(1)(i), (ii), and (iii), and (a)(2), and             year regardless if the stock is overfished,
                                                                                                                                                               abbreviated framework action to the
                                                 add paragraphs (a)(1)(iv), (v), and (vi),               unless NMFS determines that no closure                Fishery Management Plan for the Reef
                                                 and (a)(3) to read as follows:                          is necessary based on the best scientific             Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico
                                                                                                         information available. On and after the               (FMP), as prepared by the Gulf of
                                                 § 622.193 Annual catch limits (ACLs),
                                                                                                         effective date of such a notification, the            Mexico (Gulf) Fishery Management
                                                 annual catch targets (ACTs), and
                                                 accountability measures (AMs).                          bag and possession limits for golden                  Council (Council). This proposed rule
                                                                                                         tilefish in or from the South Atlantic                would remove the limit on the number
                                                    (a) * * *
                                                                                                         EEZ are zero.                                         of unrigged hooks that a commercial
                                                    (1) * * *
                                                    (iv) Hook-and-line component. If                        (ii) If recreational landings of golden            reef fish vessel with a bottom longline
                                                 commercial landings for golden tilefish,                tilefish, as estimated by the SRD, exceed             endorsement is allowed on board when
                                                 as estimated by the SRD, reach or are                   the recreational ACL, then during the                 using or carrying bottom longline gear
                                                 projected to reach the commercial ACL                   following fishing year recreational                   in the Federal waters of the eastern Gulf.
                                                 (commercial quota) specified in                         landings will be monitored for a                      The proposed rule would not change the
                                                 § 622.190(a)(2)(v), the AA will file a                  persistence in increased landings, and if             limit of 750 hooks that these vessels can
                                                 notification with the Office of the                     necessary, the AA will file a notification            have rigged for fishing at any given
                                                 Federal Register to close the hook-and-                 with the Office of the Federal Register               time. The purpose of the proposed rule
                                                 line component of the commercial                                                                              is to reduce the regulatory and potential
                                                                                                         to reduce the length of the recreational
                                                 sector for the remainder of the fishing                                                                       economic burden to bottom longline
                                                                                                         fishing season and the recreational ACL
                                                 year. Applicable restrictions after a                                                                         fishers.
                                                                                                         by the amount of the recreational ACL
                                                 commercial quota closure are specified                  overage, if the species is overfished                 DATES: Written comments must be
                                                 in § 622.190(c).                                        based on the most recent Status of U.S.               received by November 14, 2017.
                                                    (v) Longline component. If                           Fisheries Report to Congress, and if the              ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
                                                 commercial landings for golden tilefish,                combined commercial and recreational                  on the proposed rule, identified by
                                                 as estimated by the SRD, reach or are                                                                         ‘‘NOAA–NMFS–2017–0081’’ by either
                                                                                                         ACL of 323,000 lb (146,510 kg), gutted
                                                 projected to reach the commercial ACL                                                                         of the following methods:
                                                                                                         weight, 361,760 lb (164,092 kg), round
                                                 (commercial quota) specified in
                                                                                                         weight, is exceeded during the same                      • Electronic Submission: Submit all
                                                 § 622.190(a)(2)(vi), the AA will file a                                                                       electronic comments via the Federal
                                                 notification with the Office of the                     fishing year. The AA will use the best
                                                                                                                                                               Rulemaking Portal. Go to
                                                 Federal Register to close the longline                  scientific information available to
                                                                                                                                                               www.regulations.gov/
                                                 component of the commercial sector for                  determine if reducing the length of the
                                                                                                                                                               #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-
                                                 the remainder of the fishing year. After                recreational fishing season and                       0081, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon,
                                                 the commercial ACL for the longline                     recreational ACL is necessary. When the               complete the required fields, and enter
                                                 component is reached or projected to be                 recreational sector is closed as a result             your attached comments.
                                                 reached, golden tilefish may not be                     of NMFS reducing the length of the                       • Mail: Submit all written comments
                                                 fished for or possessed by a vessel with                recreational fishing season and ACL, the              to Kelli O’Donnell, NMFS Southeast
nlaroche on DSK9F9SC42PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                 a golden tilefish longline endorsement.                 bag and possession limits for golden                  Regional Office (SERO), 263 13th
                                                 Applicable restrictions after a                         tilefish in or from the South Atlantic                Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
                                                 commercial quota closure are specified                  EEZ are zero.                                            • Instructions: Comments sent by any
                                                 in § 622.190(c).                                        *       *     *     *     *                           other method, to any other address or
                                                    (vi) If commercial landings of golden                [FR Doc. 2017–23453 Filed 10–27–17; 8:45 am]          individual, or received after the end of
                                                 tilefish, as estimated by the SRD, exceed               BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
                                                                                                                                                               the comment period, may not be
                                                 the commercial ACL (including both the                                                                        considered by NMFS. All comments
                                                 hook-and-line and longline component                                                                          received are a part of the public record


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                                                                        Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 208 / Monday, October 30, 2017 / Proposed Rules                                         50105

                                                 and will generally be posted for public                 addition, vessels in that area that have              Small Business Administration (SBA)
                                                 viewing on www.regulations.gov                          the endorsement and are fishing with                  that this proposed rule, if adopted,
                                                 without change. All personal identifying                bottom longline gear or have bottom                   would not have a significant economic
                                                 information (e.g., name, address),                      longline gear on board cannot possess                 impact on a substantial number of small
                                                 confidential business information, or                   more than 1,000 hooks total per vessel                entities. The factual basis for this
                                                 otherwise sensitive information                         of which no more than 750 hooks can                   certification is as follows.
                                                 submitted voluntarily by the sender will                be rigged for fishing.                                   A description of this proposed rule,
                                                 be publicly accessible. NMFS will                                                                             why it is being considered, and the
                                                                                                         Management Measures Contained in                      objectives of, and legal basis for this
                                                 accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/                   This Proposed Rule
                                                 A’’ in required fields if you wish to                                                                         proposed rule are contained in the
                                                 remain anonymous).                                         This proposed rule would remove the                preamble.
                                                    Electronic copies of the abbreviated                 current limitation on the number of                      This proposed rule would directly
                                                 framework action, which includes an                     unrigged hooks allowed per bottom                     affect commercial fishing vessels that
                                                 environmental assessment, Regulatory                    longline vessel in the eastern Gulf EEZ,              use bottom longline gear to harvest reef
                                                 Flexibility Act (RFA) analysis, and a                   while retaining the limit of 750 hooks                fish from the Gulf EEZ east of 85°30′
                                                 regulatory impact review, may be                        that can be rigged for fishing.                       west longitude, east of Cape San Blas,
                                                 obtained from www.regulations.gov or                       Since the implementation of                        FL. These vessels are required to have
                                                 the SERO Web site at http://                            Amendment 31, bottom longline                         an eastern Gulf reef fish bottom longline
                                                 sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_                         endorsement holders using bottom                      endorsement, and as of July 6, 2017, 62
                                                 fisheries/gulf_fisheries/reef_fish/2017/                longline gear in the eastern Gulf EEZ                 vessels have that endorsement.
                                                 Unrigged%20hooks/Unrigged_hooks_                        have reported increases in bottom                        NMFS estimates up to 62 commercial
                                                 index.html.                                             longline hook losses due to shark bite-               longline vessels could be directly
                                                                                                         offs and through normal fishing effort.               affected annually, and that 36 to 37
                                                 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                        Therefore, vessel operators that use                  businesses own these 62 vessels. These
                                                 Kelli O’Donnell, NMFS SERO,                             bottom longline gear in the eastern Gulf              businesses represent approximately 6
                                                 telephone: 727–824–5305, email:                         EEZ requested that the Council increase               percent of the 631 businesses that own
                                                 Kelli.ODonnell@noaa.gov.                                the number of total unrigged hooks per                at least one commercial fishing vessel
                                                 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf                     vessel, while still keeping in place the              with a Gulf reef fish permit. NMFS
                                                 reef fish fishery includes the                          restriction of 750 hooks rigged to fish at            expects that most to all of the directly
                                                 commercial bottom longline component                    any one time.                                         affected vessels make their landings in
                                                 and is managed under the FMP. The                          Observer data from 2010–2016 has                   Florida, and from 2011 through 2015, an
                                                 Council prepared the FMP and NMFS                       shown the average amount of hooks lost                annual average of 59 longline vessels
                                                 implements the FMP under the                            per commercial bottom longline trip in                landed Gulf reef fish in the state and
                                                 authority of the Magnuson-Stevens                       the eastern Gulf EEZ is 300 hooks.                    individually landed an average of
                                                 Fishery Conservation and Management                     Under the current total possession limit,             71,130 lb (32,264 kg), gutted weight, of
                                                 Act (Magnuson-Steven Act) through                       if more than 250 hooks are lost, a vessel             reef fish annually. With an average 2015
                                                 regulations at 50 CFR part 622.                         either has to fish with fewer than 750                dockside price of $4.01 per lb, gutted
                                                                                                         hooks, get additional hooks from other                weight, the average longline vessel had
                                                 Background
                                                                                                         vessels to maintain the maximum                       annual dockside revenue of $285,231
                                                    The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires                    number of hooks in the water, or return               from reef fish landings. That annual
                                                 NMFS and regional fishery management                    to port. Based on public testimony,                   revenue is estimated to represent
                                                 councils to prevent overfishing and                     removing the restriction on the total                 approximately 98 to 99 percent of the
                                                 achieve, on a continuing basis, the                     number of hooks kept on board is                      average longline vessel’s annual
                                                 optimum yield from federally managed                    expected to make trips more economical                revenues from all landings.
                                                 fish stocks to ensure that fishery                      by allowing fishing with the maximum                     For RFA purposes, NMFS has
                                                 resources are managed for the greatest                  number of hooks to continue without                   established a small business size
                                                 overall benefit to the nation.                          having to return to port or request                   standard for businesses, including their
                                                    In 2008, using data from Federal                     additional hooks from other vessels. In               affiliates, whose primary industry is
                                                 fishery observers, the NMFS Southeast                   addition, maintaining the current limit               commercial fishing (see 50 CFR 200.2).
                                                 Fisheries Science Center estimated sea                  of 750 hooks rigged for fishing would                 A business primarily involved in
                                                 turtle takes by the commercial bottom                   preserve the reductions in sea turtle                 commercial fishing (NAICS 11411) is
                                                 longline component of the Gulf reef fish                interactions since the implementation of              classified as a small business if it is
                                                 fishery exceeded the 3-year anticipated                 Amendment 31.                                         independently owned and operated, is
                                                 take levels that were described in the                                                                        not dominant in its field of operation
                                                 2005 Endangered Species Act biological                  Classification                                        (including its affiliates), and its
                                                 opinion on the reef fish fishery.                         Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the             combined annual receipts are not in
                                                 Therefore, the Council and NMFS                         Magnuson-Stevens Act, the NMFS                        excess of $11 million for all of its
                                                 developed management measures in                        Assistant Administrator has determined                affiliated operations worldwide. Based
                                                 Amendment 31 to the FMP to reduce                       that this proposed rule is consistent                 on the average annual dockside revenue
                                                 sea turtle takes by the bottom longline                 with the FMP, the Magnuson-Stevens                    of a longline vessel, it is expected that
                                                 component of the Gulf reef fish fishery                 Act, and other applicable law, subject to             most to all of the businesses that would
nlaroche on DSK9F9SC42PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                 (75 FR 21512; April 26, 2010). These                    further consideration after public                    be directly affected by the proposed rule
                                                 management measures require an                          comment.                                              are small.
                                                 endorsement to the Federal commercial                     This proposed rule has been                            Since May 2010, within the Gulf EEZ
                                                 reef fish permit to fish for reef fish using            determined to be not significant for                  east of 85°30′ west longitude, a vessel
                                                 bottom longline gear in the Gulf east of                purposes of Executive Order 12866.                    for which a valid eastern Gulf reef fish
                                                 85°30′ west longitude (near Cape San                      The Chief Counsel for Regulation of                 bottom longline endorsement has been
                                                 Blas, FL), and a seasonal closure for                   the Department of Commerce certified                  issued and that is fishing bottom
                                                 bottom longline gear use in that area. In               to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the              longline gear or has bottom longline


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                                                 50106                  Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 208 / Monday, October 30, 2017 / Proposed Rules

                                                 gear on board cannot possess more than                    Dated: October 24, 2017.                            regulations in accordance with
                                                 a total of 1,000 hooks, and no more than                Samuel D. Rauch, III,                                 Amendment 21–3 to the Pacific Coast
                                                 750 hooks can be rigged for fishing at                  Deputy Assistant Administrator for                    Groundfish Fishery Management Plan
                                                 any given time.                                         Regulatory Programs, National Marine                  (PCGFMP) (see electronic access under
                                                                                                         Fisheries Service.                                    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION). The
                                                    Industry representatives have
                                                                                                           For the reasons set out in the                      proposed action would revise
                                                 indicated that a total of 1,000 hooks is
                                                                                                         preamble, 50 CFR part 622 is proposed                 regulations so that higher than
                                                 not enough on long trips to compensate
                                                                                                         to be amended as follows:                             anticipated harvest of darkblotched
                                                 for hook losses due to sharks’ biting                                                                         rockfish or POP that exceeds a sector’s
                                                 hooks off and other general reasons.                    PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE                             initial distribution of those species
                                                 Under the current total possession limit,               CARIBBEAN, GULF OF MEXICO, AND                        would not require automatic closure of
                                                 if more than 250 hooks are lost, a vessel               SOUTH ATLANTIC                                        one or more of the Pacific whiting at-sea
                                                 either has to fish with fewer than 750                                                                        sectors. This action is intended to
                                                 hooks or acquire additional hooks from                  ■ 1. The authority citation for part 622              reduce the risk of those sectors not
                                                 other vessels to maintain the maximum                   continues to read as follows:                         attaining their respective Pacific whiting
                                                 number of hooks in the water. A third                       Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.                 allocations based on the incidental
                                                 option is for the vessel to end the trip                                                                      catch of darkblotched rockfish or POP,
                                                                                                         ■ 2. In § 622.35, revise the first sentence
                                                 and return to port; however, that                                                                             when allowing the sector(s) to remain
                                                                                                         of paragraph (b)(3) to read as follows:
                                                 reduces the vessel landings. Observer                                                                         open would not exceed their respective
                                                 data indicates an average of over 250                   § 622.35    Gear restricted areas.                    annual catch limit (ACLs). This action
                                                 hooks were lost per trip from 2011                      *      *    *     *     *                             would not change or increase the risk of
                                                 through 2016; however, despite the total                   (b) * * *                                          exceeding darkblotched rockfish or POP
                                                 hook limit and the average hook loss,                      (3) Within the Gulf EEZ east of 85°30′             ACL, as the proposed rule would also
                                                 average landings of reef fish per longline              W. long., a vessel for which a valid                  allow NMFS to close one or both of the
                                                 trip increased over that time.                          eastern Gulf reef fish bottom longline                MS and C/P sectors via automatic action
                                                                                                         endorsement has been issued that is                   if the species-specific set-aside amounts
                                                    The proposed rule would allow a
                                                                                                         fishing bottom longline gear or has                   plus the available reserve for unforeseen
                                                 vessel with a longline endorsement to                                                                         catch events, known colloquially as the
                                                 possess an unlimited number of hooks,                   bottom longline gear on board cannot
                                                                                                         possess more than 750 hooks rigged for                ‘‘buffer,’’ are anticipated to be exceeded.
                                                 but it would not change the maximum
                                                                                                         fishing at any given time. * * *                      DATES:Comments on this proposed rule
                                                 number that can be rigged for fishing.
                                                 Any bottom longline vessel that would                   *      *    *     *     *                             must be received no later than
                                                 increase the total number of hooks it
                                                                                                         [FR Doc. 2017–23460 Filed 10–27–17; 8:45 am]          November 27, 2017.
                                                                                                         BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
                                                 possesses beyond 1,000 would do so                                                                            ADDRESSES:   You may submit comments
                                                 only if there were an economic benefit                                                                        on this document, identified by NOAA–
                                                 of doing so. Removing the limit on the                                                                        NMFS–2017–0102 by any of the
                                                                                                         DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
                                                 number of unrigged hooks that can be                                                                          following methods:
                                                 onboard is expected to improve fishers’                 National Oceanic and Atmospheric                        • Electronic Submission: Submit all
                                                 ability to maintain the maximum                         Administration                                        electronic public comments via the
                                                 number of rigged hooks over the                                                                               Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
                                                 duration of a trip. There is insufficient               50 CFR Part 660                                       www.regulations.gov/
                                                 information to estimate the number of                                                                         #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-
                                                                                                         [Docket No. 170627602–7602–01]
                                                 vessels that may benefit from possessing                                                                      0102, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon,
                                                 more than 1,000 hooks and the                           RIN 0648–BG98                                         complete the required fields, and enter
                                                 magnitude of such a benefit.                                                                                  or attach your comments.
                                                                                                         Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions;                        • Mail: Barry A. Thom, Regional
                                                    NMFS expects this proposed rule                      Fisheries Off West Coast States;                      Administrator, West Coast Region,
                                                 would not have a significant economic                   Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery;                     NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE.,
                                                 impact on a substantial number of small                 Pacific Whiting; Pacific Coast                        Seattle, WA 98115–0070, Attn: Miako
                                                 entities, and an initial regulatory                     Groundfish Fishery Management Plan;                   Ushio.
                                                 flexibility analysis is not required and                Amendment 21–3; Trawl
                                                                                                                                                                 Instructions: Comments sent by any
                                                 none has been prepared.                                 Rationalization Program
                                                                                                                                                               other method, to any other address or
                                                    No duplicative, overlapping, or                      AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries                    individual, or received after the end of
                                                 conflicting Federal rules have been                     Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and                  the comment period, may not be
                                                 identified. In addition, no new                         Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),                    considered by NMFS. All comments
                                                 reporting, record-keeping, or other                     Commerce.                                             received are a part of the public record
                                                 compliance requirements are introduced                  ACTION: Proposed rule; request for                    and will generally be posted for public
                                                 by this proposed rule. Accordingly, this                comments.                                             viewing on www.regulations.gov
                                                 proposed rule does not implicate the                                                                          without change. All personal identifying
                                                 Paperwork Reduction Act.                                SUMMARY:   NMFS proposes this interim                 information (e.g., name, address, etc.),
nlaroche on DSK9F9SC42PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                                                                         measure to change the management of                   confidential business information, or
                                                 List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 622                     the Pacific whiting at-sea sectors’ (i.e.,            otherwise sensitive information
                                                                                                         the Mothership (MS) and Catcher/                      submitted voluntarily by the sender will
                                                   Bottom longline gear, Fisheries,
                                                                                                         Processor (C/P) sectors) allocations for              be publicly accessible. NMFS will
                                                 Fishing, Gulf of Mexico, Reef fish.
                                                                                                         darkblotched rockfish and Pacific ocean               accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/
                                                                                                         perch (POP) by managing the allocations               A’’ in the required fields if you wish to
                                                                                                         as set-asides rather than as total catch              remain anonymous). Attachments to
                                                                                                         limits. This rule also proposes                       electronic comments will be accepted in


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Document Created: 2017-10-28 00:29:13
Document Modified: 2017-10-28 00:29:13
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
ActionProposed rule; request for comments.
DatesWritten comments must be received by November 14, 2017.
ContactKelli O'Donnell, NMFS SERO, telephone: 727-824-5305, email: [email protected]
FR Citation82 FR 50104 
RIN Number0648-BG92
CFR AssociatedBottom Longline Gear; Fisheries; Fishing; Gulf of Mexico and Reef Fish

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