Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; 2009 Specifications for the Spiny Dogfish Fishery, 20230-20234 [E9-10058]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 83 (Friday, May 1, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20230-20234]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-10058]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 090206149-9658-02]
RIN 0648-AX57


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; 2009 Specifications 
for the Spiny Dogfish Fishery

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

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS announces specifications for the spiny dogfish fishery 
for the 2009 fishing year (FY) (May 1, 2009, through April 30, 2010), 
and modifies existing management measures. NMFS is implementing a spiny 
dogfish quota of 12 million lb (5,443.11 mt) for FY 2009, and a 
possession limit of 3,000 lb (1.36 mt).

DATES: The rule is effective May 1, 2009. The specifications are 
effective May 1, 2009 through April 30, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Copies of supporting documents used by the Mid-Atlantic 
Fishery Management Council (Council), including the Environmental 
Assessment (EA) and Regulatory Impact Review (RIR)/Initial Regulatory 
Flexibility Analysis (IRFA), are available from: Daniel T. Furlong, 
Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Room 2115, 
Federal Building, 300 South New Street, Dover, DE 19904-6790. The EA/
RIR/IRFA is also accessible via the Internet at https://www.nero.noaa.gov.
    NMFS prepared a Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA), which 
is

[[Page 20231]]

contained in the Classification section of this rule. Copies of the 
FRFA and the Small Entity Compliance Guide are available from the 
Regional Administrator, Northeast Regional Office, NMFS, 55 Great 
Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930 2276, and are also available via 
the internet at https://www.nero.nmfs.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jamie Goen, Fishery Policy Analyst, 
phone: 978-281-9220, fax: 978-281-9135.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    A proposed rule for this action was published in the Federal 
Register on March 19, 2009 (74 FR 11706), with public comment accepted 
through April 3, 2009. The final specifications and management measures 
are unchanged from those that were proposed. A complete discussion of 
the development of the specifications and management measures appears 
in the preamble to the proposed rule and is not repeated here.

2009 Specifications and Management Measures

    The commercial spiny dogfish quota for the 2009 fishing year is 12 
million lb (5,443.11 mt). As specified in the FMP, quota Period 1 (May 
1 through October 31) is allocated 57.9 percent of the quota, 6,948,000 
lb (3,151.56 mt), and quota Period 2 (November 1 through April 30) is 
allocated 42.1 percent of the quota, 5,052,000 lb (2,291.55 mt). The 
possession limits, specified in regulations at 50 CFR 648.235, are 
revised from 600 lb (272 kg) to 3,000 lb (1.36 mt) for both quota 
periods.

Comments and Responses

    NMFS received 23 comments on the proposed measures from 9 
organizations and 14 individuals.
    Comment 1: Two organizations (including processors) and three 
individuals, all from either New York, New Jersey, or Massachusetts, 
support the increased quota and possession limits for spiny dogfish for 
FY 2009 as described in the proposed rule.
    Response: NMFS agrees with these comments for the reasons described 
in the preamble to the proposed rule for this action.
    Comment 2: Five organizations (including processors) and nine 
individuals, all from Massachusetts, support the increased quota but 
oppose the increased possession limits for the spiny dogfish fishery in 
Federal waters as proposed. Six commenters recommended keeping the 
possession limit somewhere between 600 lb (272 kg) and approximately 
2,000 lb (907 kg) for the entire fishing year. Eight commenters 
recommended starting the fishing year with the status quo possession 
limit, 600 lb (272 kg), and increasing the quota to between 1,500 lb 
(680 kg) and 3,000 lb (1.36 mt) starting September 1, 2009, to better 
match the existing markets for the fishery and to mirror Massachusetts 
Division of Marine Fisheries (MA DMF) proposed action. Many of these 
commenters expressed concern that higher possession limits will flood 
the market. They claim that there are not enough processors willing to 
buy dogfish, and also claim that the large supply of dogfish will drive 
down the price. Some commenters also stated concern that a 3,000 lb 
(1.36 mt) possession limit at the start of the fishery may cause the 
fishery to close early and preclude a state fishery in the fall.
    Response: For the first time in years, the Atlantic States Marine 
Fisheries Commission (Commission), the group that develops fishery 
management for state waters from 0 to 3 nm, and the parties involved in 
management of the Federal spiny dogfish fishery from 3 to 200 nm (the 
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, the New England Fishery 
Management Council and NMFS) have agreed on the quota and possession 
limits for spiny dogfish. Management of the spiny dogfish resource in 
both Federal and state waters is intended to be collaborative and 
covers the entire spiny dogfish population along the Atlantic coast of 
the U.S. (i.e., in both state and Federal waters from 0 to 200 nm). 
Agreement on the quota and possession limits between the Commission, 
Councils, and NMFS is a step in the right direction for management of 
the dogfish fishery.
    Both the Commission and the Council process for the FY 2009 spiny 
dogfish specifications started in the fall of 2008 and both processes 
relied on the best available science first presented at the 
Commission's Spiny Dogfish Technical Committee meeting on October 16, 
2008. The best available science was an update of the spiny dogfish 
stock status from the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) using 
the model from the 43rd Northeast Regional Stock Assessment Workshop 
(SAW)/Stock Assessment Review Committee (SARC), 2007 catch data, and 
results from the 2008 trawl survey. Even though both the Commission and 
Council processes rely on the same scientific advice, they do not 
always agree on what quota and possession limits should result from 
that advice. However, for 2009, they have agreed on a 12-million-lb 
(5,443.11-mt) quota and 3,000-lb (1.36-mt) possession limit for both 
Federal and state waters. While the Commission has adopted a 3,000-lb 
(1.36-mt) possession limit for state waters along the east coast, the 
individual states may have more restrictive measures.
    The measures recently proposed by the MA DMF under the Commission 
plan would establish more restrictive possession limits than this 
action. The MA DMF has proposed a 600-lb (272-kg) possession limit for 
May through August, and a 1,500 (680-kg) to 2,000-lb (907-kg) 
possession limit beginning September 1, 2009, depending on the level of 
landings at that time. Once the Commission's 58 percent regional 
allocation (described in more detail below) of the 12-million-lb 
(5,443.11-mt) quota is reached, the state fisheries (Maine through 
Connecticut) will close. Federal spiny dogfish permit holders who 
possess or land dogfish in Massachusetts would be subject to these more 
restrictive measures. MA DMF is proposing these possession limits in 
response to feedback from members of the fishing industry who are 
concerned with flooding the market with dogfish too early in the season 
and driving down the price paid for dogfish.
    As previously stated, individual states may have more restrictive 
quotas and possession limits than those adopted by the Commission and 
Council. In addition, fishermen may choose to land less than the 
possession limit if they conclude that it is in their best interest to 
do so. The possession limit established by this rule provides gives 
fishermen the flexibility to land any amount up to 3,000 lb (1.36 mt).
    The concern over the dogfish fishery closing before the fall when 
dogfish prices are better is moderated by the fact that the Federal 
spiny dogfish commercial quota is distributed between two periods 
(Period 1 is May 1 through October 31 and Period 2 is November 1 
through April 30) based on the historical percentage of commercial 
landings for each semi-annual period during the years 1990 through 
1997. Period 1 is allocated 57.9 percent of the quota (6,948,000 lb 
(3,151.56 mt)) and Period 2 is allocated 42.1 percent (5,052,000 lb 
(2,291.55 mt)). This was intended to preserve the traditional 
distribution of landings, both geographically and seasonally. If the 
Period 1 fishery closes early due to quota attainment, the Period 2 
fishery would open in the fall starting November 1, 2009. However, for 
state waters, the Commission has removed this seasonal quota beginning 
in 2009. Instead, the Commission has adopted an annual regional quota 
for state waters

[[Page 20232]]

with 58 percent of the quota going to Maine through Connecticut, 26 
percent of the quota going to New York through Virginia, and 16 percent 
of the quota going to North Carolina. This means that while the Federal 
seasonal allocation of the quota (Period 1 and Period 2) would preserve 
a fall fishery, it could be possible that fishing by non-federally 
permitted vessels in state waters would result in early attainment of 
the 12-million-lb (5,443.11-mt) quota. This is the only inconsistency 
between the state and Federal programs, and could cause the Federal 
Period 2 fishery not to open or to open with less than the full amount 
allocated to Period 2 remaining for harvest. There is no current 
provision in the Federal FMP that would enable NMFS to address this 
inconsistency.
    Comment 3: One organization and two individuals commented on the 
status of the spiny dogfish resource and the resulting quota. One 
commenter requested that NMFS report on the population trends of the 
species, and asked why the specifications are set consistent with a 
fishing mortality rate of 0.11 (Frebuild) versus the target 
fishing mortality rate for a rebuilt stock (F=0.28). The commenter 
asked about the uncertainty associated with these estimates of F. One 
commenter stated that NMFS should manage the fishery for the longer 
term recovery of the stock and with an ecosystem perspective.
    One commenter noted that the proposed rule does not follow the 
recommendations of the 2007 report of the ASMFC Spiny Dogfish Technical 
Committee. The commenter questioned how a species can be considered 
``not overfished'' given the skewed sex ratio, declining size of 
females, and reduction in the number of pups. The commenter recommended 
allowing the stock more time to recover before increasing the quota or 
possession limits.
    One commenter recommended that the quota be reduced by a certain 
percentage each year. The commenter also stated that environmentalists 
should have a seat on the Council's Committees.
    Response: Trends in the status of the spiny dogfish resource are 
reported through the stock assessment and, between stock assessments, 
through stock status updates. Stock assessments include biomass 
estimates going back to the 1960s and projections on future trends. The 
most recent stock assessment for the spiny dogfish resource occurred at 
the NEFSC's 43rd SAW/SARC (https://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/nefsc/publications/crd/crd0625/). The most recent stock status update was 
provided at the Commission's Spiny Dogfish Technical Committee and the 
Council's Spiny Dogfish Monitoring Committee and the Joint Committee 
meetings in the fall of 2008. As explained in the proposed rule, the 
stock status update used the model from the 43rd SAW/SARC, the 2007 
catch data, and results from the 2008 trawl survey to provide the 
information that was used to develop these specifications.
    The FMP for spiny dogfish specifies that the biomass threshold 
below which spiny dogfish would be considered overfished is the value 
equal to half the maximum female spawning stock biomass (\1/2\ 
SSBmax) (or 100,000 mt). The proposed rule for Framework 
Adjustment 2 to the Spiny Dogfish FMP (74 FR 9208, March 3, 2009) 
proposes a process to change the stock status determination criteria 
and provides options for other biological parameters to define dogfish 
as overfished. Specifically, the rule proposes to define dogfish as 
overfished if the minimum stock size threshold (MSST) reaches half the 
biomass necessary to support the maximum sustainable yield (\1/2\ 
BMSY or a reasonable proxy thereof). The MSST may be defined 
as a function of (but not limited to): total stock biomass, spawning 
stock biomass, total pup production, and may include males, females, 
both, or combinations and ratios thereof which provide the best measure 
of productive capacity for spiny dogfish. While spiny dogfish is 
currently considered ``not overfished,'' as one commenter suggests, if 
Framework 2 is approved, the determination of whether spiny dogfish is 
considered overfished may change in the future if different biological 
parameters are used to determine the stock's overfished status.
    The stock update that provides the basis for these specifications 
evaluated the uncertainty associated with the most recent estimate of 
fishing mortality for the stock, and concluded that the probability 
that F in 2006 was lower than the F threshold is near 100 percent. The 
analysis concluded that 75 percent of the computed values for SSB 
exceeded the target biomass value.
    In light of the likelihood that the stock could be considered 
rebuilt, the advisory bodies to the Commission and Councils could have 
recommended increasing the fishing mortality above F=0.11 and up to the 
fishing mortality associated with a rebuilt stock 
(Ftarget=0.28). However, the advisory bodies took a more 
risk averse approach given concern over the biology of the stock 
(concentrated size frequency of the female population, low pup 
production, skewed sex ratio); and concern that projections of future 
biomass include assumptions about pup survivorship and selectivity of 
gear that may be optimistic. Because of these concerns and uncertainty, 
the advisory bodies recommended keeping the fishing mortality at the 
level associated with rebuilding the dogfish stock (F=0.11) to ensure 
the long-term recovery of the stock. The resulting 12-million-lb 
(5,443.11-mt) quota is much higher than previous years because the 
stock biomass has been increasing.
    One commenter noted that the proposed rule does not follow the 
recommendations of the Spiny Dogfish Technical Committee report (2007) 
by the ASMFC. As mentioned in the response to Comment 2 above, both the 
Commission and the Council process for the FY 2009 spiny dogfish 
specifications started in the fall of 2008 and both processes relied on 
the best available science first presented at the Commission's Spiny 
Dogfish Technical Committee meeting on October 16, 2008. The best 
available science was an update on the spiny dogfish stock status from 
the NEFSC using the model from the 43rd SAW/SARC, 2007 catch data, and 
results from the 2008 trawl survey. The Commission action to establish 
a 12-million-lb (5,443.11-mt) quota and 3,000-lb (1.36-mt) maximum 
possession limit was consistent with the recommendations of the Spiny 
Dogfish Technical Committee's 2008 recommendation, not the 
recommendation from 2007.
    NMFS does not agree with the comment that the quota should be 
reduced by an arbitrary percentage each year. The FMP specifies the 
process for establishing the spiny dogfish management measures and that 
methodology resulted in a risk averse quota for FY 2009, as discussed 
above.
    NMFS agrees with the comment that environmentalists should provide 
input to the Councils' process. While there is not a voting seat 
reserved on the Council's Committees specifically for an 
environmentalist, such constituents are included on the Advisory Panel 
to the Council and are actively involved in public meetings.
    Comment 4: One organization opposed the 15-day public comment 
period on the proposed rule for this action, claiming that it did not 
provide reasonable notice and opportunity to comment. The commenter 
also suggested NMFS provide more widely publicized notice to the 
public.
    Response: The Administrative Procedures Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 
Subchapter II) outlines the rulemaking process for Federal agencies, 
including ``notice and comment'' rulemaking.

[[Page 20233]]

While NMFS may allow more than 15 days for public comment, a 15-day 
comment period is consistent with the APA. In this instance, because 
the spiny dogfish specifications for FY 2009 relieve a restriction for 
the fishing community, NMFS determined that a shortened public comment 
period was reasonable and appropriate in order to have the final rule 
effective at the start of the fishery, May 1, 2009. In addition, the 
public had several opportunities to comment on the development of the 
spiny dogfish specifications and management measures in writing or 
verbally through the Council process, including the Council meetings 
and meetings of its advisory bodies that were held starting in the fall 
of 2008. Notification of these meetings and opportunities were 
publicized widely by the Councils on their websites and in mailings to 
interested members of the public.

Classification

    Pursuant to section 304 (b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the 
NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that this rule is 
consistent with the Spiny Dogfish FMP, other provisions of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable law.
    This final rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    Because this rule relieves a restriction by increasing the spiny 
dogfish quota and possession limits, it is not subject to the 30-day 
delayed effectiveness provision of the APA pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
553(d)(1). The Spiny Dogfish FMP was first implemented in 2000 in 
response to the classification of the stock as overfished in 1998. 
Since the FMP was implemented, the commercial quota has been set at 4 
million lb (1,814.37 mt) and the possession limits have been no higher 
than 600 lb (272 kg). These restrictions on the harvest of spiny 
dogfish were necessary to rebuild the stock. As explained in the 
preamble to the proposed rule (74 FR 11706, March 19, 2009), the latest 
Northeast Fisheries Science Center stock status update from the fall of 
2008 estimated that the spiny dogfish female spawning stock biomass is 
likely to be above the most recently calculated maximum sustainable 
yield biomass (Bmsy), which would indicate the stock is not overfished 
and could be considered rebuilt. This action maintains a conservative 
rebuilding fishing mortality value (F value) of 0.11 as the target in 
FY 2009, as opposed to the F = 0.28 target that is associated with a 
rebuilt stock, and still results in a 12-million-lb (5,443.11 mt) quota 
for FY 2009. This quota represents a 200 percent increase from the 4-
million-lb (1,814.37-mt) quota from prior years. Because the best 
available science shows that the stock biomass is at a level that could 
support a higher quota and possession limit, the fishing community 
should be allowed to harvest that available spiny dogfish biomass. This 
rule relieves a restriction by increasing the commercial quota from 4 
million lb (1,814.37 mt) to 12 million lb (5,443.11 mt) and increasing 
the possession limits from 600 lb (272 kg) to 3,000 lb (1.36 mt).
    Waiving the 30-day delayed effectiveness provision avoids 
unnecessary economic harm to the fishing industry that would result 
from confining them to the lower 600-lb possession limit. Confining 
fishermen to the lower possession limits would reduce their potential 
economic benefits on the trip level of being able to land a larger 
amount of dogfish. In addition, processors may have already made 
business plans (e.g., additional personnel to process, trucking 
services) in anticipation of the increased Federal possession limits.
    Waiving the 30-day delayed effectiveness provision also reduces 
confusion by making the Federal regulations and those adopted by the 
Commission for state waters consistent at the start of the fishery, May 
1, 2009. Otherwise, the Federal fishery will start with the lower 600-
lb possession limit, while the possession limits in state waters may be 
up to 3,000 lb. This will cause confusion because of the different 
Federal and state limits and will likely push effort in to state 
waters. Federal spiny dogfish permit holders may relinquish their 
Federal permit, an open access permit, to fish in state waters until 
the Federal quota and possession limit is effective.
    NMFS, pursuant to section 604 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 
has prepared a final regulatory flexibility analysis (FRFA), included 
in this final rule, in support of the 2009 spiny dogfish specifications 
and management measures. The FRFA describes the economic impact that 
this final rule, along with other non-preferred alternatives, will have 
on small entities.
    The FRFA incorporates the economic impacts and analysis summarized 
in the IRFA, a summary of the significant issues raised by the public, 
and a summary of analyses prepared to support the action (i.e., the EA 
and the RIR). The contents of these documents are not repeated in 
detail here. A copy of the IRFA, the RIR, and the EA are available upon 
request (see ADDRESSES). A complete description of the reasons why this 
action is being considered, and the objectives of and legal basis for 
this action, is contained in the preamble to the proposed rule and is 
not repeated here.

Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

Statement of Objective and Need

    A description of the reasons why this action is being considered, 
and the objectives of and legal basis for this action, is contained in 
the preamble to the proposed rule (74 FR 11706, March 19, 2009) and is 
not repeated here.

Summary of Public Comment on IRFA and Agency Response

    No comments were received about the IRFA. However, eight comments 
received during the public comment period mentioned the general 
economic effects of the proposed rule. One comment supported the 
economic benefit of the higher quota and possession limits. Seven 
comments, all from Massachusetts, recommended a lower possession limit 
from May through August to preserve the economic markets that are 
stronger in the fall. NMFS response to these comments are included in 
the response to Comment 2 in the preamble of this rule.

Description and Estimate of Number of Small Entities to Which the Rule 
Will Apply

    All of the potentially affected businesses are considered small 
entities under the standards described in NMFS guidelines because they 
have gross receipts that do not exceed $3.5 million annually. 
Therefore, there are no disproportionate economic impacts on small 
entities. Information from FY 2007 was used to evaluate impacts of this 
action, as that is the most recent year for which data are complete. 
According to NMFS permit file data, 3,142 vessels were issued Federal 
spiny dogfish permits in FY 2007, while 257 of these vessels 
contributed to overall landings.

Description of Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping, and Other Compliance 
Requirements

    This action does not contain any new collection-of-information, 
reporting, recordkeeping, or other compliance requirements. It does not 
duplicate, overlap, or conflict with any other Federal rules.

Minimizing Significant Economic Impacts on Small Entities

    The Council's analysis, the EA/RIR/IRFA, considered three 
alternatives. The action recommended in this rule,

[[Page 20234]]

Alternative 1, includes a commercial quota of 12 million lb (5,443.11 
mt), and the possession limit at 3,000 lb (1.36 mt), for both quota 
periods during FY 2009. Alternative 2 is the same as Alternative 1, but 
with a more liberal quota of 36.5 million lb (16,556.14 mt). 
Alternative 3, the status quo/no action alternative, would result in 
commercial quota of 4 million lb (1,814.37 mt) and a possession limit 
of 600 lb (272 kg) for both quota periods.
    Alternatives 1 and 2 have higher quotas than prior years. Assuming 
that the quota implemented would be attained, Alternatives 1 and 2 
would be expected to increase overall revenue from dogfish landings, a 
beneficial economic impact on small entities. FY 2008 revenue is 
estimated using the average FY 2007 price/lb ($0.20) and the FY 2008 
state quota of 8 million lb (3,628.74 mt) to equal $1.6 million. The 
increase in revenue in FY 2009 compared to FY 2008 could amount to 
$800,000 under Alternative 1 (preferred) and Alternative 3, and $5.7 
million under Alternative 2. Alternative 3 is expected to result in a 
revenue increase because landings for spiny dogfish would presumably 
continue in state waters even after Federal waters closed until the 12-
million-lb (5,443.11-mt) state quota implemented by the ASMFC for FY 
2009 was reached. The net economic benefits by alternative would be 
greatest under Alternative 2, then Alternative 1 (preferred), and 
lastly by Alternative 3. As noted in the preamble, however, Alternative 
2 was not recommended by the Councils or NMFS because, while stock 
biomass has increased, there are several other biological indicators 
that continue to raise concern about the condition of the stock. 
Although total dogfish revenues may be the same under Alternative 1 and 
3, the lower trip limit under Alternative 3 would distribute revenues 
at a lower rate over a longer period. Alternatives 1 and 2 would have a 
beneficial economic impact on small entities, including fishermen, 
processors, and the businesses that support them.

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 letter to permit holders that also serves as 
small entity compliance guide (guide) was prepared and will be sent to 
all holders of permits issued for the spiny dogfish fishery. In 
addition, copies of this final rule and guide (i.e., permit holder 
letter) are available from the Northeast Regional Administrator (see 
ADDRESSES) and may be found at the following web site: https://www.nero.noaa.gov/nero/.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 648

    Fisheries, Fishing, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: April 27, 2009
John Oliver,
Deputy Assistant Administrator For Operations, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.

0
For the reasons set out 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.  648.235, paragraphs (a) and (b) are revised to read as 
follows:


Sec.  648.235  Possession and landing restrictions.

    (a) Quota Period 1. From May 1 through October 31, vessels issued a 
valid Federal spiny dogfish permit specified under Sec.  648.4(a)(11) 
may:
    (1) Possess up to 3,000 lb (1.36 mt) of spiny dogfish per trip; and
    (2) Land only one trip of spiny dogfish per calendar day.
    (b) Quota Period 2. From November 1 through April 30, vessels 
issued a valid Federal spiny dogfish permit specified under Sec.  
648.4(a)(11) may:
    (1) Possess up to 3,000 lb (1.36 mt) of spiny dogfish per trip; and
    (2) Land only one trip of spiny dogfish per calendar day.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. E9-10058 Filed 4-30-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S