Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 31, 2469-2474 [2010-687]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 10 (Friday, January 15, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2469-2474]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-687]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 090225243-91127-01]
RIN 0648-AX67


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 31

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS issues this proposed rule to implement Amendment 31 to 
the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of 
Mexico (FMP) prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council 
(Council). This proposed rule would implement restrictions applicable 
to the bottom longline component of the reef fish fishery in the 
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the eastern Gulf of Mexico (Gulf). The 
proposed restrictions would include a bottom longline endorsement 
requirement, a seasonal closed area, and a limitation on the number of 
hooks that could be possessed and fished. The intent of the proposed 
rule is to balance the continued operation of the bottom longline 
component of the reef fish fishery in the eastern Gulf while 
maintaining adequate protective measures for sea turtles.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before March 1, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the proposed rule, identified by 
``0648-AX67'' by any of the following methods:
     Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
     Fax: 727-824-5308; Attention: Cynthia Meyer.
     Mail: Cynthia Meyer, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 
13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701-5505.
    Instructions: No comments will be posted for public viewing until 
after the comment period has closed. All comments received are a part 
of the public record and will generally be posted to https://www.regulations.gov without change. All Personal Identifying 
Information (for example, name, address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by 
the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit Confidential 
Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information.
    To submit comments through the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov, enter ``NOAA-NMFS-2008-0310'' in the keyword 
search, then select ``Send a Comment or Submission.'' NMFS will accept 
anonymous comments (enter N/A in the required fields, if you wish to 
remain anonymous). You may submit attachments to electronic comments in 
Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF file formats only.
    Copies of Amendment 31, which include a draft environmental impact 
statement (DEIS), an initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA), 
and a regulatory impact review may be obtained from the Gulf of Mexico 
Fishery Management Council, 2203 North Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, Tampa, 
FL 33607; telephone 813-348-1630; fax 813-348-1711; e-mail 
gulfcouncil@gulfcouncil.org; or may be downloaded from the Council's 
website at https://www.gulfcouncil.org/.
    Written comments regarding the burden-hour estimate or other 
aspects of the collection-of-information requirement contained in this 
proposed rule may be submitted to Richard Malinowski, Southeast 
Regional Office, NMFS, and by e-mail to David_Rostker@omb.eop.gov, or 
by fax to 202-395-7285.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cynthia Meyer, telephone: 727-824-
5305.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The reef fish fishery of the Gulf of Mexico 
is managed under the FMP. The FMP was prepared by the Council and is 
implemented through regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the authority 
of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
(Magnuson-Stevens Act).

Background

    Sea turtles are incidentally taken, and some are killed, as a 
result of numerous activities, including fishery-related activities in 
the Gulf and along the Atlantic seaboard. Under the Endangered Species 
Act (ESA) and its implementing regulations, the taking of sea turtles 
is prohibited, with exceptions identified in 50 CFR 223.206(d), or 
according to the terms and conditions of a biological opinion issued 
under section 7 of the ESA, or according to an incidental take permit 
issued under section 10 of the ESA. All sea turtles that occur in U.S. 
waters are listed as either endangered or threatened under the ESA of 
1973. The Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), leatherback (Dermochelys 
coriacea), and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) turtles are listed as 
endangered. The loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) 
turtles are listed as threatened, except for breeding populations of 
green turtles in Florida and on the Pacific coast of Mexico, which are 
listed as endangered.
    In September 2008, NMFS released a report analyzing sea turtle 
takes in the reef fish fishery as documented through an observer 
program. Subsequently updated in April 2009, the report indicated that 
the number of hardshell sea turtle takes by the bottom longline 
component of the Gulf reef fish fishery had exceeded the incidental 
take estimates specified in a 2005 Biological Opinion. Therefore, 
action was needed to provide protection for threatened loggerhead sea 
turtles in compliance with ESA.
    To address this issue in the short-term while the Council developed 
a long-term management strategy, NMFS published an emergency rule 
effective May 18, 2009. The emergency rule prohibited longline fishing 
for reef fish in the eastern Gulf shoreward of a line approximating the 
50-fathom depth contour, and prohibited all longline fishing in the 
eastern Gulf after the deep-water grouper and tilefish commercial 
quotas were filled.
    On October 16, 2009, NMFS published a rule, under the authority of 
the ESA, to replace the emergency rule. The rule prohibits bottom 
longline fishing in the eastern Gulf shoreward of a line approximating 
the 35-fathom (64-m) contour with a restriction of 1,000 hooks per 
vessel with no more than 750 hooks rigged for fishing or fished at any 
given time. The intended effect of the rulemaking is to maintain 
protective measures for loggerhead sea turtles as well as to maintain a 
viable bottom longline fleet pending the

[[Page 2470]]

implementation of Amendment 31 or alternative long-term mitigation 
measures.
    At the August 2009 meeting, the Council approved long-term measures 
in Amendment 31, and submitted the amendment for review by the 
Secretary of Commerce following final editing, along with the 
accompanying regulations deemed necessary and appropriate to implement 
Amendment 31. Dated October 13, 2009, the updated Biological Opinion 
determined that the fishing activities conducted under Amendment 31 and 
its implementing regulations are not likely to jeopardize the continued 
existence of sea turtles or smalltooth sawfish.

Management Measures

    The proposed rule would modify regulations for the bottom longline 
component of the reef fish fishery by including a seasonal area 
closure, qualifying endorsement, and gear restrictions. Collectively, 
the actions contained in the proposed rule are anticipated to achieve a 
48-percent to 67-percent reduction in effective bottom longline fishing 
effort and, therefore, hardshell sea turtle takes in the bottom 
longline component of the reef fish fishery.
    The June through August seasonal area closure would prohibit the 
use of bottom longline gear to fish for reef fish shoreward of a line 
approximating the 35-fathom (64-m) boundary in the eastern Gulf. In the 
case of the 35-fathom (64-m) boundary intersecting a marine reserve, 
fishermen would also be required to adhere to the regulations for the 
reserve. During vessel transit through closed zones, no reef fish could 
be possessed unless bottom longline gear is appropriately stowed, 
meaning that a longline may be left on the drum if all gangions and 
hooks are disconnected and stowed below deck; hooks are not baited, and 
all buoys are disconnected from the gear, but may remain on deck.
    The gear restriction would apply to longline vessels with Gulf reef 
fish permits with longline endorsements. The restriction would limit 
the number of hooks allowed per vessel. Each vessel would be allowed to 
possess 1,000 hooks total. However, only 750 hooks may be fished or 
rigged for fishing at any given time.
    The qualifying endorsement to fish in the eastern Gulf would reduce 
the number of vessels operating in the bottom longline component of the 
reef fish fishery. The longline endorsement would be provided only to 
vessel permits with demonstrated average annual landings of 40,000 lb 
(18,144 kg) of reef fish harvested with fish traps or longline gear 
during 1999-2007. The transfer of the endorsement would be unrestricted 
between commercial Gulf reef fish permit holders.
    To be eligible to receive a longline endorsement to fish in the 
eastern Gulf, a person would need to possess an active or renewable 
(within the one year grace period immediately following expiration) 
Gulf reef fish commercial vessel permit. The calculation of landings 
would be based on the average annual reef fish landings using fish 
traps or longline gear associated with each permit during the 
applicable landings period, 1999-2007. All landings associated with an 
active or renewable Gulf reef fish commercial vessel permit for the 
applicable landings period that were reported to NMFS by December 31, 
2008, would be attributed to the current owner, as of the date of 
publication of the final rule. The associated landings also include 
landings reported by a person who held the permit prior to the current 
owner. Only legal landings reported in compliance with applicable state 
and Federal regulations would be used to identify initial endorsement 
holders. The NMFS would automatically mail initial endorsements to all 
eligible permit holders.
    The appeals process included in this rule would provide a 
formalized process for resolving disputes regarding eligibility for a 
longline endorsement to fish in the eastern Gulf. Items subject to 
appeal would include the accuracy of the amount of reef fish landings 
using longline gear or fish traps, the correct assignment of landings 
to the permit owner, and the initial eligibility for an eastern Gulf 
reef fish bottom longline endorsement based on ownership of a 
qualifying reef fish permit.
    Appeals would need to contain documentation supporting the basis 
for the appeal and must be submitted to the Regional Administrator (RA) 
postmarked no later than 90 days after the effective date of the final 
rule that would implement Amendment 31. Landings data for appeals would 
be based on NMFS' logbooks submitted to and received by the Southeast 
Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) by December 31, 2008, for the years 
1999 through 2007. Appeals based on hardship factors would not be 
considered. The RA would review, evaluate, and render final decision on 
appeals based on NMFS' logbooks. Appellants would need to submit NMFS' 
logbooks to support their appeal. If NMFS' logbooks are not available, 
the RA could use state landings records. In addition, NMFS' records of 
Gulf commercial reef fish permits would constitute the sole basis for 
determining ownership of such permits. A person who believes he/she 
meets the permit eligibility criteria based on ownership of a vessel 
under a different name, as may have occurred when ownership has changed 
from individual to corporate or vice versa, would need to document his/
her continuity of ownership.
    Positive impacts to the biological environment include reductions 
in bycatch of both hardshell sea turtles and non-targeted or undersized 
reef fish. During the months of June through August, the NMFS observer 
program data indicate a concentration of sea turtles in water depths of 
20-35 fathoms (37-64 m). Shifting the fishing effort to deeper waters 
for this time period may reduce the sea turtle takes in the bottom 
longline component of the fishery. The bottom longline endorsement 
requirement would reduce the number of permitted vessels operating in 
the fishery from approximately 120 to 61, resulting in a bottom 
longline trip reduction of approximately 54-percent. Limiting the 
number of hooks would likely change the fishing behavior for a number 
of vessels as they would reduce the length of their mainline and 
possibly increase the number of sets to accommodate the reduction in 
hooks. The range in reduction is based on various analyses of effort 
shifting scenarios in the bottom longline component of the reef fish 
fishery.

Availability of Amendment 31

    Additional background and rationale for the measures discussed 
above are contained in Amendment 31. The availability of Amendment 31 
was announced in the Federal Register on December 31, 2009 (74 FR 
69322). Written comments on Amendment 31 must be received by March 1, 
2010. All comments received on Amendment 31 or on this proposed rule 
during their respective comment periods will be addressed in the 
preamble of the final rule.

Classification

    Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the 
AA has determined that this proposed rule is consistent with Amendment 
31, other provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable 
law, subject to further consideration after public comment.
    This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    NMFS prepared a DEIS for this amendment. A notice of availability 
for

[[Page 2471]]

the DEIS was published on November 13, 2009 (74 FR 58625).
    An IRFA was prepared, as required by section 603 of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act. The IRFA describes the economic impact this proposed 
rule, if adopted, would have on small entities. A description of the 
action, why it is being considered, and the legal basis for this action 
are contained at the beginning of this section in the preamble and in 
the SUMMARY section of the preamble. A copy of this analysis is 
available from the Council (see ADDRESSES). A summary of the analysis 
follows.
    The purpose of this proposed rule is to reduce interactions between 
sea turtles and bottom longline gear in the reef fish fishery in the 
eastern Gulf. The Magnuson-Stevens Act provides the statutory basis for 
this proposed rule.
    No duplicative, overlapping, or conflicting Federal rules have been 
identified.
    This proposed rule would prohibit the use of bottom longline gear 
to fish for reef fish in the eastern Gulf (east of 85[deg] 30' W. 
longitude) shoreward of a line approximating the 35-fathom (64-m) depth 
contour from June through August, require a permit endorsement to fish 
for reef fish using bottom longline gear in the eastern Gulf, and limit 
the number of hooks per vessel using bottom longline gear to fish for 
reef fish in the eastern Gulf to 1,000 hooks, of which no more than 750 
hooks could be rigged for fishing or fished at any given time.
    This proposed rule would be expected to directly affect commercial 
fishing vessels that use bottom longline gear to fish for reef fish in 
the eastern Gulf. Based on logbook records, for the period 2003-2007, 
an average of 149 vessels per year recorded reef fish landings using 
bottom longline gear. These vessels are estimated to average $108,635 
per year in gross revenues and $72,649 per year in net operating 
revenues (NOR; revenues net of non-labor trip costs).
    Some fleet activity is known to occur in the commercial sector of 
the Gulf reef fish fishery. Based on permit data, the maximum number of 
permits reported to be owned by the same entity is six, though 
additional permits may be linked through other affiliations which 
cannot be identified with current data. It is unknown whether all of 
these linked permits are for vessels that use longline gear, which 
generate higher average annual revenues than vessels that use other 
gears to harvest reef fish. Nevertheless, assuming each of these six 
vessels use bottom longline gear, using the average revenue per vessel 
provided above the average annual combined revenues for this entity 
would be approximately $652,000.
    The Small Business Administration has established size criteria for 
all major industry sectors in the U.S. including fish harvesters. 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 its affiliated operations worldwide. Based on the 
gross revenue estimates provided above, all commercial reef fish 
vessels expected to be directly affected by this proposed rule are 
determined for the purpose of this analysis to be small business 
entities.
    As previously stated, this proposed rule would require a permit 
endorsement to fish for reef fish using bottom longline gear in the 
eastern Gulf. This permit endorsement would be a new compliance 
requirement. Acquisition of the endorsement would not require an 
application or additional fees. Instead, eligibility for the 
endorsement would be determined by NMFS, based on an evaluation of the 
landings history associated with each commercial reef fish permit, and 
the permit endorsement provided to qualified vessels. As a result, no 
additional costs or administrative burdens would be imposed on 
qualifying entities. Permit holders that do not qualify for the 
endorsement would be prohibited from using bottom longline gear to 
harvest reef fish in the prescribed area. The expected economic effects 
of the endorsement requirement on entities that historically have 
harvested reef fish with bottom longline gear but that would not 
qualify for the endorsement are discussed below. This proposed rule 
would not establish any new reporting or record-keeping requirements.
    The expected effects of the proposed seasonal bottom longline gear 
prohibition and endorsement requirement were evaluated in tandem. 
Vessels affected by the proposed endorsement and gear restrictions 
would be expected to either shift fishing effort to areas that remain 
open and continue to fish with bottom longline gear, or convert to 
vertical line gear. However, because of the absence of adequate data, 
effort shift was not modeled in the analysis of the expected economic 
effects of this proposed rule. Instead, only gear conversion was 
modeled, with gear conversion rates varied from 0 percent to 100 
percent of affected vessels and trips. Under this modeling approach, 
any affected effort that did not convert to vertical line gear was 
assumed to not occur, resulting in the loss of all normal harvests and 
revenues for that vessel and trip. As such, this is an extreme 
assumption. In reality, rather than trip cancellation, effort shift is 
likely to occur, resulting in some amount of continued historic 
harvest. The absence of effort shift in the analysis results in over-
estimation of the expected economic effects of this proposed rule and, 
as a result, the following results should be viewed as upper bounds.
    This proposed rule would be expected to reduce the net operating 
revenues (NOR; revenues minus non-labor variable operating costs) of 
commercial vessels that have historically harvested reef fish using 
bottom longline gear in the eastern Gulf by $1.28 million per year 
(100-percent conversion to vertical line gear) to $3.44 million (0-
percent conversion to vertical line gear). Averaged across the average 
number of vessels per year with recorded landings of reef fish using 
bottom longline gear from 2003-2007 (149 vessels), the estimated 
reduction in NOR per vessel ranges from approximately $8,600 to 
$23,100, or approximately 12 percent to 32 percent of the average 
annual NOR per vessel. It is noted that individual vessels may 
experience higher or lower losses than these averages. Gear conversion 
is estimated to cost approximately $13,750 per vessel, though partial 
financial assistance is available for up to 50 vessels from an 
environmental advocacy group. Additional economic losses may accrue due 
to the proposed hook restriction. Although these losses cannot be 
quantified with available data, the proposed hook restriction may 
result in reduced harvest efficiency of some vessels. This would be 
expected to result in either reduced harvests or increased costs to 
maintain normal harvests if fishermen have to fish longer or make more 
sets. The proposed hook restrictions could also increase the 
possibility that a trip may have to be terminated early if a line is 
lost and insufficient replacement hooks are available to allow 
continued fishing.
    Four alternatives, including the no action alternative (status 
quo), with multiple sub-alternatives, were considered for the action to 
establish seasonal and area gear restrictions. One alternative and set 
of sub-options focused on the geographic scope of the proposed gear 
restriction, one alternative and set of sub-options focused on the 
depth specification of the proposed gear restriction, and one 
alternative and set of sub-options focused on the temporal application 
of

[[Page 2472]]

the proposed gear restriction. The no-action alternative would not 
establish any new gear restrictions, would not be expected to reduce 
interactions between sea turtles and bottom longline gear in the reef 
fish fishery, and would not be expected to achieve the Council's 
objectives.
    The alternative specifications of the geographic scope of the 
proposed gear restrictions would have imposed the restrictions on 
smaller areas than the proposed rule and, as a result, would be 
expected to result in lower adverse economic effects than this proposed 
rule. However, the reduced geographic scope of these alternative 
specifications would be expected to result in insufficient reduction in 
interactions between sea turtles and bottom longline gear, and would 
not be expected to achieve the Council's objectives.
    One alternative to the depth specification of this proposed rule 
would have prohibited the use of bottom longline gear to harvest reef 
fish in waters less than 30 fathoms (55 m), which would be less 
restrictive than the proposed restriction, while two alternatives would 
have been more restrictive, prohibiting the use of the gear in waters 
less than 40 fathoms (73 m) and 50 fathoms (91 m), respectively. The 
less restrictive alternative would be expected to reduce the loss of 
NOR to commercial vessels relative to the proposed rule. However, the 
reduced scope of the restriction would be expected to result in 
insufficient reduction in interactions between sea turtles and bottom 
longline gear, and would not be expected to achieve the Council's 
objectives. While the two more restrictive alternatives may be expected 
to result in greater protection of sea turtles, both would be expected 
to result in greater adverse economic effects than the depth 
specification of this proposed rule. As a result, these alternative 
depth specifications would not be expected to achieve the Council's 
objectives of sufficiently reducing interactions between sea turtles 
and bottom longline gear while minimizing the adverse effects on the 
reef fish fishery.
    Both alternatives to the seasonal specification of this proposed 
rule would have increased the duration of the gear prohibition and 
would be expected to result in greater adverse economic effects than 
the seasonal restriction of this proposed rule. Similar to the more 
restrictive depth alternatives, while increased seasonal application of 
the proposed gear prohibition would be expected to result in greater 
sea turtle protection, these alternatives would not be expected to 
achieve the Council's objectives of sufficiently reducing interactions 
between sea turtles and bottom longline gear while minimizing the 
adverse effects on the reef fish fishery.
    Seven alternatives, including the no action alternative (status 
quo), were considered for the action to reduce the number of vessels 
allowed to use bottom longline gear to harvest reef fish in the eastern 
Gulf. Except for the no action alternative, the alternatives varied by 
the minimum average annual reef fish harvest threshold that would be 
required to qualify for a permit endorsement that allowed the use of 
bottom longline gear to harvest reef fish in the eastern Gulf, and each 
alternative included two sub-options for the qualifying time period 
from which average annual harvests would be evaluated (1999-2004 or 
1999-2007) and three sub-options that addressed the transferability of 
the endorsement. The no action alternative would not establish a 
longline endorsement to the reef fish permit, would not be expected to 
reduce the number of vessels (permits) allowed to use bottom longline 
gear to harvest reef fish in the eastern Gulf, and would not be 
expected to achieve the Council's objectives.
    Two alternatives would have established lower average annual 
harvest thresholds (20,000 lb (9,072 kg) and 30,000 lb (13,608 kg), 
gutted weight) for endorsement qualification than this proposed rule 
(40,000 lb (18,144 kg), gutted weight), while two alternatives would 
establish higher thresholds (50,000 lb (22,680 kg) and 60,000 lb 
(27,216 kg), gutted weight). Because lower thresholds would allow more 
vessels to continue to participate in the reef fish fishery using 
bottom longline gear, these alternatives would be expected to result in 
lower adverse economic effects than the proposed qualification 
threshold. However, these two alternatives would not be expected to 
result in sufficient reductions in the number of vessels allowed to use 
bottom longline gear to harvest reef fish in the eastern Gulf or, in 
turn, sufficient reductions in bottom longline effort necessary to 
achieve target reductions in interactions between sea turtles and 
bottom longline gear. As a result, these alternatives would not be 
expected to achieve the Council's objectives. The two alternatives that 
would have established higher qualification thresholds would be 
expected to result in fewer qualifying vessels, greater economic 
losses, and greater reduction in interactions between sea turtles and 
bottom longline gear than is necessary to achieve the Council's 
objectives.
    Under the seventh alternative for the action to reduce the number 
of vessels allowed to use bottom longline gear to harvest reef fish in 
the eastern Gulf, endorsement qualification would have been based on 
landings histories in communities where the ex-vessel value of red 
grouper landings accounted for at least 15 percent of the total ex-
vessel value of all species landed in the community. Qualifying permits 
would be required to have reported landings in these communities for at 
least 5 years during the period of 1999-2007, with minimum average 
annual reef fish harvests of 30,000 lb (13,608 kg) per permit. The net 
economic effects of this alternative are unknown. However, while over 
80 vessels would be expected to qualify for an endorsement under a 
30,000-lb (13,608-kg) threshold without a community-linkage 
requirement, fewer than 50 vessels would qualify with the imposition of 
the community requirement. The intent of this alternative was to reduce 
bottom longline effort to a level that would adequately reduce sea 
turtle interactions while protecting communities dependent on this 
component of the commercial sector of the Gulf reef fish fishery. 
However, the alternative was determined to be incapable of achieving 
the Council's objectives because qualifying vessels could not be 
required to continue landing their harvests in the target communities. 
Additionally, the exclusion of vessels that met the landings threshold 
but lacked the required history with a specific dependent community was 
determined to be inequitable.
    This proposed rule would establish endorsement qualification based 
on harvest history from 1999-2007. The alternative period of 
evaluation, 1999-2004, would, for all landings thresholds, have 
resulted in fewer qualifying permits and greater adverse economic 
effects than the proposed action.
    This proposed rule would also allow unrestricted transfer of 
endorsements between commercial reef fish permit holders. The 
alternative sub-options would either not have allowed endorsement 
transfer or only allowed transfer to reef fish permit holders with a 
vessel of equal or lesser length. Each of these sub-options would have 
been more restrictive than the transfer allowance of this proposed rule 
and, as a result, would be expected to result in greater adverse 
economic effects than this proposed rule.
    Four alternatives, including the no action alternative (status 
quo), were considered for the action to modify fishing gear or 
practices. The no action alternative would not establish further

[[Page 2473]]

restrictions on fishing gear or practices and, as a result, would not 
be expected to achieve the Council's objectives.
    One alternative, with multiple sub-options, to the proposed fishing 
gear restriction would limit mainline length for bottom longlines, 
while another would limit gangion length. The economic effects of these 
alternatives cannot be quantitatively evaluated with available data. In 
general, these actions would be expected to adversely affect the catch 
rates, operating efficiency, and NOR of affected vessels. Whether these 
alternatives would result in lower adverse economic effects than the 
proposed hook restriction is unknown. However, available data do not 
indicate that these measures would be more effective in reducing 
interactions between sea turtles and bottom longline gear than the 
proposed hook restriction.
    Two alternative hook limits, 500 hooks and 1,500 hooks, were 
considered relative to the proposed hook restriction. The lower hook 
limit would be expected to result in greater adverse economic effects 
than the proposed limit and is more restrictive than believed necessary 
to achieve the target reduction in interactions between sea turtles and 
bottom longline gear. Conversely, while the higher hook limit would be 
expected to result in lower adverse economic effects than the proposed 
limit, it is not believed to be sufficiently restrictive to achieve the 
target reduction in sea turtle interactions.
    The amendment on which this proposed rule is based also considered 
an action to establish restrictions on the bait used in the bottom 
longline reef fish fishery. Two alternatives, including the no action 
alternative (status quo), were considered. However, the no action 
alternative was selected by the Council as the preferred alternative. 
As a result, no regulatory action is required, no direct adverse 
economic effects would be expected to accrue to entities involved in 
the bottom longline component of the reef fish fishery in the eastern 
Gulf, and the issue of significant alternatives is not relevant.
    This proposed rule contains a collection-of-information requirement 
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). This requirement has been 
submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. 
Public reporting burden for marking a checkbox for a Gulf reef fish 
bottom longline endorsement on the Federal Permit Application Form is 
estimated to average less than 1 minute per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, 
gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing 
the collection of information.
    Public comment is sought regarding: whether this proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the agency, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; the accuracy of the burden estimate; ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information, including through the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. Send comments 
regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of the collection-of-
information requirement, including suggestions for reducing the burden, 
to NMFS and to the OMB (see ADDRESSES).
    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required 
to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a 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 622

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

    Dated: January 11, 2010.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 622 is 
proposed to be amended as follows:

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

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

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    2. In Sec.  622.2, the definition of ``Annual catch target'' and 
``Bottom longline'' are added in alphabetical order to read as follows:


Sec.  622.2  Definitions and acronyms.

* * * * *
    Annual catch target (ACT) means an amount of annual catch of a 
stock or stock complex that is the management target of the fishery, 
and accounts for management uncertainty in controlling the actual catch 
at or below the ACL.
* * * * *
    Bottom longline means a longline that is deployed, or in 
combination with gear aboard the vessel, e.g., weights or anchors, is 
capable of being deployed to maintain contact with the ocean bottom.
* * * * *
    3. In Sec.  622.4, the third sentence of paragraph (a)(2)(v) and 
the first sentence of paragraph (g)(1) are revised, and paragraph 
(a)(2)(xiv) is added to read as follows:


Sec.  622.4  Permits and fees.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (v) * * * See paragraph (a)(2)(ix) of this section regarding an IFQ 
vessel account required to fish for, possess, or land Gulf red snapper 
or Gulf groupers and tilefishes and paragraph (a)(2)(xiv) of this 
section regarding an additional bottom longline endorsement required to 
fish for Gulf reef fish with bottom longline gear in a portion of the 
eastern Gulf. * * *
* * * * *
    (xiv) Eastern Gulf reef fish bottom longline endorsement. For a 
person aboard a vessel, for which a valid commercial vessel permit for 
Gulf reef fish has been issued, to use a bottom longline for Gulf reef 
fish in the Gulf EEZ east of 85[deg]30' W. long., a valid eastern Gulf 
reef fish bottom longline endorsement must have been issued to the 
vessel and must be on board. A permit or endorsement that has expired 
is not valid. This endorsement must be renewed annually and may only be 
renewed if the associated vessel has a valid commercial vessel permit 
for Gulf reef fish or if the endorsement and associated permit are 
being concurrently renewed. The RA will not reissue this endorsement if 
the endorsement is revoked or if the RA does not receive a complete 
application for renewal of the endorsement within 1 year after the 
endorsement's expiration date.
    (A) Initial eligibility. To be eligible for an initial eastern Gulf 
reef fish bottom longline endorsement a person must have been issued 
and must possess a valid or renewable commercial vessel permit for Gulf 
reef fish that has bottom longline landings of Gulf reef fish averaging 
at least 40,000 lb (18,144 kg), gutted weight, annually during the 
period 1999 through 2007. In addition, for a commercial reef fish 
permit with reef fish longline landings after February 7, 2007, and 
with reef fish trap or longline landings during 1999 through February 
7, 2007, such reef fish trap landings may be applied toward 
satisfaction of the eligibility requirement for an initial eastern Gulf 
reef fish bottom longline endorsement. All applicable reef fish 
landings associated with a current reef fish

[[Page 2474]]

permit for the applicable landings history, including those reported by 
a person(s) who held the license prior to the current license owner, 
will be attributed to the current license owner. However, landings 
accumulated via permit stacking are not creditable for the purpose of 
determining eligibility for an initial eastern Gulf reef fish bottom 
longline endorsement. Only legal landings reported in compliance with 
applicable state and Federal regulations will be accepted.
    (B) Initial issuance. On or about [date 30 days after date of 
publication of the final rule in the FEDERAL REGISTER] the RA will mail 
each eligible permittee an eastern Gulf reef fish bottom longline 
endorsement via certified mail, return receipt requested, to the 
permittee's address of record as listed in NMFS' permit files. An 
eligible permittee who does not receive an endorsement from the RA, 
must contact the RA no later than [date 60 days after date of 
publication of the final rule in the FEDERAL REGISTER] to clarify his/
her endorsement status. A permittee who is denied an endorsement based 
on the RA's initial determination of eligibility and who disagrees with 
that determination may appeal to the RA.
    (C) Procedure for appealing longline endorsement eligibility and/or 
landings information. The only items subject to appeal are initial 
eligibility for an eastern Gulf reef fish bottom longline endorsement 
based on ownership of a qualifying reef fish permit, the accuracy of 
the amount of landings, and correct assignment of landings to the 
permittee. Appeals based on hardship factors will not be considered. 
Appeals must be submitted to the RA postmarked no later than 120 days 
after [date of publication of the final rule in the FEDERAL REGISTER], 
and must contain documentation supporting the basis for the appeal. The 
RA will review all appeals, render final decisions on the appeals, and 
advise the appellant of the final decision.
    (1) Eligibility appeals. NMFS' records of reef fish permits are the 
sole basis for determining ownership of such permits. A person who 
believes he/she meets the permit eligibility criteria based on 
ownership of a vessel under a different name, as may have occurred when 
ownership has changed from individual to corporate or vice versa, must 
document his/her continuity of ownership.
    (2) Landings appeals. Appeals regarding landings data for 1999 
through 2007 will be based on NMFS' logbook records. If NMFS' logbooks 
are not available, the RA may use state landings records or data for 
the period 1999 through 2007 that were submitted in compliance with 
applicable Federal and state regulations on or before December 31, 
2008.
    (D) Transferability. An owner of a vessel with a valid eastern Gulf 
reef fish bottom longline endorsement may transfer that endorsement to 
an owner of a vessel that has a valid commercial vessel permit for Gulf 
reef fish.
    (E) Fees. There is no fee for initial issuance of an eastern Gulf 
reef fish bottom longline endorsement. A fee is charged for each 
renewal, transfer, or replacement of such endorsement. The amount of 
each fee is calculated in accordance with the procedures of the NOAA 
Finance Handbook, available from the RA, for determining the 
administrative costs of each special product or service. The fee may 
not exceed such costs and is specified with each application form. The 
appropriate fee must accompany each application for renewal, transfer, 
or replacement.
* * * * *
    (g) * * *
    (1) A vessel permit, license, or endorsement or a dealer permit or 
endorsement issued under this section is not transferable or 
assignable, except as provided in paragraph (m) of this section for a 
commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish, in paragraph (o) of this 
section for a king mackerel gillnet permit, in paragraph (q) of this 
section for a commercial vessel permit for king mackerel, in paragraph 
(r) of this section for a charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf 
coastal migratory pelagic fish or Gulf reef fish, in paragraph (s) of 
this section for a commercial vessel moratorium permit for Gulf shrimp, 
in Sec.  622.17(c) for a commercial vessel permit for golden crab, in 
Sec.  622.18(b) for a commercial vessel permit for South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper, in Sec.  622.19(b) for a commercial vessel permit for 
South Atlantic rock shrimp, or in Sec.  622.4(a)(2)(xiv)(D) for an 
eastern Gulf reef fish bottom longline endorsement. * * *
* * * * *
    4. In Sec.  622.34, paragraph (q) is added to read as follows:


Sec.  622.34  Gulf EEZ seasonal and/or area closures.

* * * * *
    (q) Prohibitions applicable to bottom longline fishing for Gulf 
reef fish. (1) From June through August each year, bottom longlining 
for Gulf reef fish is prohibited in the portion of the Gulf EEZ east of 
85[deg]30' W. long. that is shoreward of rhumb lines connecting, in 
order, the following points:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Point                      North lat.      West long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A                                         28[deg]58.70'     85[deg]30.00
                                                                      '
------------------------------------------------------------------------
B                                         28[deg]59.25'     85[deg]26.70
                                                                      '
------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                         28[deg]57.00'     85[deg]13.80
                                                                      '
------------------------------------------------------------------------
D                                         28[deg]47.40'     85[deg]3.90'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
E                                         28[deg]19.50'     84[deg]43.00
                                                                      '
------------------------------------------------------------------------
F                                         28[deg]0.80'      84[deg]20.00
                                                                      '
------------------------------------------------------------------------
G                                         26[deg]48.80'     83[deg]40.00
                                                                      '
------------------------------------------------------------------------
H                                         25[deg]17.00'     83[deg]19.00
                                                                      '
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I                                         24[deg]54.00'     83[deg]21.00
                                                                      '
------------------------------------------------------------------------
J                                         24[deg]29.50'     83[deg]12.30
                                                                      '
------------------------------------------------------------------------
K                                         24[deg]26.50'     83[deg]00.00
                                                                      '
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Within the prohibited area and time period specified in 
paragraph (q)(1) of this section, a vessel with bottom longline gear on 
board may not possess Gulf reef fish unless the bottom longline gear is 
appropriately stowed, and a vessel that is using bottom longline gear 
to fish for species other than Gulf reef fish may not possess Gulf reef 
fish. For the purposes of paragraph (q) of this section, appropriately 
stowed means that a longline may be left on the drum if all gangions 
and hooks are disconnected and stowed below deck; hooks cannot be 
baited; and all buoys must be disconnected from the gear but may remain 
on deck.
    (3) Within the Gulf EEZ east of 85[deg]30' W. long., a vessel for 
which a valid eastern Gulf reef fish bottom longline endorsement has 
been issued that is fishing bottom longline gear or has bottom longline 
gear on board cannot possess more than a total of 1000 hooks including 
hooks on board the vessel and hooks being fished and cannot possess 
more than 750 hooks rigged for fishing at any given time. For the 
purpose of this paragraph, ``hooks rigged for fishing'' means hooks 
attached to a line or other device capable of attaching to the mainline 
of the longline.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2010-687 Filed 1-14-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S