Fisheries in the Western Pacific; Bottomfish and Seamount Groundfish Fisheries; Management Measures for the Northern Mariana Islands, 75615-75622 [E8-29512]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 240 (Friday, December 12, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 75615-75622]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-29512]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 665

[Docket No. 070720390-81459-03]
RIN 0648-AV28


Fisheries in the Western Pacific; Bottomfish and Seamount 
Groundfish Fisheries; Management Measures for the Northern Mariana 
Islands

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule establishes Federal permitting and reporting 
requirements for all commercial bottomfish vessels fishing in the U.S. 
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) around the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands (CNMI). The final rule also closes certain EEZ waters 
around the CNMI to bottomfish fishing by vessels over 40 ft (12.2 m) in 
length. Vessel monitoring system units must be installed on those 
larger vessels when fishing in EEZ waters around the CNMI, and the 
operators of those larger vessels will be required to submit Federal 
sales reports in addition to catch reports. This final rule is intended 
to ensure adequate collection of information about the CNMI commercial 
bottomfish fishery, provide for sustained community participation, and 
maintain a consistent supply of locally-caught bottomfish to CNMI 
markets and seafood consumers. Combined, these measures are intended to 
prevent the depletion of bottomfish stocks in the CNMI, and to sustain 
the fisheries that depend on them.

DATES: This final rule is effective January 12, 2009, except for the 
revisions to Sec. Sec.  665.14, 665.19(a)(4), and 665.61, which require 
approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). When OMB approval is received, the 
effective date will be announced in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: The Fishery Management Plan for Bottomfish and Seamount 
Groundfish Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region and Amendment 10 are 
available from the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council 
(Council), 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, tel 808-
522-8220, fax 808-522-8226, or www.wpcouncil.org.
    Written comments regarding the burden-hour estimates or other 
aspects of the collection-of-information

[[Page 75616]]

requirements contained in this final rule may be submitted to William 
L. Robinson, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Pacific Islands Region 
(PIR), 1601 Kapiolani Blvd, Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814-4700, and by 
e-mail to David_Rostker@omb.eop.gov, or fax to 202-395-7285.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brett Wiedoff, NMFS PIR, 808-944-2272.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Federal Register notice is also 
accessible at the Office of the Federal Register's web site: 
www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/.
    Bottomfish in CNMI nearshore waters are caught in subsistence, 
recreational, and small-scale commercial fisheries. Vessels are 
typically small (less than 25 ft (7.6 m)), and fishing is more frequent 
in summer months when weather and sea conditions are calm. Most of 
these small vessels target shallow-water bottomfish, but some also 
target deep-water species. The catch from these small vessels is 
destined for local markets and consumers in the CNMI, and is usually 
not exported.
    In addition to small vessels, several larger vessels (over 40 ft, 
or 12.2 m, in length) also target deep-water bottomfish at offshore 
seamounts and banks. Catch from these large vessels does not always 
enter local markets as a food supply for CNMI residents. It is also 
possible for large bottomfish vessels based in Guam to travel to 
fishing grounds within U.S. EEZ waters around the CNMI. Larger-vessel 
fisheries could result in excessive fishing pressure on bottomfish 
stocks at nearshore banks, potentially threatening both the fish stocks 
and the fisheries that have historically been dependent on these 
resources.
    Several other issues regarding bottomfish fishing in the CNMI have 
been noted. First, existing data collection programs in the CNMI are 
insufficient to monitor catches and determine the impacts of the 
fishery on the bottomfish stocks being harvested, or to determine the 
species composition and amount of discarded catch. Second, large 
bottomfish vessels need to harvest relatively large catches to cover 
operational costs, and these large catches could deplete nearshore 
stocks. Stock depletion would threaten the sustainability of the CNMI 
bottomfish fishery, and if catch rates were significantly reduced, 
small vessels would not be able to continue operating. Finally, because 
the catches from large vessels are typically exported, traditional 
patterns of supply and consumption of bottomfish in the local community 
would be disrupted.
    This final rule will require the owners of all vessels commercially 
fishing for bottomfish management unit species (BMUS) in EEZ waters 
around the CNMI to obtain Federal fishing permits. Permit eligibility 
will not be restricted, and permits will be renewable on an annual 
basis.
    This final rule will require the operators of all commercial 
bottomfish vessels to complete and submit Federal catch reports. In 
addition to the fishing logbook, vessels over 40 ft (12.2 m) fishing 
for bottomfish in the CNMI will be required to complete and submit 
Federal sales reports for the bottomfish that they sell.
    This final rule will close certain EEZ waters around the CNMI to 
bottomfish fishing by vessels over 40 ft (12.2 m). The closed areas 
include EEZ waters from the shoreline to 50 nm (80.5 km) around the 
southern islands of the CNMI, from the Guam-CNMI EEZ boundary to a line 
halfway between Farallon de Medinilla and Anatahan Islands, and EEZ 
waters from the shoreline to 10 nm (18.5 km) around the northern island 
of Alamagan (Fig. 1). The closed area boundaries are defined by 
straight lines for clarity and to facilitate enforcement.
    Transshipping bottomfish will be allowed within the closed areas. 
This could facilitate delivery of bottomfish to local and other 
markets, and provide a potential revenue source other than, or in 
addition to, fishing. Vessels that transship their catches offshore can 
remain at sea for longer periods of time, thereby improving operational 
efficiency and reducing transit costs. Any vessel commercially 
receiving bottomfish fish or fish products from a fishing vessel will 
be required to be registered with a valid CNMI commercial bottomfish 
permit, and the operator will be required to report any bottomfish 
transshipping activity in the Federal fishing logbook forms.
    Commercial CNMI bottomfish vessels over 40 ft (12.2 m) are required 
to be marked in compliance with current Federal vessel identification 
requirements, but the final rule exempts CNMI-based commercial 
bottomfish vessels from the Federal vessel identification requirements 
if the vessels are less than 40 ft (12.2 m) in length and in compliance 
with CNMI vessel registration and marking requirements.
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

[[Page 75617]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR12DE08.000

BILLING CODE 3510-22-C
    Shipboard vessel monitoring system (VMS) units will be required on 
vessels over 40 ft (12.2 m). The VMS is an automated, satellite-based 
system that assists NOAA's Office for Law Enforcement and the U.S. 
Coast Guard in monitoring compliance with closed areas in a reliable 
and cost-effective manner. To date, the regional requirements for VMS 
in 50 CFR 665 have applied only to pelagic longline fishing, so the 
requirements are located in the pelagic fisheries section of the 
regulations. (The VMS requirements for the Northwestern Hawaiian 
Islands bottomfish fishery are found in 50 CFR 404.5 and are not 
affected by this final rule.) Because the final rule adds VMS 
requirements for bottomfish fishing, the section regarding the vessel 
monitoring system (Sec.  665.25) is moved from the pelagic fishery 
requirements to the general requirements and renumbered as Sec.  
665.19. Accordingly, the VMS-related prohibitions found in Sec.  665.22 
are also moved to the general prohibitions in Sec.  665.15. The VMS-
related requirements are also clarified to require that VMS units be 
installed and operational when vessels are at sea.
    In the definition of bottomfish management unit species, the 
scientific name for armorhead is revised to the valid taxonomic name, 
and the scientific name of the pink snapper is

[[Page 75618]]

revised to include the species, which was inadvertently omitted from 
the definition. The spellings of local names of the longtail and pink 
snappers are also corrected. In the definition of receiving vessel 
permit, the cross-reference to receiving vessel permits for pelagic 
longlining is corrected to the proper paragraph.
    Additional background information on this final rule may be found 
in the preamble to the proposed rule published on September 8, 2008 (73 
FR 51992), and is not repeated here.

Comments and Responses

    On September 20, 2008, NMFS published a notice of availability and 
request for public comments on Amendment 10, including a Draft 
Environmental Assessment (73 FR 49157). The amendment comment period 
ended on October 20, 2008. On September 8, 2008, NMFS published a 
proposed rule (73 FR 51992) that would implement the management 
measures recommended by the Council in Amendment 10. The proposed rule 
comment period ended on October 23, 2008. NMFS received public comment 
regarding the EA and proposed rule, and responds as follows:
    Comment 1: The initial permit fee should be $100 per vessel to 
cover and sustain administrative costs.
    Response: The amount of the permit fee is calculated in accordance 
with the procedures of the NOAA Finance Handbook for determining the 
administrative costs of each special product or service incurred in 
processing the permit. At the time the rule was proposed, NMFS had 
preliminarily determined that a permit fee of up to $80 was 
appropriate. However, more information about the fishery and 
administrative costs of issuing permits indicates that the actual fee 
is expected to be approximately $40, and will be specified on the 
permit application form.

Changes From the Proposed Rule

    There are no changes from the proposed rule.

Classification

    The Regional Administrator has determined that the Bottomfish FMP 
Amendment 10 is necessary for the conservation and management of 
bottomfish and seamount groundfish and that it is consistent with the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-
Stevens Act), and other applicable laws.
    This final rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
     NMFS prepared a final regulatory flexibility analysis (FRFA). 
The FRFA incorporates the initial regulatory flexibility analysis 
(IRFA) prepared in support of the proposed rule, and the analyses 
completed to support the action. A summary is provided, as follows. 
(The preamble to the proposed rule included a detailed summary of 
the analyses contained in the IRFA, and that discussion is not 
repeated in its entirety here.)
    The need for agency action and the objectives of the action are 
explained in the preambles to the proposed rule and final rule. 
While no comments were received specifically on the IRFA, one 
comment was received on the administrative cost of the permit. NMFS 
responded to that comment in the preamble of the final rule, and no 
changes were made to the FRFA as a result of the comment.

Description of Small Entities to Which the Rule Would Apply

    The preferred alternative would apply to all vessels 
commercially fishing for bottomfish in EEZ waters around the CNMI. 
Given an annual average of 58 known commercial fish harvesting 
vessels from 2001-05, with an annual average fleet-wide adjusted 
revenue of $136,827, it is estimated that each vessel operator 
realized an average of $2,359 in annual ex-vessel gross revenues 
from their bottomfish fishing operations. Because each vessel has 
gross receipts under $4.0 million, is independently owned and 
operated, and is not dominant in its field, all vessels comprising 
this fishery are deemed to be small entities under the Small 
Business Administration's definition of a small fish harvester. In 
2005, 62 vessels less than 40 ft (12.2 m) participated in the CNMI 
bottomfish fishery. As many as eleven medium/large vessels (i.e., 
greater than 40 feet or 12.2 m) are believed to have participated in 
this fishery since 1997. Information from fisheries officials in the 
CNMI indicate that there were six active medium and large vessels in 
2006, and one in 2007.

Description of Alternatives with Economic Impacts on Small Businesses

Alternative 1 - No Action.
    In the short term, fishing operations would be expected to 
continue their operations. In the longer-term, economic impacts 
(including market and non-market impacts) on small-vessel 
commercial, recreational and charter fishery participants could be 
negative if localized depletion of bottomfish occurs within their 
limited fishing range. Due to their larger vessel sizes, larger-
scale commercial fishing operations would still have access to 
offshore fishing areas, but smaller vessels would not and would 
likely see bigger losses. Operators of smaller vessels already 
generally participate in more than one fishery over the course of a 
year and would likely shift their bottomfish fishing effort to other 
boat-based fisheries (e.g., pelagic troll or handline). Whether they 
would be able to recoup their lost bottomfish income or not is 
unclear, but a disruption of the nearshore bottomfish fishery would 
represent a reduction in their portfolio of fishing opportunities.
    Alternative 2 - Prohibit commercial fishing for BMUS by vessels 
greater than 50 ft (15.2 m) within U.S. EEZ waters 3-50 nm (5.6-80.5 
km) around the CNMI; require that operators of vessels greater than 
50 ft (15.2 m) that land BMUS in the CNMI have Federal fishing 
permits and submit Federal logbooks of their associated catch and 
effort.
    Alternative 2 is more positive than Alternative 1 for small-
vessel commercial, recreational, and charter fishery participants by 
somewhat maintaining the opportunity for viable catch rates at banks 
within their limited fishing range around the CNMI. Unlike 
Alternative 1, Alternative 2 could cause negative impacts on the 
large-vessel commercial sector of the fishery through the 
realization of increased operating costs necessitated by the 
requirement that large vessels fish on banks greater than 50 nm 
(80.5 km) from the CNMI, although this impact might be offset 
initially by higher bottomfish catch rates at more distant seamounts 
that remain open to large vessels. Likely areas for bottomfish 
fishing over 50 nm (80.5 km) from shore are a chain of seamounts, 
some rising to shallow depths, about 200 nm (370 km) west of the 
Marianas Archipelago. As these areas have not been previously fished 
by the CNMI fleet, there would be a high cost associated with 
exploring the bottomfish fishing potential of these seamounts and 
their catch rates are unknown.
    As compared to the No Action Alternative, Alternative 2 would 
eliminate commercial bottomfish fishing by large vessels within 
waters 3-50 nm (5.6-80.5 km) around the CNMI. There may be immediate 
impacts to vessel operations under this alternative as there may be 
some large commercial bottomfish vessels active within 50 nm (80.5 
km) of the Northern Islands, though none are believed to be active 
in waters around the Southern Islands. This alternative would 
eliminate the potential renewal or expansion of the large vessel 
fishery sector in waters around the Saipan. Thus, Alternative 2 
would have greater potential than Alternative 1 for controlling the 
risk of local depletion of areas around Saipan that are fished by 
small-scale fishermen. A chain of seamounts parallels the Marianas 
Archipelago nearly 200 nm (370 km) to the west. Some of these 
seamounts rise to shallow depths, but this chain is poorly charted 
and the amount of associated bottomfish habitat is not known. 
Whether large vessels would invest time and money in exploring this 
chain for bottomfish fishing grounds under this alternative is 
unknown. In the long-term, this alternative would foreclose the 
opportunity for commercial bottomfish fishing using large vessels in 
the closed areas.
    This alternative would require the operators of CNMI-based 
vessels larger than 50 ft (15.2 m) in length commercially fishing 
for bottomfish in EEZ waters around the CNMI to obtain Federal 
permits and to submit Federal catch reports. Permit eligibility 
would not be restricted in any way, and the permit would be 
renewable on an annual basis. It is anticipated that initial

[[Page 75619]]

permit applications would require 0.5 hr per applicant, with 
renewals requiring an additional 0.5 hr annually. The fee for 
Federal permits is expected to be approximately $40 and will be 
specified in the permit application. This represents approximately 
1.7 percent of revenues earned by individuals vessels in the 2001-05 
fishery.
    Alternative 3 - Limit onaga landings to no more than 250 lb (113 
kg) per trip for any vessel fishing in U.S. EEZ waters beyond 3 nm 
(5.6 km) around the CNMI.
    Alternative 3 would be expected to yield beneficial economic 
impacts for vessels less than or equal to 40 feet that target onaga. 
They would be expected to maintain their opportunities for viable 
onaga catch rates at banks within their limited fishing range, as 
the reduced fishing revenues expected with a per-trip limit of 250 
lb (113 kg) of onaga would discourage competition from large-scale 
commercial onaga fishing operations. Economic impacts on these 
large-scale operations would be adverse as a 250 lb (113 kg) trip 
limit would not yield enough revenues to cover trip costs and these 
trips would be expected to become economically inefficient. This 
would be expected to discourage vessels greater than 40 ft (12.2 m) 
from entering the fishery.
    Alternative 4 - Establish a limited access program with Federal 
permit and reporting requirements, for vessels targeting BMUS more 
than 3 nm (5.6 km) around the CNMI.
    Alternative 4 would be likely to have a positive economic impact 
on catch rates and ex-vessel revenues for fishery participants with 
a documented history of bottomfish fishing in the EEZ, but a 
negative impact for undocumented or future potential participants. 
Limiting total fishery participation would be expected to result in 
increased catch rates for qualifying participants, fishing 
efficiency, and profits for those who qualify and continue fishing. 
Economic impacts on existing (and future) non-qualifiers would be 
highly adverse with no bottomfish catches or revenues available for 
this group. If limited access permits were transferable, this 
alternative would also create an economic value for these permits as 
the original qualifiers could subsequently sell(or lease) them to a 
new round of participants. This would represent a windfall profit to 
the original qualifiers.
    This alternative would require the operators of all CNMI-based 
vessels commercially fishing for bottomfish in waters beyond 3 nm 
around the CNMI to obtain Federal permits and to submit Federal 
catch reports. Permit eligibility would not be restricted in any 
way, and the permit would be renewable on an annual basis. It is 
anticipated that initial permit applications would require 0.5 hr 
per applicant, with renewals requiring an additional 0.5 hr 
annually. The fee for Federal permits is expected to be 
approximately $40 and will be specified in the permit application. 
This represents approximately 1.7 percent of revenues earned by 
individuals vessels in the 2001-05 fishery Based on experience in 
other fisheries, it is expected that the time requirement for 
filling out Federal catch reports would be approximately 20 min per 
vessel per fishing day. No special skills beyond the ability to read 
and write in English would be required to fill out the permit 
application or logbooks.
    Alternative 5 (Preferred) - Prohibit commercial fishing for BMUS 
by medium and large vessels within U.S. EEZ waters 0-50 nm (0-80.5 
km) around CNMI in the area from the southern boundary of the EEZ 
(south of Rota) to the north latitude of 16 10' 47'' (halfway 
between Farallon de Medinilla to Anatahan) and within EEZ waters 0-
10 nm (0-18.5 km) around Alamagan Island; require that medium and 
large vessels fishing commercially for BMUS in EEZ waters around the 
CNMI carry operating VMS units, and complete Federal sales reports 
for any BMUS sold in the CNMI; require that operators of all vessels 
fishing commercially for BMUS in EEZ waters around the CNMI have 
Federal fishing permits and submit Federal logbooks of their 
associated catch and effort.
    The impacts of Alternative 5 on medium/large vessels would be 
similar to those of Alternative 2. However, the impacts to the catch 
rates and ex-vessel revenues of small vessel fishermen would be more 
pronounced as both medium and large commercial bottomfish vessels 
over 40 feet (12.2 m) in length would be prohibited from fishing 
around Saipan and Alamagan. The general absence of medium/large 
vessels from the recent fishery suggests that the area is not 
optimal for the profitability of these vessels and fishing in the 
restricted area may be more opportunistic than planned. Therefore, 
restricting medium/large vessels in the area may yield only a 
minimal adverse economic impact to individual vessels mitigated by 
profitable opportunities elsewhere.
    This alternative would require the operators of all CNMI-based 
vessels commercially fishing for bottomfish in waters around the 
CNMI to obtain Federal permits and to submit Federal catch reports. 
Permit eligibility would not be restricted in any way, and the 
permit would be renewable on an annual basis. It is anticipated that 
initial permit applications would require 0.5 hr per applicant, with 
renewals requiring an additional 0.5 hr annually. The fee for 
Federal permits has not been determined, but it may be approximately 
$40. This represents approximately 1.7 percent of revenues earned by 
individuals vessels in the 2001-05 fishery. Based on experience in 
other fisheries, it is expected that the time requirement for 
filling out Federal catch reports would be approximately 20 min per 
vessel per fishing day. No special skills beyond the ability to read 
and write in English would be required to fill out the permit 
application, logbooks, or sales reports.

Steps Taken by the Agency to Minimize Adverse Impacts

    Choosing the no-action alternative would yield no economic 
impact and would be preferred by the potentially impacted vessels. 
However, the no-action alternative could result in excessive fishing 
pressure and, in the worst-case scenario, contribute to overfishing 
which is inconsistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act. All other 
alternatives would be more restrictive and would yield more adverse 
economic impact than the preferred alternative. Therefore, NMFS 
concludes that the preferred alternative best minimizes the economic 
impacts on small entities consistent with the objectives of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act and this rulemaking.

Small Entity Compliance Guide

    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 small entity 
compliance guide was prepared and will be provided to affected small 
entities. In addition, copies of this final rule and the guide are 
available from the William L. Robinson(see ADDRESSES) and from 
www.fpir.noaa.gov.
    This final rule contains collection-of-information requirements 
subject to the PRA. These requirements have been submitted to OMB for 
approval. NMFS will publish a notice when these requirements have been 
approved by OMB and are effective (see DATES).
    Permit eligibility would not be restricted in any way, and the 
permit would be renewable on an annual basis. The initial permit 
applications will require 0.5 hr per applicant, with renewals requiring 
an additional 0.5 hr annually. It is estimated that NMFS may receive 
and process up to 50 to 125 permit applications each year. Thus, the 
total collection-of-information burden to fishermen for permit 
applications is estimated at 25 to 62 hours per year. NMFS has 
determined that a permit fee of up to $80 is appropriate to cover the 
administrative costs of the permit. The fee is expected to be 
approximately $40 and will be specified in the permit application.
    The final rule will require the operators of all vessels 
commercially fishing for bottomfish in U.S. EEZ waters around the CNMI 
to complete and submit Federal catch reports. The time requirement to 
complete Federal catch reports is approximately 20 minutes per vessel 
per fishing day. Assuming that the 50 to 125 vessels make 10 to 50 
trips per year, and average 1.2 days per trip, the program will 
generate in the range of 600 to 7,500 daily fishing logbooks per year. 
Thus, the total collection-of-information burden estimate for fishing 
data reporting is estimated at 200 to 2,500 hours per year.
    The final rule will also require the operators of medium and large 
commercial bottomfish vessels to complete and submit Federal sales

[[Page 75620]]

reports. The time requirement for completing Federal sales reports is 
approximately 35 minutes per vessel per fishing trip. Assuming six 
medium and large vessels make 15 trips per year, the program will 
generate approximately 90 sales reports per year. Thus, the total 
collection-of-information burden estimate for sales data reporting by 
fishermen is estimated at 52 hours per year. These estimates include 
time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, 
gathering and maintaining data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
information.
    For the medium and large vessel identification requirements, the 
burden is estimated at 45 minutes to paint each vessel (15 minutes for 
each of three locations on the vessel where marking is required), and 
about $10 for paint and supplies. Assuming six medium and large 
bottomfish vessels are active, the total collection-of-information 
burden estimate is 4.5 hours and $60.
    For the medium and large vessel VMS requirements, the estimated 
time per response is four hours to install a VMS unit, and two hours 
per year to repair and maintain a VMS unit. Assuming six medium and 
large bottomfish vessels are active, the total collection-of-
information burden estimate for compliance with VMS requirements is 24 
hours the first year and 12 hours annually after that.
    Send comments on these or any other aspects of the collection of 
information to William L. Robinson (see ADDRESSES), and by email to 
David_Rostker@omb.eop.gov or by fax to 202-395-7285.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is 
required to respond to, and no person shall be subject to penalty for 
failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the PRA, unless that collection of information displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 665

    Administrative practice and procedure, American Samoa, Fisheries, 
Fishing, Guam, Hawaii, Hawaiian Natives, Northern Mariana Islands, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: December 3, 2008.
James W. Balsiger,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.

0
For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 665 is amended as 
follows:

PART 665--FISHERIES IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC

0
1. The authority citation for part 665 continues to read as follows:

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

0
2. In Sec.  665.12 add the definitions of ``CNMI commercial bottomfish 
permit'', ``Medium vessel'', and ``Receiving vessel'' in alphabetical 
order; in the definition of ``Bottomfish management unit species'' 
revise the entries for longtail snapper and pink snapper; in the 
definition of ``Seamount groundfish'' revise the entry for armorhead, 
and revise the definitions of ``Receiving vessel permit'' and ``Vessel 
monitoring system unit'' to read as follows:


Sec.  665.12  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Bottomfish management unit species* * *

------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Common name                  Local Name           Scientific
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
------------------------------
Longtail snapper               Onaga, ula'ula (H);      Etelis coruscans
                                palu-loa (S)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
------------------------------
Pink snapper                   Opakapaka (H); palu-     Pristipomoides
                                ena'ena (S); gadao (G)   filamentosus
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    CNMI commercial bottomfish permit means the permit required by 
Sec.  665.61 (a)(5) to engage in commercial fishing for bottomfish 
management unit species in U.S. EEZ waters around the CNMI.
* * * * *
    Medium vessel, as used in Sec. Sec.  665.61 through 665.72, means 
any vessel equal to or more than 40 ft (12.2 m) and less than 50 ft 
(15.2 m) in length overall.
* * * * *
    Receiving vessel means a vessel that receives fish or fish products 
from a fishing vessel, and with regard to a vessel holding a permit 
under Sec.  665.21(e) that also lands Pacific Pelagic Management Unit 
Species taken by other vessels using longline gear.
    Receiving vessel permit means a permit required by Sec.  665.21(e) 
for a receiving vessel to transship or land Pacific pelagic management 
unit species taken by other vessels using longline gear.
* * * * *
    Seamount groundfish means the following species:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Common name                        Scientific name
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Armorhead                                               Pseudopentaceros
                                                             richardsoni
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    Vessel monitoring system unit (VMS unit) means the hardware and 
software owned by NMFS, installed on vessels by NMFS, and required to 
track and transmit the positions of certain vessels.
* * * * *

0
3. In Sec.  665.13, add a new paragraph (f)(2)(viii) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  665.13  Permits and fees.

* * * * *
    (f) Fees. * * *
    (2) * * *
    (viii) CNMI commercial bottomfish permit.
* * * * *

0
4. In Sec.  665.14, revise paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2)(i), and (c) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  665.14  Reporting and recordkeeping.

    (a) Fishing record forms. (1) Applicability. The operator of any 
fishing vessel subject to the requirements of Sec. Sec.  665.21, 
665.41, 665.61(a)(2), 665.61(a)(3), 665.61(a)(4), 665.61(a)(5), 665.81, 
or 665.602 must maintain on board the vessel an accurate and complete 
record of catch, effort, and other data on paper report forms provided 
by the Regional Administrator, or electronically as specified and 
approved by the Regional

[[Page 75621]]

Administrator. All information specified by the Regional Administrator 
must be recorded on paper or electronically within 24 hours after the 
completion of each fishing day. The logbook information, reported on 
paper or electronically, for each day of the fishing trip must be 
signed and dated or otherwise authenticated by the vessel operator in 
the manner determined by the Regional Administrator, and be submitted 
or transmitted via an approved method as specified by the Regional 
Administrator, and as required by this paragraph (a).
    (2) Timeliness of submission. (i) If fishing was authorized under a 
permit pursuant to Sec. Sec.  665.21, 665.41, 665.61(a)(3), 
665.61(a)(5), or 665.81, the vessel operator must submit the original 
logbook form for each day of the fishing trip to the Regional 
Administrator within 72 hours of the end of each fishing trip, except 
as allowed in paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section.
* * * * *
    (c) Sales report. The operator of any fishing vessel subject to the 
requirements of Sec.  665.41, or the owner of a medium or large fishing 
vessel subject to the requirements of Sec.  665.61(a)(5), must submit 
to the Regional Administrator, within 72 hours of offloading crustacean 
or bottomfish management unit species, respectively, an accurate and 
complete sales report on a form provided by the Regional Administrator. 
The form must be signed and dated by the fishing vessel operator.
* * * * *


Sec.  665.22  [Redesignated in part]

0
5. Redesignate paragraphs (o) through (u) in Sec.  665.22 as paragraphs 
(m) through (s) in Sec.  665.15.
0
6. In Sec.  665.15, revise newly redesignated paragraphs (m) through 
(s) to read as follows:


Sec.  665.15  Prohibitions.

* * * * *
    (m) Fish for, catch, or harvest management unit species with 
longline gear without an operational VMS unit on board the vessel after 
installation of the VMS unit by NMFS, in violation of Sec.  
665.19(e)(2).
    (n) Possess management unit species, that were harvested after NMFS 
has installed the VMS unit on the vessel, on board that vessel without 
an operation VMS unit, in violation of 665.19(e)(2).
    (o) Interfere with, tamper with, alter, damage, disable, or impede 
the operation of a VMS unit or attempt any of the same; or move or 
remove a VMS unit without the prior permission of the SAC in violation 
of Sec.  665.19(e)(3).
    (p) Make a false statement, oral or written, to an authorized 
officer, regarding the use, operation, or maintenance of a VMS unit, in 
violation of Sec.  665.19(e)(1).
    (q) Interfere with, impede, delay, or prevent the installation, 
maintenance, repair, inspection, or removal of a VMS unit, in violation 
of Sec.  665.19(e)(1).
    (r) Interfere with, impede, delay, or prevent access to a VMS unit 
by a NMFS observer, in violation of Sec.  665.28(f)(4).
    (s) Connect or leave connected additional equipment to a VMS unit 
without the prior approval of the SAC, in violation of Sec.  665.19(f).

0
7. In Sec.  665.16, add new paragraph (e)(2) to read as follows:


Sec.  665.16  Vessel identification.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (2) A vessel less than 40 ft (12.2 m) in length registered for use 
under a CNMI commercial bottomfish permit that is in compliance with 
CNMI bottomfish vessel registration and marking requirements.


Sec.  665.25  [Redesignated as Sec.  665.29]

0
8. Redesignate Sec.  665.25 as new Sec.  665.19, and revise newly-
redesignated Sec.  665.19 to read as follows:


Sec.  665.19  Vessel monitoring system.

    (a) Applicability. The holder of any of the following permits is 
subject to the vessel monitoring system requirements in this part:
    (1) Hawaii longline limited access permit issued pursuant to 
665.21(b);
    (2) American Samoa longline limited entry permit, for vessel size 
Class C or D, issued pursuant to 665.21(c);
    (3) Vessels permitted to fish in Crustaceans Permit Area 1 VMS 
Subarea; or
    (4) CNMI commercial bottomfish permit, if the vessel is a medium or 
large bottomfish vessel, issued pursuant to 665.61(a)(5).
    (b) VMS unit. Only a VMS unit owned by NMFS and installed by NMFS 
complies with the requirement of this subpart.
    (c) Notification. After a permit holder subject to this part has 
been notified by the SAC of a specific date for installation of a VMS 
unit on the permit holder's vessel, the vessel must carry and operate 
the VMS unit after the date scheduled for installation.
    (d) Fees and charges. During the experimental VMS program, the 
holder of a permit subject to this part shall not be assessed any fee 
or other charges to obtain and use a VMS unit, including the 
communication charges related directly to requirements under this 
section. Communication charges related to any additional equipment 
attached to the VMS unit by the owner or operator shall be the 
responsibility of the owner or operator and not NMFS.
    (e) Permit holder duties. The holder of a permit subject to this 
part, and master of the vessel, must:
    (1) Provide opportunity for the SAC to install and make operational 
a VMS unit after notification.
    (2) Carry and continuously operate the VMS unit on board whenever 
the vessel is at sea.
    (3) Not remove, relocate, or make non-operational the VMS unit 
without prior approval from the SAC.
    (f) Authorization by the SAC. The SAC has authority over the 
installation and operation of the VMS unit. The SAC may authorize the 
connection or order the disconnection of additional equipment, 
including a computer, to any VMS unit when deemed appropriate by the 
SAC.

0
9. In Sec.  665.61, add new paragraph (a)(5) to read as follows:


Sec.  665.61  Permits.

    (a)* * *
* * * * *
    (5) Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) commercial. 
The owner of any vessel used to commercially fish for, transship, 
receive, or land bottomfish management unit species shoreward of the 
outer boundary of the CNMI management subarea must have a permit issued 
under this section, and the permit must be registered for use with that 
vessel.
* * * * *

0
10. In Sec.  665.62, add new paragraphs (o) through (r) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  665.62  Prohibitions.

* * * * *
    (o) Use a vessel to fish commercially for bottomfish management 
unit species shoreward of the outer boundary of the CNMI subarea 
without a valid CNMI commercial bottomfish permit registered for use 
with that vessel, in violation of Sec.  665.61(a)(5).
    (p) Use a medium or large vessel to fish for bottomfish management 
unit species within the CNMI medium and large vessel bottomfish 
prohibited areas, as defined in Sec.  665.70(b).
    (q) Retain, land, possess, sell, or offer for sale, shoreward of 
the outer boundary of the CNMI subarea, bottomfish management unit 
species that were harvested in violation of Sec.  665.62(p), except 
that bottomfish management unit species that are harvested legally may 
be transferred to

[[Page 75622]]

a receiving vessel shoreward of the outer boundary of the CNMI medium 
and large vessel bottomfish prohibited area as defined in Sec.  
665.70(b).
    (r) Falsify or fail to make, keep, maintain, or submit a Federal 
logbook as required under Sec.  665.14(a) when using a vessel to engage 
in commercial fishing for bottomfish management unit species shoreward 
of the outer boundary of the CNMI subarea in violation of Sec.  
665.14(a).

0
11. In Sec.  665.69, remove paragraph (a)(7) and redesignate paragraph 
(a)(8) as paragraph (a)(7), and revise paragraphs (a) introductory 
text, (a)(6), and (c) to read as follows:


Sec.  665.69  Management subareas.

    (a) The bottomfish fishery management area is divided into subareas 
with the following designations and boundaries:
* * * * *
    (6) CNMI Management Subarea means the EEZ seaward of the CNMI. The 
CNMI Management Subarea is further divided into subareas with the 
following designations and boundaries:
    (i) CNMI Inshore Area means that portion of the EEZ within 3 
nautical miles of the shoreline of the CNMI.
    (ii) CNMI Offshore Area means that portion of the EEZ seaward of 3 
nautical miles from the shoreline of the CNMI.
* * * * *
    (c) The outer boundary of each fishery management area is a line 
drawn in such a manner that each point on it is 200 nautical miles from 
the baseline from which the territorial sea is measured, or is 
coterminous with adjacent international maritime boundaries, except 
that the outer boundary of the CNMI Inshore Area is 3 nautical miles 
from the shoreline. The boundary between the fishery management areas 
of Guam and the CNMI extends to those points which are equidistant 
between Guam and the island of Rota in the CNMI.

0
12. Revise Sec.  665.70 to read as follows:


Sec.  665.70  Bottomfish fishery area management.

    (a) Guam large vessel bottomfish prohibited area (Area GU-1). A 
large vessel of the United States may not be used to fish for 
bottomfish management unit species in the Guam large vessel bottomfish 
prohibited area, defined as the U.S. EEZ waters surrounding Guam that 
are enclosed by straight lines connecting the following coordinates in 
the order listed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Point                      N. lat.          E. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GU-1-A                                     14[deg] 16'     144[deg] 17'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GU-1-B                                     13[deg] 50'     143[deg] 52'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GU-1-C                                     13[deg] 17'     143[deg] 46'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GU-1-D                                     12[deg] 50'     143[deg] 54'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GU-1-E                                     12[deg] 30'     144[deg] 14'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GU-1-F                                     12[deg] 25'     144[deg] 51'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GU-1-G                                     12[deg] 57'    145[deg] 33''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GU-1-H                                     13[deg] 12'     145[deg] 43'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GU-1-I                                     13[deg] 29'     145[deg] 48'
                                                  44''             27''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GU-1-A                                     14[deg] 16'     144[deg] 17'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) CNMI medium and large vessel bottomfish prohibited areas. A 
medium or large vessel of the United States may not be used to fish 
commercially for bottomfish management unit species in the following 
areas:
    (1) CNMI Southern Islands (Area NM-1). The CNMI Southern Islands 
prohibited area is defined as the waters of the U.S. EEZ surrounding 
the CNMI that are enclosed by straight lines connecting the following 
coordinates in the order listed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Point                      N. lat.          E. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NM-1-A                                      14[deg] 9'     144[deg] 15'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NM-1-B                                     16[deg] 10'     145[deg] 12'
                                                  47''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NM-1-C                                     16[deg] 10'     146[deg] 53'
                                                  47''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NM-1-D                                     14[deg] 48'     146[deg] 33'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NM-1-E                                     13[deg] 27'     145[deg] 43'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NM-1-A                                      14[deg] 9'     144[deg] 15'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) CNMI Alamagan Island (Area NM-2). The CNMI Alamagan Island 
prohibited area is defined as the waters of the U.S. EEZ surrounding 
the CNMI that are enclosed by straight lines connecting the following 
coordinates in the order listed:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Point                      N. lat.          E. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NM-2-A                                     17[deg] 26'     145[deg] 40'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NM-2-B                                     17[deg] 46'     145[deg] 40'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NM-2-C                                     17[deg] 46'     146[deg] 00'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NM-2-D                                     17[deg] 26'     146[deg] 00'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NM-2-A                                     17[deg] 26'     145[deg] 40'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. E8-29512 Filed 12-9-08; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S