Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery off the Southern Atlantic States; Amendment 16, 30964-30973 [E9-15342]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 123 (Monday, June 29, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30964-30973]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-15342]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 0808041045-9796-02]
RIN 0648-AW64


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Snapper-Grouper Fishery off the Southern Atlantic States; Amendment 16

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS issues this final rule to implement the approved measures 
of Amendment 16 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper 
Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (FMP)(Amendment 16), as prepared 
and submitted by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council 
(Council). This final rule establishes a seasonal closure of the 
recreational and commercial fisheries for gag and associated shallow-
water grouper species; establishes a seasonal closure of the 
recreational fishery for vermilion snapper; reduces the aggregate bag 
limit for grouper and tilefish; reduces the bag limit for gag or black 
grouper combined; reduces the bag limit for vermilion snapper; 
prohibits captain and crew of a vessel operating as a charter vessel or 
headboat from retaining any fish under

[[Page 30965]]

the aggregate bag limit for grouper and tilefish or the vermilion 
snapper bag limit; establishes semiannual quotas for the commercial 
vermilion snapper fishery; establishes a quota for the commercial gag 
fishery; establishes restrictions on the possession, sale, and purchase 
of gag and associated shallow-water grouper species after the gag 
commercial quota is reached; and requires possession of a dehooking 
device on board a vessel when fishing for South Atlantic snapper-
grouper and use of such device as needed to release fish with a minimum 
of injury. In addition, Amendment 16, for both gag and vermilion 
snapper, revises the definitions of maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and 
optimum yield (OY), specifies total allowable catch (TAC), and 
establishes interim allocations of TACs for the recreational and 
commercial sectors. Amendment 16 also specifies a minimum stock size 
threshold (MSST) for gag and, based on the new assessment, for 
vermilion snapper. The intended effects of this final rule are to end 
overfishing of gag and vermilion snapper, protect shallow-water grouper 
during their spawning season, and reduce bycatch mortality of snapper-
grouper species in the South Atlantic.

DATES: This final rule is effective July 29, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) 
and the Record of Decision (ROD) may be obtained from Karla Gore, NMFS, 
Southeast Regional Office, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 
33701; telephone 727-824-5305; fax 727-824-5308; email 
Karla.Gore@noaa.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karla Gore, telephone: 727-824-5305, 
fax: 727-824-5308, e-mail: Karla.Gore@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The snapper-grouper fishery off the southern 
Atlantic states is managed under the FMP. The FMP was prepared by the 
Council and is implemented under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by 
regulations at 50 CFR part 622.
    On December 24, 2008, NMFS published a notice of availability of 
Amendment 16 and requested public comment (73 FR 79037). On February 6, 
2009, NMFS published the proposed rule to implement Amendment 16 and 
requested public comment (74 FR 6257). NMFS partially approved 
Amendment 16 on March 25, 2009; the provision requiring possession and 
use of a venting tool has been disapproved and is not included in this 
final rule. Amendment 16 proposed a requirement to use venting tools 
and dehooking devices to reduce bycatch mortality of incidentally 
caught snapper-grouper species. In light of the public comments and new 
information opposing the use of venting tools, along with scientific 
studies that suggest the use of venting tools may actually increase 
mortality of some species depending on capture depth, the part of the 
action that requires the possession and use of venting tools has been 
disapproved as being overly broad and not in accordance with the 
administrative record developed for Amendment 16. The rationale for the 
measures in Amendment 16 is provided in the amendment and in the 
preamble to the proposed rule and is not repeated here.

Comments and Responses

    The following is a summary of the 120 comments NMFS received on 
Amendment 16 Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), Notice of 
Availability, and the proposed rule from the public, state and county 
agencies and non-governmental organizations and the respective NMFS' 
responses. Of these comments, six expressed general opposition to 
Amendment 16 and seven comments expressed general support. Other 
comments provided specific concerns related to the amendment and those 
comments are addressed below. Three comments were received that were 
unrelated to the scope of this action and are therefore not addressed.
    Comment 1: Thirty-nine comments were received expressing concern 
the management measures proposed in Amendment 16 would cause economic 
hardship on the commercial, recreational and for-hire sectors, and 
would have negative consequences on the tourism industry and affected 
communities.
    Response: NMFS recognizes the management measures proposed in 
Amendment 16 will have immediate, short-term, negative socioeconomic 
impacts on the fisheries and communities of the South Atlantic region. 
The Council made efforts to balance the requirement of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act to end overfishing of gag and vermilion snapper and 
minimize associated adverse socioeconomic impacts to the extent 
practicable. NMFS prepared an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis 
(IRFA) to analyze the economic impacts of the proposed rule on small 
entities, including commercial fishermen, charter vessels and 
headboats. The IRFA was included with the proposed rule. A FRFA 
accompanies this final rule and considers the comments received on this 
action. A Regulatory Impact Review has also been prepared that provides 
analyses of the economic benefits and costs of each alternative to the 
nation and the fishery as a whole. This analysis was included in the 
FEIS. To minimize socioeconomic impacts, the Council included an action 
in Amendment 16 which would allow the Regional Administrator to make 
adjustments to vermilion snapper management measures if a new 
assessment indicated an improved status of the stock. The new benchmark 
assessment for vermilion snapper was completed in October 2008 and 
verified the stock was experiencing overfishing but indicated less 
restrictive management measures were needed. Based on the action 
included in Amendment 16 to allow the Regional Administrator to address 
this situation, less restrictive management measures were adopted for 
vermilion snapper.
    Comment 2: Two comments were received expressing concern that the 
gag closure proposed in Amendment 16 should not apply to Florida 
fishermen as gag are not often caught in Florida and the closure is 
unnecessary.
    Response: The intent of Amendment 16 is not limited to just the 
protection of gag and vermilion snapper. Rather, the focus of the 
management actions is to improve the status of shallow-water grouper 
species including gag, black grouper, red grouper, scamp, red hind, 
rock hind, coney, yellowfin grouper, yellowmouth grouper, and tiger 
grouper. These shallow-water grouper species change sex, are long 
lived, and may be particularly vulnerable to overexploitation during 
the spawning season since many grouper species (i.e. black grouper, 
gag, scamp, red hind) form aggregations at known locations. Therefore, 
the Council not only sought to address overfishing of gag and vermilion 
snapper through measures in the amendment, but they also recognized the 
need to protect shallow-water grouper in spawning condition, as well as 
grouper spawning aggregations, which are more susceptible to 
overfishing since they are easily targeted by commercial and 
recreational fishermen. Information provided by scientists from the 
Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) indicates some spawning 
aggregations of black grouper in South Florida have likely been fished 
out. The Council also received information indicating gag were commonly 
caught in the Florida Keys 15 to 18 years ago and were targeted during 
the January-March spawning season. The concern that management actions 
are not needed in the Florida Keys

[[Page 30966]]

because so few gag are caught in the area was addressed when the 
Council considered an alternative that included different management 
measures for gag and shallow-water grouper species for Monroe County 
relative to areas north within the Council's jurisdiction.
    Comment 3: Three comments were received that opposed the use of 
venting tools to release incidentally caught snapper grouper species. 
These comments stated that possession and use of venting tools by 
anglers should not be required because they may not reduce mortality 
nor provide any benefits to released fish. Three other comments 
supported the use of venting tools.
    Response: Research has shown that venting, when properly executed, 
will likely increase survival of some species captured at certain depth 
zones. The use of venting tools may also reduce predation on reef fish 
species by allowing rapid return to depth, making them less vulnerable 
to predators. However, the benefits of venting are not clear for all 
species, and recent studies suggest venting could cause harm in some 
cases. Therefore, NMFS has decided to disapprove the portion of the 
action that requires venting tools until guidance is developed 
specifying species and capture depths for which venting is most 
appropriate.
    Comment 4: Sixteen comments were received stating the data used to 
determine stock status and develop Amendment 16 are flawed.
    Response: Status determinations for gag and vermilion snapper were 
derived from the Southeast Data Assessment and Review (SEDAR) process. 
SEDAR is an inclusive and rigorous process designed to ensure each 
stock assessment reflects the best available scientific information. 
The findings and conclusions of each SEDAR workshop are documented in a 
series of reports, which are ultimately reviewed and discussed by the 
Council and their Science and Statistical Committee (SSC). The stock 
assessments determined gag is experiencing overfishing and is 
approaching an overfished condition; and vermilion snapper is 
experiencing overfishing but is not overfished. On June 12, 2007, the 
Council was notified gag and vermilion snapper are experiencing 
overfishing. At its June 2008 meeting, the SSC determined the results 
of the gag assessment are based upon the best available science and 
recommended harvest levels based on the fishing mortality rate 
associated with optimum yield in accordance with the new mandates 
specified by the reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Act, which requires 
catch levels be set at a level to ensure overfishing does not occur. 
The new stock assessment for vermilion snapper was determined by the 
SSC to be based on the best available science in December 2008. 
Additionally, the SEFSC issued a memorandum dated December 18, 2008, 
certifying that Amendment 16 is based upon the best available science.
    Red grouper and black grouper have been listed as experiencing 
overfishing in every Report to Congress on the Status of U.S. Fisheries 
since 1999. The latest information on the status of these species was 
published by the SEFSC in 2001. The SSC reviewed this report at their 
October 2005 meeting and concluded that in the absence of new SEDAR 
assessments, the existing determinations based on the 2001 report are 
the best available science. Further, on November 14, 2008, the SEFSC 
indicated that in the absence of new assessments, red grouper and black 
grouper are considered to be experiencing overfishing. The Council 
recognizes there is no recent SEDAR assessed information to indicate 
stock status of red grouper and black grouper; however, there are 
several recent publications by SEFSC staff suggesting red grouper and 
black grouper are undergoing overfishing. Black grouper and red grouper 
are scheduled for SEDAR stock assessments in 2009, which will be 
completed in 2010. Given the reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Act requires 
the Council to end overfishing of all species, the Council believed it 
was appropriate to take actions to reduce harvest of red grouper and 
black grouper. Furthermore, the Council's intent is also to protect 
shallow-water grouper species in spawning condition including black 
grouper and red grouper as well as grouper spawning aggregations, which 
form during January through April. A 4-month spawning season closure 
could have positive biological effects including protecting spawning 
aggregations, increasing the percentage of males, enhancing 
reproductive success, reducing fishing mortality, increasing the 
magnitude of recruitment, and reducing the chance that overfishing is 
occurring.
    Comment 5: Twenty-five comments were received opposing the 
recreational and for-hire management measures and pointing to the 
commercial longline and shrimp trawl fisheries as the cause of the 
snapper-grouper species decline. Commenters stated that strict 
regulations are needed for the commercial fisheries.
    Response: The management measures proposed in Amendment 16 are 
intended to end overfishing of gag and vermilion snapper and protect 
shallow-water grouper species in spawning condition, some of which are 
taken incidentally when targeting gag and vermilion snapper. Vermilion 
snapper, gag, and shallow-water grouper species are targeted by 
commercial and recreational fishermen. Management measures imposed by 
the Council are intended to reduce harvest in proportion to the total 
landings from each sector. The preferred alternatives in Amendment 16 
would result in commercial/recreational allocations of 68 percent/32 
percent and 51 percent/49 percent for vermilion snapper and gag, 
respectively. To achieve the yield at 75 percent of FMSY and 
end gag overfishing, a reduction of 35 percent in commercial harvest 
and 37 percent in recreational harvest would be required. To achieve 
the yield at 75 percent of FMSY and end vermilion 
overfishing, a reduction of 47 percent of the recreational harvest and 
29 percent of commercial harvest is necessary. These reductions have 
been recommended by the Council's SSC and determined by the SEFSC to be 
based on the best available scientific information. To achieve these 
reductions in harvest, commercial and recreational management measures 
are required. Management measures directed at the commercial fishery 
only will not achieve the required reductions. Bottom longline gear 
used in the snapper-grouper fishery and shrimp trawl gear likely have 
minimal impacts of fishing mortality of gag and vermilion snapper. 
Bottom longline gear is restricted to depths greater than 50 fathoms 
(91.4 m) where these species rarely occur and is used to target deep 
water snapper-grouper species such as golden tilefish and snowy 
grouper. Vermilion snapper, gag, and shallow-water grouper species are 
not commonly taken as bycatch in the shrimp trawl fishery.
    Comment 6: Eight comments were received in support of the spawning 
season closures but in opposition to the other proposed measures (i.e. 
bag limit reductions).
    Response: The Council considered a broad range of management 
measures to end overfishing of vermilion snapper and gag. The Council 
decided not to adopt seasonal closures for vermilion snapper and gag as 
the only management measure for the recreational sector because a 
longer time period would be required to end overfishing without bag 
limit reductions.
    Comment 7: Two comments were received that oppose the recreational 
regulations and point to the unchecked populations of goliath grouper 
as they prey on other shallow-water grouper species.

[[Page 30967]]

    Response: The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires the Council to prepare 
a plan amendment or proposed regulations to end overfishing. The 
Council considered a broad range of management measures to reduce 
harvest of vermilion snapper, gag, and shallow-water grouper species in 
the recreational sector. The goliath grouper populations are thought to 
be increasing and likely prey on snapper-grouper species. However, 
there is no evidence that goliath grouper populations are having a 
negative impact on populations of vermilion snapper, gag, or shallow-
water grouper species.
    Comment 8: Four comments were received in support of bag limit 
reductions and in opposition to the seasonal closures; stating that 
without a seasonal closure, fishermen would be allowed to fish year 
round.
    Response: The management measures proposed in Amendment 16 are 
needed to end overfishing of gag and vermilion snapper and to improve 
the status of all shallow-water grouper species, some of which are 
taken incidentally when targeting gag and vermilion snapper. Reducing 
the gag bag limit from 2-fish per person per day bag limit to 1 fish 
per person per day, the 5-fish grouper aggregate to 3 fish per trip, 
and the vermilion snapper bag limit from 10 fish per person per day to 
5 fish per person per day would not be sufficient to end overfishing of 
gag and vermilion snapper. The Council did not support an increase in 
the size limit of gag and other shallow-water groupers because the 
discard rate is already high and an increase in the size limit would 
likely increase the discard rate and the number of fish thrown back 
dead. The Council supported a January through April closure for gag and 
other shallow-water grouper because this is a known spawning period for 
these species. Furthermore, many of the grouper species form spawning 
aggregations at known locations increasing their vulnerability to 
fishing pressure. The Council also did not support an increase in the 
size limit of vermilion snapper because the magnitude of regulatory 
discards was already high. The Council supported a seasonal closure for 
vermilion snapper during November through March because the greatest 
amount of recreational fishing for this species occurs during the 
summer months, and the November through March closure would have less 
negative economic and social impacts than a summer closure. In order to 
achieve the necessary reduction in harvest, a combination of bag limit 
reductions and seasonal closures is necessary.
    Comment 9: Six comments were received in opposition to the 
vermilion snapper bag limit reduction and vermilion snapper seasonal 
closure. Commenters stated that these measures would restrict the 
headboat and charter vessel fisheries to a point that would not be 
economically viable.
    Response: To end vermilion snapper overfishing and achieve 75 
percent of FMSY, a reduction of 47 percent of the 
recreational harvest and 29 percent of commercial harvest is necessary. 
The Council considered a combination of management measures for the 
vermilion snapper recreational sector that included a combination of 
reduced bag limits, seasonal closures, and increased size limits. The 
Council considered three alternatives, which increase the recreational 
size limit in combination with a reduction in the bag limit and a 
seasonal closure. The Council chose not to select as their preferred 
alternative an increase in the minimum size limit because it would be 
expected to increase the number of regulatory discards as was observed 
when the recreational size limit was increased to 11 inches (28 cm) 
total length (TL) in 1999 and again in 2007, when the recreational size 
limit was increased to 12 inches (31 cm) TL. Instead, the Council chose 
to reduce harvest through a combination of bag limit adjustments and 
seasonal closures. The length of the closed season may influence its 
effectiveness in reducing fishing mortality on vermilion snapper due to 
shifting of effort to weeks before and after the closure. A longer 
closed season, as proposed in alternatives that require greater 
reductions in harvest, may be more effective, as it would be more 
difficult for fishermen to shift all their effort. The Council 
recognizes that the bag limit reduction and seasonal closure will have 
negative economic impacts on the headboat and charter vessel components 
of the fishery; however, reductions in harvest are needed to end 
overfishing. The Council chose the combination of management measures 
that they believed would end overfishing and have the least amount of 
short-term negative and social impacts on the headboat and charter 
sectors. In addition, the Council believed that a winter closure of 
vermilion snapper would have less negative economic and social impacts 
than a summer closure because most of the fishery is prosecuted during 
summer.
    Comment 10: Two comments were received on the cumulative impacts of 
Amendment 16, a possible interim rule for red snapper, and the future 
Amendment 17 which will set annual catch limits and accountability 
measures for snapper-grouper species experiencing overfishing. The 
comments indicated the combination of these amendments and management 
measures will have severe economic and social impacts for the 
commercial, headboat, charter and recreational fisheries and their 
communities.
    Response: The cumulative impacts of Amendment 16 were described and 
analyzed in the cumulative effects analysis (CEA) of the FEIS. The CEA 
takes into consideration past, current and reasonable foreseeable 
management actions. Amendment 17 is being developed by the Council, and 
it is difficult to determine when it would be implemented, if it is 
approved by the Secretary of Commerce. At this time, it is not possible 
to determine the economic and social impacts. However, Amendment 17 
will include a CEA that will analyze the impacts of that action as well 
as those recently implemented (i.e. Amendment 16). Further, the 
management measures in Amendment 17 will consider the effects of 
management measures being implemented through Amendment 16. If an 
interim rule for red snapper is developed for implementation, the 
associated impacts would be evaluated in the environmental assessment 
and other supporting documents.
    Comment 11: Four comments referenced the most recent red grouper 
and black grouper stock assessments as being outdated, and claim these 
data sources should not be used as a basis for implementing a seasonal 
closure. One comment objected to a 4-month shallow-water grouper 
closure based on the status of gag.
    Response: The actions proposed in Amendment 16 are not based solely 
upon the status of red grouper, black grouper, or gag. In addition to 
actions intended to end overfishing of gag and vermilion snapper, the 
intent of Amendment 16 and the proposed January-April closure is to 
protect all shallow-water grouper species during their spawning season, 
regardless of their status. These shallow-water grouper species 
include: Gag, red grouper, and black grouper, which are listed as 
undergoing overfishing; scamp, which is not experiencing overfishing; 
and yellowmouth grouper, tiger grouper, yellowfin grouper, red hind, 
rock hind, graysby, and coney, whose status is unknown. The Council 
believed a January-April spawning season closure was warranted because 
shallow-water grouper species change sex, are long lived, and are 
particularly vulnerable to overexploitation during the spawning season 
since many grouper species (i.e. black grouper, scamp, gag, red hind, 
and

[[Page 30968]]

others) form aggregations at known locations. Furthermore, many grouper 
species occur in the same location at the same time further increasing 
susceptibility to fishing gear.
    While the actions in Amendment 16 are not dependent upon the status 
of red grouper and black grouper, it is acknowledged in the amendment 
that red grouper and black grouper are listed as experiencing 
overfishing in The Report to Congress on the Status of U.S. Fisheries 
(2008), and actions proposed in Amendment 16 would likely improve their 
status. SEDAR assessments are scheduled for red grouper and black 
grouper in 2009-2010. The SEFSC and the SSC indicate in the absence of 
new assessments, red grouper and black grouper are undergoing 
overfishing.
    Comment 12: Several North Carolina groups stated that if the State 
of Florida fails to comply with Federal rules, a large portion of the 
recreational catch of gag could occur in Florida's state waters and 
these catches would be deducted from an annual catch limit (ACL) 
resulting in seasonal closures, which could deprive North Carolina from 
equal access to the fishery.
    Response: Amendment 16 does not establish catch limits or quotas 
for the recreational sector. As required by the reauthorized Magnuson-
Stevens Act, ACLs are being considered for the gag recreational sector 
in Amendment 17, which is being developed by the Council. Furthermore, 
Amendment 18 is being developed and includes alternatives for regional 
catch limits for the gag recreational sector.
    Comment 13: One individual stated all allocations should be 50 
percent recreational, 30 percent commercial, and 20 percent for-hire. 
This would result in an allocation between recreational and commercial 
business as 50/50.
    Response: The allocation for vermilion snapper and gag is based on 
historical landings in the commercial and recreational sectors. The 
Council was concerned that splitting the recreational allocation into 
for-hire and private sectors would increase the uncertainty associated 
with recreational landings estimates. The Snapper-Grouper Advisory 
Panel (AP) and Council examined the complete time series for vermilion 
snapper and noticed there was little difference in the percentage of 
commercial and recreational landings when any time series was examined. 
The AP and Council concluded the longest time series of landings 
(Alternative 2) was the best approach for estimating allocations. In 
addition, the Council discussed whether an additional alternative was 
necessary but, given the similar distribution of commercial and 
recreational landings over the years, the Council concluded two 
alternatives were appropriate for this action. Using historical 
landings, there was no basis for an alternative that would allocate 50 
percent of the TAC to the commercial and recreational sectors.
    In contrast, the Council chose an allocation for gag that is 51 
percent commercial and 49 percent recreational and is the closest to 
the Snapper-Grouper AP's recommendation for a 50/50 allocation. The AP 
examined the allocation tables and noted the distribution of catch was 
about 50/50 in recent years and they believed this was fair among the 
two sectors. This alternative would specify commercial and recreational 
allocation at percentages that have occurred in recent years.
    Comment 14: Two individuals indicated separate quotas were needed 
for North Carolina.
    Response: The Council considered an alternative which would 
establish regional quotas for gag. The Council's rationale was that 
fishermen off Florida could have an advantage and catch part of the 
quota early in the year when bad weather would prevent fishermen from 
catching gag off North Carolina and South Carolina. The Council 
examined monthly gag landings and found the percentage of annual gag 
landings among states was similar after the proposed January through 
April spawning season closure would take place; thus, negating the 
underlying rationale for proposing a regional quota. The Council 
examined commercial landings of vermilion snapper and found that over 
70 percent occurred off of North Carolina and South Carolina; 
therefore, regional quotas were not considered for this species.
    Comment 15: One commenter expressed concern about the vermilion 
snapper assessment stating that ``despite the misgivings of the 
Committee of Independent Experts (CIE) about the models used, the 
Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) of the SAFMC approved the 
assessment as being acceptable for management.''
    Response: Contrary to the statement of the commenter, the SSC did 
not override the opinions of the review panel, consisting of 
individuals from the CIE, when accepting the vermilion snapper 
assessment as best available science. The CIE indicated there was some 
uncertainty as to whether or not vermilion snapper was experiencing 
overfishing; however, the CIE accepted the assessment. The CIE stated, 
``The panel accepted the vermilion snapper stock assessment, and 
concluded that the stock was not over-fished. However, the panel 
concluded that over-fishing was occurring but this conclusion was 
highly uncertain due to a lack of robustness to key model 
assumptions.'' Therefore, the conclusions of the SSC are in accordance 
with those from the CIE for the vermilion snapper SEDAR stock 
assessment.

Changes from the Proposed Rule

    In the proposed rule (74 FR 6257, February 6, 2009), amendatory 
instruction 8 incorrectly indicated that in Sec.  622.45 paragraph 
(d)(8) was being revised; however, it was paragraph (d)(7) that was to 
be revised. This final rule corrects the paragraph designation in the 
amendatory instruction and the associated codified text. Other than the 
paragraph designation, there is no change to the associated regulatory 
text.
    In accordance with the disapproval of the measure requiring 
possession and use of a venting tool, paragraph Sec.  622.41(n)(2) has 
been removed and reserved in this final rule.

Classification

    The Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS determined that Amendment 
16 is necessary for the conservation and management of the South 
Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery and is consistent with the 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 an FRFA for this action. The FRFA incorporates the 
initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA), a summary of the 
significant economic issues raised by public comments, NMFS responses 
to those comments, and a summary of the analyses completed supporting 
the action. A copy of the full analysis is available from NMFS (see 
ADDRESSES). A summary of the FRFA follows.
    Several comments were received on the economic effects of the 
proposed rule. However, no comments specific to the IRFA were received. 
Many comments stated the proposed rule would have devastating economic 
effects on the regional fishing industry. Some comments noted that the 
proposed seasonal closure would create undue hardships on for-hire 
crew, support industries, and associated communities. Other comments 
stated that the economic analysis underestimated the adverse economic 
effects of the proposed rule on the for-hire sector in particular and 
the recreational sector in general because of the large number of 
recreational fishers

[[Page 30969]]

and fishing trips and the large amount of recreational expenditures. 
Finally, three comments opposed the proposed mandatory possession and 
use of venting tools.
    The economic analysis conducted for the proposed rule estimated the 
expected quantitative effects of each alternative to the extent 
possible. Qualitative discussion of expected effects was provided where 
data or analytical techniques were not available. The economic analysis 
concluded that, with the exception of the no action alternatives, 
practically all alternatives would result in short-term adverse 
economic effects on fishers, support industries, and associated 
communities. Some alternatives to the proposed rule would be expected 
to result in lower adverse economic effects but would not achieve the 
Council's objective for that particular action. Other alternatives to 
the proposed rule may have been projected to achieve the Council's 
objectives but were projected to result in greater adverse economic 
effects than the proposed rule. No options exist that meet the 
conservation goals with lesser economic impacts.
    The economic analysis conducted for the proposed rule evaluated the 
expected change in economic value, where economic value was measured by 
net operating revenues for commercial and for-hire vessels and consumer 
surplus for recreational anglers. Although an expenditure analysis, as 
suggested by public comment, is useful for examining the distributional 
effects of a regulatory change, evaluating the change in economic value 
is the appropriate methodology for analyzing the costs and benefits to 
society of the proposed management measures.
    The proposed requirement for the possession and use of a venting 
tool has been disapproved and is not included in this final rule 
because this requirement is overly broad and not in accordance with the 
administrative record supporting Amendment 16. This action may be re-
considered when guidance is developed specifying species and capture 
depths for which venting is most appropriate. NMFS agrees with the 
Council's choice of preferred alternatives for the other actions as 
those which would be expected to best achieve the Council's objectives 
while minimizing the adverse effects on fishers, support industries, 
and associated communities and no additional changes in the final rule 
were made in response to public comment.
    This final rule is expected to directly affect vessels that operate 
in the South Atlantic commercial and for-hire snapper-grouper 
fisheries. The Small Business Administration (SBA) has established size 
criteria for all major industry sectors in the U.S. including fish 
harvesters and for-hire operations. A business involved in fish 
harvesting is classified as a small business if it is independently 
owned and operated, is not dominant in its field of operation 
(including its affiliates), and has combined annual receipts not in 
excess of $4.0 million (NAICS code 114111, finfish fishing) for all 
affiliated operations worldwide. For for-hire operations, the other 
qualifiers apply and the annual receipts threshold is $7 million (NAICS 
code 713990, recreational industries).
    A commercial snapper-grouper permit is required to operate in the 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery, and a two-tier license 
limitation program, which imposes a 225-lb (102-kg) snapper-grouper 
trip limit for some vessels and an unlimited snapper-grouper trip-limit 
for other vessels, has been in effect in this fishery since 1998. 
Logbook data from 2001-2006 were used in the analysis of the expected 
impacts of this action. Over this period, an average of 1,101 vessels 
per year were permitted to operate in the commercial snapper-grouper 
fishery. However, only an average of 922 vessels per year had recorded 
landings of snapper-grouper species. The total average annual dockside 
revenue from snapper-grouper species and all other species harvested on 
trips that harvested snapper-grouper species over this period was 
approximately $15.58 million (2005 dollars), resulting in a per vessel 
average of approximately $16,900. The highest producers included an 
average of 27 vessels per year that harvested more than 50,000 lb 
(22,680 kg) of snapper-grouper per year, valued at approximately 
$100,000 per vessel. Vessels that operate in the snapper-grouper 
fishery may also operate in other fisheries that are not covered by the 
logbook program. As such, the revenues from these fisheries cannot be 
determined with these data and are not reflected in the totals provided 
above.
    Although a vessel that possesses a commercial snapper-grouper 
permit can harvest any snapper-grouper species, except for wreckfish 
which requires a separate permit, during the period 2001-2006, only 299 
vessels per year had recorded harvests of gag and only 259 vessels had 
recorded harvests of vermilion snapper. These totals are not additive, 
because some vessels landed both species. Total dockside revenues from 
all snapper-grouper species and other species on trips that harvested 
gag averaged approximately $5.74 million (2005 dollars) over this 
period, resulting in a per vessel average of approximately $19,200. 
Total dockside revenues from all snapper-grouper species and all other 
species on trips that harvested vermilion snapper averaged 
approximately $6.98 million (2005 dollars) over this period, resulting 
in a per vessel average of approximately $26,950. Among the vessels 
with recorded gag harvests, an average of 12 vessels per year harvested 
more than 10,000 lb (4,536 kg) of gag per year, generating dockside 
revenues of approximately $29,300 per vessel. An average of 43 vessels 
per year harvested more than 10,000 lb (4,536 kg) of vermilion snapper, 
generating dockside revenues of approximately $24,000 per vessel.
    For the period 2001-2006, an average of 1,273 vessels were 
permitted to operate in the snapper-grouper for-hire fishery, of which 
82 are estimated to have operated as headboats. Within this total of 
vessels, 235 vessels also possessed a commercial snapper-grouper permit 
and would be included in the summary information provided above on the 
commercial sector. The for-hire fleet consists of charter vessels, 
which charge a fee on a vessel basis, and headboats, which charge a fee 
on an individual angler (head) basis. The average annual gross revenue 
(in 2005 dollars) for charter vessels is estimated to range from 
approximately $62,000-$84,000 for Florida vessels, $73,000-$89,000 for 
North Carolina vessels, $68,000-$83,000 for Georgia vessels, and 
$32,000-$39,000 for South Carolina vessels. For headboats, the 
appropriate estimates are $170,000-$362,000 for Florida vessels, and 
$149,000-$317,000 for vessels in the other states. Some fleet activity 
may exist in both the commercial and for-hire snapper-grouper sectors, 
but the extent of such is unknown and all vessels are treated in this 
analysis as independent entities.
    Based on the average revenue figures provided above, NMFS 
determines, for the purpose of this analysis, that all commercial and 
for-hire vessels that will be affected by this final rule are small 
entities. Because all entities expected to be affected by this final 
rule are considered small entities, the issue of disproportional 
impacts of this final rule on small and large entities does not arise.
    The gag and other shallow-water grouper management measures are 
expected to reduce annual net operating revenues of commercial vessels 
by approximately $848,000 for all vessels combined that harvest at 
least 1.0 lb (0.45 kg) of snapper-grouper. Based on an average of 299 
vessels per year with

[[Page 30970]]

recorded gag landings and an average of 922 vessels per year with 
recorded snapper-grouper landings, this reduction in net revenue 
results in an average of approximately $2,800 per vessel with gag 
landings and approximately $900 per vessel with snapper-grouper 
landings. Although net revenues are not directly comparable to gross 
revenues, the average annual revenues from all species on trips that 
harvested gag is estimated to be approximately $19,200 and the 
comparable revenue total for snapper-grouper vessels is approximately 
$16,900.
    For the for-hire fishery, the gag and other shallow-water grouper 
management measures in this final rule are expected to reduce annual 
producer surplus for the entire fishery by approximately $285,000. 
Although 1,456 vessels are permitted to operate in the snapper-grouper 
fishery, not all vessels are expected to harvest or be affected by the 
gag and other shallow-water grouper regulations. However, a meaningful 
method for determining how to apportion the expected reduction in 
producer surplus over the vessels in the fleet has not been identified.
    The vermilion snapper management measures in this final rule are 
expected to reduce annual operating revenues to commercial vessels that 
harvest snapper-grouper by approximately $1.62 million. Based on an 
average of 259 vessels per year with recorded vermilion snapper 
landings and 922 vessels per year with recorded snapper-grouper 
landings, this reduction in net revenue results in an average of 
approximately $7,300 per vessel with vermilion snapper landings and 
approximately $1,800 per vessel with snapper-grouper landings. As 
stated above, although net revenues are not directly comparable to 
gross revenues, the average annual revenue from all species on trips 
that harvested vermilion snapper is estimated to be approximately 
$26,950 and the comparable average revenue total for snapper-grouper 
vessels is approximately $16,900.
    For the for-hire fishery, the vermilion snapper management measures 
in this final rule are expected to reduce annual producer surplus for 
the entire fishery by approximately $58,000. Similar to the discussion 
on the gag and other shallow-water grouper management measures, a 
meaningful method for apportioning the expected reduction in producer 
surplus over the 1,456 vessels in the fleet has not been identified.
    The requirement in this final rule to use dehooking tools to reduce 
the bycatch mortality of snapper-grouper is expected to increase gear 
costs by less than $15 per vessel. Many fishermen are not expected to 
incur any new gear costs as a result of this requirement because the 
possession and use of dehooking devices is expected to already be 
widespread.
    Two alternatives, including the final action, were considered for 
the action to specify the gag TAC. The single alternative to the final 
TAC is the no action alternative, which would not set a TAC for gag. 
Because a TAC is required to make some management determinations, the 
no action alternative would not achieve the Council's objective.
    Four alternatives, including the final action, were considered for 
the action to specify an interim allocation for gag. The first 
alternative to the final action, the no action alternative, would not 
establish an allocation of gag between the commercial and recreational 
sectors. The absence of an allocation would hinder overall TAC 
management and the ability to take corrective action in the appropriate 
sector should TAC overages occur. This alternative, therefore, would 
not achieve the Council's objective. The other two alternatives to the 
final action would result in higher allocations to the commercial 
sector than the final action and, thus, would result in lower adverse 
economic impacts on the commercial small entities. However, these 
alternatives would increase the adverse impacts on the recreational 
sector (for-hire businesses). The overall net effects of the 
alternative allocations cannot be estimated at this time due to the 
absence of appropriate data and comparable commercial and recreational 
models. The final allocation was selected because it best matches with 
current harvest distributions and is, thus, expected to be the least 
disruptive to current harvest practices.
    Seven alternatives (with sub-alternatives), including the final 
actions, were considered for the action to specify gag and other 
shallow-water grouper management measures. The final action encompasses 
three separate alternatives: one alternative to establish a spawning 
closure, one alternative to establish a directed commercial quota, and 
one alternative to establish recreational management measures. The 
first alternative to the final action is the no action alternative, 
which would apply to both the commercial and recreational sectors. The 
no action alternative would not achieve the Council's objective of 
ending overfishing of gag. Two alternatives to the final action would 
only apply to the commercial sector. The first of these alternatives 
would divide the commercial quota into North Carolina/South Carolina 
and Georgia/Florida regional sub-quotas. Although this alternative may 
result in a more even distribution of the economic effects of the final 
quota across participants in all South Atlantic states, the total 
reduction in economic value is expected to be greater than that of the 
final action. The second commercial alternative to the final action 
would establish a 1,000-lb (454-kg) trip limit. This alternative would 
be expected to result in greater adverse economic effects than the 
final action. One alternative to the final action would apply only to 
the recreational sector and would extend the final action's spawning 
closure by an additional month. As a result, this alternative would 
increase the adverse economic effects on the recreational sector. A 
final alternative would apply to both the commercial and recreational 
sectors. This alternative would establish special management 
regulations for waters off Monroe County, Florida. This alternative 
would be expected to result in greater adverse economic effects on 
entities in the commercial sector than the final action and have only 
minor economic effects on entities in the recreational sector.
    Two alternatives, including the final action, were considered for 
the action to specify the vermilion snapper TAC. The single alternative 
to the final TAC is the no action alternative, which would not set a 
TAC for vermilion snapper. Because a TAC is required to make some 
management determinations, the no action alternative would not achieve 
the Council's objective.
    Two alternatives, including the final action, were considered for 
the action to specify an interim allocation for vermilion snapper. The 
only alternative to the final action is the no action alternative, 
which would not establish an allocation for vermilion snapper. The 
absence of an allocation would hinder overall TAC management and the 
ability to take corrective action in the appropriate sector should TAC 
overages occur. This alternative, therefore, would not achieve the 
Council's objective.
    Five alternatives (with multiple sub-alternatives), including the 
final action, were considered for the action to establish management 
measures for vermilion snapper. The final action encompasses three 
separate alternatives: one alternative to establish a directed 
commercial quota, one alternative to allocate the commercial quota to 
two periods, January through June and July through December, and one 
alternative to establish recreational management

[[Page 30971]]

measures. The first alternative to the final action is the no action 
alternative, which would not change current management measures for 
vermilion snapper. The no action alternative would not achieve the 
Council's objective of ending overfishing of vermilion snapper. Two 
alternatives to the final action would only apply to the commercial 
sector. The first of these alternatives addresses the seasonal 
allocation of the commercial quota and contains two sub-alternatives. 
The first of these sub-alternatives would allocate 40 percent of the 
quota to the first season and 60 percent to the second season instead 
of the final action's 50 percent allocation to each period (as adjusted 
for post quota bycatch mortality (PQBM)). This alternative would be 
expected to have almost identical effects on commercial entities as the 
final action and is not expected to reduce the overall adverse economic 
effects of the final action. The second sub-alternative would maintain 
the equal 50-percent seasonal allocation (as adjusted for PQBM), as in 
the final action, but would lengthen the first season by 2 months, 
thereby establishing 8-month and 4-month seasons. This alternative 
would be expected to result in greater adverse economic impacts on 
commercial entities than the final action. The second alternative to 
the final action that would apply only to the commercial sector would 
establish a 1,000-lb (454-kg) trip limit and a May 1st start to the 
fishing year in lieu of seasonal quotas. Relative to the final action, 
this alternative would be expected to result in slightly lower adverse 
economic effects for vessel trips landing at least 1.0 lb (.45 kg) of 
vermilion snapper, but the Council did not choose this alternative 
because it would alter the distribution of harvests across the various 
areas. One alternative, which includes five sub-alternatives including 
the final action, would apply only to the recreational sector. Two of 
these sub-alternatives would maintain the zero bag limit for captain 
and crew, similar to the final action, but would impose higher minimum 
size limits and lower bag limits. As a result, these two sub-
alternatives would be expected to result in greater adverse economic 
impacts on recreational small entities than the final action. The 
remaining two alternatives would maintain the zero bag limit for 
captain and crew like the final action. The first of these two 
alternatives would also establish a higher minimum size limit and a 
higher bag limit but a shorter seasonal closure than the final action. 
As a result of the higher bag limit and shorter seasonal closure, this 
alternative would result in lower adverse economic effects than the 
final action. The Council believes, however, that this alternative 
would have lower probability of achieving the target reduction in 
recreational harvest than the final action. The second of these two 
alternatives would maintain the same size limit as the final action but 
would establish a lower bag limit and longer seasonal closure. This 
alternative would result in greater adverse economic impacts on small 
entities than the final action. Overall, the Council believes that the 
final action on bag limit and seasonal closure, while maintaining the 
current size limit, will provide a higher probability of achieving the 
target reduction in recreational harvest at a reasonably acceptable 
economic cost to small entities.
    Three alternatives (with one set of sub-alternatives), including 
the final action, were considered for the action to reduce the bycatch 
mortality of snapper-grouper. The first alternative to the final action 
is the no action alternative, which would not require additional 
measures to reduce bycatch mortality of snapper-grouper and would not 
achieve the Council's objective. In addition to the requirement of the 
final action for vessels fishing for snapper-grouper to possess 
dehooking devices and use them as needed, the second alternative to the 
final action would also require the use of circle hooks and venting 
tools. This alternative could be expected to adversely affect the 
harvest of certain target species because the morphology of mouths and 
biting habits of some fish species would not allow circle hooks to be 
an effective harvest gear. As a result, this alternative would be 
expected to reduce the harvest of target species and result in greater 
adverse economic effects than the final action. Additionally, within 
this rejected alternative, sub-alternatives considered the application 
of the requirements to only the commercial sector, just the 
recreational sector, or both sectors. The final rule will apply to both 
sectors. Although the application of the new bycatch reduction 
requirements to a single sector would reduce the adverse economic 
effects for the exempted sector, the overall benefits of bycatch 
reduction would be lower. As a result, sector exemption would not 
achieve the Council's objective. The original proposed action would 
require the use of dehooking devices and venting tools, but the venting 
tool requirement has been disapproved for the final rule as being 
overly broad and not in accordance with the administrative record. This 
action may be reconsidered when guidance is developed specifying 
species and capture depths for which venting is most appropriate.
    In addition to the actions discussed above, Amendment 16 considered 
alternatives to establish management reference points and stock status 
criteria for gag and vermilion snapper. These alternatives are 
discussed in the following paragraphs.
    For both gag and vermilion snapper, the final management reference 
points are such that MSY would be equated to the yield produced at 
FMSY, FOY equated to the fishing mortality rate 
specified in the rebuilding plan when the stock is overfished or at 75 
percent of FMSY when the stock is rebuilt, and OY equated to 
the yield produced at FMSY. In terms of economic effects, 
these management reference points only have meaningful content when 
evaluated through the management measures that would restrict the 
respective species to the allowable harvest levels. Also, because they 
are reference points and would not directly place any harvest 
restrictions on the fishery, none of the alternatives would result in 
any direct effects on any entities in the gag and vermilion snapper 
fisheries.
    Two alternatives, including the final action, were considered for 
the action to specify gag and vermilion snapper management reference 
points. The first alternative to the final action, the no action 
alternative, would retain the current definitions of MSY and OY. These 
definitions are not consistent with the most recent scientific advice 
and would not achieve the Council's objective of basing management 
decisions on the best available scientific information. The second 
alternative contains three sub-alternatives for the specification of 
OY, one of which is the final OY specification. Each of the two 
alternative specifications to the final OY is based on the same 
specification of MSY, but provides for different OY levels, one more 
than the final OY and one less. All OY levels, including the final 
action, would result in relatively restrictive management measures. 
However, the final OY is expected to provide the best balance between 
short-term adverse economic impacts and long-term protection to the 
stock.
    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 final 
rule, and shall designate such publications as ``small entity

[[Page 30972]]

compliance guides.'' As part of the rulemaking process, NMFS prepared a 
fishery bulletin, which also serves as a small entity compliance guide. 
The fishery-bulletin will be sent to all vessel permit holders for the 
South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper fishery.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 622

    Fisheries, Fishing, Puerto Rico, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Virgin Islands.

    Dated: June 23, 2009
John Oliver,
Deputy Assistant Administrator For Operations, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.

0
For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 622 is amended as 
follows:

PART 622--FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC

0
1. The authority citation for part 622 continues to read as follows:

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

0
2. In Sec.  622.35, paragraphs (j) and (k) are added to read as 
follows:


Sec.  622.35  Atlantic EEZ seasonal and/or area closures.

* * * * *
    (j) Seasonal closure of the recreational and commercial fisheries 
for gag and associated grouper species. During January through April 
each year, no person may fish for, harvest, or possess in or from the 
South Atlantic EEZ gag, black grouper, red grouper, scamp, red hind, 
rock hind, yellowmouth grouper, tiger grouper, yellowfin grouper, 
graysby, or coney. In addition, for a person on board a vessel for 
which a valid Federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued, the provisions of this 
closure apply in the South Atlantic, regardless of where such fish are 
harvested, i.e., in state or Federal waters.
    (k) Seasonal closure of the recreational fishery for vermilion 
snapper. The recreational fishery for vermilion snapper in or from the 
South Atlantic EEZ is closed from November 1 through March 31, each 
year. In addition, for a person on board a vessel for which a valid 
Federal charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-
grouper has been issued, this closure applies in the South Atlantic, 
regardless of where the fish are harvested, i.e., in state or Federal 
waters. During the closure, the bag and possession limit for vermilion 
snapper in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is zero.
Sec.  622.36 [Amended]
    3. In Sec.  622.36, paragraph (b)(4) is removed and reserved.

0
4. In Sec.  622.39, paragraphs (d)(1)(ii) introductory text, 
(d)(1)(ii)(A), and (d)(1)(v) are revised to read as follows:


Sec.  622.39  Bag and possession limits.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (ii) Grouper and tilefish, combined--3. However, no grouper or 
tilefish may be retained by the captain or crew of a vessel operating 
as a charter vessel or headboat. The bag limit for such captain and 
crew is zero. In addition, within the 3-fish aggregate bag limit:
    (A) No more than one fish may be gag or black grouper, combined;
* * * * *
    (v) Vermilion snapper--5. However, no vermilion snapper may be 
retained by the captain or crew of a vessel operating as a charter 
vessel or headboat. The bag limit for such captain and crew is zero.
* * * * *

0
5. In Sec.  622.41, paragraph (n) is added to read as follows:


Sec.  622.41  Species specific limitations.

* * * * *
    (n) Required gear in the South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery. 
For a person on board a vessel to fish for South Atlantic snapper-
grouper in the South Atlantic EEZ, the vessel must possess on board and 
such person must use the gear as specified in paragraphs (n)(1) of this 
section.
    (1) Dehooking device. At least one dehooking device is required and 
must be used as needed to remove hooks embedded in South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper with minimum damage. The hook removal device must be 
constructed to allow the hook to be secured and the barb shielded 
without re-engaging during the removal process. The dehooking end must 
be blunt, and all edges rounded. The device must be of a size 
appropriate to secure the range of hook sizes and styles used in the 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery.
    (2) [Reserved]

0
6. In Sec.  622.42, paragraph (e)(4) is revised, and paragraph (e)(7) 
is added to read as follows:


Sec.  622.42  Quotas.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (4) Vermilion snapper. (i) For the period January through June each 
year--315,523 lb (143,119 kg).
    (ii) For the period July through December each year--302,523 lb 
(137,222 kg).
    (iii) Any unused portion of the quota specified in paragraph 
(e)(4)(i) of this section will be added to the quota specified in 
paragraph (e)(4)(ii) of this section. Any unused portion of the quota 
specified in paragraph (e)(4)(ii) of this section, including any 
addition of quota specified in paragraph (e)(4)(i) of this section that 
was unused, will become void and will not be added to any subsequent 
quota.
* * * * *
    (7) Gag--352,940 lb (160,091 kg).
* * * * *

0
7. In Sec.  622.43, paragraph (a)(5) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  622.43  Closures.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (5) South Atlantic gag, greater amberjack, snowy grouper, golden 
tilefish, vermilion snapper, black sea bass, and red porgy. (i) The 
appropriate bag limits specified in Sec.  622.39(d)(1) and the 
possession limits specified in Sec.  622.39(d)(2) apply to all harvest 
or possession of the applicable species in or from the South Atlantic 
EEZ, and the sale or purchase of the applicable species taken from or 
possessed in the EEZ is prohibited.
    (ii) The bag and possession limits for the applicable species and 
the prohibition on sale/purchase apply in the South Atlantic on board a 
vessel for which a valid Federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat 
permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued, without 
regard to where such species were harvested, i.e., in state or Federal 
waters.
    (iii) For gag only, when the commercial quota for gag is reached, 
the provisions of paragraphs (a)(5)(i) and (ii) of this section apply 
to gag and the following associated grouper species: black grouper, red 
grouper, scamp, red hind, rock hind, yellowmouth grouper, tiger 
grouper, yellowfin grouper, graysby, and coney.
* * * * *

0
8. In Sec.  622.45, paragraph (d)(7) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  622.45  Restrictions on sale/purchase.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (7) During January through April, no person may sell or purchase a 
gag, black grouper, red grouper, scamp, red hind, rock hind, 
yellowmouth grouper, tiger grouper, yellowfin grouper, graysby, or 
coney harvested from or possessed in the South Atlantic EEZ or, if 
harvested or possessed by a vessel for which a valid Federal commercial 
or charter vessel/headboat permit for South

[[Page 30973]]

Atlantic snapper-grouper has been issued, harvested from the South 
Atlantic, i.e., state or Federal waters. The prohibition on sale/
purchase during January through April does not apply to such species 
that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to January 1 and 
were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor. This prohibition 
also does not apply to a dealer's purchase or sale of such species 
harvested from an area other than the South Atlantic, provided such 
fish is accompanied by documentation of harvest outside the South 
Atlantic. Such documentation must contain:
    (i) The information specified in 50 CFR part 300 subpart K for 
marking containers or packages of fish or wildlife that are imported, 
exported, or transported in interstate commerce;
    (ii) The official number, name, and home port of the vessel 
harvesting such fish;
    (iii) The port and date of offloading from the vessel harvesting 
such fish, and;
    (iv) A statement signed by the dealer attesting that such fish was 
harvested from an area other than the South Atlantic.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. E9-15342 Filed 6-26-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S