List of Fisheries for 2006, 48802-48823 [06-7071]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 162 (Tuesday, August 22, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48802-48823]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-7071]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 229

[Docket No. 060330090-6212-02, I.D. 021506B]
RIN 0648-AU19


List of Fisheries for 2006

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is publishing its 
final List of Fisheries (LOF) for 2006, as required by the Marine 
Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The final LOF for 2006 reflects new 
information on interactions between commercial fisheries and marine 
mammals. NMFS must categorize each commercial fishery on the LOF into 
one of three categories under the MMPA based upon the level of serious 
injury and mortality of marine mammals that occurs incidental to each 
fishery. The categorization of a fishery in the LOF determines whether 
participants in that fishery are subject to certain provisions of the 
MMPA, such as registration, observer coverage, and take reduction plan 
requirements.

DATES: This final rule is effective September 21, 2006.
    The California sardine purse seine fishery, the Chesapeake Bay 
inshore gillnet fishery, and the Mid-Atlantic menhaden purse seine 
fishery are considered to be Category II fisheries on September 21, 
2006, and are required to comply with all requirements of Category II 
fisheries (i.e., complying with applicable registration requirements, 
complying with applicable take reduction plan requirements, and 
carrying observers, if requested) on that date.

ADDRESSES: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for a listing of all Regional 
offices.
    For collection-of-information requirements subject to the Paperwork 
Reduction Act, please contact the Office of Management and Budget, 
Attn: David Rostker, fax: 202-395-7285 or David_Rostker@omb.eop.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa Andersen, Office of Protected 
Resources, 301-713-2322; David Gouveia, Northeast Region, 978-281-9328; 
Vicki Cornish, Southeast Region, 727-824-5312; Christina Fahy, 
Southwest Region, 562-980-4023; Brent Norberg, Northwest Region, 206-
526-6733; Bridget Mansfield, Alaska Region, 907-586-7642; Lisa Van 
Atta, Pacific Islands Region, 808-973-2937. Individuals who use a 
telecommunications device for the hearing impaired may call the Federal 
Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. 
Eastern time, Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Availability of Published Materials

    Information regarding the LOF and the Marine Mammal Authorization 
Program, including registration procedures and forms, current and past 
LOFs, observer requirements, and marine mammal injury/mortality 
reporting forms and submittal procedures, may be obtained at: https://
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/interactions/mmap, or from any NMFS Regional 
Office at the addresses listed below.
    NMFS, Northeast Region, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-
2298, Attn: Marcia Hobbs;
    NMFS, Southeast Region, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 
33701, Attn: Teletha Mincey;
    NMFS, Southwest Region, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, 
CA 90802-4213, Attn: Lyle Enriquez;

[[Page 48803]]

    NMFS, Northwest Region, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115, 
Attn: Permits Office;
    NMFS, Alaska Region, Protected Resources, P.O. Box 22668, 709 West 
9th Street, Juneau, AK 99802; or
    NMFS, Pacific Islands Region, Protected Resources, 1601 Kapiolani 
Boulevard, Suite 1100, Honolulu, HI, 96814-4700.

What is the List of Fisheries?

    Section 118 of the MMPA requires NMFS to place all U.S. commercial 
fisheries into one of three categories based on the level of incidental 
serious injury and mortality of marine mammals occurring in each 
fishery (16 U.S.C. 1387(c)(1)). The categorization of a fishery in the 
LOF determines whether participants in that fishery may be required to 
comply with certain provisions of the MMPA, such as registration, 
observer coverage, and take reduction plan requirements. NMFS must 
reexamine the LOF annually, considering new information in the Stock 
Assessment Reports and other relevant sources and publish in the 
Federal Register any necessary changes to the LOF after notice and 
opportunity for public comment (16 U.S.C. 1387 (c)(1)(c)).

How Does NMFS Determine in which Category a Fishery is Placed?

    The definitions for the fishery classification criteria can be 
found in the implementing regulations for section 118 of the MMPA (50 
CFR 229.2). The criteria are also summarized here.

Fishery Classification Criteria

    The fishery classification criteria consist of a two-tiered, stock-
specific approach that first addresses the total impact of all 
fisheries on each marine mammal stock, and then addresses the impact of 
individual fisheries on each stock. This approach is based on 
consideration of the rate, in numbers of animals per year, of 
incidental mortalities and serious injuries of marine mammals due to 
commercial fishing operations relative to the potential biological 
removal (PBR) level for each marine mammal stock. The MMPA (16 U.S.C. 
1362 (20)) defines the PBR level as the maximum number of animals, not 
including natural mortalities, that may be removed from a marine mammal 
stock while allowing that stock to reach or maintain its optimum 
sustainable population. This definition can also be found in the 
implementing regulations for section 118 of the MMPA (50 CFR 229.2).
    Tier 1: If the total annual mortality and serious injury of a 
marine mammal stock, across all fisheries, is less than or equal to 10 
percent of the PBR level of the stock, all fisheries interacting with 
the stock would be placed in Category III (unless those fisheries 
interact with other stock(s) in which total annual mortality and 
serious injury is greater than 10 percent of PBR). Otherwise, these 
fisheries are subject to the next tier (Tier 2) of analysis to 
determine their classification.
    Tier 2, Category I: Annual mortality and serious injury of a stock 
in a given fishery is greater than or equal to 50 percent of the PBR 
level.
    Tier 2, Category II: Annual mortality and serious injury of a stock 
in a given fishery is greater than 1 percent and less than 50 percent 
of the PBR level.
    Tier 2, Category III: Annual mortality and serious injury of a 
stock in a given fishery is less than or equal to 1 percent of the PBR 
level.
    While Tier 1 considers the cumulative fishery mortality and serious 
injury for a particular stock, Tier 2 considers fishery-specific 
mortality and serious injury for a particular stock. Additional details 
regarding how the categories were determined are provided in the 
preamble to the final rule implementing section 118 of the MMPA (60 FR 
45086, August 30, 1995).
    Since fisheries are categorized on a per-stock basis, a fishery may 
qualify as one Category for one marine mammal stock and another 
Category for a different marine mammal stock. A fishery is typically 
categorized on the LOF at its highest level of classification (e.g., a 
fishery qualifying for Category III for one marine mammal stock and for 
Category II for another marine mammal stock will be listed under 
Category II).

Other Criteria That May Be Considered

    In the absence of reliable information indicating the frequency of 
incidental mortality and serious injury of marine mammals by a 
commercial fishery, NMFS will determine whether the incidental serious 
injury or mortality qualifies for Category II by evaluating other 
factors such as fishing techniques, gear used, methods used to deter 
marine mammals, target species, seasons and areas fished, qualitative 
data from logbooks or fisher reports, stranding data, and the species 
and distribution of marine mammals in the area, or at the discretion of 
the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries (50 CFR 229.2).

How Do I Find Out if a Specific Fishery is in Category I, II, or III?

    This final rule includes two tables that list all U.S. commercial 
fisheries by LOF Category. Table 1 lists all of the fisheries in the 
Pacific Ocean (including Alaska). Table 2 lists all of the fisheries in 
the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean.

Am I Required to Register Under the MMPA?

    Owners of vessels or gear engaging in a Category I or II fishery 
are required under the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1387(c)(2)), as described in 50 
CFR 229.4, to register with NMFS and obtain a marine mammal 
authorization from NMFS in order to lawfully incidentally take a marine 
mammal in a commercial fishery. Owners of vessels or gear engaged in a 
Category III fishery are not required to register with NMFS or obtain a 
marine mammal authorization.

How Do I Register?

    Vessel or gear owners must register with the Marine Mammal 
Authorization Program (MMAP) by contacting the relevant NMFS Regional 
Office (see ADDRESSES) unless they participate in a fishery that has an 
integrated registration program (described below). Upon receipt of a 
completed registration, NMFS will issue vessel or gear owners an 
authorization certificate. The authorization certificate, or a copy, 
must be on board the vessel while it is operating in a Category I or II 
fishery, or for non-vessel fisheries, in the possession of the person 
in charge of the fishing operation (50 CFR 229.4(e)).

What is the Process for Registering in an Integrated Fishery?

    For some fisheries, NMFS has integrated the MMPA registration 
process with existing state and Federal fishery license, registration, 
or permit systems. Participants in these fisheries are automatically 
registered under the MMPA and are not required to submit registration 
or renewal materials or pay the $25 registration fee. The following 
section indicates which fisheries are integrated fisheries and has a 
summary of the integration process for each Region. Vessel or gear 
owners who operate in an integrated fishery and have not received an 
authorization certificate by January 1 of each new year must contact 
their NMFS Regional Office (see ADDRESSES). Although efforts are made 
to limit the issuance of authorization certificates to only those 
vessel or gear owners that participate in Category I or II fisheries, 
not all state and Federal permit systems distinguish between fisheries 
as classified by the LOF. Therefore, some vessel or gear owners in 
Category III fisheries may receive authorization certificates even 
though they are not required for Category III fisheries. Individuals

[[Page 48804]]

fishing in Category I and II fisheries for which no state or Federal 
permit is required must register with NMFS by contacting their 
appropriate Regional Office (see ADDRESSES).

Which Fisheries Have Integrated Registration Programs?

    The following fisheries have integrated registration programs under 
the MMPA:
    1. All Alaska Category II fisheries;
    2. All Washington and Oregon Category II fisheries;
    3. Northeast Regional fisheries for which a state or Federal permit 
is required;
    4. All Southeast Regional fisheries for which a Federal permit is 
required, as well as fisheries permitted by the states of North 
Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, 
Louisiana, and Texas; and
    5. The Hawaii Swordfish, Tuna, Billfish, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo,Oceanic 
Sharks Longline/Set line Fishery.

How Do I Renew My Registration Under the MMPA?

     Vessel or gear owners that participate in fisheries that have 
integrated registration programs (described above) are automatically 
renewed and should receive an authorization certificate by January 1 of 
each new year. Vessel or gear owners who participate in an integrated 
fishery and have not received authorization certificates by January 1 
must contact the appropriate NMFS Regional Office (see ADDRESSES). 
Vessel or gear owners that participate in fisheries that do not have 
integrated registration programs and that have previously registered in 
a Category I or II fishery will received a renewal packet from the 
appropriate NMFS Regional Office at least 30 days prior to January 1 of 
each new year. It is the responsibility of the vessel or gear owner in 
these fisheries to complete their renewal form and return it to the 
appropriate NMFS Regional Office at least 30 days in advance of 
fishing. Individuals who have not received a renewal packet by January 
1 or are registering for the first time must request a registration 
form from the appropriate Regional Office (see ADDRESSES).

Am I Required to Submit Reports When I Injure or Kill a Marine Mammal 
During the Course of Commercial Fishing Operations?

    In accordance with the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1387(e)) and 50 CFR 229.6, 
any vessel owner or operator, or gear owner or operator (in the case of 
non-vessel fisheries), participating in a Category I, II, or III 
fishery must report to NMFS all incidental injuries and mortalities of 
marine mammals that occur during commercial fishing operations. 
``Injury'' is defined in 50 CFR 229.2 as a wound or other physical 
harm. In addition, any animal that ingests fishing gear or any animal 
that is released with fishing gear entangling, trailing, or perforating 
any part of the body is considered injured, regardless of the presence 
of any wound or other evidence of injury, and must be reported. Injury/
mortality report forms and instructions for submitting forms to NMFS 
can be downloaded from: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/interactions/
mmap_reporting_form.pdf. Reporting requirements and procedures can be 
found in 50 CFR 229.6.

Am I Required to Take an Observer Aboard My Vessel?

    Fishers participating in a Category I or II fishery are required to 
accommodate an observer aboard vessel(s) upon request. Observer 
requirements can be found in 50 CFR 229.7.

Am I Required to Comply With Any Take Reduction Plan Regulations?

    Fishers participating in a Category I or II fishery are required to 
comply with any applicable take reduction plans. Take reduction plan 
requirements can be found at 50 CFR 229.30-34.

Sources of Information Reviewed for the Proposed 2006 LOF

    NMFS reviewed the marine mammal incidental serious injury and 
mortality information presented in the Stock Assessment Reports (SARs) 
for all observed fisheries to determine whether changes in fishery 
classification were warranted. NMFS' SARs are based on the best 
scientific information available at the time of preparation, including 
the level of serious injury and mortality of marine mammals that occurs 
incidental to commercial fisheries and the PBR levels of marine mammal 
stocks. The information contained in the SARs is reviewed by regional 
scientific review groups (SRGs) representing Alaska, the Pacific 
(including Hawaii), and the U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and 
Caribbean. The SRGs were created by the MMPA to review the science that 
informs the SARs, and to advise NMFS on population status and trends, 
stock structure, uncertainties in the science, research needs, and 
other issues.
    NMFS also reviewed other sources of new information, including 
marine mammal stranding data, observer program data, fisher self-
reports, and other information that may not be included in the SARs.
    The LOF for 2006 was based, among other things, on information 
provided in the final SARs for 1996 (63 FR 60, January 2, 1998), the 
final SARs for 2001 (67 FR 10671, March 8, 2002), the final SARs for 
2002 (68 FR 17920, April 14, 2003), the final SARs for 2003 (69 FR 
54262, September 8, 2004), the final SARs for 2004 (70 FR 35397, June 
20, 2005), and the final SARs for 2005 (71 FR 26340, May 4, 2006). All 
SARs are available at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/.

Comments and Responses

    NMFS received 5 comment letters on the proposed 2006 LOF (71 FR 
20941, April 24, 2006) from environmental, commercial fishing, and 
Federal and state interests. Comments on issues outside the scope of 
the LOF are noted, but are not responded to in this final rule.

General Comments

    Comment 1: One commenter commended NMFS on the addition of detailed 
descriptions of the basis of classification decisions for each fishery 
on the 2006 LOF.
    Response: In this final rule, NMFS provides additional information 
on the basis for classification of each fishery as Category I or II. 
The 2006 LOF identifies which stock(s) is responsible for a fishery's 
Category I classification, and indicates whether a fishery is 
classified as Category II based on serious injury or mortality of a 
marine mammal stock(s) or classified by analogy with another fishery 
(based on the definition of a ``Category II fishery'' in 50 CFR 229.2).
    Comment 2: One commenter stated that in cases where the 
distribution of a marine mammal species overlaps with fisheries using 
gear types known to interact with that species, the fishery should be 
categorized with the presumption that a likelihood of interactions 
exists. Also, the commenter stated it is inappropriate to assume that 
interactions do not occur based only on fisher self-reporting.
    Response: NMFS considers many factors in classifying fisheries, as 
directed by the implementing regulations for section 118 of the MMPA 
(50 CFR 229.2). In the absence of reliable information indicating the 
frequency of mortality and serious injury of marine mammals by a 
commercial fishery, the Assistant Administrator determines whether the 
incidental serious injury or mortality is ``occasional'' by evaluating 
other factors such as fishing techniques, gear used, methods used to 
deter marine mammals, target species, seasons and areas fished, 
qualitative data from logbooks or fisher

[[Page 48805]]

reports, stranding data, and the species and distribution of marine 
mammals in the area, or at the discretion of the Assistant 
Administrator (50 CFR 229.2).
    Comment 3: One commenter stated that a species should not be 
deleted from the list of species incidentally killed or injured for a 
particular fishery based on a lack of evidence of interactions within 
the last 5 years, as the risk of interactions continues to exist.
    Response: The LOF is intended to inform the public of the current 
status of commercial fisheries with respect to marine mammal serious 
injuries and mortalities. It was never intended that the LOF serve as a 
comprehensive document detailing the history of a fishery in terms of 
marine mammal interactions. NMFS recognizes that fisheries change over 
time and species/stocks should not remain on the list of species/stocks 
killed/injured in a certain fishery if there are no longer data to 
support inclusion. If observer information for interactions over the 
past 5 years is insufficient, NMFS uses the best available information 
(including stranding reports and fisher self-reports) to determine when 
to delete species/stocks from the list of species or stocks 
incidentally killed/injured. Historical information on a fishery's 
interactions with a marine mammal stock is presented in the SARs. 
Therefore, this information should not be duplicated in the LOF.
    Comment 4: One commenter reiterated a previous recommendation on 
the 2005 LOF, in which the commenter requested that NMFS describe the 
level of observer coverage for each fishery listed on the LOF. The 
commenter stated that without this information the reader cannot 
discern whether ``no interactions were documented'' means that no 
interactions actually occurred or observer coverage was inadequate to 
determine interaction levels. Also, such a description would allow 
readers to evaluate classifications based on ``analogy''. The comment 
used as an example the classification of the CA sardine purse seine 
fishery due to its similarity to the CA anchovy, mackerel, tuna purse 
seine fishery.
    Response: Section 118(c) of the MMPA requires that NMFS include an 
explanation of changes to the LOF, the approximate number of vessels or 
persons actively involved in a fishery, and the marine mammal stocks 
interacting with a fishery in a particular LOF. The best available 
information on the level of observer coverage for each fishery and the 
spatial and temporal distribution of marine mammal interactions 
observed is presented in the SARs. NMFS refers readers to the SARs for 
the most current information on the level of observer coverage for each 
fishery. Copies of the SARs are available on the NMFS Office of 
Protected Resource's Web site at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/. 
Additional information on observer coverage in commercial fisheries can 
be found on the National Observer Program's Web site: https://
www.st.nmfs.gov/st4/nop/.
    NMFS has not included detailed information on the level, or 
percentage, of observer coverage in the LOF because it is generally of 
limited use without also including information on the confidence 
associated with mortality/serious injury estimates generated from 
observer data. Information regarding the Coefficient of Variation (CV) 
for stock-specific mortality/serious injury estimates are instead 
reported in the SARs.
    The example used in the comment is noteworthy because the 
``analogy'' upon which classification of the CA sardine purse seine 
fishery was based does not require observer data as its basis. This 
fishery is similar in many characteristics to other purse seine 
fisheries in the general area, and these other fisheries are in 
Category II (based upon the best available information from observer 
data from 1990-1992). Category II is the default classification for new 
fisheries on the LOF when there is little or no information upon which 
to base classification; a Category II classification requires 
participants to register and carry observers if requested, so that 
baseline information regarding incidental mortality and serious injury 
levels in the fishery can be determined. Thus, Category II has been 
identified as the appropriate classification for those fisheries with 
insufficient or unreliable data to support classification.
    General information on observer coverage in the LOF could be useful 
for the public. For that reason, NMFS will consider adding relevant 
information to future LOFs on recently observed fisheries, or fisheries 
the agency intends to observe in the near term, in such a way as to 
avoid misinterpretation of the information.
    Comment 5: One commenter recommended NMFS review all cases where 
serious injury or mortality occurred, but where the involved fishery, 
the affected stock, or both, was unknown, to determine if potential 
misallocation of take could result in misclassification of the relevant 
fisheries. If misclassifications are possible, NMFS should develop 
alternatives for classifications that ensure the potential risks to 
marine mammals are evaluated in a precautionary manner.
    Response: If a misclassification were to occur, it is more likely 
to err on the conservative side as to minimize potential risks to 
marine mammals. For example, evidence of a possible fishery take 
through records of stranded animals would alert NMFS to potential 
problems with fisheries in the area. NMFS would then evaluate spatial 
and temporal cues to discern overlap between stranding reports and 
fishing activity, as well as net or gear marks or any other evidence 
that might indicate fishery interaction. NMFS would use this 
information in determining which fisheries might be involved. Most 
often, NMFS has enough indication from fisheries in the area to gauge 
potential for certain gear to be a risk to marine mammals, and uses 
this information to classify fisheries by analogy to other fisheries 
with similar gear in Category II. NMFS may also place observers in 
these fisheries to gather data on fisheries for which there is not yet 
sufficient information to determine the level of serious injury and 
mortality in a given fishery and/or which stocks interact with the 
fishery. NMFS continues to collect additional information on marine 
mammal stock structure and distribution and potential fishery 
interactions, through research on stranded and free-swimming marine 
mammals to identify the potential fishery involved and improvements to 
observer programs.
    Comment 6: One commenter supported observer coverage as the best 
way to monitor interactions between fisheries and marine mammals.
    Response: NMFS will continue to observe Category I and II fisheries 
for monitoring marine mammal interactions. However, NMFS notes that 
self-reporting of injuries and mortalities of marine mammals by fishers 
is required by the MMPA. For this purpose, NMFS developed the MMAP 
Mortality/Injury Report Form, which is available at: https://
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/interactions/mmap_reporting_form.pdf.
    Comment 7: One commenter urged NMFS to prioritize resources for 
observer coverage and ensure that resources are allocated to observe 
fisheries that have the most interactions with marine mammals and 
interactions with the most imperiled species.
    Response: As required by section 118(d)(4) of the MMPA, the highest 
priority for allocating observers among fisheries would be for those 
commercial fisheries that have incidental mortality or serious injury 
of marine mammals

[[Page 48806]]

from stocks listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered 
Species Act (ESA). To the extent practicable, the next highest priority 
for allocation would be for those Category I and Category II commercial 
fisheries that have incidental mortality and serious injury of marine 
mammals from strategic stocks. NMFS also places observers in fisheries 
where a take reduction plan (TRP) is in place to monitor incidental 
interactions to assess progress toward reducing interactions, to 
monitor compliance with the TRP, and to provide information useful to 
further reduce serious injury and mortality. NMFS also has observer 
coverage in fisheries for other fishery management purposes. In these 
cases, the information gathered may also be helpful in determining 
mortality and serious injury levels for fisheries that would otherwise 
not be a high priority for observer coverage under the MMPA (e.g., the 
American Samoa longline fishery).
    NMFS will continue to allocate its limited resources for observer 
coverage to meet MMPA requirements according to these priorities. NMFS 
will also try to make the best use of available resources by using 
existing research programs, programs operated by states or other 
authorities, or alternative programs where statistically reliable 
information can be obtained.
    In addition, NMFS has begun work on a National Bycatch Report that 
will provide a comprehensive summary of regional and national bycatch 
estimates in United States commercial fisheries based on observer data 
and fisher reports. The first edition of this report will discuss 
impacts and bycatch for fish, marine mammals, sea turtles, and sea 
birds in a subset of selected U.S. commercial fisheries where data and 
estimation procedures are available to support the development of 
bycatch estimates. NMFS plans to release the first edition in 2008. 
Subsequent editions will expand upon the number of fisheries included.

Comments on Fisheries in the Pacific Ocean

    Comment 8: The list of marine mammals that interact with fisheries 
in Alaska includes threatened and endangered species. One commenter 
believes NMFS should convene a Take Reduction Team consisting of the 
Alaska Bering Sea/ Aleutian Islands (BSAI) flatfish trawl, BSAI pollock 
trawl, BSAI Greenland turbot longline, BSAI Pacific cod longline, and 
Bering Sea sablefish pot fishery to examine the impacts of commercial 
fisheries on marine mammals, including direct bycatch as well as other 
impacts such as those to predator-prey relationships.
    Response: Section 118(f) of the MMPA contains provisions for 
convening a Take Reduction Team, based on the need for developing and 
implementing a Take Reduction Plan (TRP) for individual strategic 
marine mammal stocks according to levels of serious injury and 
mortality to that stock as a direct result of incidental take. Ideally, 
a TRP for each strategic stock that interacts with a Category I or II 
fishery would be developed; however, when resources are limited, the 
MMPA provides a set of priorities in determining the need for convening 
such teams. NMFS resources for developing TRPs are allocated according 
to these priorities. The highest priorities specified in the MMPA are 
for species or stocks where PBR is exceeded, those with small 
population sizes, and those which are declining most rapidly. In the 
Alaska Region, there are no Category I fisheries and none of the 
strategic stocks that interact with Category II fisheries meet these 
highest priorities. Therefore, NMFS does not have plans at this time to 
develop a TRP for any marine mammal stocks in Alaska.
    Comment 9: One commenter noted that most gillnet fisheries in 
Alaska have little or no observer coverage, and reliance on fishers to 
report serious injury and mortality in those fisheries is likely to 
result in underestimates of serious injury and mortality. Of particular 
concern are humpbacks, which are known to occur in areas in which these 
fisheries operate. Anecdotal and documented reports of whales being 
caught in gillnets occur. Additionally, a humpback entangled in Alaska 
fishing gear has been documented in Hawaii. These reports, together 
with the gear's risk of incidentally taking marine mammals being 
analogous to East coast fisheries, should cause NMFS to elevate 
gillnets and purse seine fisheries to higher categories to enable 
observer coverage in those fisheries and more properly evaluate their 
risk to a variety of cetaceans, including some endangered species.
    Response: With the implementation of Section 118 of the 1994 
Amendments to the MMPA (60 FR 45086, August 30, 1995), all U.S. 
commercial fisheries were evaluated and re-categorized under the 
revised two-tier scheme currently used for fishery categorization for 
the annual LOF. At that time, very little information was available on 
marine mammal-fishery interactions for most of the nearshore fisheries 
in Alaska, including gillnet and purse seine fisheries. Reports by 
fishermen indicated some level of interaction. However, NMFS considers 
this type of information to provide only a minimum estimate of 
interactions, and therefore considers it a less reliable indicator of 
the level of interaction than observer data. Due to the scarcity of 
reliable information, the Alaska set and drift gillnet fisheries were 
placed in Category II, based on analogy to gillnets in other regions of 
the U.S. known to incidentally entangle marine mammals, particularly 
cetaceans. The rationale in placing those fisheries in Category II was 
to preserve the ability to place observers in the fisheries to obtain 
more reliable estimates of the level of marine mammal serious injury 
and mortality, because NMFS may only place observers in Category III 
fisheries in voluntary programs or under compelling circumstances.
    The NMFS/Alaska Regional Office's Marine Mammal Observer Program 
(AMMOP) places observers in each of the Category II nearshore, state-
managed salmon fisheries for two-year periods. Due to limited 
resources, only one or two fisheries can be observed at any given time. 
Once a fishery is observed, data are analyzed to evaluate the serious 
injury and mortality levels and potential risk to marine mammals and 
appropriately classify the fishery on the LOF. That fishery will not be 
observed again until all the remaining unobserved Category II fisheries 
have been observed.
    Since 1995, three Category II gillnet fisheries have been observed: 
the Cook Inlet set gillnet (1999-2000), Cook Inlet drift gillnet (1999-
2000), and Kodiak set gillnet (2002, 2005) fisheries. Observer data 
collected in those fisheries have resulted in the retention of the 
Kodiak set gillnet and the Cook Inlet drift gillnet fisheries in 
Category II, and the re-categorization of the Cook Inlet set gillnet 
fishery to Category III. The Yakutat set gillnet fishery will be 
observed in 2007-2008.
    The Alaska Regional Office maintains a record of marine mammals, 
including humpbacks, reported or observed entangled in fishing gear. 
This information is useful in monitoring the level of marine mammal-
fishery interactions, but is not as statistically reliable as observer 
data. None of the currently available information indicates that 
reclassifying any of the Category II gillnet fisheries to Category I is 
warranted. The existing Category II fisheries are already eligible for 
observer coverage, and NMFS intends to place observer coverage in those 
fisheries as resources become available.
    Comment 10: One commenter recommended NMFS undertake a more 
complete investigation of interactions with marine mammals in the 
Western

[[Page 48807]]

Pacific squid jig fishery and reclassify the fishery if warranted.
    Response: There are no documented marine mammal serious injuries or 
mortalities incidental to the Western Pacific squid jig fishery, and 
the fishery currently has only 6 participants. NMFS will continue to 
consider information about this fishery's potential to interact with 
marine mammals, as available. Per the MMPA, NMFS will consider 
reclassification options for this fishery as future information 
warrants. Further justification for this fishery's classification as 
Category III is presented in the proposed rule for the 2006 LOF (71 FR 
20941, April 24, 2006).
    Comment 11: Two commenters supported the addition of the American 
Samoa longline fishery. However, both commenters suggested that the 
fishery be classified as Category II, instead of Category III, in order 
to ensure that sufficient funds and incentives exist to initiate an 
observer program to gather information on the level of interactions 
with marine mammals.
    Response: Although this fishery is classified as Category III, an 
observer program for this fishery was initiated in April 2006 under the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. For more 
information, see 50 CFR part 665, which requires vessels participating 
in this fishery that are greater than 40 ft (12.2 m) in length to carry 
observers, if requested by NMFS. These regulations also establish a 
limited entry system for pelagic longline vessels fishing in waters of 
the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) around American Samoa. Observers 
have already completed several trips and, to date, there have been no 
observed marine mammal serious injuries or mortalities incidental to 
this fishery. NMFS anticipates that observer coverage will reach 20 
percent of the qualifying vessels (i.e., those greater than 40 ft (12.2 
m) in length) by January 2007. NMFS will reevaluate this fishery's 
classification as new information, including that gathered by the 
observer program, becomes available.
    Comment 12: NMFS proposes to add three new Category III aquaculture 
fisheries in the Pacific Ocean. Two commenters suggested NMFS monitor 
aquaculture fisheries operations to characterize the rate and impact of 
interactions with marine mammals. Specifically, one commenter indicated 
a need for on-site observers for net pen fisheries due to past 
deliberate killings of marine mammals by net pen fishery operators, and 
for grow out pens due to the potential entanglement risks to cetaceans.
    Response: NMFS plans to further evaluate aquaculture facilities 
operating in coastal and offshore areas, especially off California, to 
characterize the fisheries, including potential or known interactions 
with marine mammals. Based on the characterization of grow out pen 
fisheries, grow out pens occurring in deep water may pose a risk to 
cetaceans. Possible monitoring approaches for aquaculture fisheries 
include volunteer or mandatory reporting requirements by facilities to 
NMFS or the relevant state fishery management agency. NMFS will 
continue to investigate intentional killings of marine mammals in 
commercial fishery operations, as prohibited in implementing 
regulations for section 118 of the MMPA (50 CFR 229.3(f)).

Comments on Fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and 
Caribbean

    Comment 13: Four commenters supported the proposed reclassification 
of the Chesapeake Bay inshore gillnet fishery and the Mid-Atlantic 
menhaden purse seine fishery.
    Response: Reclassification of the Chesapeake Bay inshore gillnet 
fishery and the Mid-Atlantic menhaden purse seine fishery from Category 
III to Category II is warranted, based on information presented in the 
2006 proposed LOF.
    Comment 14: One commenter stated that the Atlantic Ocean, 
Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico large pelagics longline fishery came under 
limited access in 1999 and overall effort has diminished since 1996. 
The commenter suggested NMFS revise the estimated number of active 
participants in the to 94, the number of actively fishing vessels 
reported in 2005.
    Response: NMFS has updated the number of participants in the 
fishery to 94.
    Comment 15: One commenter commended NMFS for recognizing 
interactions in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico 
commercial passenger fishing vessel fishery and recommended NMFS begin 
an observer program in this fishing sector, as there are likely 
additional species of marine mammals incidentally killed or injured 
than those listed in the LOF.
    Response: NMFS has initiated an at-sea data collection program 
aboard a limited number of commercial passenger fishing vessels as a 
pilot program. The results of this program will help NMFS to better 
determine the appropriate sampling design and resources required for 
increased coverage of this fishery.
    Comment 16: One commenter suggested that NMFS subdivide the 
Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico large pelagics longline 
fishery into three regional fisheries in the LOF to reflect variations 
in geographic region, target species, vessel size, area-specific 
regulations, and fishing season. The commenter noted specifically that 
the Atlantic portion of the longline fishery should be divided into 
northern and southern components with a boundary line at the Florida/
Georgia boundary. This division would be consistent with 
classifications of other fisheries in Alaska, the Pacific, and the 
Atlantic.
    Response: NMFS acknowledges the information provided by the 
commenter on potential subdivisions of this fishery and notes that we 
addressed similar comments in the final LOF for 1996 (see Comment/
Response 31 in 60 FR 249, December 28, 1995), the final LOF for 1997 
(see Comment/Response 37 in 62 FR 33, January 2, 1997), the final LOF 
for 1999 (see Comment/Response 18 in 64 FR 9067, February 24, 1999), 
the final LOF for 2001 (see Comment/ Response 16 in 66 FR 42784, August 
15, 2001), and the final LOF for 2003 (see Comment/Response 29 in 68 FR 
41732, July 15, 2003).
    NMFS generally characterizes fisheries on the LOF consistent with 
the current management structure for the fishery. NMFS will, whenever 
possible, define fisheries the way they are defined in Federal, 
regional, or state fishery management programs. The pelagic longline 
fishery is managed by NMFS as one fishery encompassing all longline 
fishing effort targeting highly migratory species that may occur 
throughout the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico. The 
development of management measures to reduce serious injuries and 
mortalities of marine mammals in the longline fishery has focused 
primarily on those areas where interactions pose particular risk to 
marine mammals, without unduly affecting fishery operations in other 
areas.
    Comment 17: One commenter recommended deleting the Western North 
Atlantic (WNA) stock of Atlantic spotted dolphins and the WNA stock of 
Pantropical spotted dolphins from the list of stocks that interact with 
the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico large pelagics longline 
fishery. The draft 2005 SARs state no mortalities or serious injuries 
have been documented in this fishery, and incidental takes have not 
been documented by observers.
    Response: The species list for this fishery should include only 
those

[[Page 48808]]

species that have been documented as injured or killed in the fishery 
for the period 1999-2003. NMFS will review observer data, bycatch 
reports, and other relevant data sources for this fishery and propose 
any warranted changes to the list of species incidentally injured/
killed in the proposed LOF for 2007.
    Comment 18: One commenter stated that NMFS uses speculative data to 
assign mortality, and the SARs use an unproven ``pooling'' method based 
on data from 1999-2003 to extrapolate estimated annual interactions in 
2006 in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico large pelagics 
longline fishery. NMFS further applies a percentage to all extrapolated 
estimates based on observer comments, leading to a distortion of 
impacts and over-estimates of incidental take based on random and rare 
events.
    Response: NMFS uses observer data to assign marine mammal mortality 
and serious injury to this fishery. The analytical methods used to 
extrapolate observed serious injuries and mortalities to annual 
estimates of mortality and serious injury are widely accepted and have 
been peer reviewed. The 2005 SAR uses 1999-2003 observer data because 
it is consistent with the NMFS guidelines for preparing marine mammal 
stock assessments. These guidelines are available at: https://
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/sars/gamms2005.pdf.
    Comment 19: One commenter disagreed with NMFS' proposal to remove 
the WNA stock of fin whales from the list of species killed/injured in 
the Mid-Atlantic gillnet fishery. A lack of documented observations 
should not be used to state that interactions do not occur. Also, given 
that fin whales occur in the same waters as this fishery and have been 
found entangled in gear of unknown origin, the gear could belong to any 
fixed-gear fishery.
    Response: Observer coverage was placed in this fishery during the 
period 1999-2003. To date, NMFS does not have any confirmed, observer 
documented interactions between this stock and this fishery. Therefore, 
NMFS has removed the WNA stock of fin whales from the list of species 
killed/injured in the Mid-Atlantic gillnet fishery.
    Comment 20: One commenter supported the reclassification of the 
Mid-Atlantic menhaden purse seine fishery and encouraged NMFS to 
implement an observer program for this fishery.
    Response: NMFS has reclassified the Mid-Atlantic menhaden purse 
seine fishery as a Category II fishery, effective September 21, 2006. 
As a Category II fishery, NMFS may place observers in the fishery; 
however, initiation of observer coverage is dependent on resources. 
Also see response to comment 7.
    Comment 21: One commenter recommended NMFS expedite investigations 
of Gulf of Mexico bottlenose dolphin stock structure and reevaluate 
which fisheries' classifications may be affected by the updated 
information.
    Response: Bottlenose dolphin stock structure in the Gulf of Mexico 
needs to be further defined in order to re-evaluate classification of 
the blue crab trap/pot and menhaden purse seine fisheries, as well as 
other fisheries that may be interacting with bottlenose dolphins in 
this area. NMFS research in the Gulf of Mexico in 2005-2006, as well as 
future planned research in this area, will assist in furthering our 
understanding of bottlenose dolphin stock structure in the Gulf of 
Mexico so as to better evaluate impacts of these and other fisheries. 
NMFS will consider these research results in analysis for future LOFs.
    Comment 22: One commenter suggested NMFS compare the distribution 
of fishing effort in the Southeast Atlantic inshore gillnet fishery 
with the distribution of marine mammals (especially bottlenose 
dolphins) in the region, and reclassify the fishery as Category II if 
overlap occurs to an appreciable degree.
    Response: NMFS will continue to monitor fishing effort and evaluate 
bottlenose dolphin strandings for evidence of gillnet-related fishery 
interactions in and around inshore waters of the Southeast to determine 
the need for future reclassification of the fishery.
    Comment 23: Three commenters recommended NMFS reclassify gillnet 
fisheries operating in the Southeast Atlantic, specifically the 
Southeast Atlantic gillnet fishery, as Category I because of their 
potential involvement in the January 2006 death of a North Atlantic 
right whale calf and to enable NMFS to fully assess their level of 
interaction with marine mammals. Response: NMFS determined the January 
2006 death of a right whale calf was the result of entanglement and 
injury to the whale by gillnet gear in the Southeast U.S. Restricted 
Area; however, NMFS has not determined which specific gillnet fishery 
was responsible for the interaction. There are two gillnet fisheries 
that traditionally operate in this Southeast Atlantic: the Southeast 
Atlantic gillnet fishery and the Southeastern U.S. Atlantic shark 
gillnet fishery. Both are currently classified as Category II 
fisheries. A fishery classified as Category I is one that is by itself 
responsible for the annual removal of 50 percent or more of any stock's 
potential biological removal level (50 CFR 229.2). Without definitive 
information regarding which fishery was involved, NMFS did not 
attribute the death of this right whale calf to either fishery. 
Therefore, elevation of the Southeast Atlantic gillnet fisheries to 
Category I is not warranted at this time. NMFS continues to classify 
these fisheries as a Category II, where they are subject to observer 
coverage.
    Management measures were implemented following the January 2006 
entanglement death of a right whale calf. NMFS issued a temporary rule 
effective February 15, 2006, through March 31, 2006 (71 FR 8223, 
February 16, 2006), restricting gillnet use in the area as required by 
the implementing regulations for the Atlantic Large Whale Take 
Reduction Plan (ALWTRP; 50 CFR 229.32(g)(1)). Specifically, the 
regulations state that if a serious injury or mortality of a right 
whale occurs in the Southeast U.S. Restricted Area during the North 
Atlantic right whale calving season (November 15 through March 31) as a 
result of an entanglement by gillnet gear, NMFS shall close that area 
to gillnet gear for the remainder of the time period (March 31). The 
regulations state NMFS shall also close that area to gillnet gear that 
same time period in each subsequent year, unless NMFS' Assistant 
Administrator revises the restricted period in accordance with 50 CFR 
229.32(g)(2) or unless alternate measures are implemented.
    Comment 24: Two commenters recommended that NMFS add North Atlantic 
right whales to the list of species killed/injured in the Southeast 
Atlantic gillnet fishery, as a result of the possibility this fishery 
was responsible for the January 2006 death of a right whale calf. In 
addition, one commenter recommended that humpback whales be added to 
the list of species killed/injured for all fixed gear fisheries in 
their range because most gear found on entangled whales cannot be 
attributed to a specific fishery.
    Response: Right and humpback whales may become entangled in fixed 
gears. However, NMFS has not documented any marine mammal mortalities 
or serious injuries incidental to any other fixed gears that have not 
already been described in this annual LOF. Without reasonable 
information regarding which fishery is involved in entanglements of 
right and humpback whales, NMFS does not identify all fixed gear 
fisheries as being responsible

[[Page 48809]]

for injuries and/or mortalities. However, NMFS will continue to 
classify these fisheries as Category II by analogy.

Summary of Changes to the LOF for 2006

    The following summarizes changes to the LOF in 2006 in fishery 
classification, fisheries listed on the LOF, the number of participants 
in a particular fishery, and the species and/or stocks that are 
incidentally killed or seriously injured in a particular fishery. The 
placement and definition of U.S. commercial fisheries for 2006 are 
identical to those provided in the LOF for 2005 with the following 
exceptions.

Commercial Fisheries in the Pacific Ocean

Fishery Classification
    The ``AK Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Greenland turbot longline 
fishery'' is reclassified from Category II to Category III.
    The ``CA sardine purse seine fishery'' is elevated from Category 
III to Category II. The proposed 2006 LOF stated that this fishery was 
elevated in part by analogy ``to other Category II purse seine 
fisheries (e.g., CA anchovy).'' Specifically, the fishery is elevated 
in part by analogy with the CA anchovy, mackerel, tuna purse seine 
fishery and the CA squid purse seine fishery.
Addition of Fisheries to the LOF
    The ``American Samoa longline fishery'' is added to the LOF as a 
Category III fishery.
    The ``Western Pacific squid jig fishery'' is added to the LOF as a 
Category III fishery.
    The ``HI Kona crab loop net fishery'' is added to the LOF as a 
Category III fishery.
    The ``HI offshore pen culture fishery'' is added to the LOF as a 
Category III fishery.
    The ``CA marine shellfish aquaculture fishery'' is added to the LOF 
as a Category III fishery.
    The ``CA white seabass enhancement net pen fishery'' is added to 
the LOF as a Category III fishery.
Removal of Fisheries from the LOF
    The ``HI net unclassified fishery'' is removed from the LOF.
    The ``AK miscellaneous finfish pair trawl'' is removed from the 
LOF. This was a new fishery in Alaskan waters in 1996 and was 
classified as Category II pending additional information on 
interactions with marine mammals. It was classified as Category II by 
analogy with pair trawl fisheries in the North Atlantic, particularly 
the U.S. North Atlantic large pelagics pair trawl fishery, which 
demonstrated high levels of mortality and serious injury for some 
marine mammal species. NMFS did not propose to remove this fishery in 
the proposed LOF for 2006 (71 FR 78, April 24, 2006). NMFS has since 
learned that there have been no reported mortalities or serious 
injuries of marine mammals in this fishery since its addition to the 
LOF. In addition, the fishery is not currently in operation, with the 
exception of two currently inactive permits issued by the Alaska 
Department of Fish and Game. NMFS will reevaluate the removal of this 
fishery if new information on interactions with marine mammals is 
presented.
Fishery Name and Organizational Changes and Clarifications
    The ``HI tuna fishery'' is renamed the ``HI tuna handline 
fishery.''
    The ``HI deep sea bottomfish fishery'' is renamed the ``HI Main 
Hawaiian Islands and Northwest Hawaiian Islands deep sea bottomfish 
fishery.''
    The ``HI coral diving fishery'' is renamed the ``HI black coral 
diving fishery.''
    The ``HI other fishery'' is renamed the ``HI charter vessel 
fishery.''
Number of Vessels/Persons
    The estimated number of participants in the ``HI gillnet fishery'' 
is updated to 35.
    The estimated number of participants in the ``HI opelu/akule net 
fishery'' is updated to 12.
    The estimated number of participants in the ``HI purse seine 
fishery'' is updated to 23.
    The estimated number of participants in the ``HI fish pond 
fishery'' is updated to N/A. NMFS is retaining this fishery on the LOF 
as there may be participants in the near future.
    The estimated number of participants in the ``HI throw net, cast 
net fishery'' is updated to 14.
    The estimated number of participants in the ``HI trolling, rod and 
reel fishery'' is updated to 1,321.
    The estimated number of participants in the ``HI lobster trap 
fishery'' is updated to 0. Fourteen permits are available if this 
fishery reopened.
    The estimated number of participants in the ``HI aku boat, pole and 
line fishery'' is updated to 4.
    The estimated number of participants in the ``HI inshore handline 
fishery'' is updated to 307.
    The estimated number of participants in the ``HI tuna handline 
fishery'' (proposed name change from the ``HI tuna fishery'', see 
Fishery Name and Organizational Changes and Clarifications section) is 
updated to 298.
    The estimated number of participants in the ``HI main Hawaiian 
Islands and Northwest Hawaiian Islands deep sea bottomfish fishery'' 
(proposed name change from the ``HI deep sea bottomfish fishery'', see 
Fishery Name and Organizational Changes and Clarifications section) is 
updated to 387.
    The estimated number of participants in the ``HI black coral diving 
fishery'' (proposed name change from the ``HI coral diving fishery'', 
see Fishery Name and Organizational Changes and Clarifications section) 
is updated to 1.
    The estimated number of participants in the ``HI handpick fishery'' 
is updated to 37.
    The estimated number of participants in the ``HI lobster diving 
fishery'' is updated to 19.
    The estimated number of participants in the ``HI squiding, spear 
fishery'' is updated to 91.
    The estimated number of participants in the ``AK BSAI Greenland 
turbot longline fishery'' is updated to 12.
List of Species That are Incidentally Injured or Killed

California Squid Purse Seine Fishery

    Common dolphins, stock unknown, are added to the list of marine 
mammal species and stocks incidentally injured or killed by the CA 
squid purse seine fishery.

HI Swordfish, Tuna, Billfish, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, and Oceanic Sharks 
Longline/Set Line Fishery

    The Hawaiian stocks of Blaineville's beaked whales and Pantropical 
spotted dolphins are added to the list of marine mammal species and 
stocks incidentally injured or killed by the HI swordfish, tuna, 
billfish, mahi mahi, wahoo, and oceanic sharks longline/set line 
fishery.

HI Inshore Handline Fishery

    The Hawaiian stock of bottlenose dolphins is removed from the list 
of marine mammal species and stocks incidentally injured or killed by 
the HI inshore handline fishery.

HI Tuna Handline Fishery

    The Hawaiian stocks of bottlenose dolphins and rough tooth dolphins 
are removed from the list of marine mammal species and stocks 
incidentally injured or killed by the Hawaii tuna handline fishery 
(proposed name change from ``Hawaii tuna fishery'', see Fishery Name 
and Organizational Changes and Clarifications section).

CA/OR Thresher Shark/Swordfish Drift Gillnet Fishery

    Corrections are made to errors in the list of marine mammal species 
and

[[Page 48810]]

stocks incidentally injured or killed by the CA/OR thresher shark/
swordfish drift gillnet fishery. Specifically, the CA/OR/WA Pacific 
coast stock of killer whales is changed to the Eastern North Pacific 
offshore stock, and the CA/OR/WA stock of long-beaked common dolphins 
is changed to the CA stock. Additionally, the Northern and Southern 
species of Pacific white-sided dolphins are combined to reflect how 
these species are currently characterized in the SARs.

WA, OR, CA Groundfish Trawl Fishery

    Corrections are made to errors in the list of marine mammal species 
and stocks injured or killed incidental to the WA, OR, CA groundfish 
trawl fishery. Specifically, the Central North Pacific stock of Pacific 
white-sided dolphins is changed to the CA/OR/WA stock, and the Western 
stock of Steller sea lions is changed to the Eastern stock.
Alaska Fisheries
    The 2004 LOF revised the Federally managed fisheries in Alaska into 
more discrete fisheries according to area, gear, and target species in 
order to more accurately reflect the fisheries as managed under Federal 
Fishery Management Plans. At that time, the marine mammal stocks 
associated with the newly delineated fisheries in the LOF were not 
revised accordingly. The following marine mammal stocks are added to 
the list of species and stocks incidently injured or killed in the 
following Federal fisheries.

AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Flatfish Trawl Fishery

    The Eastern North Pacific stock of Northern fur seals, the Bering 
Sea stocks of harbor porpoise and harbor seals, and the Alaska stocks 
of bearded seals, spotted seals, and walruses are added to the list of 
marine mammal species and stocks injured or killed incidental to the AK 
BSAI flatfish trawl fishery.

AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Pollock Trawl Fishery

    The Bering Sea stock of harbor seals and the Alaska stocks of 
Dall's porpoise, minke whales, ribbon seals, and spotted seals are 
added to the list of marine mammal species and stocks injured or killed 
incidental to the AK BSAI pollock trawl fishery.

AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Pacific Cod Longline Fishery

    The Alaska stock of ribbon seals and the Western U.S. stock of 
Steller sea lions are added to the list of marine mammal species and 
stocks injured or killed incidental to the AK BSAI Pacific cod longline 
fishery.

AK Gulf of Alaska Sablefish Longline Fishery

    The Eastern U.S. stock of Steller sea lions and the North Pacific 
stock of sperm whales are added to the list of marine mammal species 
and stocks injured or killed incidental to the AK GOA sablefish 
longline fishery.

AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Pacific Cod Trawl Fishery

    The Western U.S. stock of Steller sea lions and the Bering Sea 
stock of harbor seals are added to the list of marine mammal species 
and stocks injured or killed incidental to the AK BSAI Pacific cod 
trawl fishery.

AK Gulf of Alaska Pacific Cod Trawl Fishery

    The Western U.S. stock of Steller sea lions is added to the list of 
marine mammal species and stocks injured or killed incidental to the AK 
GOA Pacific cod trawl fishery.

AK Gulf of Alaska Pollock Trawl Fishery

    The Western U.S. stock of Steller sea lions, the Northeast Pacific 
stock of fin whales, and the North Pacific stock of Northern elephant 
seals are added to the list of marine mammal species and stocks injured 
or killed incidental to the AK GOA pollock trawl fishery.

AK Gulf of Alaska Pacific Cod Pot Fishery

    The GOA stock of harbor seals are added to the list of marine 
mammal species and stocks injured or killed incidental to the AK GOA 
Pacific cod pot fishery.

AK, WA, OR, CA Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessel Fishery

    The Eastern and Western U.S. stocks of Steller sea lions and an 
unknown stock of killer whales are added to the list of marine mammal 
species and stocks injured or killed incidental to the AK, WA, OR, CA 
commercial passenger fishing vessel fishery.

AK Southeast Alaska Crab Pot Fishery

    The Central North Pacific (Southeast AK) stock of humpback whales 
is added to the list of marine mammal species and stocks injured or 
killed incidental to the AK Southeast Alaska crab pot fishery.

AK Southeast Alaska Shrimp Pot Fishery

    The Central North Pacific (Southeast AK) stock of humpback whales 
is added to the list of marine mammal species and stocks injured or 
killed incidental to the AK Southeast Alaska shrimp pot fishery.

AK Yakutat Salmon Set Gillnet Fishery

    The Central North Pacific (Southeast AK) stock of humpback whales 
is added to the list of marine mammal species and stocks injured or 
killed incidental to the AK Yakutat salmon set gillnet fishery.

AK Kodiak Salmon Set Gillnet Fishery

    The Western U.S. stock of Steller sea lions is added to the list of 
marine mammal species and stocks injured or killed incidental to the AK 
Kodiak salmon set gillnet fishery.

Alaska Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Flatfish Trawl Fishery

    The Eastern North Pacific transient stock of killer whales is 
removed from the list of marine mammals species and stocks injured or 
killed in the Alaska BSAI flatfish trawl fishery.

Alaska Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Pollock Trawl Fishery

    The Eastern North Pacific resident stock of killer whales is 
removed from the list of marine mammals species and stocks incidentally 
injured or killed in the Alaska BSAI pollock trawl fishery.

Commercial Fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and 
Caribbean

Fishery Classification
    The ``Chesapeake Bay inshore gillnet fishery'' is elevated from 
Category III to Category II.
    The ``Mid-Atlantic menhaden purse seine fishery'' is elevated from 
Category III to Category II.
Addition of Fisheries to the LOF
    The ``Southeast Atlantic inshore gillnet fishery'' is added to the 
LOF as a Category III fishery.
Fishery Name and Organizational Changes and Clarifications
    The list of target species associated with the ``Southeast Atlantic 
gillnet fishery'' is expanded to include the following target species: 
king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, whiting, bluefish, pompano, spot, 
croaker, little tunny, bonita, jack crevalle, and cobia. Atlantic 
sturgeon are listed as a species of concern under the ESA and are also 
managed under a fishery management plan. A moratorium on possession and 
harvest of this species currently exists throughout the U.S. East 
Coast. Additionally, fishing for shad in ocean waters is prohibited by 
Southeast coastal states and is therefore no longer

[[Page 48811]]

included as a target species of the Southeast Atlantic gillnet fishery.
Number of Vessels/Persons
    The estimated number of participants in the ``Atlantic Ocean, 
Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico large pelagics longline fishery'' is updated 
to 94.
List of Species That are Incidentally Injured or Killed

Mid-Atlantic Gillnet Fishery

    The Western North Atlantic stock of fin whales is removed from the 
list of marine mammal species and stocks incidentally injured or killed 
incidental to the Mid-Atlantic gillnet fishery.

Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Commercial Passenger Fishing 
Vessel Fishery

    Several bottlenose dolphin stocks are added to the list of marine 
mammal species and stocks incidentally injured or killed incidental to 
the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean commercial passenger 
fishing vessel fishery. These bottlenose dolphin stocks include the 
Western North Atlantic coastal, Eastern Gulf of Mexico coastal, 
Northern Gulf of Mexico coastal, and Western Gulf of Mexico coastal.

Northeast Bottom Trawl Fishery

    The Western North Atlantic offshore stock of bottlenose dolphins 
and the Western North Atlantic stock of striped dolphins are removed 
from the list of marine mammal species and stocks injured or killed 
incidental to the Northeast bottom trawl fishery.

List of Fisheries

    The following two tables list U.S. commercial fisheries according 
to their assigned categories under section 118 of the MMPA. The 
estimated number of vessels/participants is expressed in terms of the 
number of active participants in the fishery, when possible. If this 
information is not available, the estimated number of vessels or 
persons licensed for a particular fishery is provided. If no recent 
information is available on the number of participants in a fishery, 
the number from the most recent LOF is used.
    The tables also list the marine mammal species and stocks that are 
incidentally killed or injured in each fishery based on observer data, 
logbook data, stranding reports, and fisher reports. This list includes 
all species or stocks known to experience injury or mortality in a 
given fishery, but also includes species or stocks for which there are 
anecdotal records of interaction. Additionally, species identified by 
logbook entries may not be verified. Not all species or stocks 
identified are the reason for a fishery's placement in a given 
category. NMFS has designated those stocks that are responsible for a 
current fishery's classification by a ``\1\.
    There are several fisheries classified in Category II that have no 
recently documented interactions with marine mammals, or interactions 
that did not result in a serious injury or mortality. Justifications 
for placement of these fisheries, which are greater than 1 percent of a 
stock's PBR level, are by analogy to other gear types that are known to 
cause mortality or serious injury of marine mamm