Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Allowance of New Gear (Haddock Rope Trawl, Previously Referred to as the Eliminator Trawl) in Specific Special Management Programs, 40186-40192 [E8-15950]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 135 (Monday, July 14, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40186-40192]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-15950]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 080306389-8810-02]
RIN 0648-AW53


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast 
Multispecies Fishery; Allowance of New Gear (Haddock Rope Trawl, 
Previously Referred to as the Eliminator Trawl) in Specific Special 
Management Programs

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: NMFS approves the use of an additional type of trawl gear 
known as the ``haddock rope trawl'' (formerly called the ``eliminator 
trawl'') in the Regular B Days-at-Sea (DAS) Program and the Eastern 
U.S./Canada Haddock Special Access Program (SAP). Vessels fishing in 
the Regular B DAS Program or the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP must 
use approved trawl gear in order to reduce the catch of Northeast (NE) 
multispecies (groundfish) stocks of concern. The NE Regional 
Administrator, NMFS, may approve additional gears for use in these 
programs if research demonstrates that the gear meets specific 
standards for the reduction of catch of stocks of concern. The intent 
of this action is to reduce catch of stocks of concern in the NE 
multispecies fishery and to provide for the conservation and management 
of stocks managed by the NE Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP).

DATES: This rule is effective August 13, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Technical Report ``Bycatch Reduction in the 
Directed Haddock Bottom Trawl Fishery'' and a diagram of the haddock 
rope trawl may be obtained from NMFS at the following address: National 
Marine Fisheries Service, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930; 
telephone (978) 281-9315. NMFS prepared a Final Regulatory Flexiblity 
Analysis (FRFA), which is contained in

[[Page 40187]]

the Classification section of this final rule.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Warren, Fishery Policy Analyst, 
(978) 281-9347, fax (978) 281-9135, e-mail Thomas.Warren@NOAA.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposed rule for this action was 
published on May 20, 2008 (73 FR 29098), with public comment accepted 
though June 4, 2008. In that proposed rule and other documents relied 
on for this rule, the haddock rope trawl was referred to as the 
``eliminator trawl.'' Based on concerns about possible infringement of 
a trademark for the term ``eliminator trawl,'' as more fully explained 
in Comment 1 and the response thereto, below, the newly approved gear 
is call the haddock rope trawl. A detailed description of the need for, 
and use of, additional types of trawl gear, and a description of the 
review process used to evaluate the haddock rope trawl performance, was 
contained in the preamble of the proposed rule and is not repeated 
here.
    Specific gear standard requirements that must be used to evaluate 
additional gear proposed for use in the Regular B DAS Program and the 
Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP were implemented through proposed and 
final rulemaking in 2007 (72 FR 72965). The 2007 gear standards 
regulation specified that, to be approved, new gear must first be 
compared to an appropriately selected control gear. Based on this 
comparison, new gear can be approved if it meets one of the following 
two standards: (1) Use of the gear must result in a statistically 
significant reduction, compared to the control gear, of at least 50 
percent (by weight, on a trip-by-trip basis) in catch of each regulated 
NE multispecies stock of concern, or other non-groundfish stocks that 
are overfished or subject to overfishing identified by the New England 
Fishery Management Council (Council); or (2) the use of the gear must 
result in a catch of each regulated NE multispecies stock of concern, 
or other non-groundfish stocks that are overfished or subject to 
overfishing identified by the Council, that is less than 5 percent of 
the total catch of regulated groundfish (by weight, on a trip-by-trip 
basis). Neither of these requirements apply to regulated species 
identified by the Council as not being subject to gear performance 
standards. Because many species in the fishery are caught together, and 
the dynamic nature of the status of stocks, the performance standard 
must have a reasonable amount of flexibility in order to be practical. 
The Council identified that the gear performance standards do not apply 
to haddock, pollock, and redfish. Haddock, pollock, and redfish are 
target stocks for which no reductions in fishing mortality are 
required.
    One of these standards must be met in a completed experiment, where 
comparisons of new gear are made to an appropriately selected control 
gear that has been reviewed according to the standards established by 
the Council's research policy, before the gear can be considered and 
approved by the Regional Administrator. In addition, a request for 
approval of the use of additional gear in the Regular B DAS Program and 
the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP must be made by either the Council 
or the Council's Executive Committee.
    On February 19, 2008, the Council sent the Regional Administrator a 
letter requesting approval of this gear. Based upon the final report, 
``Bycatch Reduction in the Directed Haddock Bottom Trawl Fishery,'' and 
the Council's letter, NMFS is approving the haddock rope trawl. The 
pertinent information indicates that the catch of each NE multispecies 
species stock of concern, as well as other species, declined by more 
than 50 percent with use of the haddock rope trawl, which complies with 
the first standard for approval of additional gear. The haddock rope 
trawl net specifications were derived from input from the individuals 
involved in the haddock rope trawl research and NMFS gear experts, as 
well as comments received from individuals during the comment period on 
the proposed rule. Approval of the haddock rope trawl will allow trawl 
vessels fishing in the Regular B DAS Program and the Eastern U.S./
Canada Haddock SAP a choice of whether to use the haddock separator 
trawl or the haddock rope trawl. The size of the haddock rope trawl 
specified in this final rule is appropriate for fishing vessels with 
engines of at least 600 horsepower. The results of the experiment could 
not be used to extrapolate to smaller scale haddock rope trawl gear 
used by smaller horsepower vessels.

Comments and Responses

    Eight comments were received on the proposed rule from the Council, 
an anonymous citizen, members of a research/educational institution, 
the State of Maine Division of Marine Resources, an environmental 
organization, a fishing industry association, and a fishing gear 
manufacturer.
    Comment 1: One commenter claimed that the trawl manufacturer that 
made the prototype net used in the research, Superior Trawl, has a 
trademark on the name ``eliminator trawl,'' and was concerned that 
referring to the net as the eliminator trawl in this final rule would 
preclude other net manufacturers from making and/or selling the trawl 
and, therefore, create a situation where only one company could legally 
manufacture or sell the specified net.
    Response: NMFS acknowledges this comment and replaces all 
references to the ``eliminator trawl'' made in the proposed rule with 
``haddock rope trawl'' in this final rule. The haddock rope trawl 
prototype was built by Superior Trawl of Rhode Island, based on 
collaborative research. At the time the proposed rule was published, 
NMFS was unaware that Superior Trawl had claimed a right to the name 
``eliminator trawl.'' A representative of Superior Trawl indicated to 
NMFS that they intend to file a trademark application with the U.S. 
Patent and Trademark Office and have begun using the letters ``TM'' in 
association with the eliminator trawl on their website. To avoid any 
possible violations of trademark laws and any confusion in the fishing 
industry by the use of the term ``eliminator trawl,'' NMFS renamed the 
gear ``haddock rope trawl.''
    Comment 2: Six comments strongly supported approval of the haddock 
rope trawl for various reasons, including the potential of the gear to 
enhance economic benefits by allowing access to haddock, the reduction 
of cod bycatch, and encouragement of the use of innovative gear 
technology. One commenter noted that this net was the grand prize 
winner in the 2007 International Smart Gear Competition, and has been 
successfully tested in the United Kingdom.
    Response: NMFS agrees that approval of the haddock rope trawl will 
have positive impacts on the fishery, including access to haddock, 
resulting in increased economic benefits, additional flexibility for 
vessels participating in the special management programs, and further 
incentive to develop and use new gear technology.
    Comment 3: One commenter was concerned that various required 
elements of the haddock rope trawl would preclude modification of the 
net so that it could be used by small vessels. Specifically, the 
commenter believed that the key specification required for proper 
functioning of the net is the large-mesh (7.9-ft (240-cm)) elements of 
the net, and that the fishing circle requirement, kite panel 
requirement, small mesh requirements, and rockhopper specifications 
would not

[[Page 40188]]

improve effectiveness, and were not adaptable to smaller vessels.
    Response: NMFS disagrees that the haddock rope trawl should be 
specified in a manner that removes important elements of the trawl 
design in order to be adaptable to smaller vessels. The haddock rope 
trawl as specified in the proposed rule is essentially a description of 
the net used in the research summarized in the paper ``Bycatch 
Reduction in the Directed Haddock Bottom Trawl Fishery.'' The research 
investigated the catch by a specific size and configuration of trawl 
gear, and the conclusions of that research pertain only to trawl nets 
of similar configuration. The modifications suggested by the commenter 
would be substantial, and the conclusions regarding the effectiveness 
of the net cannot be extrapolated to a trawl configuration that is so 
different from that documented by the researchers. The research paper 
stated that the two vessels involved in the research both had engines 
of 675 HP, and indicated that the results of the experiment cannot be 
used to extrapolate to smaller scale haddock rope trawl gear that could 
be readily used by smaller horsepower vessels. The proposed rule noted 
that the size of the haddock rope trawl specified would be appropriate 
for fishing vessels with engines of at least 600 HP. Although NMFS 
supports the objective of approving a net of similar design as the 
haddock rope trawl for use by smaller vessels, such a net is outside 
the scope of this final rule. Research is currently underway testing a 
smaller, modified version of the haddock rope trawl, and at-sea 
observations indicate that this smaller net may also be effective at 
reducing bycatch.
    Comment 4: One commenter requested clarification of whether the 
rockhopper sizes specified in the regulations were maximum or minimum 
sizes, and what ``graduated'' rockhoppers meant.
    Response: The 12- to 16-inch (30- to 40-cm) rockhopper size 
specifications are minimums, and the small discs (3.5-inch (8.8-cm)) 
are maximum size specifications. The large spaces between the 
rockhoppers and the small discs located between the rockhoppers are 
intended to allow flatfish and skates to escape more easily. The 
different sized rockhoppers must be arranged along the sweep in size 
order (graduated), with the largest rockhopper disc in the center of 
the sweep and the smaller rockhopper at the wing ends. This final rule 
incorporates these clarifications to the rockhopper specifications.
    Comment 5: One commenter claimed that some elements of the haddock 
rope trawl requirements are difficult or impossible to enforce.
    Response: NMFS agrees that it may be difficult for law enforcement 
personnel to verify that a particular trawl net is consistent with the 
haddock rope trawl specifications due to their complexity, and the 
challenge of manipulating and measuring large nets while at sea. 
However, enforcement officers could verify the specifications of a net 
on shore, or under certain conditions at sea and determine whether the 
net is in compliance with the regulations. Because the haddock rope 
trawl is limited to two special management programs, and because 
vessels must declare into these programs via the Vessel Monitoring 
System prior to leaving the dock, enforcement personnel will be able to 
determine which vessels are subject to the haddock rope trawl 
regulations.
    Comment 6: One commenter suggested that the minimum mesh size 
requirements be expressed as averages over multiple meshes, instead of 
being specified on an individual mesh basis, and suggested that the 
number of meshes included in the requirement should depend on the size 
of the mesh. Further, the commenter suggested that the mesh size 
requirements include a 5-percent tolerance. The suggestions are based 
on the concern that, with time and usage, mesh may shrink, stretch, or 
distort, increasing the likelihood that, when measured, the size of an 
individual mesh will be inconsistent with the required mesh size and, 
therefore, making compliance with the mesh size regulations difficult 
for fishermen.
    Response: NMFS agrees that the commenter has a valid concern, but 
disagrees that a substantive change to the regulations as proposed are 
necessary. The specification of trawl mesh sizes should not be confused 
with the method of measuring and verifying such specifications. These 
are two different issues. The current regulations under Sec.  
648.80(f)(2) specify methods to measure mesh over multiple meshes, 
which should address the commenter's concerns. These regulations state 
that mesh sizes are the average of 20 consecutive meshes, measured 
along the long axis of the net. In order to address this issue, the 
regulations for the haddock rope trawl specified in this final rule 
will reference the regulations that specify the methods to measure mesh 
(Sec.  648.80(f)(2)), in order to make it clear that, when possible, 
the mesh should be measured over 20 meshes. A single standard of 20 
measures is more simple than enumerating different number of meshes to 
count depending upon mesh size. NMFS disagrees that the regulation 
should specify a 5-percent tolerance provision to address the potential 
variability of mesh sizes for the reason stated above. Procedures 
utilized by NMFS and the U.S. Coast Guard allow discretion to enforce 
fishery regulations in a fair, reasonable, and practical manner.
    Comment 7: One commenter noted that there is no justification for 
the size specification of 1.0 square m for each of the three kite 
panels included in the haddock rope trawl specification, because the 
size kite panel utilized in the experiment was more precisely 0.9 
square m. The commenter further suggested alternative language to 
require that the total kite panel surface area must be 2.7 square m 
(i.e., remove the requirement for three kite panels and state a total 
surface area requirement instead).
    Response: Although the research that tested the haddock rope trawl 
utilized three kite panels, and noted a surface area of 1 square m for 
each (and the proposed rule reflected this specification), because the 
commenter is one of the principal investigators of the research and the 
proposed modification is relatively minor, NMFS agrees to the 
commenter's suggestion. Implementing a 2.7 square m standard for total 
kite panel surface area instead of requiring three kite panels will 
allow additional flexibility for vessel owners to utilize one or 
multiple kite panels to maximize headrope height, and will more 
precisely reflect the kite panel surface area of 2.7 square m utilized 
in the research, without compromising the benefits of the gear. 
Accordingly, this change was made in this final rule.

Changes From the Proposed Rule

    NMFS has made several changes to the proposed rule, including 
changes as a result of public comment. These changes are listed below 
in the order that they appear in the regulations.
    In Sec.  648.2, the definition of ``stretched mesh'' has been 
revised to change the name of the trawl from ``eliminator trawl'' to 
``haddock rope trawl.''
    In Sec.  648.14, paragraph (c)(89) has been added to prohibit 
fishing with or possession of a haddock rope trawl that does not comply 
with the net specifications (if electing to fish with a haddock rope 
trawl).
    In Sec.  648.85, paragraph (b)(6)(iv)(J)(1) has been revised to 
change the name of the trawl from eliminator trawl to haddock rope 
trawl.
    In Sec.  648.85, paragraph (b)(6)(iv)(J)(3), the introductory text 
has been revised to change the name of the trawl from eliminator trawl 
to haddock rope trawl,

[[Page 40189]]

and to cross reference the regulations under Sec.  648.80(f)(2) that 
specify how trawl mesh is measured.
    In Sec.  648.85, paragraph (b)(6)(iv)(J)(3)(ii) is revised to 
further describe that large mesh is measured knot to knot.
    In Sec.  648.85, paragraph (b)(6)(iv)(J)(3)(v) is revised to state 
that the total surface area of the kite panel(s) must be 2.7 square m, 
rather than requiring three 1.0 square m kites.
    In Sec.  648.85, paragraph (b)(6)(iv)(J)(3)(vi) is revised to 
clarify the meaning of ``graduated'' and state that the large 
rockhopper sizes are minimum specifications.

Classification

    NMFS has determined that this final rule is consistent with the FMP 
and is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act and other applicable laws.
    This final rule is published pursuant to 50 CFR part 648 and has 
been determined to be not significant for purposes of Executive Order 
12866.
    NMFS prepared a FRFA, which incorporates the IRFA and this final 
rule, and describes the economic impact that this action may have on 
small entities. Four comments on the economic impacts of the haddock 
rope trawl approval were received.
    Allowing the use of the haddock rope trawl in the Regular B DAS 
Program and the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP would provide the 
fishing industry more flexibility in the use of trawl gear that 
minimizes catch of stocks of concern by providing them with a choice of 
whether to use the haddock separator trawl or the haddock rope trawl. 
Vessels fishing under a Regular B DAS in these programs must comply 
with restrictive landing limits of various species. The choice of two 
nets would enable a vessel owner to decide which net is the most cost 
effective means of targeting haddock and complying with the landing 
restrictions. A description of the objectives and legal basis for the 
proposed haddock rope trawl is contained in the SUMMARY of this final 
rule.
    Under the Small Business Administration (SBA) size standards for 
small fishing entities ($ 4.0 million in annual gross sales), all 
permitted and participating vessels in the groundfish fishery are 
considered to be small entities and, therefore, there are no 
disproportionate impacts between large and small entities. Gross sales 
by any one entity (vessel) do not exceed this threshold. The maximum 
number of small entities that could be affected by the approval of the 
haddock rope trawl are approximately 1,200 vessels; i.e., those issued 
limited access NE multispecies DAS permits that have an allocation of 
Category A or B DAS. Realistically, however, the number of vessels that 
choose to fish in either of these programs, and that would be subject 
to the associated restrictions, including the use of either the haddock 
separator trawl or the haddock rope trawl, would be substantially 
smaller. For example, in fishing year (FY) 2005, 132 vessels fished in 
either the Regular B DAS Program or the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock 
SAP. In FY 2006, there were only 45 vessels that fished in either 
program. Although it is possible that, under future circumstances, more 
vessels may elect to participate in these programs, a large increase in 
the numbers of participants is unlikely. Furthermore, some participants 
in the Regular B DAS Program and in the SAP may not have sufficient 
engine horsepower to use the haddock rope trawl, and, therefore, may 
not be able to use the trawl.
    Based on information from a commercial net manufacturer, the cost 
of purchasing a new haddock rope trawl net is approximately $ 13,000. A 
squid trawl net could be modified into a haddock rope trawl for 
approximately $ 1,000, by replacing the last belly portion of the net 
and putting in a rockhopper sweep. If 130 vessels fished in either of 
the special management programs that require the use of a specialized 
trawl, and the vessel operators decided to purchase the haddock rope 
trawl net, the total cost to the industry would be approximately $ 
1,690,000. It is likely that many vessels that have fished in these 
programs in the past using a separator trawl may choose not to purchase 
a haddock rope trawl. Vessels choosing to use the haddock rope trawl 
would incur the purchase cost and other adjustment costs. The decision 
to do so, and to thereby fish in a special management program offering 
additional revenue opportunities is a voluntary decision based on the 
individual vessel's assessment of profitability. Individual businesses 
(vessel owners) can make the decision to incur the costs of using a 
haddock rope trawl based upon the costs and benefits to their business.
    Because the haddock rope trawl is the only gear that has been 
vetted through the review process and recommended by the Council, there 
were only two alternatives under consideration, and NMFS was left with 
only two options: to approve the haddock rope trawl or continue with 
the status quo (the no action alternative). NMFS selected approval of 
the haddock rope trawl because it determined that approval of the 
haddock rope trawl provides more flexibility to the fishing industry 
when compared to the no action alternative, and provides increased 
opportunity for vessels to minimize catch of stocks of concern while 
generating revenue from special management programs.
    Three commenters commented specifically on the economic impacts of 
approval of the haddock rope trawl. One commenter commented not 
directly on the economic impacts, but on the fact that the haddock rope 
trawl, as specified, would not be appropriate for smaller vessels. One 
commenter supported approval of the haddock rope trawl gear due to its 
potential to facilitate access to the haddock resource, and estimated 
increased revenues of $30 million. A second commenter stated that 
approval of the net would help with vessels' economic survival. A third 
commenter was concerned about the economic impact on trawl gear 
manufacturers because he claimed that the name ``eliminator trawl'' is 
a registered trademark of a particular trawl manufacturer. The 
commenter was worried that the name eliminator trawl would be legally 
reserved for the exclusive use of the one manufacturer that had 
registered eliminator trawl as its trademark, and therefore other 
companies that did not have a right to use the name eliminator trawl 
may be precluded from marketing and selling the net, or would have to 
avoid the use of the name eliminator trawl. Either of these situations 
could negatively impact other sellers of the eliminator trawl. Because 
of the potential for confusion in the fishing industry or infringement 
on the trademark by sellers, NMFS renamed the trawl specified in the 
regulations in order to preclude potential impacts on these businesses 
(which includes small entities).
    A fourth commenter noted that the haddock rope trawl, as specified, 
would not be appropriate for smaller vessels, with the unstated 
implication that the net approval would not provide any benefits to 
small vessels. This rule does not intentionally preclude the use of the 
gear based on vessel size or horsepower, but NMFS realizes that an 
unavoidable consequence of this rule may be that smaller vessels or 
vessels with less than 600 HP may not be able to use this gear. 
However, given the nature of this rule, there is no other alternative. 
The process of conducting gear research and reviewing such research is 
time-consuming and costly, and the standards for approval must be met. 
The research paper that documented the effectiveness of the haddock 
rope trawl

[[Page 40190]]

indicated that the results of the experiment could not be used to 
extrapolate to smaller scale haddock rope trawl gear that could be 
readily used by smaller horsepower vessels. The haddock rope trawl is 
the only gear that has been vetted through the review process and 
recommended by the Council. Although NMFS supports the objective of 
approving a net of similar design as the haddock rope trawl for use by 
smaller vessels, such a net is outside the scope of this final rule. 
Additional research is being proposed by two of the co-authors of 
``Bycatch Reduction in the Directed Haddock Bottom Trawl Fishery'' that 
will investigate the use of a haddock rope trawl net designed for 
smaller vessels with 250 to 550 HP engines. Performance standards, 
rather than design standards, are utilized for the evaluation of new 
trawl gear, in order to provide conservation engineers flexibility in 
design and a meaningful standard for the achievement of the goal of 
bycatch reduction. The performance standards under Sec.  
648.85(b)(6)(iv)(J)(2) were developed for the specific purpose of 
evaluating additional fishing gear for these special management 
programs. The net effect of this gear not being available to smaller 
size or horsepower vessels is the same as the status quo.
    Any economic impact of this rule will be based upon a vessel 
owner's decision to purchase and use the haddock rope trawl, based upon 
their assessment of profitability. This action does not modify any 
collection of information, reporting, or recordkeeping requirements. 
The haddock rope trawl net does not duplicate, overlap, or conflict 
with any other Federal rules.
    Section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness 
Act of 1996 states that, for each rule or group of related rules for 
which an agency is required to prepare a FRFA, the agency shall publish 
one or more guides to assist small entities in complying with the rule, 
and shall designate such publications as ``small entity compliance 
guides.'' The agency shall explain the actions a small entity is 
required to take to comply with a rule or group of rules. As part of 
this rulemaking process, a letter to permit holders that also serves as 
a small entity compliance guide (the guide) was prepared. Copies of 
this final rule are available from the Northeast Regional Office, and 
the guide, i.e., permit holder letter, will be sent to all holders of 
limited access DAS permits for the NE multispecies fishery. The guide 
and this final rule will be posted on the NMFS NE Regional Office Web 
site at https://www.nero.noaa.gov and will also be available upon 
request.

    Dated: July 8, 2008.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator For Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.

0
For the reasons stated in the preamble, 50 CFR part 648 is amended as 
follows:

PART 648--FISHERIES OF THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES

0
1. The authority citation for part 648 continues to read as follows:

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

0
2. In Sec.  648.2, new definitions for ``fishing circle,'' ``stretched 
mesh,'' and ``sweep'' are added in alphabetical order, to read as 
follows:


Sec.  648.2  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Fishing circle, with respect to the NE multispecies limited access 
fishery, means the calculated circumference of a bottom trawl based on 
the number of meshes and stretched mesh length at the narrow, aft end 
of the square of the net.
* * * * *
    Stretched mesh, with respect to the NE multispecies haddock rope 
trawl, means mesh that is pulled so that slack in the mesh is 
eliminated and the mesh opening is closed.
* * * * *
    Sweep, with respect to the NE multispecies limited access fishery, 
means the part of a bottom trawl that, during normal use, is in contact 
with the sea floor along the outer edges of the lower webbing of the 
net.
* * * * *

0
3. In Sec.  648.14, paragraphs (a)(132) and (c)(81) are revised and 
paragraph (c)(89) is added to read as follows:


Sec.  648.14  Prohibitions.

    (a) * * *
    (132) If fishing with trawl gear under a NE multispecies DAS in the 
Eastern U.S./Canada Area defined in Sec.  648.85(a)(1)(ii), fail to 
fish with a haddock separator trawl or a flounder trawl net, as 
specified in Sec.  648.85(a)(3)(iii), unless otherwise allowed under 
the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP rules in Sec.  648.85(b)(8)(v)(E).
* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (81) If fishing in the Regular B DAS Program specified in Sec.  
648.85(b)(6), fail to use a haddock separator trawl as described under 
Sec.  648.85(a)(3)(iii)(A), or other approved gear as described under 
Sec.  648.85(b)(6)(iv)(J).
* * * * *
    (89) If possessing a haddock rope trawl, either at sea or 
elsewhere, as allowed under Sec.  648.85(b)(6)(iv)(J)(1) or 
(b)(8)(v)(E)(1), fail to comply with the net specifications under Sec.  
648.85(b)(6)(iv)(J)(3).
* * * * *

0
4. In Sec.  648.85, paragraphs (b)(6)(iv)(J)(1) and (b)(8)(v)(E) 
introductory heading and (b)(8)(v)(E)(1) are revised, and paragraph 
(b)(6)(iv)(J)(3) is added to read as follows:


Sec.  648.85  Special management programs.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (6) * * *
    (iv) * * *
    (J) * * *
    (1) Vessels fishing with trawl gear in the Regular B DAS Program 
must use the haddock separator trawl or haddock rope trawl net, as 
described under paragraphs (a)(3)(iii)(A) and (b)(6)(iv)(J)(3) of this 
section, respectively, or other type of gear if approved as described 
under this paragraph (b)(6)(iv)(J). Other gear may be on board the 
vessel, provided it is stowed when the vessel is fishing under the 
Regular B DAS Program.
* * * * *
    (3) Haddock Rope Trawl. The haddock rope trawl is a four-seam 
bottom groundfish trawl designed to reduce the bycatch of cod while 
retaining or increasing the catch of haddock, when compared to 
traditional groundfish trawls. A haddock rope trawl must be constructed 
in accordance with the standards described and referenced in this 
paragraph Sec.  648.85(b)(6)(iv)(J)(3). The mesh size of a particular 
section of the haddock rope trawl is measured in accordance with Sec.  
648.80(f)(2), unless insufficient numbers of mesh exist, in which case 
the maximum total number of meshes in the section will be measured 
(between 2 and 20 meshes).
    (i) The net must be constructed with four seams (i.e., a net with a 
top and bottom panel and two side panels), and include at least the 
following net sections as depicted in Figure 1 of this part 
ANomenclature for 4-seam haddock rope trawl@ (this figure is also 
available from the Administrator, Northeast Region): Top jib, bottom 
jib, jib side panels (x 2), top wing, bottom wing, wing side panels (x 
2), square, bunt, square side panels (x 2), first top belly, first 
bottom belly, first belly side panels (x 2), second top belly, second 
bottom belly, second belly side panels (x 2), and third bottom belly.
    (ii) The first bottom belly, bunt, the top and bottom wings, and 
the top and bottom jibs, jib side panels, and wing side panels (the 
first bottom belly and all portions of the net in front of the first

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bottom belly, with the exception of the square and the square side 
panels) must be at least two meshes long in the fore and aft direction. 
For these net sections, the stretched length of any single mesh must be 
at least 7.9 ft (240 cm), measured in a straight line from knot to 
knot.
    (iii) Mesh size in all other sections must be consistent with mesh 
size requirements specified under Sec.  648.80 and meet the following 
minimum specifications: Each mesh in the square, square side panels, 
and second bottom belly must be 31.5 inches (80 cm); each mesh in the 
first and second top belly, the first belly side panels, and the third 
bottom belly must be at least 7.9 inches (20 cm); and 6 inches (15.24 
cm) or larger in sections following the second top belly and third 
bottom belly sections, all the way to the codend. The mesh size 
requirements of the top sections apply to the side panel sections.
    (iv) The trawl must have a fishing circle of at least 398 ft (121.4 
m). This number is calculated by separately counting the number of 
meshes for each section of the net at the wide, fore end of the first 
bottom belly, and then calculating a stretched length as follows: For 
each section of the net (first bottom belly, two belly side panels and 
first top belly) multiply the number of meshes times the length of each 
stretched mesh to get the stretched mesh length for that section, and 
then add the sections together. For example, if the wide, fore end of 
the bottom belly of the haddock rope trawl is 22 meshes (and the mesh 
is at least 7.9 ft (240 cm)), the stretched mesh length for that 
section of the net is derived by multiplying 22 times 7.9 ft (240 cm) 
and equals 173.2 ft (52.8 m). The top and sides (x 2) of the net at 
this point in the trawl are 343 meshes (221 + 61 + 61, respectively) 
(each 7.9 inches (20 cm)), which equals 225.1 ft (68.6 m) stretched 
length. The stretched lengths for the different sections of mesh are 
added together (173.2 ft + 225.1 ft (52.8 + 68.6 m)) and result in the 
length of the fishing circle, in this case 398.3 ft (121.4 m).
    (v) The trawl must have a single or multiple kite panels with a 
total surface area of at least 29.1 sq. ft. (2.7 sq. m) on the forward 
end of the square to help maximize headrope height, for the purpose of 
capturing rising fish. A kite panel is a flat structure, usually semi-
flexible used to modify the shape of trawl and mesh openings by 
providing lift when a trawl is moving through the water.
    (vi) The sweep must include rockhoppers of various sizes, which are 
arranged along the sweep in size order, graduated from 16-inch (40-cm) 
diameter in the sweep center down to 12-inch (30-cm) diameter at the 
wing ends. There must be six or fewer 12- to16-inch (30- to 40-cm) 
rockhopper discs over any 10-ft (3.0-m) length of the sweep. The 12- 
to16- inch (30- to 40-cm) discs (minimum size) must be spaced evenly, 
with one disc placed approximately every 2 ft (60 cm) along the sweep. 
The 12- to 16-inch (30- to 40-cm) discs must be separated by smaller 
discs, no larger than 3.5 inches (8.8 cm) in diameter.
* * * * *
    (8) * * *
    (v) * * *
    (E) Gear requirement--(1) A NE multispecies vessel fishing in the 
Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP must use the haddock separator trawl or 
haddock rope trawl net, as described under paragraphs (a)(3)(iii)(A) 
and (b)(6)(iv)(J)(3) of this section, respectively, or other type of 
gear, if approved as described under this paragraph (b)(8)(v)(E). No 
other type of fishing gear may be on the vessel when on a trip in the 
Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP, with the exception of a flounder net, 
as described in paragraph (a)(3)(iii) of this section, provided that 
the flounder net is stowed in accordance with Sec.  648.23(b).
* * * * *

0
5. In part 648, add Figure 1 to read as follows:
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

[[Page 40192]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR14JY08.022

[FR Doc. E8-15950 Filed 7-11-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-C