Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Swordfish Quotas, 7499-7502 [E6-1980]
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 29 / Monday, February 13, 2006 / Proposed Rules
recreational, scientific, or educational
purposes; (3) disease or predation; (4)
the inadequacy of existing regulatory
mechanisms; and (5) other natural or
manmade factors affecting its continued
existence.
The Service believes that substantial
information exists that threats to the
species exist under one or more of the
five listing factors. Because so few
populations and individuals exist, the
species may be especially vulnerable to
random natural events.
The petitioners state that many, if not
most, insect populations normally
experience large fluctuations in size
(Ehrlich 1992; Schultz 1998) with
weather, predation, and disease
potentially causing annual changes in
butterfly numbers of an order of
magnitude or more. They go on to state
that normal population fluctuations,
coupled with habitat alteration or loss
can result in population extirpations
(Hanski et al. 1995). Based on this, the
petitioners conclude that, with only one
known population, this butterfly is
extremely vulnerable to extinction.
At the time the petition was written,
American Camp was the only area
known to be occupied by island
marbles. Extensive surveys conducted
after the petition was submitted
revealed 3 additional areas that were
occupied (Miskelly 2005). Fewer than
10 adults were observed in each of these
areas (Miskelly 2005). Miskelly (2005)
suggests that the three satellite
populations found in 2005 may not be
self sustaining, and that conservation of
the island marble is largely dependent
on having a viable population at
American Camp.
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Finding
On the basis of our review, we find
that the petition and information in our
files presents substantial information
indicating that listing of the island
marble butterfly may be warranted. The
small number of individuals remaining
and their limited distribution increases
extinction risk and makes the species
especially vulnerable to threats that may
exist under one or more of the five
listing factors.
Public Information Solicited
When we make a finding that
substantial information is presented to
indicate that listing a species may be
warranted, we are required to promptly
commence a review of the status of the
species. To ensure that the status review
is complete and based on the best
available science and commercial
information, we are soliciting additional
information on the island marble
butterfly. We are requesting additional
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information, comments, and suggestions
concerning the status of the island
marble butterfly from the public, other
concerned governmental agencies,
Native American Tribes, the scientific
community, industry, or any other
interested parties. We are seeking
information regarding the species’
historical and current status and
distribution, its biology and ecology,
ongoing conservation measures for the
species and its habitat, and threats to
the species and its habitat.
If you wish to comment or provide
information, you may submit your
comments and materials concerning this
finding to our Western Washington Fish
and Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES
section above).
Our practice is to make comments and
materials provided, including names
and home addresses of respondents,
available for public review during
regular business hours. Respondents
may request that we withhold a
respondent’s identity, to the extent
allowable by law. If you wish us to
withhold your name or address, you
must state this request prominently at
the beginning of your submission.
However, we will not consider
anonymous comments. To the extent
consistent with applicable law, we will
make all submissions from
organizations or businesses, and from
individuals identifying themselves as
representatives or officials of
organizations or businesses, available
for public inspection in their entirety.
Comments and materials received will
be available for public inspection, by
appointment, during normal business
hours at the above address (see
ADDRESSES section above).
References Cited
A complete list of all references cited
is available, upon request, from our
Western Washington Fish and Wildlife
Office (see ADDRESSES section above).
Author
The primary author of this notice is
Ted Thomas, Western Washington Fish
and Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES
section above).
Authority
The authority for this action is the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Dated: February 3, 2006.
Marshall P. Jones,
Deputy Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. E6–1930 Filed 2–10–06; 8:45 am]
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7499
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 635
[Docket No. 060201021–6021–01; I.D.
100405C]
RIN 0648–AT73
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species;
Atlantic Swordfish Quotas
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
AGENCY:
Proposed rule; request for
comments; notice of public hearings.
ACTION:
SUMMARY: NMFS proposes to amend the
regulations governing the North and
South Atlantic swordfish fisheries to
modify the North and South Atlantic
Swordfish quotas for the 2005 fishing
year (June 1, 2005, through May 31,
2006) to account for updated landings
information from the 2003 and 2004
fishing years. This action is necessary to
ensure that current quotas are based on
the most recent landings information
and account for any underharvest from
previous fishing years, consistent with
the regulations at 50 CFR part 635.
Additionally, this action proposes to
implement a subsequent
recommendation by the International
Commission for the Conservation of
Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT)
(Recommendation 04–02), which
extends the 2005 North Atlantic
swordfish management measures. The
recommendation specifies that the
extension of the 2005 North Atlantic
swordfish quota is through the 2006
fishing year, but this proposed action
would extend the 2005 North Atlantic
swordfish management measures until
ICCAT provides a recommendation for a
new U.S. allocation of the North
Atlantic swordfish total allowable catch.
ICCAT’s Standing Committee for
Research and Statistics (SCRS) plans to
conduct a stock assessment for North
Atlantic swordfish in 2006. If the stock
assessment is completed as anticipated,
ICCAT intends to review the results
during the Fall 2006 meeting and
develop new management
recommendations. In the event that
ICCAT does not recommend a new U.S.
allocation, this action proposes to
extend the 2005 North Atlantic
swordfish management measures until
such time as ICCAT provides the
recommendation.
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 29 / Monday, February 13, 2006 / Proposed Rules
Written comments on the
proposed rule must be received by 5
p.m. on March 30, 2006.
NMFS will hold two public hearings
to receive comments from fishery
participants and other members of the
public regarding the proposed swordfish
regulations. Additional public hearings
will be considered upon request and
must be received by 5 p.m. on March 1,
2006 (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT). The public hearing dates are:
1. Monday, March 13, 2006, 4–6 p.m.,
Silver Spring, MD.
2. Friday, March 17, 2006, 2–5:30
p.m., Gloucester, MA.
ADDRESSES: The public hearing
locations are:
1. Gloucester - Northeast Regional
Office, NMFS, 1 Blackburn Drive,
Gloucester, MA 01930; and
2. Silver Spring - National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration, SSMC
IV, NOAA Auditorium, 1301 East West
Highway, Silver Spring 20910.
Written comments on the proposed
rule or the Draft Environmental
Assessment/Regulatory Impact Review/
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
(Draft EA/RIR/IRFA) may be submitted
to Megan Caldwell, Fisheries
Management Specialist, Highly
Migratory Species Management
Division, using any of the following
methods:
• Email: SF1.100405C@noaa.gov.
• Mail: 1315 East-West Highway,
Silver Spring, MD 20910. Please mark
the outside of the envelope ‘‘Comments
on Proposed Rule to Adjust the North
and South Atlantic Swordfish Quotas.’’
• Fax: 301–713–1917.
• Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Include in the
subject line the following identifier: I.D.
100405C.
Copies of the Fishery Management
Plan for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and
Sharks (1999 FMP)and other relevant
documents are also available from the
Highly Migratory Species Management
Division website at https://
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Megan Caldwell, by phone: 301–713–
2347; by fax: 301–713–1917; or by
email: Megan.Caldwell@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S.
Atlantic swordfish fishery is managed
under the 1999 FMP. Implementing
regulations at 50 CFR part 635 are
issued under the authority of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act
(Magnuson-Stevens Act), 16 U.S.C. 1801
et seq. and the Atlantic Tunas
Convention Act (ATCA), 16 U.S.C. 971
et seq. Regulations issued under the
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DATES:
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authority of ATCA carry out the
recommendations of ICCAT.
North Atlantic Swordfish Quota
Prior to the 2002 meeting, ICCAT
conducted a stock assessment
examining the North Atlantic swordfish
population. The Standing Committee on
Research and Statistics (SCRS)
concluded that the stock could support
an increase in the total allowable catch
(TAC) of North Atlantic swordfish.
According to the stock assessment, the
biomass at the start of 2002 was
estimated to be 94 percent of the
biomass needed to produce maximum
sustainable yield (MSY). The SCRS felt
that there was a greater that 50–percent
chance that a TAC of 14,000 metric tons
(mt) whole weight (ww) would allow
the stock to rebuild to MSY by the end
of 2009. Based on this information,
ICCAT recommended a TAC of 14,000
mt ww for 2003, 2004, and 2005, which
is an increase from 10,400 mt ww in
2002. Of the 14,000 mt ww, the United
States is allowed to catch 3,877 mt ww
(2,915.0 mt dressed weight (dw)) in
2003 and 3,907 mt ww (2,937.6 mt dw)
in 2004 and 2005 (Recommendation 02–
02).
On November 23, 2004, NMFS
published a final rule to implement the
ICCAT recommendations for the North
Atlantic swordfish quotas in 2003, 2004,
and 2005 (69 FR 68090). Pursuant to 50
CFR 635.27(c)(3)(ii), total landings
below the annual North Atlantic
swordfish quota shall be added to the
following year’s quota. Any carryover is
to be apportioned equally between the
two semi-annual fishing seasons.
The 2003 preliminary reported
landings were 1,509.0 mt dw, resulting
in an underharvest of 2,517.8 mt dw.
These preliminary landings were
previously used to adjust the quota for
the 2004 fishing year (November 23,
2004; 69 FR 68090). The final landings
for 2003 were 1,822.5 mt dw, thus
decreasing the 2003 underharvest to
2,275.1 mt dw.
This action would adjust the total
available quota for the 2004 fishing year
to account for the final 2003 landings
information. The 2004 North Atlantic
swordfish baseline quota was 2,937.6 mt
dw. The baseline quota plus the final
2003 underharvest would result in a
total 2004 quota of 5,212.7 mt dw. The
preliminary landings for the 2004
directed and incidental fishery are
1,475.0 mt dw. In addition to these
landings, the United States transferred
18.8 mt dw to Canada, resulting in an
underharvest of 3,398.5 mt dw for the
2004 fishing year after deducting dead
discards.
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Under this action, the underharvest
from the 2004 fishing year (3,398.5 mt
dw) would be added to the 2005
baseline quota (2,937.6 mt dw) for an
adjusted 2005 North Atlantic swordfish
quota of 6,336.1 mt dw. The reserve
category would be allocated 101.5 mt
dw, the incidental category would be
allocated 300 mt dw, and the remaining
quota would be divided into two equal
semiannual quotas of 2,967.3 mt dw for
the periods of June 1, 2005, through
November 30, 2005, and December 1,
2005, through May 31, 2006.
The 2002 ICCAT recommendations
included management measures for the
North Atlantic swordfish fishery from
2003, 2004, and 2005 with the
expectation that a new stock assessment
would be reviewed by the SCRS in
2005. The North Atlantic swordfish
stock assessment has been postponed
until 2006; therefore in 2004, ICCAT
recommended that the 2005 North
Atlantic swordfish quotas be extended
until new stock status information is
available (Recommendation 04–02).
This action proposes to implement the
2004 ICCAT recommendation.
Extending the 2005 North Atlantic
swordfish management measures is not
expected to have a significant impact on
the stock because the quota has been
underharvested for the past several
years, restrictions on the pelagic
longline fleet remain unchanged, and
permits and effort continue to be low.
South Atlantic Swordfish Quota
The SCRS also conducted a stock
assessment of South Atlantic swordfish
in 2002. Due to discrepancies between
several of the datasets, reliable stock
assessment results could not be
produced. However, the SCRS noted
that the total reported catches have
decreased since 1995. ICCAT set a
South Atlantic swordfish TAC of 15,631
mt ww in 2003, 15,776 mt ww in 2004,
15,956 mt ww in 2005, and 16,055 mt
ww in 2006. Of these amounts, the
United States is allocated 100 mt ww
(75.2 mt dw) in 2003, 2004, and 2005
and 120 mt ww (90.2 mt dw) in 2006
(Recommendation 02–03).
The November 2004 final rule also
implemented the ICCAT
recommendations for the South Atlantic
swordfish fishery in 2003, 2004, 2005,
and 2006 (68 FR 68090). As mentioned
above, the regulations also require that
landings below the annual South
Atlantic quota shall be added to the
following year’s quota.
The 2004 South Atlantic swordfish
landings were below the adjusted 2004
quota. Therefore, this action proposes to
carry over the underharvest into the
2005 fishing year. There were no
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 29 / Monday, February 13, 2006 / Proposed Rules
directed South Atlantic swordfish
landings during the 2004 fishing year.
The adjusted quota for the 2004 fishing
year was 334.3 mt dw (75.2 mt dw
baseline plus 259.1 mt dw carried over
from the 2003 fishing year). Therefore,
this action proposes to combine 2005
baseline quota (75.2 mt dw) with the
carryover from 2004 fishing year (334.3
mt dw), increasing the total 2005 South
Atlantic swordfish quota to 409.5 mt
dw. There is no incidental catch quota
for South Atlantic swordfish.
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Requests for Comments
NMFS will hold two public hearings
(see DATES and ADDRESSES) to receive
comments from fishery participants and
other members of the public regarding
this proposed rule. These hearings will
be physically accessible to people with
disabilities. Requests for sign language
interpretation or other auxiliary aids
should be directed to Megan Caldwell at
301–713–2347 at least 5 days prior to
the hearing date. For individuals unable
to attend a hearing, NMFS also solicits
written comments on the proposed rule
(see DATES and ADDRESSES).
Classification
This proposed rule is published under
the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens
Act and ATCA. Consistent with 50 CFR
635.27 (c)(3)(ii) and (iii), this action
proposes to adjust the 2005 North and
South Atlantic swordfish annual quotas
to account for the underharvest from
previous fishing years. Additionally this
action proposes to implement the 2004
ICCAT recommendation, which extends
the 2005 North Atlantic swordfish
management measures. The proposed
quota for the North Atlantic swordfish
fisheries would be apportioned equally
between the two semi-annual fishing
seasons in the North Atlantic region.
The Assistant Administrator for
Fisheries, NOAA, has preliminarily
determined that the regulations
contained in this rule are necessary to
ensure continued progress toward the
conservation goals of ICCAT, the
Magnuson-Stevens Act, ATCA, and the
FMP for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and
Sharks.
The measures proposed in this rule
are not expected to alter fishing
practices or fishing effort significantly
and therefore should not have any
further impacts on endangered species,
marine mammals, or critical habitat
beyond those considered in the June
2001 Biological Opinion (BiOp) on
Atlantic HMS Fisheries and the June
2004 BiOp for the HMS pelagic longline
(PLL) fisheries. In the June 2001 BiOp,
it was determined that the continued
operation of the Atlantic HMS rod and
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reel fishery is not likely to jeopardize
the continued existence of the right
whale, humpback, fin, or sperm whales,
or Kemp’s ridley, green, loggerhead,
hawksbill, or leatherback sea turtles.
The June 2004 BiOp determined that the
continued operation of the PLL fishery
is not likely to jeopardize the continued
existence of loggerhead, green,
hawksbill, Kemp’s ridley, or olive ridley
sea turtles, but is likely to jeopardize the
continued existence of leatherback sea
turtles.
NMFS has since promulgated
regulations required by the 2004 BiOp
to avoid jeopardy of leatherback sea
turtles, such as sea turtle bycatch and
bycatch mortality mitigation measures
for all Atlantic vessels with PLL gear
onboard. In addition, NMFS has
implemented regulations requiring PLL
vessels to use only 18/0 hooks with
whole mackerel and/or squid in the
Northeast Distant (NED) Statistical
Reporting Area, and 16/0 hooks and/or
18/0 hooks everywhere outside the NED
using whole finfish or squid, and to
possess and use sea turtle release
equipment with specified sea turtle
handling and release protocols.
Handling and release guidelines are also
required to be posted in the
wheelhouse. NMFS has also
implemented several time/area closures
between 1999 and 2002, which in
combination with the previously
mentioned restrictions have contributed
to the quota underages for both the
North and South Atlantic swordfish
quotas since 2000. In 2004, there were
390 commercial swordfish directed and
incidental permit holders, but only 142
vessels reported commercial swordfish
landings. Because NMFS is not altering
the current restrictions on the PLL
fishery, the increased quota is not
expected to increase effort.
An additional short term
consideration is the impact of
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on the
pelagic longline fishing industry in the
Gulf of Mexico. The effort in this area
is not likely to increase during the 2005
fishing year.
Thus, NMFS feels that the current
level of incidental takes of protected
species is not likely to be impacted by
this proposed change. Accordingly, no
irreversible or irretrievable commitment
of resources is expected from this
proposed action as this proposed rule is
not expected to adversely affect
protected species.
The Chief Counsel for Regulation of
the Department of Commerce certified
to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the
Small Business Administration that this
proposed rule, if adopted, would not
have a significant economic impact on
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7501
a substantial number of small entities.
This action proposes to modify the
North and South Atlantic swordfish
quotas for the 2005 fishing year to
account for the underharvest in
previous fishing years. Additionally,
this action proposes to extend the 2005
North Atlantic swordfish management
measures pursuant to a 2004 ICCAT
(Recommendation 04–02). These actions
are necessary to comply with the
recommendations of ICCAT, the
requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens
Act and ATCA, and the measures in the
FMP for Atlantic tunas, sharks, and
swordfish.
The commercial swordfish fishery is
composed of fishermen who hold a
swordfish directed, incidental, or
handgear permit and the related
industries including processors, bait
houses, and equipment suppliers, all of
which NMFS considers to be small
entities. In 2004, there were 390
commercial permit holders and 142
vessels reported landing swordfish
commercially. About 90 percent of the
vessels reporting commercial swordfish
landings used pelagic longline gear. In
2005, the commercial swordfish permit
holders declined to 372 permits for
directed, incidental, and handgear
permits. In 2004, there were also 24,843
HMS Angling permit holders who could
land swordfish recreationally (i.e., not
for profit), and 4,113 charter/headboat
permit holders authorized to land
swordfish. Other sectors of highly
migratory species fisheries, such as
dealers, processors, bait houses, and
gear manufacturers, could be indirectly
affected by the final regulations.
The proposed increased quota could
potentially result in revenue increases;
however, U.S. fishermen have not met
either the North or South Atlantic
swordfish quotas since 2000. For
example, in 2004, the North Atlantic
swordfish fishery had an underharvest
of 3,398.5 mt dw and the South Atlantic
swordfish fishery had an underharvest
of 334.2 mt dw. The proposed action
would result in a quota that is greater
than current catches. Thus, NMFS does
not believe that the net benefits and
costs would change significantly as a
result of the proposed quota increases.
In the Final Regulatory Flexibility
Analysis for the November 24, 2004,
final rule (69 FR 68090), the criteria
used to evaluate the potential impacts
include analysis of gross revenues in
recent years from pelagic longline
logbook data. In future fishing years, the
present value of gross and net revenues
for the swordfish fishery at the ex-vessel
level could increase, but that would
depend on the extent to which
fishermen can expand their effort to
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 29 / Monday, February 13, 2006 / Proposed Rules
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catch the quota. For example, increasing
the North Atlantic swordfish quotas by
3,398.5 mt dw could increase ex-vessel
revenues by as much as $23.5 million if
the entire adjusted quota were caught;
and increasing the South Atlantic
swordfish quota by 334.3 mt dw could
increase the ex-vessel revenues by $2.3
million. Based on existing regulations,
including time/area closures, minimum
sizes, and permit restrictions, it is
unlikely that there will be an increase
in effort in the fishery. If effort is
increased, U.S. fishermen would
potentially experience positive benefits
as a result of this proposed rule.
This proposed rule has been
determined to be not significant for
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
NMFS has determined preliminarily
that these regulations would be
implemented in a manner consistent to
the maximum extent practicable with
the enforceable policies of those coastal
states in the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico,
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and Caribbean that have approved
coastal zone management programs.
Letters have been sent to the relevant
states asking for their concurrence.
§ 635.27
Quotas.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.; 16 U.S.C.
1801 et seq.
*
*
*
*
(c) * * *
(1) * * *
(i) * * *
(A) A swordfish from the North
Atlantic stock caught prior to the
directed fishery closure by a vessel for
which a directed fishery permit, or a
handgear permit for swordfish, has been
issued is counted against the directed
fishery quota. The annual fishery quota,
not adjusted for over- or underharvests,
is 2,937.6 mt dw for each fishing year
beginning June 1, 2004. The annual
quota is subdivided into two equal
semiannual quotas of 1,468.8 mt dw:
one for June 1 through November 30,
and the other for December 1 through
May 31 of the following year.
*
*
*
*
*
2. In § 635.27, paragraph (c)(1)(i)(A) is
revised to read as follows:
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 635
Fisheries, Fishing, Management,
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Treaties.
Dated: February 7, 2006.
William T. Hogarth,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
For the reasons set out in the
preamble, 50 CFR part 635 is proposed
to be amended as follows:
PART 635—ATLANTIC HIGHLY
MIGRATORY SPECIES
1. The authority citation for part 635
continues to read as follows:
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*
[FR Doc. E6–1980 Filed 2–10–06; 8:45 am]
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 29 (Monday, February 13, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7499-7502]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-1980]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 635
[Docket No. 060201021-6021-01; I.D. 100405C]
RIN 0648-AT73
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Swordfish Quotas
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments; notice of public hearings.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS proposes to amend the regulations governing the North and
South Atlantic swordfish fisheries to modify the North and South
Atlantic Swordfish quotas for the 2005 fishing year (June 1, 2005,
through May 31, 2006) to account for updated landings information from
the 2003 and 2004 fishing years. This action is necessary to ensure
that current quotas are based on the most recent landings information
and account for any underharvest from previous fishing years,
consistent with the regulations at 50 CFR part 635. Additionally, this
action proposes to implement a subsequent recommendation by the
International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT)
(Recommendation 04-02), which extends the 2005 North Atlantic swordfish
management measures. The recommendation specifies that the extension of
the 2005 North Atlantic swordfish quota is through the 2006 fishing
year, but this proposed action would extend the 2005 North Atlantic
swordfish management measures until ICCAT provides a recommendation for
a new U.S. allocation of the North Atlantic swordfish total allowable
catch. ICCAT's Standing Committee for Research and Statistics (SCRS)
plans to conduct a stock assessment for North Atlantic swordfish in
2006. If the stock assessment is completed as anticipated, ICCAT
intends to review the results during the Fall 2006 meeting and develop
new management recommendations. In the event that ICCAT does not
recommend a new U.S. allocation, this action proposes to extend the
2005 North Atlantic swordfish management measures until such time as
ICCAT provides the recommendation.
[[Page 7500]]
DATES: Written comments on the proposed rule must be received by 5 p.m.
on March 30, 2006.
NMFS will hold two public hearings to receive comments from fishery
participants and other members of the public regarding the proposed
swordfish regulations. Additional public hearings will be considered
upon request and must be received by 5 p.m. on March 1, 2006 (see FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). The public hearing dates are:
1. Monday, March 13, 2006, 4-6 p.m., Silver Spring, MD.
2. Friday, March 17, 2006, 2-5:30 p.m., Gloucester, MA.
ADDRESSES: The public hearing locations are:
1. Gloucester - Northeast Regional Office, NMFS, 1 Blackburn Drive,
Gloucester, MA 01930; and
2. Silver Spring - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
SSMC IV, NOAA Auditorium, 1301 East West Highway, Silver Spring 20910.
Written comments on the proposed rule or the Draft Environmental
Assessment/Regulatory Impact Review/Initial Regulatory Flexibility
Analysis (Draft EA/RIR/IRFA) may be submitted to Megan Caldwell,
Fisheries Management Specialist, Highly Migratory Species Management
Division, using any of the following methods:
Email: SF1.100405C@noaa.gov.
Mail: 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
Please mark the outside of the envelope ``Comments on Proposed Rule to
Adjust the North and South Atlantic Swordfish Quotas.''
Fax: 301-713-1917.
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
Include in the subject line the following identifier: I.D. 100405C.
Copies of the Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Tunas,
Swordfish, and Sharks (1999 FMP)and other relevant documents are also
available from the Highly Migratory Species Management Division website
at https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Megan Caldwell, by phone: 301-713-
2347; by fax: 301-713-1917; or by email: Megan.Caldwell@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Atlantic swordfish fishery is
managed under the 1999 FMP. Implementing regulations at 50 CFR part 635
are issued under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), 16 U.S.C. 1801
et seq. and the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA), 16 U.S.C. 971 et
seq. Regulations issued under the authority of ATCA carry out the
recommendations of ICCAT.
North Atlantic Swordfish Quota
Prior to the 2002 meeting, ICCAT conducted a stock assessment
examining the North Atlantic swordfish population. The Standing
Committee on Research and Statistics (SCRS) concluded that the stock
could support an increase in the total allowable catch (TAC) of North
Atlantic swordfish. According to the stock assessment, the biomass at
the start of 2002 was estimated to be 94 percent of the biomass needed
to produce maximum sustainable yield (MSY). The SCRS felt that there
was a greater that 50-percent chance that a TAC of 14,000 metric tons
(mt) whole weight (ww) would allow the stock to rebuild to MSY by the
end of 2009. Based on this information, ICCAT recommended a TAC of
14,000 mt ww for 2003, 2004, and 2005, which is an increase from 10,400
mt ww in 2002. Of the 14,000 mt ww, the United States is allowed to
catch 3,877 mt ww (2,915.0 mt dressed weight (dw)) in 2003 and 3,907 mt
ww (2,937.6 mt dw) in 2004 and 2005 (Recommendation 02-02).
On November 23, 2004, NMFS published a final rule to implement the
ICCAT recommendations for the North Atlantic swordfish quotas in 2003,
2004, and 2005 (69 FR 68090). Pursuant to 50 CFR 635.27(c)(3)(ii),
total landings below the annual North Atlantic swordfish quota shall be
added to the following year's quota. Any carryover is to be apportioned
equally between the two semi-annual fishing seasons.
The 2003 preliminary reported landings were 1,509.0 mt dw,
resulting in an underharvest of 2,517.8 mt dw. These preliminary
landings were previously used to adjust the quota for the 2004 fishing
year (November 23, 2004; 69 FR 68090). The final landings for 2003 were
1,822.5 mt dw, thus decreasing the 2003 underharvest to 2,275.1 mt dw.
This action would adjust the total available quota for the 2004
fishing year to account for the final 2003 landings information. The
2004 North Atlantic swordfish baseline quota was 2,937.6 mt dw. The
baseline quota plus the final 2003 underharvest would result in a total
2004 quota of 5,212.7 mt dw. The preliminary landings for the 2004
directed and incidental fishery are 1,475.0 mt dw. In addition to these
landings, the United States transferred 18.8 mt dw to Canada, resulting
in an underharvest of 3,398.5 mt dw for the 2004 fishing year after
deducting dead discards.
Under this action, the underharvest from the 2004 fishing year
(3,398.5 mt dw) would be added to the 2005 baseline quota (2,937.6 mt
dw) for an adjusted 2005 North Atlantic swordfish quota of 6,336.1 mt
dw. The reserve category would be allocated 101.5 mt dw, the incidental
category would be allocated 300 mt dw, and the remaining quota would be
divided into two equal semiannual quotas of 2,967.3 mt dw for the
periods of June 1, 2005, through November 30, 2005, and December 1,
2005, through May 31, 2006.
The 2002 ICCAT recommendations included management measures for the
North Atlantic swordfish fishery from 2003, 2004, and 2005 with the
expectation that a new stock assessment would be reviewed by the SCRS
in 2005. The North Atlantic swordfish stock assessment has been
postponed until 2006; therefore in 2004, ICCAT recommended that the
2005 North Atlantic swordfish quotas be extended until new stock status
information is available (Recommendation 04-02). This action proposes
to implement the 2004 ICCAT recommendation. Extending the 2005 North
Atlantic swordfish management measures is not expected to have a
significant impact on the stock because the quota has been
underharvested for the past several years, restrictions on the pelagic
longline fleet remain unchanged, and permits and effort continue to be
low.
South Atlantic Swordfish Quota
The SCRS also conducted a stock assessment of South Atlantic
swordfish in 2002. Due to discrepancies between several of the
datasets, reliable stock assessment results could not be produced.
However, the SCRS noted that the total reported catches have decreased
since 1995. ICCAT set a South Atlantic swordfish TAC of 15,631 mt ww in
2003, 15,776 mt ww in 2004, 15,956 mt ww in 2005, and 16,055 mt ww in
2006. Of these amounts, the United States is allocated 100 mt ww (75.2
mt dw) in 2003, 2004, and 2005 and 120 mt ww (90.2 mt dw) in 2006
(Recommendation 02-03).
The November 2004 final rule also implemented the ICCAT
recommendations for the South Atlantic swordfish fishery in 2003, 2004,
2005, and 2006 (68 FR 68090). As mentioned above, the regulations also
require that landings below the annual South Atlantic quota shall be
added to the following year's quota.
The 2004 South Atlantic swordfish landings were below the adjusted
2004 quota. Therefore, this action proposes to carry over the
underharvest into the 2005 fishing year. There were no
[[Page 7501]]
directed South Atlantic swordfish landings during the 2004 fishing
year. The adjusted quota for the 2004 fishing year was 334.3 mt dw
(75.2 mt dw baseline plus 259.1 mt dw carried over from the 2003
fishing year). Therefore, this action proposes to combine 2005 baseline
quota (75.2 mt dw) with the carryover from 2004 fishing year (334.3 mt
dw), increasing the total 2005 South Atlantic swordfish quota to 409.5
mt dw. There is no incidental catch quota for South Atlantic swordfish.
Requests for Comments
NMFS will hold two public hearings (see DATES and ADDRESSES) to
receive comments from fishery participants and other members of the
public regarding this proposed rule. These hearings will be physically
accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language
interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Megan
Caldwell at 301-713-2347 at least 5 days prior to the hearing date. For
individuals unable to attend a hearing, NMFS also solicits written
comments on the proposed rule (see DATES and ADDRESSES).
Classification
This proposed rule is published under the authority of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act and ATCA. Consistent with 50 CFR 635.27 (c)(3)(ii)
and (iii), this action proposes to adjust the 2005 North and South
Atlantic swordfish annual quotas to account for the underharvest from
previous fishing years. Additionally this action proposes to implement
the 2004 ICCAT recommendation, which extends the 2005 North Atlantic
swordfish management measures. The proposed quota for the North
Atlantic swordfish fisheries would be apportioned equally between the
two semi-annual fishing seasons in the North Atlantic region. The
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, has preliminarily
determined that the regulations contained in this rule are necessary to
ensure continued progress toward the conservation goals of ICCAT, the
Magnuson-Stevens Act, ATCA, and the FMP for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish,
and Sharks.
The measures proposed in this rule are not expected to alter
fishing practices or fishing effort significantly and therefore should
not have any further impacts on endangered species, marine mammals, or
critical habitat beyond those considered in the June 2001 Biological
Opinion (BiOp) on Atlantic HMS Fisheries and the June 2004 BiOp for the
HMS pelagic longline (PLL) fisheries. In the June 2001 BiOp, it was
determined that the continued operation of the Atlantic HMS rod and
reel fishery is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the
right whale, humpback, fin, or sperm whales, or Kemp's ridley, green,
loggerhead, hawksbill, or leatherback sea turtles. The June 2004 BiOp
determined that the continued operation of the PLL fishery is not
likely to jeopardize the continued existence of loggerhead, green,
hawksbill, Kemp's ridley, or olive ridley sea turtles, but is likely to
jeopardize the continued existence of leatherback sea turtles.
NMFS has since promulgated regulations required by the 2004 BiOp to
avoid jeopardy of leatherback sea turtles, such as sea turtle bycatch
and bycatch mortality mitigation measures for all Atlantic vessels with
PLL gear onboard. In addition, NMFS has implemented regulations
requiring PLL vessels to use only 18/0 hooks with whole mackerel and/or
squid in the Northeast Distant (NED) Statistical Reporting Area, and
16/0 hooks and/or 18/0 hooks everywhere outside the NED using whole
finfish or squid, and to possess and use sea turtle release equipment
with specified sea turtle handling and release protocols. Handling and
release guidelines are also required to be posted in the wheelhouse.
NMFS has also implemented several time/area closures between 1999 and
2002, which in combination with the previously mentioned restrictions
have contributed to the quota underages for both the North and South
Atlantic swordfish quotas since 2000. In 2004, there were 390
commercial swordfish directed and incidental permit holders, but only
142 vessels reported commercial swordfish landings. Because NMFS is not
altering the current restrictions on the PLL fishery, the increased
quota is not expected to increase effort.
An additional short term consideration is the impact of Hurricanes
Katrina and Rita on the pelagic longline fishing industry in the Gulf
of Mexico. The effort in this area is not likely to increase during the
2005 fishing year.
Thus, NMFS feels that the current level of incidental takes of
protected species is not likely to be impacted by this proposed change.
Accordingly, no irreversible or irretrievable commitment of resources
is expected from this proposed action as this proposed rule is not
expected to adversely affect protected species.
The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business
Administration that this proposed rule, if adopted, would not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
This action proposes to modify the North and South Atlantic swordfish
quotas for the 2005 fishing year to account for the underharvest in
previous fishing years. Additionally, this action proposes to extend
the 2005 North Atlantic swordfish management measures pursuant to a
2004 ICCAT (Recommendation 04-02). These actions are necessary to
comply with the recommendations of ICCAT, the requirements of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act and ATCA, and the measures in the FMP for Atlantic
tunas, sharks, and swordfish.
The commercial swordfish fishery is composed of fishermen who hold
a swordfish directed, incidental, or handgear permit and the related
industries including processors, bait houses, and equipment suppliers,
all of which NMFS considers to be small entities. In 2004, there were
390 commercial permit holders and 142 vessels reported landing
swordfish commercially. About 90 percent of the vessels reporting
commercial swordfish landings used pelagic longline gear. In 2005, the
commercial swordfish permit holders declined to 372 permits for
directed, incidental, and handgear permits. In 2004, there were also
24,843 HMS Angling permit holders who could land swordfish
recreationally (i.e., not for profit), and 4,113 charter/headboat
permit holders authorized to land swordfish. Other sectors of highly
migratory species fisheries, such as dealers, processors, bait houses,
and gear manufacturers, could be indirectly affected by the final
regulations.
The proposed increased quota could potentially result in revenue
increases; however, U.S. fishermen have not met either the North or
South Atlantic swordfish quotas since 2000. For example, in 2004, the
North Atlantic swordfish fishery had an underharvest of 3,398.5 mt dw
and the South Atlantic swordfish fishery had an underharvest of 334.2
mt dw. The proposed action would result in a quota that is greater than
current catches. Thus, NMFS does not believe that the net benefits and
costs would change significantly as a result of the proposed quota
increases.
In the Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis for the November 24,
2004, final rule (69 FR 68090), the criteria used to evaluate the
potential impacts include analysis of gross revenues in recent years
from pelagic longline logbook data. In future fishing years, the
present value of gross and net revenues for the swordfish fishery at
the ex-vessel level could increase, but that would depend on the extent
to which fishermen can expand their effort to
[[Page 7502]]
catch the quota. For example, increasing the North Atlantic swordfish
quotas by 3,398.5 mt dw could increase ex-vessel revenues by as much as
$23.5 million if the entire adjusted quota were caught; and increasing
the South Atlantic swordfish quota by 334.3 mt dw could increase the
ex-vessel revenues by $2.3 million. Based on existing regulations,
including time/area closures, minimum sizes, and permit restrictions,
it is unlikely that there will be an increase in effort in the fishery.
If effort is increased, U.S. fishermen would potentially experience
positive benefits as a result of this proposed rule.
This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
NMFS has determined preliminarily that these regulations would be
implemented in a manner consistent to the maximum extent practicable
with the enforceable policies of those coastal states in the Atlantic,
Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean that have approved coastal zone
management programs. Letters have been sent to the relevant states
asking for their concurrence.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 635
Fisheries, Fishing, Management, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Treaties.
Dated: February 7, 2006.
William T. Hogarth,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 635 is
proposed to be amended as follows:
PART 635--ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES
1. The authority citation for part 635 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
2. In Sec. 635.27, paragraph (c)(1)(i)(A) is revised to read as
follows:
Sec. 635.27 Quotas.
* * * * *
(c) * * *
(1) * * *
(i) * * *
(A) A swordfish from the North Atlantic stock caught prior to the
directed fishery closure by a vessel for which a directed fishery
permit, or a handgear permit for swordfish, has been issued is counted
against the directed fishery quota. The annual fishery quota, not
adjusted for over- or underharvests, is 2,937.6 mt dw for each fishing
year beginning June 1, 2004. The annual quota is subdivided into two
equal semiannual quotas of 1,468.8 mt dw: one for June 1 through
November 30, and the other for December 1 through May 31 of the
following year.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. E6-1980 Filed 2-10-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
