Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 31, 21512-21520 [2010-9613]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 79 (Monday, April 26, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21512-21520]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-9613]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Parts 223 and 622

[Docket No. 090225243-0170-03]
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: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: NMFS issues this final 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 final rule will 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 
restrictions include a bottom longline endorsement requirement, a 
seasonal closed area, and a limitation on the number of hooks that can 
be possessed and fished. The intent of this 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: This rule is effective May 26, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the final regulatory flexibility analysis (FRFA) 
and record of decision may be obtained from Cynthia Meyer, Southeast 
Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701-
5505.
    Written comments regarding the burden-hour estimates or other 
aspects of the collection-of-information requirements contained in this 
final rule may be submitted by e-mail to rich.malinowski@noaa.gov, or 
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 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). The taking of sea turtles is prohibited, with certain 
exceptions, identified at 50 CFR part 223 under the authority of the 
Endangered Species Act (ESA) and its implementing regulations.
    On December 31, 2009, NMFS published a notice of availability of 
Amendment 31 and requested public comment (74 FR 69322). On January 15, 
2010, NMFS published a proposed rule for Amendment 31 and requested 
public comment (75 FR 2469). NMFS approved Amendment 31 on March 29, 
2010. This final rule establishes adequate protective measures for 
loggerhead sea turtles while maintaining a viable bottom longline 
fleet. These measure include a bottom longline endorsement, a seasonal 
closed area in the eastern Gulf, and a limitation on the number of 
hooks that can be possessed and fished. The rationale for the measures 
contained in Amendment 31 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 comments NMFS received on the 
proposed rule and Amendment 31, and NMFS' respective responses. During 
the respective comment periods for Amendment 31 and the proposed rule, 
NMFS received 976 submissions. The submissions included two scripted 
form letters with 457 and 393 copies. NMFS also received 126 unique 
mailed letters. In addition, a non-governmental organization submitted 
a petition with 2,297 signatures. Many of the faxes and electronic 
comments were duplicate submissions by the same person.
    Comment 1: NMFS needs to take action to stop additional sea turtle 
mortality and reverse the decline in the sea turtle population.
    Response: NMFS has concluded that the actions contained in this 
final rule are sufficient to address sea turtle interactions in the 
Gulf reef fish fishery. NMFS reinitiated a formal section 7 
consultation investigating continued authorization of the reef fish 
fishery. An emergency rule, effective May 18, 2009, prohibited bottom 
longline gear for the reef fish fishery in waters less than 50 fathoms 
(91 m) to address the issue in the short-term and closed the portion of 
the Gulf EEZ east of 85[deg] 30' W. longitude to bottom longlining for 
reef fish after the deepwater grouper quota was met on June 27, 2009. 
According to the NMFS 2009 report on sea turtle take estimates for the 
commercial reef fish fishery of the eastern Gulf, all but one observed 
sea turtle take occurred in water depths less than 50 fathoms (91

[[Page 21513]]

m). In October 2009, NMFS implemented a rule under the authority of the 
ESA to replace the emergency rule, pending implementation of Amendment 
31. This rule prohibited using bottom longline gear to fish for reef 
fish in water depths less than 35 fathoms (64 m) and restricted the 
number of hooks allowed on each vessel to 1000 hooks, of which no more 
than 750 hooks could be fished or rigged for fishing at any given time. 
NMFS and the Council have developed Amendment 31 as a long-term method 
to address the bycatch of sea turtles in the Gulf reef fish fishery.
    Comment 2: The pending legislation and influence from special 
interest groups seem to continue to dictate short-sighted management 
plans.
    Response: Amendment 31 establishes long-term management measures to 
address sea turtle bycatch in the Gulf reef fish fishery. The amendment 
was developed and approved based on input from diverse interest groups 
participating in the regulatory process. Increased observer coverage 
and monitoring in the reef fish fishery will continue to help evaluate 
the effectiveness of the regulations. If the actions described in 
Amendment 31 do not meet the necessary reductions for sea turtle takes, 
the Council may reconsider these management measures in the future.
    Comment 3: Amendment 31 will actually increase, rather than 
decrease, the number of allowable incidental takes of loggerhead sea 
turtles over the next three years, despite the fact that these 
populations are in decline and protected under the ESA. The allowed 
1,152 takes with 631 deaths should be reduced. Florida loggerhead sea 
turtle nesting populations have declined more than 40 percent over the 
past decade. The agency has now authorized a huge increase in the 
number of sea turtles killed by this fishery. This decision is unlawful 
and the underlying Biological Opinion is fundamentally flawed.
    Response: The actions in Amendment 31 aim to reduce the bycatch of 
sea turtles in the bottom longline component of the Gulf reef fish 
fishery. The Biological Opinion evaluated the actions in Amendment 31 
and developed an incidental take statement (ITS) for the Gulf reef fish 
fishery based on the best available scientific data. The ITS from the 
previous Biological Opinion is not directly comparable to the 2009 
Biological Opinion due to the improvement of evaluation methods and 
updated scientific information. Based on the lack of significant 
changes in the fishery, prior to the recent actions, it is reasonable 
to conclude that the level of take observed in the fishery has been 
occurring for some time now. For the bottom longline component of the 
Gulf reef fish fishery, the measures are expected to obtain a 48- to 
67-percent reduction in sea turtle takes resulting in the authorized 
take of 623 loggerhead sea turtles with 378 mortalities. In addition, 
the Biological Opinion has determined that, beginning in 2012, the 
authorized triennial take of 1,043 loggerhead sea turtles with 566 
mortalities, will not jeopardize the continued existence this species.
    Comment 4: Amendment 31 is inadequate to conserve threatened and 
endangered sea turtle species, particularly loggerhead sea turtles, and 
fails to meet applicable legal requirements necessary for its approval. 
Amendment 31 would authorize an expansion of the bottom longline 
component of the Gulf reef fish fishery. Amendment 31 should be 
rejected, and NMFS should re-analyze the impacts of the existing bottom 
longline component of the reef fish fishery under the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act, the ESA, and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), using 
the best available science and proper legal standards.
    Response: Amendment 31 contains actions to establish gear 
modifications, a June through August seasonal-area closure, and a 
restrictive endorsement program. The combined effects of these actions 
are anticipated to achieve a 48- to 67-percent reduction in bottom 
longline fishing effort and corresponding sea turtle takes. This level 
of reduction has been determined to be consistent with NMFS' 
obligations under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, ESA and other applicable 
laws. The restrictive endorsement under which vessels will be allowed 
to continue using bottom longline gear is expected to reduce the fleet 
from approximately 120 to approximately 60 vessels. This is expected to 
translate to an 18- to 37-percent reduction in fleet effort and 
corresponding sea turtle takes, depending on the number of vessels that 
exit the fishery or convert to vertical line gear. The action does not 
limit the ability of vessels remaining in the fishery to increase 
capacity through permit transfers. However, because qualification for 
an endorsement is based on landings, the qualifying vessels tend to be 
the most active participants in the fishery. These qualifying vessels 
are believed to already be operating near full capacity and have little 
or no ability to increase effort. Further, the grouper and tilefish 
individual fishing quota program is also expected to limit longline 
effort in the fishery because each fisherman is limited to their own 
annual allocation and must therefore stop fishing when their total 
allocation has been used for the year taking into account any 
allocation that has been bought or sold.
    Comment 5: Amendment 31 does not use the best available science. 
The Council and NMFS did not adequately consider the information 
provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or 
information provided by scientists at Mote Marine Laboratory. Satellite 
tracking data indicate loggerhead sea turtles use the entire shelf area 
throughout all months of the year. Establishing a gear restriction 
during only June through August does not adequately address sea turtle 
interactions during the remainder of the year. The best available 
science shows the ESA rule provides more protection for threatened and 
endangered sea turtles, as it is a year-round closure, rather than the 
seasonal closure contained in Amendment 31.
    Response: NMFS is aware that sea turtles are documented throughout 
the continental shelf waters along Florida's west coast, as illustrated 
by recent research efforts to satellite-tag and track sea turtles in 
the area. These data were discussed extensively by the Council, by NMFS 
staff, and in Amendment 31. However, these data indicate only presence 
or absence of sea turtles. The best scientific information available to 
NMFS and the Council to quantitatively assess the seasonal distribution 
and density of loggerhead sea turtles over the west Florida continental 
shelf is derived from aerial surveys conducted by the NMFS Southeast 
Fishery Science Center. Those data reveal a significant decrease in 
density of loggerhead sea turtles with increasing depth during the 
summer months. The Council chose their preferred option for a seasonal-
area closure, and NMFS is implementing this closure, after 
consideration of the satellite-tag, fishery observer, and aerial survey 
information on sea turtle distribution and density on the west Florida 
continental shelf.
    It should also be noted that the ESA rule, implemented in October 
2009, was enacted pending the implementation of Amendment 31. Further, 
based upon the best scientific information available for Amendment 31, 
NMFS analysis indicates that the effort reductions realized from the 
ESA-based restrictions currently in place will be less than the 
reductions associated with the measures in Amendment 31. Thus, the sea 
turtle takes under Amendment 31 are anticipated to be less than under 
the current ESA rule.

[[Page 21514]]

    Comment 6: Amendment 31 does not comply with ESA, NEPA or the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act. The 2009 Biological Opinion is flawed and not 
based on the best available scientific information, therefore, actions 
in Amendment 31, which are based on the conclusions of the Biological 
Opinion, are similarly impacted. Similarly, the Final Environmental 
Impact Statement (FEIS) prepared in conjunction with Amendment 31 is 
flawed because it has not adequately analyzed a true ``no action'' 
alternative as a baseline to which Amendment 31 actions could be 
compared. Rather than analyzing as the ``no action'' alternative the 
ESA Rule that is currently in place and that has been in place since 
October 2009, Amendment 31's FEIS chooses a ``no action'' alternative 
involving the status quo of no restrictions at all.
    Response: The Biological Opinion used the best scientific 
information available to quantitatively assess the effects of the 
alternatives. The ``no action'' alternative in the FEIS is the status 
quo that existed at the time the Council voted to submit Amendment 31 
for Secretarial review, approval, and implementation. The status quo in 
the FEIS, therefore, equates to no permanent restrictions on the 
longline component of the fishery that are specifically intended to 
limit interactions with sea turtles. On October 16, 2009, subsequent to 
Council submission of Amendment 31, NMFS implemented a rule under the 
authority of the ESA that established some of the measures contained in 
Amendment 31, as well as modified measures from Amendment 31; i.e., an 
indefinite closure inside 35 fathoms (64 m) rather than a seasonal 
closure for the same area. Although the ESA rule contains no specific 
expiration date, the preamble to the rule clearly established that the 
rule was intended to be effective on an interim basis during the 
development and implementation of Amendment 31, or some other long-term 
measures. As NMFS has consistently and publicly announced, the 
management measures contained in the ESA rule were intended to be 
replaced by the management measures contained in this rulemaking upon 
approval and implementation of Amendment 31. Also, the ESA measures 
currently in place were addressed as a reasonably foreseeable future, 
but temporary, action in the FEIS. As the comments point out, this 
could be viewed as a changed baseline, which means the impacts of the 
alternatives described in Amendment 31 are actually less than when 
compared to the prior baseline represented by the no action alternative 
in the FEIS. However, NMFS has determined that the impacts analysis in 
the FEIS contains the requisite hard look at the impacts of the 
proposed action relative to both the status quo as defined in the FEIS 
and the existing ESA rule. Accordingly, NMFS has determined that the 
FEIS is in compliance with applicable law.
    Comment 7: The proposed actions in Amendment 31 are projected to 
achieve sea turtle mortality reductions in the bottom longline 
component of the reef fish fishery of 48 to 67 percent, and 50 percent 
for the overall reef fish fishery. This reduction is not adequate to 
meet the 60-to 70-percent mortality reduction target identified by NMFS 
to recover loggerhead sea turtles. NMFS and the Council should consider 
additional actions to achieve bycatch mortality reduction goals, 
including longer seasonal closures, extending the seasonal bottom 
longline closure to at least 50 fathoms (91 m), or to 35 fathoms (64 m) 
year-round, or establish more restrictive endorsement levels for the 
bottom longline sector.
    Response: There are multiple sources of mortality affecting 
loggerhead sea turtles, and anthropogenic mortality on the species 
occurs at every life stage, although the exact magnitude of the 
mortality is often unknown. The Biological Opinion indicates it is 
likely that several factors compound to create the loggerhead sea 
turtle decline. With multiple sources of mortality, there is need for 
broad-based reductions in mortality across these multiple sources. In a 
NMFS presentation to the Council, preliminary results of a novel 
loggerhead sea turtle life history model estimated the need for a 
potential 60- to 70-percent reduction in total anthropogenic mortality 
from all sources for benthic-state loggerhead sea turtles to have a 
likelihood of positive growth for the loggerhead sea turtle population. 
However, there were dramatic uncertainties associated with these 
preliminary analyses and results, and the range of examined parameters 
estimated that the anthropogenic mortality reductions should be from 
less than 0 percent to greater than 100 percent.
    NMFS did not make a recommendation to the Council regarding a 
``target'' reduction in sea turtle mortality for the bottom longline 
component of the reef fish fishery. Amendment 31 is clear regarding the 
Council's considerations and deliberations regarding the actions it 
chose to address sea turtle interactions with bottom longline gear. 
There is no definitive information available regarding possible gear, 
bait, or fishing practice modifications that would ensure reductions in 
sea turtle takes. Therefore, the Council decided to address sea turtle 
takes indirectly by reducing bottom longline effort in the reef fish 
fishery, which is expected, in turn, to reduce sea turtle takes. To 
that end, a reduction in sea turtle takes will result in a reduction of 
sea turtle mortalities. NMFS and the Council considered several 
alternatives for various depth closures, seasonal closures, and 
endorsement qualifications. The Council chose the preferred actions in 
Amendment 31 to balance the continued operation of the bottom longline 
component of the reef fish fishery in the eastern Gulf while 
implementing adequate protective measures for sea turtles. The 
Council's suite of actions, in combination, are expected to achieve a 
47 percent to 68 percent reduction in fishing effort by the bottom 
longline component of the reef fish fishery.
    After the Council completed development of Amendment 31 and 
submitted it for Secretarial review in September 2009, NMFS considered 
the impacts of the proposed actions in its Biological Opinion, 
completed in October 2009. The Biological Opinion stated that the 
proposed management regime would reduce lethal takes of loggerhead sea 
turtles in the bottom longline component of the Gulf reef fish fishery 
from 942 triennially to 378 triennially with full implementation of 
Amendment 31; this is a 60 percent reduction in mortality by the bottom 
longline component of the reef fish fishery. Total, triennial, 
loggerhead sea turtle mortality attributed to the proposed action is 
expected to be reduced from 1130 lethal takes, in the past, to 566 
lethal takes, with full implementation of Amendment 31. Thus, this is a 
50-percent reduction in the fishery's overall impact on loggerhead sea 
turtles. Based on these findings, the Biological Opinion concluded that 
the continued authorization of the Gulf reef fish fishery was likely to 
adversely affect sea turtles and sawfish, but was not likely to 
jeopardize the continued existence of any listed species.
    Comment 8: Amendment 31 fails to provide adequate protection for 
sea turtles. Far more protective measures are available and feasible, 
such as prohibiting the use of squid for bait, limiting mainline 
lengths, and using circle hooks.
    Response: NMFS does not agree that gear and bait changes are 
certain to reduce takes. NMFS agrees there is documentation that sea 
turtles may prefer squid for bait, based on

[[Page 21515]]

observations in other fisheries. Most data come from the pelagic 
longline fisheries, which use larger hooks baited with whole squid, and 
which catch smaller sea turtles. In contrast, reef fish bottom 
longlines use relatively small hooks baited with cut bait, which catch 
much larger (often adult) sea turtles. As noted in Amendment 31, 
approximately 38 percent of all takes occurred when squid was used as 
bait; however, the take rate of sea turtles on squid bait may be an 
artifact of squid being the predominant bait used in the fishery, and 
because it stays on the hook longer than some fish baits, thus there is 
simply a greater probability of a sea turtle encountering squid bait 
than other types of bait. In addition, as noted in the amendment, sea 
turtles were taken on both squid and fish bait, including skate and 
shark bait, which would be a non-natural food for sea turtles. 
Information specific to the quantitative reductions of sea turtle 
interactions from a change of bait type are not available. Similarly, 
having less gear in the water at any one time may not reduce overall 
sea turtle takes. By having shorter mainlines, gear retrieval would be 
shorter and more sets could be made per day. Circle hooks have been 
required, when using natural baits, in the reef fish fishery since 
2008. The majority of sea turtles taken by bottom longlines are adult 
loggerhead sea turtles. Using circle hooks large enough to physically 
preclude large sea turtles from being taken would also preclude all but 
the largest grouper from being caught. Information is not available to 
determine if hook size or hook guards are practical alternatives that 
would reduce sea turtle takes. Additional future research might provide 
an indication of the value of these gear modifications, or there may be 
some sea turtle repellant or deterrent designed in the future, but 
without some quantitative documentation of the effectiveness of any 
gear, bait, or fishing technique changes, NMFS agrees with the 
Council's choice to not select these actions as preferred procedures.
    Comment 9: Gangion length on longlines should be restricted to 2 - 
5 ft (0.6 - 1.5 m) with no more than 150-lb (68-kg) test line. This 
will reduce damage to the bottom, catch of gag, and deaths of sea 
turtles.
    Response: Amendment 31 contains information illustrating that 
shorter gangion length does not necessarily correlate to fewer sea 
turtle takes. Amendment 31 presents information that gangions 4 ft (1.2 
m) in length are only used by 13 percent of the fleet, but their use is 
associated with 33 percent of all observed sea turtle takes, thus 
representing a larger proportion of the total takes by gangions of that 
length. The Council discussed placing restrictions on strength of line, 
however, they did not include such a restriction in this rulemaking 
because injury to a sea turtle may occur from entanglement in a broken 
line or the presence of the hook. Further, anecdotal information from 
the industry suggests that line weak enough to allow most sea turtles 
to break free would also be too week to hold fish of the size commonly 
harvested.
    Comment 10: With the proposed longline restriction based on a line 
approximating the 35-fathom (64 m) depth contour, it appears that 
longlining will be allowed on the middle and the lower part of the area 
called the ``Elbow''. Depths in this area range from roughly 27 to 32 
fathoms (49 to 59 m). This area needs protection from this destructive 
gear. Running a straight line between two points is what is causing 
this problem and it needs to be addressed.
    Response: NMFS agrees that the line approximating the 35-fathom (64 
m) bathymetry contour will not prohibit bottom longline fishing in the 
described area in which some of the depths are less than 35 fathoms. 
However, it would not be feasible to follow the exact curvature of the 
35-fathom (64 m) bathymetry contour due to the fine scale variation of 
the contour. The 35-fathom line is a generalization of the contour with 
waypoints published in the regulations and used by law enforcement to 
monitor the fishery. Due to the scale and resolution of the bathymetry 
contour, it is prohibitive to use an increased number of waypoints to 
capture all the curves of the contour.
    Comment 11: NMFS should consider the 40,000 lb (18,144 kg) 
endorsement by including landings from all gear types with the majority 
of landings from bottom longline gear.
    Response: The Council considered several alternatives for the 
endorsement action. The Council used the longline landings as 
qualification criteria for the endorsement to maintain vessels in the 
fishery that rely mostly or exclusively on longline gear to harvest 
fish. In addition, the Council considered the application of fish trap 
landings towards the endorsement qualification due to the phase out of 
fish traps in 2007, and the resultant conversion to a longline gear 
type on those vessels.
    Comment 12: The Council and NMFS failed to consider several viable 
alternative actions to address the issue of sea turtle interactions in 
the bottom longline component of the reef fish fishery, including 
increasing observer coverage to better document interactions and 
establishing sea turtle take triggers for the reinitiation of 
consultation under ESA. NMFS should consider placing an observer on 
every longline vessel to accurately document bycatch within this 
fishery. The cost of the observer should be paid for by the industry 
using some kind of bottom longline cost recovery fee.
    Response: Increasing observer coverage would not help to reduce sea 
turtle takes, but it would increase the monitoring of the Gulf reef 
fish fishery. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the 2009 
Biological Opinion, NMFS has already increased observer coverage levels 
to reduce reporting error and increase the statistical reliability of 
bycatch estimates. At the present time, applicable law does not 
authorize NMFS to impose fees on longline vessels to fund observers in 
the fleet.
    Comment 13: Bottom longline gear is more indiscriminate than 
netting and is the single most deadly threat to sea turtles. Bottom 
longline gear causes excessive bycatch and kills unintended species, 
including endangered and threatened marine species. NMFS should 
consider applying methods used for catching tuna and swordfish without 
longline fishing, and force the industry to adopt them, or eliminate 
longlining all together. This would reduce the issue of overfishing.
    Response: Amendment 31 addresses the need to reduce sea turtle 
bycatch within the bottom longline component of the Gulf reef fish 
fishery. NMFS and the Council considered many alternatives to reduce 
the number of sea turtle takes in the fishery, with an objective of 
maintaining a more restricted but still viable bottom longline 
component of the reef fish fishery. The Council chose their preferred 
alternatives and NMFS is implementing them through this final rule. In 
accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Act, NMFS cannot substitute 
measures for, or add measures to, the specific measures proposed by the 
Councils; NMFS may only approve, disapprove, or partially approve the 
proposed measures and implement the approved measures through 
rulemaking. It would not meet the Council's objective to phase out 
bottom longlining in the Gulf of Mexico.
    Comment 14: Regulations proposed in Amendment 31 are typical 
management responses to an increase in sea turtle takes, but lead 
fishing vessels to race to catch fish before a bycatch limit is met. 
Bycatch regulations should give fisherman incentives to avoid sea 
turtles and sea turtle takes. Regulations should be designed to meet 
the conservation and economic goals of the ESA and

[[Page 21516]]

Magnuson-Stevens Act. Regulations could include bycatch caps, bycatch 
auctions, and bycatch conservation banks. The Council should form an 
Advisory Panel to examine ways to develop incentive-based tools.
    Response: NMFS has concluded that the actions contained in 
Amendment 31 and this final rule are sufficient to address sea turtle 
interactions in the Gulf reef fish fishery, at the same time maintain a 
viable bottom longline fleet. NMFS agrees that there are numerous 
additional management options available to the Council to effectively 
manage the Gulf reef fish resources. If the actions described in 
Amendment 31 do not meet the necessary reductions for sea turtle takes, 
the Council will have to reconsider these management measures in the 
future. NMFS encourages the public to be actively involved in the 
Council process and provide suggestions to the Councils for their 
deliberations.
    Comment 15: NMFS has failed to consider all sources of mortality in 
its Biological Opinion such as vessel strikes, takes by hook and line 
gear in both the recreational and commercial sector, and entanglement 
by marine debris. Sea turtles also face threats from egg poachers, 
fishing boats, plastic bags, cold weather conditions, and capture in 
shrimp nets without sea turtle excluder devices. Injuries from these 
hooks affect a sea turtle's ability to feed, swim, avoid predators, and 
reproduce. Many times the sea turtles drown, or are unable to recover 
from the extreme physiological stress of being caught and die soon 
after being released.
    Response: NMFS' 2009 Biological Opinion includes information on 
vessel strikes, interactions with hooks, and other anthropogenic 
threats to sea turtles. In addition, the Biological Opinion considered 
the delayed effects of non-lethal interactions with fishing gear. Using 
the best scientific information available, the Council and NMFS, 
developed and are implementing through this final rule, management 
measures that will both help reduce sea turtle takes and maintain a 
viable bottom longline component of the Gulf reef fish fishery.

Removal of Bottom Longline Measures Under ESA Authority

    On October 21, 2009, NMFS published a final rule under the ESA to 
reduce the incidental take and mortality of sea turtles in the bottom 
longline component of the Gulf reef fish fishery until Amendment 31 is 
implemented. The ESA rule included provisions to prohibit the use of 
bottom longline gear for the harvest of reef fish shoreward of a line 
approximating the 35-fathom depth contour in the eastern Gulf and limit 
bottom longline vessels operating in the reef fish fishery east of 
85[deg] 30' W. longitude to 1,000 hooks onboard, of which only 750 may 
be fished or rigged for fishing. Although the preambles to both the ESA 
rule (74 FR 53889, October 21, 2009) and the proposed rule to implement 
Amendment 31 (75 FR 2469, January 15, 2010), as well as the notice of 
availability (74 FR 69322, December 31, 2009) all indicated the ESA 
rule would be replaced by this final rule, amendatory regulatory text 
was omitted from the proposed rule. Nonetheless, comments 5 and 6 
demonstrate that commenters understood this final rule would supercede 
and replace the ESA rule. The appropriate amendatory regulatory text is 
included in this final rule, which removes from 50 CFR part 223 the 
measures implemented through the ESA rule published October 21, 2009 
(74 FR 53889), and restores the provisions of 50 CFR part 223.206(d) to 
the form in which it existed prior to the publication of the ESA rule. 
This change is the logical outgrowth of the proposed rule.

Classification

    The Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS has determined that 
Amendment 31 is necessary for the conservation and management of Gulf 
reef fish and the protection of sea turtles 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 FEIS for this amendment. A notice of availability 
for the FEIS was published on February 5, 2010 (75 FR 6026). A copy of 
the ROD is available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES).
    NMFS prepared a FRFA, as required by section 603 of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act. The FRFA describes the economic impact this final rule 
is expected to 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 NMFS (see ADDRESSES). A summary of the FRFA analysis follows.
    The purpose of this final 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 final rule.
    No duplicative, overlapping, or conflicting Federal rules have been 
identified.
    This final rule will 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 can be rigged for fishing or fished at any given time.
    No significant issues were raised by public comments in response to 
the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA). Therefore, no 
changes were made in the final rule as a result of such comments.
    This final rule is 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 
gear types to harvest reef fish. Nevertheless, assuming each of these 
six vessels use bottom longline gear, and, 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 affiliated operations worldwide. Based on the gross 
revenue estimates

[[Page 21517]]

provided above, all commercial reef fish vessels expected to be 
directly affected by this final rule are determined for the purpose of 
this analysis to be small business entities.
    As previously stated, this final rule will require a new compliance 
requirement of a permit endorsement to fish for reef fish using bottom 
longline gear in the eastern Gulf. Initial acquisition of the 
endorsement will not require an application or additional fees. 
Eligibility for the endorsement will be determined by NMFS, based on an 
evaluation of the landings history associated with each commercial reef 
fish permit. The permit endorsement will be provided to qualified 
vessels. As a result, no additional costs or administrative burdens 
will be imposed on qualifying entities. Renewal of the endorsement will 
require a $10 fee in addition to the $25 for their commercial reef fish 
permit. Applicants will also incur an additional time burden, estimated 
to average less than 1 minute per response, to review instructions and 
complete the endorsement portion of the permit application. Permit 
holders that do not qualify for the endorsement will be prohibited from 
using bottom longline gear to harvest reef fish in the prescribed area 
of the eastern Gulf. The expected economic effects of the endorsement 
requirement on entities that historically have harvested reef fish with 
bottom longline gear but will not qualify for the endorsement are 
discussed below. This final rule will not establish any new reporting 
or record-keeping requirements.
    The expected effects of the seasonal bottom longline gear 
prohibition and endorsement requirement were evaluated in tandem. 
Vessels affected by the endorsement and gear restrictions will 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 final rule. Instead, only gear conversion was modeled, with gear 
conversion rates ranging from 0 percent to 100 percent of affected 
vessels and trips. Under this modeling approach, any affected effort 
that did not convert bottom longline gear to vertical line gear was 
assumed not to occur, resulting in the loss of all normal harvests and 
revenues for that vessel and trip. As such, this may be considered 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 an effort shift analysis results in 
over-estimation of the expected economic effects of this final rule 
and, as a result, the following results should be viewed as the upper 
bounds of any anticipated economic impacts.
    This final rule will 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 (100-percent 
conversion to vertical line gear) to $3.44 million (0-percent 
conversion to vertical line gear) per year. 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. 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 in the fishery from an environmental 
advocacy group. Additional economic losses may accrue as a result of 
the hook restriction. Although these losses cannot currently be 
quantified with available data, the hook restriction may result in a 
reduced harvest efficiency for 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 than under 
current conditions. The 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 onboard 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 gear restriction, 
one alternative and set of sub-options focused on the depth 
specification of the gear restriction, and one alternative and set of 
sub-options focused on the temporal application of the 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 gear 
restrictions would have imposed the restrictions on smaller areas than 
this final rule and, as a result, would be expected to result in lower 
estimates of adverse economic effects than those contained in this 
final rule. However, the reduced geographic scope of these alternative 
specifications would be expected to result in an 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 final 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 this final rule, 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 this final rule. However, the reduced 
scope of the restriction would be expected to result in an 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 a 
greater level of protection of sea turtles than this final rule, both 
deeper depth alternatives would be expected to result in greater 
adverse economic effects than the depth specification in this final 
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 final 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 final rule. Similar to the more 
restrictive depth alternatives, while increased seasonal application of 
the gear prohibition would be expected to result in greater protection 
of sea turtles, 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 economic 
effects on the reef fish fishery.
    Seven alternatives, including the no action alternative (status 
quo), were considered for the action to reduce the

[[Page 21518]]

total 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. 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 final rule 
endorsement qualification (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 
qualification threshold described in this final rule. However, neither 
of these two alternatives would be expected to result in sufficient 
reduction in the number of vessels allowed to use bottom longline gear 
to harvest reef fish in the eastern Gulf or, in turn, sufficient 
reduction 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, bottom longline 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 have been 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 
specific communities dependent on the longline gear-component of the 
commercial sector of the Gulf reef fish fishery. However, this 
alternative was not capable 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 within the fishery.
    This final rule will establish a bottom longline endorsement 
qualification based on harvest history from 1999-2007. The alternative 
period of evaluation, 1999-2004, would have, for all landings 
thresholds, resulted in fewer qualifying permits and greater adverse 
economic effects within the fishery than those economic impacts 
anticipated in this final rule.
    This final rule will also allow unrestricted transfer of 
endorsements between commercial Gulf reef fish permit holders. The 
alternative sub-options would either have not 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 final rule 
and, as a result, would be expected to result in greater adverse 
economic effects than this final 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 
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 final fishing 
gear restriction would limit the mainline length for bottom longlines, 
while another would limit the 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 final hook restriction is unknown. However, available 
data does not indicate that these measures would be more effective in 
reducing interactions between sea turtles and bottom longline gear than 
the hook restriction in this final rule.
    Two alternative hook limits, 500 hooks and 1,500 hooks, were also 
considered relative to the limit of 750 hooks stated in this final 
rule. The lower hook limit of 500 would be expected to result in 
greater adverse economic effects than the final limit and is more 
restrictive than is believed necessary to achieve the targeted 
reduction in interactions between sea turtles and bottom longline gear. 
Conversely, while the higher hook limit of 1,500 would be expected to 
result in lower adverse economic effects to the fishery than the final 
limit, it is not believed to be a sufficiently restrictive measure to 
achieve the targeted reduction in sea turtle interactions.
    The amendment on which this final 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 with respect to bait restrictions was selected by the 
Council as the preferred alternative. As a result, no regulatory action 
is required, no direct adverse economic effects are 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 final rule contains collection-of-information requirements 
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) and which have been 
approved by OMB under control number 0648-0205. The public reporting 
burden contained in this final rule includes an estimated 1 minute per 
response for selecting a Gulf reef fish bottom longline endorsement on 
the Federal Permit Application Form and 2 hours per response for permit 
holders appealing their eligibility of a bottom longline endorsement, 
including the time for reviewing instructions,

[[Page 21519]]

searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data 
needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. 
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 OMB (see ADDRESSES).
    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required 
to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to the requirements of the 
PRA unless that collection of information displays a currently valid 
OMB control number.

List of Subjects

50 CFR Part 223

    Endangered and threatened species; Exports; Imports; 
Transportation.

50 CFR Part 622

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

    Dated: April 20, 2010.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator For Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.

0
For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR parts 223 and 622 are 
amended as follows:

PART 223--THREATENED MARINE AND ANADROMOUS SPECIES

    1. The authority citation for part 223 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 1543; subpart B, Sec.  223.201-202 
also issued under 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 5503(d) for 
Sec.  223.206(d)(9).

0
2. In Sec.  223.206, paragraph (d)(12) is removed and paragraph (d) 
introductory text is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  223.206  Exceptions to prohibitions relating to sea turtles.

* * * * *
    (d) Exception for incidental taking. The prohibitions against 
taking in Sec.  223.205(a) do not apply to the incidental take of any 
member of a threatened species of sea turtle (i.e., a take not directed 
towards such member) during fishing or scientific research activities, 
to the extent that those involved are in compliance with all applicable 
requirements of paragraphs (d)(1) through (d)(11) of this section, or 
in compliance with the terms and conditions of an incidental take 
permit issued pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of this section.
* * * * *

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

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

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

0
4. 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.
* * * * *

0
5. 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 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 May 26, 2010 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 June 25, 2010 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 August 24, 
2010, and must contain documentation supporting the basis for the 
appeal. The RA will review all appeals, render final decisions on the

[[Page 21520]]

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. * * *
* * * * *

0
6. 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                                         28[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. 2010-9613 Filed 4-23-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S