Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Amendment 13 and Framework Adjustment 40-A, 45628-45638 [05-15644]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 151 (Monday, August 8, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45628-45638]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15644]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No.050520136-5136-01; I.D. 040705A]
RIN 0648-AS80


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast 
Multispecies Fishery; Amendment 13 and Framework Adjustment 40-A

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The final rule implementing Amendment 13 and the interim final 
rule implementing Framework Adjustment (Framework) 40-A to the 
Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP) contained 
several inadvertent errors and omissions. The intent of this proposed 
rule is to correct these inadvertent errors and omissions, clarify 
specific regulations to maintain consistency with and accurately 
reflect the intent of Amendment 13 and Framework 40-A, and seek comment 
on these proposed corrections and clarifications. This action is being 
taken by NMFS under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before September 7, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     E-mail: MulA13Corr@NOAA.gov. Include in the subject line 
the following: ``Comments on the Proposed Rule to Correct/Modify NE 
Multispecies Amendment 13.''
     Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: http:/www.regulations.gov.
     Mail: Paper, disk, or CD-ROM comments should be sent to 
Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of 
the envelope, ``Comments on the Proposed Rule to Correct/Modify NE 
Multispecies Amendment 13.''
     Fax: (978) 281-9135.
    Copies of the Regulatory Impact Review (RIR) and the Initial 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) prepared for this action are 
available upon request from the Regional Administrator at the above 
address. Copies of the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement (FSEIS) prepared for Amendment 13 and the environmental 
assessment (EA) prepared for Framework 40-A may be obtained from Paul 
J. Howard, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council, 
50 Water Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Douglas W. Christel, Fishery Policy 
Analyst, phone (978) 281-9141, fax (978) 281-9135.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Amendment 13 was developed by the New England Fishery Management 
Council (Council) to end overfishing and rebuild NE multispecies stocks 
managed under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. NMFS proposed 
measures to implement Amendment 13 on January 29, 2004 (69 FR 4362). 
The proposed rule contained a detailed description of the development 
of Amendment 13. NMFS published final regulations to implement the 
approved measures in Amendment 13 in the Federal Register on April 27, 
2004 (69 FR 22906). The majority of the measures in the final rule 
became effective on May 1, 2004.
    However, the final rule implementing Amendment 13 contained several 
inadvertent errors and inconsistencies with the intent of Amendment 13, 
as specified below. This action proposes to correct these errors, and 
clarify or modify the current regulations to maintain consistency with 
Amendment 13 as proposed by the Council and partially approved by the 
Secretary of Commerce.
    Framework 40-A was developed by the Council to provide additional 
opportunities for NE multispecies vessels to target healthy stocks in 
an effort to help achieve optimum yield from the fishery and to 
mitigate some of the economic impacts resulting from effort reductions 
implemented under Amendment 13. NMFS published a proposed rule to 
implement Framework 40-A on September 14, 2004 (69 FR 55388). The 
proposed rule contained a detailed description of the development

[[Page 45629]]

of Framework 40-A. NMFS published an interim final rule implementing 
Framework 40-A measures on November 19, 2004 (69 FR 67780), which 
became effective on November 19, 2004. The measures proposed in this 
action that would modify provisions implemented through the interim 
final rule for Framework 40-A are not intended to be implemented on an 
interim basis.

Proposed Measures

1. Monkfish Permit Category Descriptions

    The regulations at Sec.  648.4(a)(9) establish four limited access 
monkfish permit categories based on the size of the vessel and whether 
the vessel also possesses a limited access NE multispecies or Atlantic 
sea scallop permit. The regulations at Sec.  648.92(b), as amended by 
Amendment 2 to the monkfish FMP (April 28, 2005; 70 FR 21927), state 
that vessels currently possessing a limited access NE multispecies 
permit that also possess a valid limited access monkfish permit (i.e., 
currently a Category C or D monkfish permit) must use a multispecies 
DAS concurrently with their monkfish Days-at-Sea (DAS). These 
regulations do not differentiate between a limited access NE 
multispecies DAS category permit and other limited access NE 
multispecies permits, including the new Handgear A permit implemented 
under Amendment 13, thereby creating some confusion to its 
applicability. Since a limited access Handgear A permit is not a DAS 
category permit and does not require a vessel to use a DAS to fish for 
groundfish, this regulation essentially precludes those vessels that 
have been issued a limited access monkfish Category A or B permit 
(i.e., monkfish vessels not issued a limited access NE multispecies or 
scallop permit), and that qualify for a limited access Handgear A 
permit, from obtaining the new limited access Handgear A permit. 
Further, it is possible that a vessel currently issued a limited access 
monkfish Category C or D permit may also qualify for a limited access 
Handgear A permit based upon its previous fishing history. That is, the 
regulations at Sec.  648.92(b) currently prohibit, unintentionally and 
contrary to the intent of the measure, a vessel issued a Category C or 
D monkfish permit that qualifies for a limited access NE multispecies 
Handgear A permit from obtaining such a permit, because Category C or D 
monkfish vessels must use a NE multispecies DAS when fishing under a 
monkfish DAS.
    This action would clarify that limited access monkfish Category C 
and D permits may be issued only to those vessels that have been issued 
a limited access monkfish permit and a limited access NE multispecies 
DAS category permit or a limited access scallop DAS permit. This action 
would also clarify that limited access monkfish Category A and B 
permits may be issued to vessels without a NE multispecies DAS category 
permit or a limited access scallop DAS permit.

2. Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Power-down Exemption

    Amendment 13 included a provision to allow vessels issued a limited 
access NE multispecies permit to turn off their VMS units for a minimum 
period of one calendar month by obtaining a letter of exemption. This 
measure provides an opportunity to reduce costs, since a vessel 
operator can choose to turn the vessel's VMS off, if the vessel is 
exiting the fishery for an extended period. The use of one calendar 
month as the minimum participation period was intended to facilitate 
the administration of the power-down exemption. However, industry has 
indicated that this requirement represents an unnecessary burden on 
vessels (e.g., if a vessel requested a letter of exemption on September 
15, it would be required to remain under the exemption until November 
1) and has requested that NMFS modify this minimum participation period 
to 30 calendar days. Changing the participation period to a minimum of 
30 calendar days would satisfy the intent of the measure as defined in 
Amendment 13 without unnecessarily limiting the operations of the 
fishing industry to the beginning of a calendar month, and would not 
add to NMFS's burden in administering the VMS power-down exemption. 
Therefore, this action would change the participation period for the 
VMS power-down exemption specified at Sec.  648.9(c)(2)(i)(B) from one 
calendar month to 30 calendar days.

3. Prohibitions for GB Hook Sector Participants

Sector Landing Prohibition
    Amendment 13 included provisions to allow for the formation of 
fishing sectors. The final rule implementing Amendment 13 included 
several prohibitions to enforce the regulations governing Sector vessel 
operations. The prohibition at Sec.  648.14(a)(55) states that it is 
unlawful for any dealer to purchase, possess, or receive species in 
excess of the possession limits specified in Sec.  648.85 or 648.86. 
According to the regulations at Sec.  648.87(c)(3), Sector vessels may 
be issued letters of authorization exempting these vessels from any 
Federal fishing regulation, including the possession limits specified 
in Sec.  648.85 or 648.86, in accordance with an approved Sector 
Operations Plan, provided such exemptions are consistent with the goals 
and objectives of the FMP. Accordingly, this existing prohibition is 
inconsistent with the possibility of a Sector receiving an exemption 
from the possession limits, and prevents dealers from receiving species 
from Sector participants, should an approved Sector Operations Plan 
specify possession limits in excess of those specified in Sec.  648.85 
or 648.86. To be consistent with the exemption provision, this action 
would modify the prohibition at Sec.  648.14(a)(55) to allow dealers to 
receive species from Sector participants in accordance with an approved 
Operations Plan as specified in Sec.  648.87.
Sector Operations Prohibition
    Amendment 13 approved the formation of the GB Cod Hook Sector. The 
existing prohibition at Sec.  648.14(a)(156) inadvertently states that 
vessels fishing under the GB Cod Hook Sector may not fish in the NE 
multispecies DAS program in a given fishing year. Each approved Sector 
is allocated a portion of the overall total allowable catch (TAC), 
based upon the fishing history of Sector participants. The prohibition 
at Sec.  648.14(a)(156) is inconsistent with the intent of Amendment 13 
to allow an approved Sector to set its own rules to ensure that the TAC 
allocated will not be exceeded through the implementation of Sector 
hard TACs or DAS allocations, as described in section 3.4.16.1 of the 
FSEIS to Amendment 13. This action would modify the prohibition at 
Sec.  648.14(a)(156) to allow vessels participating in the GB Cod Hook 
Sector to fish under the NE multispecies DAS program as authorized by 
their Sector Operations Plan, which was approved by NMFS on May 4, 2005 
(70 FR 23096).

4. Rolling Closure Areas II and III

    Regulations implementing the current seasonal GOM Rolling Closure 
Areas were originally published on May 5, 1999 (64 FR 24066), as part 
of the final rule implementing Framework Adjustment 27 to the FMP. The 
August 1, 2002, interim final rule (67 FR 50292) retained the previous 
GOM Rolling Closure Areas II and V, but modified the GOM Rolling 
Closure Areas I, III, and IV.
    The August 1, 2002, interim final rule contained inaccurate 
coordinate points

[[Page 45630]]

defining the GOM Rolling Closure Area II specified at Sec.  
648.81(g)(1)(ii). The final two coordinate points for the GOM Rolling 
Closure Area II were erroneously defined as GM6, at 42[deg]30' N. lat. 
and 68[deg]30' W. long.; and GM9, at 42[deg]30' N. lat. and the 
intersection with the Massachusetts shoreline. The correct coordinate 
points are GM13, at 43[deg]00' N. lat. and 68[deg]30' W. long.; and 
GM10, at 43[deg]00' N. lat. and the intersection with the New Hampshire 
shoreline. On March 25, 2003, NMFS published a final rule amendment to 
an interim final rule (68 FR 14347) to correct the inaccurate 
coordinates contained within the August 1, 2002, interim final rule. 
While the actual coordinates were corrected in the March 25, 2003, 
final rule, the coordinate point GM9 was not corrected to read GM10.
    The August 1, 2002, interim final rule also contained an additional 
error in the coordinate points defining the GOM Rolling Closure Area 
III at Sec.  648.81(g)(1)(iii). This error was continued in the final 
rule implementing Amendment 13, but specified at Sec.  
648.81(f)(1)(iii). The final coordinate point for the GOM Rolling 
Closure Area III should read GM18, instead of GM10. These inadvertent 
errors only apply to the names assigned to specific coordinate points 
and do not affect the actual coordinates contained in the rule. 
Accordingly, this proposed rule would amend the final rule implementing 
Amendment 13 by correcting the erroneous coordinate point names by 
replacing point GM9 with point GM10 for the GOM Rolling Closure Area II 
at Sec.  648.81(f)(1)(ii), and by replacing point GM10 with point GM18 
for the GOM Rolling Closure Area III at Sec.  648.81(f)(1)(iii).

5. GB Seasonal Closure Area

    The GB Seasonal Closure Area was first implemented through 
Framework 33 to the FMP (April 24, 2000; 65 FR 21658). This closure 
area stretches from the eastern shore of Cape Cod to the western 
boundary of Closed Area (CA) II and prohibits vessels capable of 
catching NE multispecies from fishing in this area from May 1 through 
May 31.
    As specified above, the management measures in Framework 40-A were 
implemented on November 19, 2004. Framework 40-A included several new 
programs that allow vessels to target healthy stocks using a Category B 
Regular DAS, including the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock Special Access 
Program (SAP)Pilot Program. The Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot 
Program allows vessels to fish for haddock in an area bordering the 
western edge of CA II and a small portion of the northern tip of the CA 
II from May 1 through December 31. The regulations implementing 
Framework 40-A inadvertently excluded a provision that would exempt 
vessels fishing under this SAP from the GB Seasonal Closure Area. This 
omission is inconsistent with the Council's intent in Framework 40-A.
    Therefore, this action would revise Sec.  648.81(g)(2) to include a 
provision to exempt vessels fishing under the Eastern U.S./Canada 
Haddock SAP Pilot Program provisions at Sec.  648.85(b)(8) from the GB 
Seasonal Closure Area.

6. CA II Habitat Closure Area

    The FSEIS for Amendment 13 included several alternatives for the CA 
II Habitat Closure Area. The FSEIS indicated that the Council selected 
Habitat Alternative 10B instead of Habitat Alternative 10A. Habitat 
Alternative 10A was considered, but rejected by the Council. However, 
in both the proposed and the final rule implementing Amendment 13, the 
coordinates for the CA II Habitat Closure Area inadvertently reflected 
the coordinates under Habitat Alternative 10A of the FSEIS instead of 
the correct coordinates defined under Habitat Alternative 10B.
    This action would replace the inaccurate coordinates at Sec.  
648.81(h)(1)(v) for Habitat Alternative 10A with the correct 
coordinates for Habitat Alternative 10B from the FSEIS. While this 
correction would change the area closed to all bottom tending mobile 
gear within CA II, this action would not affect current fishing 
operations within CA II.

7. Eastern U.S./Canada Area Gear Requirements

    The final rule implementing Amendment 13 included gear restrictions 
for vessels targeting regulated groundfish within the Eastern U.S./
Canada Area. These gear restrictions are intended to reduce cod bycatch 
within this area. The final rule required that trawl vessels fishing 
within this area use a haddock separator trawl or one of two types of 
flounder trawl nets, as defined at Sec.  648.85(a)(3)(iii).
    An informal trawl workshop was held at the NMFS Northeast Regional 
Office on May 27, 2004, to solicit input on the above gear definitions 
specified in Amendment 13. This workshop was intended to gather 
together a range of expertise regarding trawl gear to identify possible 
deficiencies within these definitions and to suggest refinements of 
these definitions, if necessary. This workshop resulted in a number of 
suggestions to refine these definitions based on input from the 
participants. As a result of this workshop, this action proposes 
several revisions to the gear definitions specified at Sec.  
648.85(a)(3)(iii) and solicits additional public input on the proposed 
revisions.
    Participants in the May 27, 2004, trawl workshop indicated that the 
use of ``balloon nets'' may compromise the effectiveness of the haddock 
separator panel as defined in Amendment 13. They indicated that balloon 
nets contain a greater number of meshes in the top panel of the net 
than in the bottom panel of the net, allowing the top panel of the net 
to extend higher than the bottom panel of the net. Participants agreed 
that this would result in a higher fishing circle (i.e., opening of the 
net) than if both panels were made of an equal number of meshes. In 
accordance with the regulations at Sec.  648.85(a)(3)(iii)(A), a 
separator panel may be constructed such that the forward edge of the 
separator panel is 80-85 percent of the width of the after edge of the 
larger top panel of a balloon net, instead of 80-85 percent of the 
width of the after edge of the smaller bottom panel of the net. A 
separator panel constructed in this manner would be wider than intended 
under the current regulations and may be equal to or greater than the 
width of the smaller bottom panel of the net. A net that has been 
designed so that the separator panel is the same width or larger than 
the width of the bottom panel of the net may result in the separator 
panel dropping down and mimicking the bottom panel of the net by 
resting on top of the bottom panel under normal operations. This could 
potentially close off the bottom portion of the net, resulting in all 
fish being retained in the upper portion of the net with the closed 
codend, instead of allowing the cod to escape through the opened bottom 
portion of the net. To avoid this, participants suggested modifying the 
haddock separator trawl description to state that the separator panel 
shall be constructed such that the forward edge of the panel is no less 
than 80 percent, but not greater than 85 percent, and no less than 90 
percent, but not greater than 95 percent, of the after edge of the 
first bottom belly of the net where the panel is attached for both two-
seam and four-seam bottom trawl nets, respectively. This action 
proposes to revise the haddock separator trawl specified at Sec.  
648.85(a)(3)(iii)(A) as described above.
    The May 27, 2004, trawl workshop also resulted in a number of 
suggested revisions to the two flounder net definitions specified at

[[Page 45631]]

Sec.  648.85(a)(3)(iii). For both net descriptions, the participants 
agreed that the language restricting the vertical dimension of the 
forward wing end to 3.0 ft (0.91 m) would not affect the height of the 
fishing circle (i.e., opening of the net) unless combined with 
restrictions on the headrope/footrope length. While the flounder trawl 
net defined at Sec.  648.85(a)(3)(iii)(B)(1) includes a restriction on 
the headrope, it was decided that the current definition without the 
restriction on the vertical dimension of the forward wing end would 
maintain a relatively shallow fishing circle under normal operations. 
Participants also recommended removing the prohibition on floats in the 
center 50 percent of this net, stating that it would negatively affect 
the performance of the net and prevent the center portion of the 
headrope from maintaining the proper shape of the fishing circle.
    The flounder net defined at Sec.  648.85(a)(3)(iii)(B)(2) specifies 
that the mesh composing the square of the top panel of the net shall 
not be smaller than 12-inch (30.5-cm) square mesh. The intent of this 
provision was to allow vessels to target flounder while allowing cod to 
escape through the large mesh in the square of top panel of the net. 
This provision should not have included the requirement for square mesh 
within the square of the top panel of the net. The inclusion of the 
square mesh requirement within the definition was the result of a 
misinterpretation of information used to define this flounder trawl 
net. Twelve-inch (30.5-cm) square mesh is not commercially available at 
this time, while 12-inch (30.5-cm) diamond mesh is available. Larger 
square mesh is available, but at a greater cost. As a result, gear 
manufacturers have had to purchase 12-inch (30.5-cm) diamond mesh and 
reorient it to meet the square mesh requirements. This is not only an 
additional expense to comply with the current regulations, but it also 
results in a weaker net design that may change shape during normal 
fishing operations. Participants in the May 27, 2004, trawl workshop 
indicated that, due to variations in the design and construction of 
various flounder nets, the potential exists for different 
interpretations of the square of the net and where to place the 12-inch 
(30.5-cm) mesh specified in the definition of the flounder trawl net at 
Sec.  648.85(a)(3)(iii)(B)(2).
    Accordingly, this action would remove the regulations restricting 
the vertical dimension of the forward wing end to 3.0 ft (0.91 m) from 
Sec. Sec.  648.85(a)(3)(iii)(B)(1) and (2), and the prohibition of 
floats in the center 50 percent of the headrope for the flounder trawl 
net specified at Sec.  648.85(a)(3)(iii)(B)(1). In addition, this 
action would change the definition of the flounder net at Sec.  
648.85(a)(3)(iii)(B)(2) to allow for the use of diamond mesh in the top 
panel of the net, remove references to the square of the net, and 
insert language requiring that the top panel of the net contain a 
section of mesh at least 10-ft (3.05-m) long, stretching from selvedge 
to selvedge, composed of at least 12-in (30.5-cm) mesh, inserted no 
farther than 4.5 meshes behind the headrope. Participants at the May 
27, 2004, trawl workshop were uncertain about the appropriate length 
for the trouser extension of the bottom codend of a haddock separator 
trawl. NMFS, therefore, specifically requests public comment on the 
appropriate length for the trouser extension of the bottom codend of a 
haddock separator trawl. Since square mesh is more costly than diamond 
mesh, this action would reduce the costs associated with complying with 
this provision, eliminate unnecessary restrictions on gear, and 
simplify the gear requirements for the Eastern U.S./Canada Area.

8. U.S./Canada Management Area In-season Adjustment

    The U.S./Canada Resource Sharing Understanding implemented by 
Amendment 13 included provisions to authorize the Regional 
Administrator to revise the gear requirements, modify access to the 
U.S./Canada Management Area, adjust the trip limits, and revise the 
total number of trips into the U.S./Canada Management Area to prevent 
the over-harvesting or under-harvesting of the specified U.S./Canada 
Management Area TAC allocations. According to the regulations at Sec.  
648.85(a)(3)(iv)(D), this adjustment could be made when 30 percent and/
or 60 percent of the U.S./Canada Management Area TAC allocations are 
projected to be harvested. The current language is ambiguous as to 
whether such adjustments may be made only at the precise event when 30 
percent or 60 percent of the TAC's would be landed or at any time after 
those percentage levels have been reached. NMFS believes that the 
Council intended the Regional Administrator to have flexibility in 
adjusting measures at different times during the fishing season. 
Therefore, to eliminate the current ambiguity, this action would 
clarify the regulations at Sec.  648.85(a)(3)(iv)(D) to specify that 
adjustments to the U.S./Canada Management Area provisions may be made 
when 30 percent and/or 60 percent of the TAC allocations are projected 
to be, or have been, harvested. This allows more flexibility for the 
Regional Administrator in implementing such adjustments to ensure that 
the TAC allocations are not over-harvested or under-harvested for a 
particular fishing year.

9. CA II Yellowtail Flounder SAP Observer Declaration

    The final rule implementing Amendment 13 included an administrative 
measure for the purpose of selecting vessels for observer coverage. 
Vessel owners who choose to fish in either of the two U.S./Canada 
Areas, including the CA II Yellowtail Flounder SAP, must provide notice 
to NMFS of the vessel name; contact name for coordination of observer 
deployment; telephone number for contact; date, time, and port of 
departure at least five working days prior to the beginning of any trip 
that is declared into the U.S./Canada Management Area. The goal of this 
requirement was to obtain a level of observer coverage on NE 
multispecies vessels fishing in the U.S./Canada Management Area that is 
consistent with the rest of the fishery. The provision provides 
notification to the NMFS Observer Program of planned trips, prior to 
the departure of the trips, so that the Observer Program has sufficient 
time to contact and deploy observers.
    Although a notification period of five working days was determined, 
at the time of the implementation of the final rule for Amendment 13, 
to be optimal in terms of the operational requirements of the NMFS 
Observer Program, public comments received from numerous industry 
members have indicated that a shorter notification requirement would 
provide vessels greater flexibility to react to contingencies such as 
weather developments. Upon further consideration, NMFS has determined 
that a notification period of 72 hours represents an acceptable balance 
between the requirements of the Observer Program and the interests of 
the fishing industry, while still meeting the objectives of Amendment 
13. On June 14, 2004, a final rule, regulatory amendment was published 
in the Federal Register (69 FR 32900) correcting this regulation for 
the U.S./Canada Area at Sec.  648.85(a)(3)(ii). However, this rule 
inadvertently did not correct the observer declaration for vessels 
fishing in the CA II Yellowtail Flounder SAP as specified at Sec.  
648.85(b)(3)(v). Therefore, this proposed rule would reduce the 
notification time for groundfish DAS

[[Page 45632]]

vessels prior to departure of a trip into the CA II Yellowtail Flounder 
SAP from five working days to 72 hours.

10. Small-mesh Multispecies Possession Restrictions

    On March 29, 2000, NMFS published the final rule implementing 
provisions in Amendment 12 to the FMP (65 FR 16766). That rule 
contained revisions to the regulations governing possession limits for 
small-mesh multispecies. On the same day, NMFS also published the final 
rule implementing Framework Adjustment 32 (Framework 32) to the FMP (65 
FR 16780). Framework 32 revised the regulations at Sec.  648.86(d) 
governing small-mesh multispecies, superceding the regulations 
implemented under Amendment 12. On June 19, 2000, the final rule to 
implement provisions under Framework Adjustment 13 to the Atlantic Sea 
Scallop FMP and Framework Adjustment 34 to the NE Multispecies FMP 
(Frameworks 13/34) was published (65 FR 37903). However, when revising 
the regulations governing small-mesh multispecies possession limits at 
Sec. Sec.  648.86(d)(1)(i) through (iii), the final rule for Frameworks 
13/34 inadvertently modified the regulations implemented under 
Amendment 12 rather than the regulations implemented under Framework 32 
that superceded those in Amendment 12. This inadvertent error was not 
discovered until recently.
    This action would correct Sec.  648.86(d) to accurately reflect the 
intent of the regulations implemented under Framework 32, as well as 
any revisions made to these regulations under Amendment 13. Consistent 
with Council intent, this correction would remove the requirement that 
a letter of authorization is necessary to fish for, and/or possess, 
silver hake and offshore hake caught with small mesh where such a 
requirement should not exist as a result of measures previously 
implemented by Framework 32. This paragraph would be further clarified 
to maintain consistency with existing regulations while at the same 
time decreasing the complexity of the current regulations pertaining to 
the net size requirements and possession limits.

11. Yellowtail Flounder Possession Limit Restrictions

    The regulations at Sec. Sec.  648.86(g)(1) and (2) specify the 
yellowtail flounder possession limits for vessels fishing within the 
Cape Cod (CC)/Gulf of Maine (GOM) Yellowtail Flounder Area and the 
Southern New England (SNE)/Mid-Atlantic (MA) Yellowtail Flounder Area, 
respectively. These provisions require that vessels fishing within 
either of these areas possess on board a yellowtail flounder 
possession/landing authorization letter (or letter of 
authorization(LOA)) issued by the Regional Administrator. The LOA 
specifies seasonal landing limits for each area. Vessels possessing 
such an LOA may fish outside of the CC/GOM or SNE/MA Yellowtail 
Flounder Areas, provided the vessels comply with the possession/landing 
limits specified in the LOA during the period of participation.
    Amendment 13 implemented the U.S./Canada Management Area and the CA 
II Yellowtail Flounder SAP to allow U.S. vessels to fish for shared 
yellowtail flounder resources within these areas. These provisions 
established a yellowtail flounder possession limit of 30,000 lb (13,608 
kg) per trip for vessels fishing within the CA II Yellowtail Flounder 
SAP, while vessels fishing outside of the SAP within the U.S./Canada 
Management Area are not restricted by daily or trip limits for 
yellowtail flounder. The final rule implementing Framework 40B (June 1, 
2005; 70 FR 31323) revised the GB yellowtail flounder trip limit for 
the CA II Yellowtail Flounder SAP to 10,000 lb (4,536 kg), but did not 
change the trip limit in the U.S./Canada Management Area outside of the 
SAP.
    Under the current regulations, vessels issued an LOA as specified 
above that wish to participate in the U.S./Canada Management Area or 
the CA II Yellowtail Flounder SAP would be required to abide by the 
restrictive yellowtail flounder possession limits of the CC/GOM or SNE/
MA Yellowtail Flounder Areas when operating within the U.S./Canada 
Management Area during the participation period. To participate in the 
U.S./Canada Management Area and its approved SAP's, and to be subject 
to the less restrictive yellowtail flounder landing limits for these 
areas, a vessel issued a yellowtail flounder LOA would have to wait a 
minimum of seven days before cancelling its LOA before it may begin a 
trip into the U.S/Canada Management Area or an approved SAP. Given that 
the provisions of the U.S./Canada Management Area are very tightly 
controlled (e.g., VMS, daily catch reporting, etc.), this requirement 
imposes unnecessary restrictions on vessel activities, causes 
difficulties in planning fishing trips, and makes participation in 
these programs administratively burdensome for NMFS. As a result, this 
action would modify the yellowtail flounder possession limit 
restrictions by allowing vessels possessing a yellowtail flounder LOA 
to abide by the less restrictive yellowtail flounder possession limits 
of the U.S./Canada Management Area and the CA II Yellowtail Flounder 
SAP when operating within these areas as specified in Sec. Sec.  
648.85(a)(3) and 648.85(b)(3).

12. Offloading Requirement

    The current regulations are not explicit as to the disposition of a 
vessel's catch upon the completion of a fishing trip. The regulations 
at Sec. Sec.  648.10(b)(2)(iii) and (c)(3) state that DAS counting, and 
therefore a fishing trip, ends when a vessel has either crossed the VMS 
demarcation line defined at Sec.  648.10(a), or has called out of the 
DAS program, respectively. The regulations at Sec.  648.85 specify the 
possession restrictions for species managed by the U.S./Canada Resource 
Sharing Understanding, while the regulations at Sec.  648.86 specify 
the haddock, cod, Atlantic halibut, small-mesh multispecies, and 
yellowtail flounder possession restrictions for vessels fishing outside 
of the U.S./Canada Management Area. Possession restrictions include 
landing limits specified for each species on a per DAS or per trip 
basis.
    This action proposes to include an explicit provision in the 
regulations at Sec.  648.86 requiring a vessel that has ended its trip 
(i.e., by crossing the VMS demarcation line or calling out of the DAS 
program) to offload species regulated by a daily landing limit (i.e., 
pounds per DAS) prior to leaving port and beginning a subsequent 
fishing trip. Offloading species for which there is a daily landing 
limit is necessary to effectively enforce these limits. Conversely, a 
vessel that has ended its trip could retain on board species regulated 
by an overall trip limit (i.e., pounds per trip) for a subsequent trip, 
provided the vessel abides by the overall trip limit for those species 
during that subsequent trip.

13. GB Cod Hook Sector Liability Regulations

    The January 29, 2004, proposed rule to implement Amendment 13 
specified that the Sector and its participants would be held liable for 
any violations of applicable Federal regulations. The April 27, 2004, 
final rule expanded upon this, specifying that it shall be unlawful for 
any Sector, Sector vessel, and Sector vessel operator and/or owner to 
violate the conditions of an approved Operations Plan or the LOA 
exempting Sector vessels from specific regulations. However, both the 
GB Cod Hook Sector representatives and the Council expressed concern 
that the regulations, as written in the final rule implementing 
Amendment 13, could be

[[Page 45633]]

interpreted to expand NMFS's enforcement authority beyond that which 
was intended in Amendment 13 and would make all violations of the 
Operations Plan, including non-payment of Sector dues, a violation of 
Federal law.
    Section 3.4.16 of the FEIS for Amendment 13 indicates that the 
intent of Sector provisions is to encourage self-governance of fishing 
activities. Further, this section assigns responsibility to enforce the 
provisions of an approved Operations Plan to each Sector. Finally, 
section 3.4.16.1.2.2 specifies that a Sector is a legal entity that can 
be subject to NMFS enforcement action for violations of the regulations 
pertaining to Sectors. Because the current regulations could be broadly 
interpreted to mean that any violation of an approved Sector Operations 
Plan would constitute a violation of Federal regulations, NMFS proposes 
to clarify the regulations at Sec.  648.87(b)(2)(x) to indicate that it 
would be unlawful for Sector participants to violate the conditions of 
an approved Sector Operations Plan unless such conditions and 
restrictions are identified as administrative only in the Operations 
Plan.

14. GB Cod Hook Sector Area Coordinates

    Both the January 29, 2004, proposed rule and the April 27, 2004, 
final rule implementing Amendment 13 incorrectly specified the intended 
coordinates defining the GB Cod Hook Sector Area. Within both rules, 
the latitude and longitude for each coordinate point defining this area 
were inadvertently reversed such that the latitude of each coordinate 
point appeared in the longitude column and the longitude of each 
coordinate point appeared in the latitude column. The coordinates 
specified in the current regulations are not only geographically 
impossible (e.g., 70[deg]00' N. Lat. does not intersect the east-facing 
shoreline of Cape Cod, MA), but many of the other coordinates would 
also require GB Cod Hook Sector vessels to fish outside of the 
jurisdiction of NMFS. In addition, it was observed that there were two 
coordinate points named ``HS3.'' To correct this inadvertent error, the 
final three coordinate points should be renamed ``HS4,'' ``HS5,'' and 
``HS6'' instead of ``HS3,'' ``HS4,'' and ``HS5.'' Accordingly, this 
proposed rule would modify the final rule implementing Amendment 13 by 
renaming the coordinate points as specified above and by correcting the 
erroneous latitude and longitude for each coordinate point for the GB 
Cod Hook Sector Area specified at Sec.  648.87(d)(1)(i).

15. Additional Corrections

    In addition to the changes specified above, the following changes 
to the final rule implementing Amendment 13 are proposed to correct 
inaccurate references and to further clarify the intent of Amendment 
13. The changes listed below are in the order in which they appear in 
the regulations.
    In Sec.  648.2, the reference to the specifications of pelagic 
gillnet gear at ``Sec.  648.81(g)(2)(ii)'' in the definition for 
``Gillnet gear capable of catching multispecies'' would be corrected to 
read ``Sec.  648.81(f)(2)(ii).
    In Sec.  648.14, paragraph (a)(134) would be revised to include a 
cross reference to the authority of the Regional Administrator to close 
the Eastern U.S./Canada Area as described under Sec.  
648.85(a)(3)(iv)(D) and a reference to the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock 
SAP Pilot Program in Sec.  648.85(b)(8).
    In Sec.  648.81(b)(2)(ii), the reference to paragraph ``(h)(v)'' 
would be changed to read ``(h)(1)(v).
    In Sec.  648.81(b)(2)(iii), the reference to the coordinates for 
the CA II Yellowtail Flounder SAP in Sec.  648.85(b)(3)(ii) and the 
Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program in Sec.  648.85(b)(8)(ii) 
would be inserted to further clarify where vessels may fish within CA 
II.
    In Sec.  648.82, in paragraph (b)(4), the reference to ``paragraphs 
(a)(3)(iii), (a)(4)(iii), (b)(2)(iii), and (c)(2)(ii) of this section'' 
would be revised to read ``paragraphs Sec. Sec.  648.80(a)(3)(iii), 
(a)(4)(iii), (b)(2)(iii), and (c)(2)(ii).'' Further, in paragraph (f), 
the reference to ``Sec.  648.53(f)'' would be changed to read ``Sec.  
648.53(g).''
    In Sec.  648.85, the word ``calendar'' would be inserted in front 
of the word ``month'' in paragraph (b)(3)(vi) to clarify that vessels 
may only take a maximum of two trips into the CA II Yellowtail Flounder 
SAP per calendar month as proposed in Amendment 13. In addition, 
paragraph (b)(3)(x) would be revised to clarify regulatory references 
and to add language that would allow gear other than a haddock 
separator trawl or a flounder net to be carried on board, provided this 
gear is stowed in accordance with Sec.  648.23(b).
    In Sec.  648.87(b)(2)(ix), the reference to paragraph ``(b)(2)(v)'' 
would be corrected to read ``(b)(1)(v).''
    In Sec.  648.90(a)(2)(iv), the reference to paragraph 
``(a)(1)(vii)'' would be corrected to read ``(a)(2)(vii).''

Classification

    This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    NMFS has prepared an IRFA that describes the economic impact this 
proposed rule, if adopted, would have on small entities. The IRFA 
prepared for this action follows NMFS's ``Guidelines for Economic 
Analysis of Fishery Management Actions'' (NMFS's guidelines). A 
description of the action, why it is being considered, and the legal 
basis for this action are contained at the beginning of this section in 
the preamble and in the SUMMARY. A summary of the analysis follows:
    The universe of vessels impacted by this action are those vessels 
that have currently been issued an active limited access NE 
multispecies permit, an open access NE multispecies Handgear B permit, 
or a limited access monkfish permit. Vessels that have currently been 
issued a NE multispecies Handgear B permit were formerly issued an open 
access Handgear permit prior to the implementation of Amendment 13 and 
may qualify for a limited access Handgear A permit under Amendment 13. 
Data from the NE permit application database show that, as of October 
4, 2004, there were 2,622 vessels issued a limited access NE 
multispecies permit or an open access NE multispecies Handgear B 
permit, including a total of 1,304 vessels issued an open access 
Handgear B permit. There were a total of 712 vessels issued a limited 
access monkfish permit. All of these vessels are considered to be small 
entities according to the definition provided by the Small Business 
Administration and described in the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    Section 5.4 of the FSEIS prepared for Amendment 13 and section 
7.2.4 of the EA prepared for Framework 40-A provide an analysis of the 
economic impacts resulting from the measures implemented under 
Amendment 13 and Framework 40-A, respectively. This action references 
and builds upon the analysis presented in the FSEIS and the FRFA 
prepared for Amendment 13 and the EA and the FRFA prepared for 
Framework 40-A to assess the impacts of this action. Due to a lack of 
data reflecting costs associated with fishing, changes in total revenue 
are considered to be a proxy for changes in profitability in this 
action. This analysis indicates that individual vessels would be likely 
to increase profitability under most measures proposed in this action. 
This action would allow limited access monkfish vessels qualified to be 
issued a limited access NE multispecies

[[Page 45634]]

Handgear A permit to be issued such a permit. The issuance of this 
permit to Category A and B monkfish vessels would allow these vessels 
additional opportunities to fish, thereby increasing vessel revenue. 
This action would also eliminate some of the more restrictive gear 
requirements for vessels operating in the Eastern U.S./Canada Area. 
These Amendment 13 restrictions pose further economic costs for gear 
modifications and reduced gear efficiency to vessels without 
effectively increasing the conservation benefits of the gear 
requirements. Modification of these gear requirements would reduce 
these unnecessary costs and therefore increase vessel revenues.
    The administrative nature of the revisions to the regulations 
proposed under this action do not facilitate the development of 
alternatives to this action. Alternatives to the substantive provisions 
revised through this action have previously been developed as part of 
the development of Amendment 13 and Framework 40-A.
    This proposed rule does not contain any new, nor does it revise any 
existing reporting, recordkeeping, and other compliance 
requirements.This proposed rule does not duplicate, overlap or conflict 
with other Federal rules, and does not contain new reporting or 
recordkeeping requirements.
    A copy of this analysis is available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES).

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 648

    Fisheries, Fishing, Recordkeeping and reporting.

    Dated: August 2, 2005.
John Oliver,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Operations, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
    For the reasons stated in the preamble, 50 CFR part 648 is proposed 
to be amended as follows:

PART 648--FISHERIES OF THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES

    1. The authority citation for part 648 continues to read as 
follows:

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

    2. In Sec.  648.2, the definition for ``Gillnet gear capable of 
catching multispecies'' is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  648.2  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Gillnet gear capable of catching multispecies means all gillnet 
gear except pelagic gillnet gear specified at Sec.  648.81(f)(2)(ii) 
and pelagic gillnet gear that is designed to fish for and is used to 
fish for or catch tunas, swordfish, and sharks.
* * * * *
    3. In Sec.  648.4, paragraphs (a)(9)(i)(A)(1) through (4) are 
revised to read as follows:


Sec.  648.4  Vessel permits.

    (a) * * *
    (9) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (A) * * *
    (1) Category A permit (vessels without NE multispecies or scallop 
limited access DAS permits). The vessel landed at least 50,000 lb 
(22,680 kg) tail-weight or 166,000 lb (75,297.6 kg) whole weight of 
monkfish between February 28, 1991, and February 27, 1995;
    (2) Category B permit (vessels less than 51 gross registered 
tonnage (GRT) without NE multispecies or scallop limited access DAS 
permits that do not qualify for a Category A permit). The vessel landed 
at least 7,500 lb (3,402 kg) tail-weight or 24,900 lb (11,294.6 kg) 
whole weight of monkfish between February 28, 1991, and February 27, 
1995;
    (3) Category C permit (vessels with NE multispecies or scallop 
limited access DAS permits). The vessel landed at least 50,000 lb 
(22,680 kg) tail-weight or 166,000 lb (75,297.6 kg) whole weight of 
monkfish between February 28, 1991, and February 27, 1995; or
    (4) Category D permit (all vessels with NE multispecies limited 
access DAS permits and vessels less than 51 GRT with scallop limited 
access DAS permits that do not qualify for a Category C permit). The 
vessel landed at least 7,500 lb (3,402 kg) tail-weight or 24,900 lb 
(11,294.6 kg) whole weight of monkfish between February 28, 1991, and 
February 27, 1995.
* * * * *
    4. In Sec.  648.9, paragraph (c)(2)(i)(B) is revised to read as 
follows:


Sec.  648.9  VMS requirements.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (B) For vessels fishing with a valid NE multispecies limited access 
permit, the vessel owner signs out of the VMS program for a minimum 
period of 30 consecutive days by obtaining a valid letter of exemption 
pursuant to paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this section, the vessel does not 
engage in any fisheries until the VMS unit is turned back on, and the 
vessel complies with all conditions and requirements of said letter; or
* * * * *
    5. In Sec.  648.14, paragraphs (a)(55), (a)(134), and (a)(156) are 
revised, and paragraph (a)(169) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  648.14  Prohibitions.

    (a) * * *
    (55) Purchase, possess, or receive as a dealer, or in the capacity 
of a dealer, regulated species in excess of the possession limits 
specified in Sec.  648.85 or Sec.  648.86 applicable to a vessel issued 
a NE multispecies permit, unless otherwise specified in Sec.  648.17, 
or unless the regulated species are purchased or received from a member 
of an approved Sector as specified at Sec.  648.87 that is exempt from 
such possession limits in accordance with an approved Sector Operations 
Plan.
* * * * *
    (134) If fishing under a NE multispecies DAS, enter or fish in the 
Eastern U.S./Canada Area specified in Sec.  648.85(a)(1), if the area 
is closed under the authority of the Regional Administrator as 
described in Sec.  648.85(a)(3)(iv)(D) or (E), unless fishing in the 
Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder SAP specified in Sec.  648.85(b)(3) 
or the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program specified in Sec.  
648.85(b)(8).
* * * * *
    (156) If fishing under the Georges Bank (GB) Cod Hook Sector, as 
authorized under Sec.  648.87, fish in the NE multispecies DAS program 
in a given fishing year, unless authorized by an approved Sector 
Operations Plan, or if fishing under a NE multispecies DAS, fish under 
the GB Cod Hook Sector in a given fishing year, unless as otherwise 
provided under Sec.  648.87(b)(1)(xii).
* * * * *
    (169) If, upon the end of a fishing trip as specified under Sec.  
648.10(b)(2)(iii) or (c)(3), fail to offload regulated species subject 
to a landing limit based on a DAS fished under Sec.  648.85 or 648.86, 
as required by Sec.  648.86(i).
* * * * *
    6. In Sec.  648.81, paragraphs (b)(2)(ii), (b)(2)(iii), (f)(1)(ii), 
(f)(1)(iii), (g)(2)(ii), (g)(2)(iii), and (h)(1)(v) are revised, and 
paragraph (g)(2)(iv) is added to read as follows:


Sec.  648.81  NE multispecies closed areas and measures to protect EFH.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (ii) Fishing with tuna purse seine gear outside of the portion of 
CA II known as the Habitat Area of Particular Concern, as described in 
paragraph (h)(1)(v) of this section;

[[Page 45635]]

    (iii) Fishing in the CA II Yellowtail Flounder SAP or the Eastern 
U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program as specified at Sec.  
648.85(b)(3)(ii) or (b)(8)(ii), respectively; or
* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (ii) Rolling Closure Area II. From April 1 through April 30, the 
restrictions specified in this paragraph (f)(1)(ii) apply to Rolling 
Closure Area II, which is the area bounded by straight lines connecting 
the following points in the order stated:

                         Rolling Closure Area II
                           [April 1-April 30]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Point                       N. Lat.        W. Long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  GM1                         42[deg]00'           (\1\)
                  GM2                         42[deg]00'           (\2\)
                  GM3                         42[deg]00'           (\3\)
                  GM5                         42[deg]00'      68[deg]30'
                  GM13                        43[deg]00'      68[deg]30'
                  GM10                        43[deg]00'          (\4\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Massachusetts shoreline.
\2\ Cape Cod shoreline on Cape Cod Bay.
\3\ Cape Cod shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean.
\4\ New Hampshire shoreline.

    (iii) Rolling Closure Area III. From May 1 through May 31, the 
restrictions specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this section apply to 
Rolling Closure Area III, which is the area bounded by straight lines 
connecting the following points in the order stated:

                        Rolling Closure Area III
                             [May 1-May 31]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Point                        N. Lat.      W. Long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  GM1                            42[deg]00'        (\1\)
                  GM2                            42[deg]00'        (\2\)
                  GM3                            42[deg]00'        (\3\)
                  GM4                            42[deg]00'   70[deg]00'
                  GM23                           42[deg]30'   70[deg]00'
                  GM6                            42[deg]30'   68[deg]30'
                  GM14                           43[deg]30'   68[deg]30'
                  GM18                           43[deg]30'        (\4\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Massachusetts shoreline.
\2\ Cape Cod shoreline on Cape Cod Bay.
\3\ Cape Cod shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean.
\4\ Maine shoreline.

* * * * *
    (g) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (ii) That are fishing as charter/party or recreational vessels;
    (iii) That are fishing with or using scallop dredge gear when 
fishing under a scallop DAS or when lawfully fishing in the Scallop 
Dredge Fishery Exemption Area, as described in Sec.  648.80(a)(11), 
provided the minimum mesh size of the twine top used in the dredge by 
the vessel is 10 inches (25.4 cm), and provided that the vessel 
complies with the NE multispecies possession restrictions for scallop 
vessels specified at Sec.  648.80(h); or
    (iv) That are fishing under a NE multispecies DAS in the Eastern 
U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program as defined at Sec.  648.85(b)(8).
* * * * *
    (h) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (v) Closed Area II Habitat Closure Area. The restrictions specified 
in paragraph (h)(1) of this section apply to the Closed Area II Habitat 
Closure Area (also referred to as the Habitat Area of Particular 
Concern), which is the area bound by straight lines connecting the 
following points in the order stated:

                   CLOSED AREA II HABITAT CLOSURE AREA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Point                        N. Lat.      W. Long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  CIIH1                          42[deg]10'   67[deg]20'
                  CIIH2                          42[deg]10'  67[deg]9.3'
                  CIIH3                          42[deg]00'  67[deg]0.5'
                  CIIH4                          42[deg]00'   67[deg]10'
                  CIIH5                          41[deg]50'   67[deg]10'
                  CIIH6                          41[deg]50'   67[deg]20'
                  CIIH1                          42[deg]10'   67[deg]20'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    7. In Sec.  648.82, paragraphs (b)(4), and (f) are revised to read 
as follows:


Sec.  648.82  Effort-control program for NE multispecies limited access 
vessels.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (4) Large Mesh Individual DAS category. This category is for 
vessels allocated individual DAS that area not fishing under the Hook 
Gear, Combination, or Individual DAS categories. Beginning May 1, 2004, 
for a vessel fishing under the Large Mesh Individual DAS category, the 
baseline for determining the number of NE multispecies DAS available 
for use shall be calculated based upon the fishing history associated 
with the vessel's permit, as specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this 
section. The number and categories of DAS that are allocated for use in 
a given fishing year are specified in paragraph (d) of this section. 
The number of Category A DAS shall be increased by 36 percent. To be 
eligible to fish under the Large Mesh Individual DAS category, a 
vessel, while fishing under this category, must fish under the specific 
regulated mesh area minimum mesh size restrictions, as specified in 
paragraphs Sec. Sec.  648.80(a)(3)(iii), (a)(4)(iii), (b)(2)(iii), and 
(c)(2)(ii).
* * * * *
    (f) Good Samaritan credit. See Sec.  648.53(g).
* * * * *
    8. In Sec.  648.85, paragraphs (a)(3)(iii), (a)(3)(iv)(D), 
(b)(3)(v), and (b)(3)(x) are revised to read as follows:


Sec.  648.85  Special management programs.

    (a) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (iii) Gear requirements. NE multispecies vessels fishing with trawl 
gear in the Eastern U.S./Canada Area defined in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of 
this section must fish with a haddock separator trawl or a flounder 
trawl net, as described in paragraphs (a)(3)(iii)(A) and (B) of this 
section (both nets may be onboard the fishing vessel simultaneously). 
Gear other than the haddock separator trawl or the flounder trawl net 
as described in paragraph this (a)(3)(iii) may be on board the vessel 
during a trip to the Eastern U.S./Canada Area, provided the gear is 
stowed according to the regulations at Sec.  648.23(b). The description 
of the haddock separator trawl and flounder trawl net in this paragraph 
(a)(3)(iii) may be further specified by the Regional Administrator 
through publication of such specifications in the Federal Register, 
consistent with the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act.
    (A) Haddock separator trawl. A haddock separator trawl is defined 
as a groundfish trawl modified to a vertically oriented trouser trawl 
configuration, with two extensions arranged one over the other, with a 
codend attached only to the upper extension, and the bottom extension 
left open and with no codend attached. A horizontal separating panel 
constructed with a minimum of 6.0-inch (15.2-cm) diamond mesh must be 
installed laterally between the selvedges joining the upper and lower 
panels of a two-seam net, as described in this paragraph (a)(3)(iii)(A) 
and between the side panels of a four-seam net as described in 
paragraph (a)(3)(iii)(B) of this section, to completely divide the net 
into equal top and bottom portions. The separator panel shall be 
constructed so as to extend forward from the front of the trouser 
junction to the after edge of the first belly of the net.
    (1) Two-seam bottom trawl nets. For two-seam nets, the separator 
panel must be constructed such that the stretched width of the forward 
edge of the panel is no less than 80 percent, but no larger than 85 
percent of the width of the after edge of the first bottom belly of the 
net where the separator panel is attached. For example, if the first 
bottom belly of the net is 200 meshes wide (from selvedge to selvedge), 
the separator

[[Page 45636]]

panel must be not less than 160 meshes, but no larger than 170 meshes 
wide.
    (2) Four-seam bottom trawl nets. For four-seam nets, the separator 
panel must be constructed such that the stretched width of the forward 
edge of the panel is no less than 90 percent, but no larger than 95 
percent of the width of the after edge of the first bottom belly of the 
net where the separator panel is attached. For example, if the first 
bottom belly of the net is 200 meshes wide (from selvedge to selvedge), 
the separator panel must be no less than 180 meshes, but no larger than 
190 meshes wide. The separator panel must be attached to both of the 
side panels of the net along the midpoint of the side panels. For 
example, if the side panel is 100 meshes tall, the separator panel must 
be attached at the 50\th\ mesh.
    (B) Flounder trawl net. A flounder trawl net is defined as bottom-
tending trawl gear meeting one of the following two net descriptions:
    (1) A two-seam, low-rise net constructed with mesh size in 
compliance with Sec.  648.80(a)(4), where the maximum footrope length 
is not greater than 105 ft (32.0 m) and the headrope is at least 30 
percent longer than the footrope. The footrope and headrope lengths 
shall be measured from the forward wing end.
    (2) A two-seam, low-rise net constructed with mesh size in 
compliance with Sec.  648.80(a)(4), with the exception that the top 
panel of the net contains a section of mesh at least 10 ft (3.05 m) 
long and stretching from selvedge to selvedge, composed of at least 12-
in (30.5-cm) mesh that is inserted no farther than 4.5 meshes behind 
the headrope.
    (iv) * * *
    (D) Other restrictions or in-season adjustments. In addition to the 
possession restrictions specified in this paragraph (a)(3)(iv), when 30 
percent and/or 60 percent of the TAC allocations specified under 
paragraph (a)(2) of this section are projected to be, or have been, 
harvested, the Regional Administrator, through rulemaking consistent 
with the Administrative Procedure Act, may modify the gear 
requirements, modify or close access to the U.S./Canada Management 
Areas, increase or decrease the trip limits specified under paragraphs 
(a)(3)(iv)(A) through (C) of this section, or modify the total number 
of trips into the U.S./Canada Management Area, to prevent over-
harvesting or under-harvesting the TAC allocations.
* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (v) Declaration. For the purposes of selecting vessels for observer 
deployment, a vessel must provide notice to NMFS of the vessel name; 
contact name for coordination of observer deployment; telephone number 
for contact; date, time and port of departure; and special access 
program to be fished, at least 72 hours prior to the beginning of any 
trip which it declares into the Special Access Program as required 
under this paragraph (b)(3)(v). Prior to departure from port, a vessel 
intending to participate in the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder SAP 
must declare into this area through the VMS, in accordance with 
instructions provided by the Regional Administrator. In addition to 
fishing in the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder SAP, a vessel, on the 
same trip, may also declare its intent to fish in the area outside of 
Closed Area II that resides within the Eastern U.S./Canada Area as 
defined in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section, provided the vessel 
fishes in these areas under the most restrictive provisions of either 
the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder SAP or the Eastern U.S./Canada 
Area.
* * * * *
    (x) Gear requirements. NE multispecies vessels fishing with trawl 
gear in the Eastern U.S./Canada Area defined in paragraph (a)(1) of 
this section must fish with a haddock separator trawl or a flounder 
trawl net, as described in paragraph (a)(3)(iii) of this section (both 
nets may be onboard the fishing vessel simultaneously). Gear other than 
the haddock separator trawl or the flounder trawl net as described in 
paragraph (a)(3)(iii) of this section may be on board the vessel during 
a trip to the Eastern U.S./Canada Area, provided the gear is stowed 
according to the regulations at Sec.  648.23(b).
* * * * *
    9. In Sec.  648.86, paragraphs (d), (g)(1)(ii)(B), and 
(g)(2)(ii)(B) are revised, and paragraphs (g)(4) and (i) are added to 
read as follows:


Sec.  648.86  Multispecies possession restrictions.

* * * * *
    (d) Small-mesh multispecies. (1) Vessels issued a valid Federal NE 
multispecies permit specified under Sec.  648.4(a)(1) are subject to 
the following possession limits for small-mesh multispecies, which are 
based on the mesh size used by, or on board vessels fishing for, in 
possession of, or landing small-mesh multispecies.
    (i) Vessels possessing on board or using nets of mesh size smaller 
than 2.5 inches (6.35 cm). Owners or operators of a vessel may possess 
and land not more than 3,500 lb (1,588 kg) of combined silver hake and 
offshore hake if either of the following conditions apply:
    (A) The mesh size of any net or any part of a net used by or on 
board the vessel is smaller than 2.5 inches (6.35 cm), as applied to 
the part of the net specified in paragraph (d)(1)(iv) of this section, 
as measured in accordance with Sec.  648.80(f); or
    (B) The mesh size of any net or part of a net on board the vessel 
not incorporated into a fully constructed net is smaller than 2.5 
inches (6.35 cm), as measured by methods specified in Sec.  648.80(f). 
``Incorporated into a fully constructed net'' means that any mesh 
smaller than 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) that is incorporated into a fully 
constructed net may occur only in the part of the net not subject to 
the mesh size restrictions specified in paragraph (d)(1)(iv) of this 
section, and the net into which the mesh is incorporated must be 
available for immediate use.
    (ii) Vessels possessing on board or using nets of mesh size equal 
to or greater than 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) but less than 3 inches (7.62 
cm). Owners or operators of a vessel that is not subject to the 
possession limit specified in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section, may 
possess and land not more than 7,500 lb (3,402 kg) of combined silver 
hake and offshore hake if either of the following conditions apply:
    (A) The mesh size of any net or any part of a net used by or on 
board the vessel is equal to or greater than 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) but 
smaller than 3 inches (7.62 cm), as applied to the part of the net 
specified in paragraph (d)(1)(iv) of this section, as measured by 
methods specified in Sec.  648.80(f); or
    (B) The mesh size of any net or part of a net on board the vessel 
not incorporated into a fully constructed net is equal to or greater 
than 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) but smaller than 3 inches (7.62 cm), as 
measured by methods specified in Sec.  648.80(f). ``Incorporated into a 
fully constructed net'' means that any mesh smaller than 2.5 inches 
(6.35 cm) that is incorporated into a fully constructed net may occur 
only in the part of the net not subject to the mesh size restrictions 
as specified in paragraph (d)(1)(iv) of this section, and the net into 
which the mesh is incorporated must be available for immediate use.
    (iii) Vessels possessing on board or using nets of mesh size equal 
to or greater than 3 inches (7.62 cm). An owner or operator of a vessel 
that is not subject to the possession limits specified in paragraphs 
(d)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section may possess and land not more than 
30,000 lb (13,608 kg) of combined silver hake and offshore hake

[[Page 45637]]

if both of the following conditions apply:
    (A) The mesh size of any net or any part of a net used by or on 
board the vessel is equal to or greater than 3 inches (7.62 cm), as 
applied to the part of the net specified in paragraph (d)(1)(iv) of 
this section, as measured by methods specified in Sec.  648.80(f); and
    (B) The mesh size of any net or part of a net on board the vessel 
not incorporated into a fully constructed net is equal to or greater 
than 3 inches (7.62 cm), as measured by methods specified in Sec.  
648.80(f). ``Incorporated into a fully constructed net'' means that any 
mesh smaller than 3 inches (7.62 cm) that is incorporated into a fully 
constructed net may occur only in the part of the net not subject to 
the mesh size r