Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Billfish Management, White Marlin (Kajikia albidus, 57698-57702 [2010-23689]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 183 (Wednesday, September 22, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57698-57702]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-23689]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Parts 600 and 635

[Docket No. 100729315-0331-01]
RIN 0648-BA12


Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Billfish Management, 
White Marlin (Kajikia albidus), Roundscale Spearfish (Tetrapturus 
georgii)

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

ACTION: Interpretive rule and Final Action.

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SUMMARY: This document combines two actions, an interpretive rule and a 
final action that both affect management of Atlantic billfishes. The 
interpretive rule adds the recently recognized species, roundscale 
spearfish (Tetrapturus georgii), to the definition of terms in the 
implementing regulations of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 
and Management Act (MSA) and the Atlantic HMS regulations. The final 
action will recognize the change of the genus of

[[Page 57699]]

white marlin from Tetrapturus to Kajikia in the implementing 
regulations of the MSA and the Atlantic HMS regulations to reflect a 
recent taxonomic change. The intent of this interpretive rule and final 
action is to accurately and appropriately reflect the latest species 
determinations and taxonomic classification nomenclature, respectively. 
They will have no practical effect on management of Atlantic billfish.

DATES: This rule is effective on January 1, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Copies of this action and related documents can be obtained 
by writing to the Highly Migratory Species Management Division, 1315 
East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, visiting the HMS website at 
https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/, or by contacting Rick Pearson, Randy 
Blankinship, or Greg Fairclough.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick Pearson, Randy Blankinship, or 
Greg Fairclough by phone at 727-824-5399, or by fax at 727-824-5398.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Atlantic HMS are managed under the dual authority of the MSA and 
the Atlantic Tunas Conservation Act (ATCA). Under the MSA, NMFS must 
manage fisheries to maintain optimum yield, rebuild overfished 
fisheries, and prevent overfishing. Under ATCA, NMFS is authorized to 
promulgate regulations, as may be necessary and appropriate, to 
implement recommendations by the International Commission for the 
Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).
    Currently, Atlantic billfish managed by NMFS include Atlantic blue 
marlin (Makaira nigricans), white marlin (Tetrapturus albidus), 
sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus), and longbill spearfish (Tetrapturus 
pfluegeri). Atlantic billfish management strategies have been guided by 
international and domestic considerations and mechanisms since the 
1970s.
    Domestic management of Atlantic billfish resources has been 
developed, modified, and implemented in three primary stages through a 
series of rulemakings. In January 1978, under the authority delegated 
to it by the Secretary of Commerce, NMFS developed and published the 
Preliminary Fishery Management Plan (PMP) for Atlantic Billfish and 
Sharks (43 FR 3818), which was supported by an Environmental Impact 
Statement (42 FR 57716). The management measures contained in the plan 
were designed to minimize conflict between domestic and foreign users 
of billfish and shark resources, encourage development of an 
international management regime, and maintain availability of 
billfishes and sharks to the expanding U.S. fisheries.
    Building upon the 1978 PMP for Atlantic Billfish and Sharks was the 
1988 Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Atlantic Billfishes (53 FR 
21501). This plan was jointly developed by five Atlantic Regional 
Fishery Management Councils (Caribbean, Gulf, South Atlantic, Mid-
Atlantic, and New England) and implemented in October 1988 (53 FR 
37765). The 1988 FMP defined the Atlantic billfish management unit to 
include sailfish from the western Atlantic Ocean, white marlin and blue 
marlin from the North Atlantic Ocean, and longbill spearfish from the 
entire Atlantic Ocean; described objectives for the Atlantic billfish 
fishery; and established management measures to achieve those 
objectives, including establishing a ban on retention of billfish on 
commercial fishing vessels.
    In 1990, the MSA was amended, giving the Secretary of Commerce 
authority to manage: Atlantic tunas, listed by species; oceanic sharks; 
and, Atlantic swordfish, marlin, and sailfish, listed by genus. The 
Secretarial authority was delegated to NMFS, and NMFS created the HMS 
Management Division in 1992. NMFS understood Congressional intent to be 
maintenance of the management unit over all Atlantic billfishes.
    Reauthorization of the MSA in 1996 initiated fundamental changes in 
U.S. fishery management policy by shifting emphasis to precautionary 
management strategies. In September 1997, NMFS identified fishery 
resources that were considered to be overfished, including Atlantic 
blue and white marlin. This action triggered a suite of management 
requirements, including the development of rebuilding plans for 
overfished stocks, and reductions in bycatch and bycatch mortality. 
Further, in 1998, western Atlantic sailfish was added to the list of 
overfished species. In the international arena, ICCAT made its first-
ever binding recommendation for Atlantic blue and white marlin in 1997 
(Recommendation 97-09). Recommendation 97-09 required landing 
reductions of at least 25 percent from 1996 levels by the end of 1999. 
Improvements in data and monitoring were also included in this 
recommendation.
    On March 24, 1998, NMFS published an interim rule (63 FR 14030) 
that increased the minimum size limits for Atlantic blue marlin and 
Atlantic white marlin to 96 inches lower jaw-fork length (LJFL) and 66 
inches LJFL, respectively, and required tournament operators to notify 
NMFS of tournaments involving any Atlantic billfish at least four weeks 
prior to commencement of tournament fishing. NMFS utilized the 
increases in size limits to immediately reduce overfishing, and to 
implement the 1997 ICCAT recommendation, as required by ATCA. NMFS 
published an extension and amendment of the interim rule on September 
29, 1998 (63 FR 51859).
    In response to MSA requirements, and concurrent with efforts on the 
interim rule discussed above, NMFS prepared Amendment One to the 
Atlantic Billfish FMP and published final regulations on May 28, 1999 
(64 FR 29090). Amendment One maintained the objectives of the original 
1988 Billfish FMP and identified additional objectives. Amendment One 
also redefined the management unit for Atlantic blue marlin and 
Atlantic white marlin as the waters of the entire Atlantic Ocean and 
maintained the management unit definitions of longbill spearfish and 
sailfish from the 1988 FMP.
    In November 2000, ICCAT adopted an additional recommendation 
regarding Atlantic billfish (Recommendation 00-13), including an 
international two-phased rebuilding plan for Atlantic blue and white 
marlin. Phase I of the plan required that countries (other than the 
United States) capturing marlins in commercial fisheries reduce white 
marlin landings from pelagic longline and purse seine fisheries by 67 
percent and blue marlin landings by 50 percent from 1999 levels. ICCAT 
adopted the marlin rebuilding strategy based on stock assessments which 
indicated that marlin stocks continued to be severely overfished. 
Recommendation 00-13 also recommended that the United States restrict 
annual landings by U.S. recreational fishermen to 250 Atlantic blue and 
white marlin, combined, for 2001 and 2002 (Phase I). This 
Recommendation was subsequently extended through 2006.
    In 2002, Phase I of the ICCAT Atlantic marlin rebuilding plan was 
extended through the year 2005 by adoption of ICCAT Recommendation 02-
13. ICCAT amended the rebuilding program by specifying that, through 
2005, the annual amount of blue marlin that can be harvested and 
retained by pelagic longline and purse seine vessels must be no more 
than 50 percent of the 1996 or 1999 landing levels, whichever is 
greater. For white marlin, the annual amount allowed to be harvested 
and retained by pelagic longline and purse seine vessels must be no 
more than 33

[[Page 57700]]

percent of the 1996 or 1999 landing levels, whichever is greater. The 
United States had already prohibited commercial retention of billfish 
since the implementation of the 1988 Atlantic Billfish FMP, so it was 
already compliant with this recommendation. For ICCAT members other 
than the United States, the plan required the release of all live 
marlins taken as bycatch in commercial fisheries, but provided an 
allowance for the landing of fish unavoidably killed, provided that 
they were not sold. For its part of the rebuilding program, the United 
States agreed to continue limiting recreational landings of Atlantic 
blue and white marlin to 250 fish, annually, maintain its regulations 
prohibiting the retention of marlins by U.S. pelagic longline vessels, 
and continue monitoring billfish tournaments.
    On December 18, 2002 (67 FR 77434), NMFS published a final rule 
requiring all vessel owners fishing for Atlantic HMS to obtain an 
Atlantic HMS recreational Angling category permit. On January 7, 2003 
(68 FR 711), NMFS published a final rule establishing a mandatory 
reporting system for all non-tournament recreational landings of 
Atlantic marlins, sailfish, and swordfish, effective in March 2003. 
These requirements, in combination with mandatory tournament reporting 
and the NC and MD catch card programs, are improving the ability of the 
United States to accurately monitor all recreational landings of 
Atlantic marlins, sailfish, and swordfish; however, non-compliance by 
recreational anglers remains a significant issue. NMFS is continuing to 
review various methodologies to identify the most appropriate approach 
for estimating recreational marlin landings.
    On October 2, 2006, NMFS published the Final Consolidated HMS FMP 
(71 FR 58058), which, among other things, included the annual 
recreational 250 blue and white marlin landings limit, established 
framework procedures to adjust inseason marlin size limits, and carried 
forward the ability to use framework procedures to establish or modify 
certain management measures including, but not limited to, species in 
the management unit and the specification of the species groups to 
which they belong.
    The MSA defines HMS as ``tuna species, marlin (Tetrapturus spp. and 
Makaira spp.), oceanic sharks, sailfishes (Istiophorus spp.), and 
swordfish (Xiphias gladius).'' Prior to the addition of the HMS 
definition in the MSA, when the Regional Fishery Management Councils 
managed Atlantic HMS, the 1988 Atlantic Billfish FMP described the 
management unit for billfishes as ``blue marlin, white marlin, 
sailfish, and longbill spearfish.'' When the Secretary of Commerce was 
given management authority in the 1990 MSA Amendment, NMFS maintained 
the billfish management unit to include these four species, consistent 
with its understanding of Congress' intent. These four species are 
currently managed under the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP. The procedures 
established by the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and Atlantic HMS 
regulations allow NMFS to modify the species in the management unit, 
and the specification of the species groups to which they belong, using 
a framework adjustment implemented by regulation, where appropriate.

Roundscale Spearfish--Interpretive Rule

    As a result of scientific research, a ``new'' billfish species 
called roundscale spearfish was identified in 2006. This species was 
previously thought to be the same as white marlin because they are 
nearly indistinguishable by size, shape and color. DNA testing and 
other identifying factors confirmed the taxonomic distinction between 
roundscale spearfish and white marlin. This newly recognized species, 
roundscale spearfish, is not currently listed in the implementing 
regulations of the MSA or the Atlantic HMS regulations; therefore, 
technically, it is not included in the Atlantic HMS management unit. 
Roundscale spearfish have effectively been managed as white marlin 
(with the same size limit and authorized gear as white marlin) due to 
difficulties in identifying and distinguishing them from white marlin 
and because roundscale spearfish weren't known to exist prior to 2006.
    In light of the research findings, NMFS publishes an interpretive 
rule to recognize roundscale spearfish as part of the definition of 
``HMS'' in the MSA. To ensure clarity in the regulations, this action 
will add the recently recognized species, roundscale spearfish 
(Tetrapturus georgii), to the definitions in the implementing 
regulations of the MSA, the Atlantic HMS regulations, and the Atlantic 
HMS management unit. Roundscale spearfish will continue to be managed 
the same as white marlin, including provisions for in-season size limit 
modification and catch and release only due to the difficulty of 
identifying the species and separating it from white marlin. Roundscale 
spearfish will be included in the current 250 recreational marlin 
landings limit. As new information becomes available, different 
management measures may be considered in the future, if appropriate.

White Marlin--Final Action

    As a result of DNA testing and other identifying factors, the genus 
of Atlantic white marlin was changed in 2008 from Tetrapturus to 
Kajikia and was adopted by the Integrated Taxonomic Information System, 
of which NOAA is a partner, and by the American Fisheries Society. 
Because the genus Kajikia was adopted after the enactment the MSA and 
its subsequent reauthorization, it is not identified in that Act as a 
genus in the definition of ``highly migratory species.'' Nevertheless, 
at the time that Congress defined HMS in the MSA in 1990 and again in 
2007, as described above, the intent was to include white marlin within 
the HMS definition and to continue to manage that species via 
Secretarial management.
    This action will amend the MSA implementing regulations and the 
Atlantic HMS regulations to reflect the recent taxonomic change.

Effects of this Interpretive Rule and Final Action

    The modifications to the Atlantic billfish regulations to implement 
these changes are administrative in nature only, and will not alter any 
current fishery management measures, fishing practices, requirements, 
or other restrictions because roundscale spearfish are already 
effectively managed as white marlin. This interpretive rule and final 
action are necessary to maintain the management unit as intended under 
the MSA, ATCA, and international management agreements as currently 
implemented.
    NMFS will designate essential fish habitat (EFH) for roundscale 
spearfish to be the same as the existing EFH designated for white 
marlin. Some information used to designate white marlin EFH included 
both roundscale spearfish and white marlin as a result of the 
difficulty in distinguishing them and a lack of awareness of the need 
to do so. As additional information about these species becomes 
available, the EFH for roundscale spearfish and white marlin may be 
updated accordingly.
    NMFS has determined that these changes are consistent with 
Congressional intent, as described above, as well as with recent 
scientific findings and scientifically accepted nomenclature changes. 
These changes are consistent with input and advice from billfish 
experts in the scientific community and will allow NMFS to more 
accurately and appropriately manage Atlantic billfish species using

[[Page 57701]]

the latest scientific nomenclature and species determinations.

Classification

    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries has determined that this 
interpretive rule and final action is consistent with the Consolidated 
HMS FMP, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, ATCA, and other applicable law.
    This action is administrative in nature and is exempt from the 
requirement to prepare an environmental assessment in accordance with 
NAO 216-6 because this final action will have no effect on the 
environment.
    This final action has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    The Assistant Administrator waives the notice and comment 
requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act under 5 U.S.C. 553 
(b)(A) because the recognition of roundscale spearfish as a new species 
of billfish is an interpretation of the definition of ``HMS'' in the 
MSA. The modifications to the Atlantic billfish regulations to add 
roundscale spearfish to the definitions are administrative in nature 
only, and will not alter any current fishery management measures, 
fishing practices, requirements, or other restrictions because 
roundscale spearfish are already effectively managed as white marlin.
    The Assistant Administrator finds good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553 
(b)(B) to waive the notice and comment requirements of the 
Administrative Procedure Act because it is unnecessary. The change to 
the genus of white marlin from Tetrapturus to Kajikia is a change to 
nomenclature that will have no impact on fishermen.
    Because prior notice and opportunity for public comment are not 
required for this rule by 5 U.S.C. 553, or any other law, the 
analytical requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S. C. 
601 et seq., are inapplicable.

List of Subjects

50 CFR Part 600

    Administrative practice and procedure, Confidential business 
information, Fisheries, Fishing, Fishing vessels, Foreign relations, 
Intergovernmental relations, Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Statistics.

50 CFR Part 635

    Fisheries, Fishing, Fishing vessels, Foreign relations, Imports, 
Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Treaties.

    Dated: September 16, 2010
Eric C. Schwaab,
Assistant Administrator For Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Services.

0
For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR parts 600 and 635 are 
amended as follows:

Chapter VI

PART 600--MAGNUSON-STEVENS ACT PROVISIONS

    1. The authority citation for part 600 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 561 and 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

0
2. In Sec.  600.10, the definitions of ``Billfish'' and ``White 
marlin'' are revised, and the definition of ``Roundscale spearfish'' is 
added in alphabetical order. The revisions and addition read as 
follows:


Sec.  600.10  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Billfish means Atlantic billfish (blue marlin, white marlin, 
sailfish, longbill spearfish, or roundscale spearfish).
* * * * *
    Roundscale spearfish means the species Tetrapturus georgii, or a 
part thereof.
* * * * *
    White Marlin means the species Kajikia albidus, or a part thereof.
* * * * *

PART 635--ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES

    3. The authority citation for part 635 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

0
4. In Sec.  635.2, the definition for ``Highly migratory species 
(HMS)'' and paragraph (1) of the definition for ``Management unit'' are 
revised to read as follows:


Sec.  635.2  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Highly migratory species (HMS) means bluefin, bigeye, yellowfin, 
albacore, and skipjack tunas; swordfish; sharks (listed in appendix A 
to this part); white marlin; blue marlin; sailfish; longbill spearfish; 
and roundscale spearfish.
* * * * *
    Management unit means in this part:
    (1) For Atlantic tunas, longbill spearfish, roundscale spearfish, 
blue marlin, and white marlin, means all fish of these species in the 
Atlantic Ocean;
* * * * *

0
5. In Sec.  635.5, the first sentence of paragraph (c)(2) is revised to 
read as follows:


Sec.  635.5  Recordkeeping and reporting.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (2) The owner, or the owner('s) designee, of a vessel permitted, or 
required to be permitted, in the Atlantic HMS Angling or Atlantic HMS 
Charter/Headboat category must report all non-tournament landings of 
Atlantic blue marlin, Atlantic white marlin, roundscale spearfish, and 
Atlantic sailfish, and all non-tournament and non-commercial landings 
of North Atlantic swordfish to NMFS by telephone to a number designated 
by NMFS, or electronically via the internet to an internet website 
designated by NMFS, or by other means as specified by NMFS, within 24 
hours of that landing. * * *

0
6. In Sec.  635.20, redesignate paragraph (d)(4) as paragraph (d)(5); 
add a new paragraph (d)(4) and revise newly redesignated paragraph 
(d)(5) to read as follows:


Sec.  635.20  Size Limits.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (4) No person shall take, retain or possess a roundscale spearfish 
taken from its management unit that is less than 66 inches (168 cm), 
LJFL.
    (5) The Atlantic blue marlin, white marlin, and roundscale 
spearfish minimum size limits, specified in paragraphs (d)(1) and 
(d)(2) of this section, may be adjusted to sizes between 117 and 138 
inches (297.2 and 350.5 cm) for blue marlin and 70 and 79 inches (177.8 
and 200.7 cm) for white marlin and roundscale spearfish, to achieve, 
but not exceed, the annual Atlantic marlin landing limit specified in 
Sec.  635.27(d). Minimum size limit increases will be based upon a 
review of landings, the period of time remaining in the current fishing 
year, current and historical landing trends, and any other relevant 
factors. NMFS will adjust the minimum size limits specified in this 
section by filing an adjustment with the Office of the Federal Register 
for publication. In no case shall the adjustments be effective less 
than 14 calendar days after the date of publication. The adjusted 
minimum size limits will remain in effect through the end of the 
applicable fishing year or until otherwise adjusted.
* * * * *

0
7. In Sec.  635.21, paragraph (e)(2)(i) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  635.21  Gear operation and deployment restrictions.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *

[[Page 57702]]

    (2) * * *
    (i) Only persons who have been issued a valid HMS Angling or valid 
Charter/Headboat permit, or who have been issued a valid Atlantic Tunas 
General category permit and are participating in a tournament as 
provided in 635.4 (c) of this part, may possess a blue marlin, white 
marlin, or roundscale spearfish in, or take a blue marlin, white 
marlin, or roundscale spearfish from, its management unit. Blue marlin, 
white marlin, or roundscale spearfish may only be harvested by rod and 
reel.
* * * * *

0
8. In Sec.  635.27, paragraph (d) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  635.27  Quotas.

* * * * *
    (d) Atlantic blue and white marlin. (1) Effective January 1, 2007, 
and consistent with ICCAT recommendations and domestic management 
objectives, NMFS will establish the annual landings limit of Atlantic 
blue and white marlin to be taken, retained, or possessed by persons 
and vessels subject to U.S. jurisdiction. For the year 2007 and 
thereafter, unless adjusted under paragraph (d)(2) of this section or 
by ICCAT recommendation, this annual landings limit is 250 Atlantic 
blue and white marlin, combined. Effective January 1, 2011, annual 
landings of roundscale spearfish are also included to the blue and 
white marlin annual landings limit. Should the U.S. recreational 
Atlantic marlin landing limit be adjusted by an ICCAT recommendation, 
NMFS will file a notice identifying the new landing limit with the 
Office of the Federal Register for publication prior to the start of 
the next fishing year or as early as possible.
    (2) Consistent with ICCAT recommendations and domestic management 
objectives, and based on landings statistics and other information as 
appropriate, if NMFS determines that aggregate landings of Atlantic 
blue marlin, white marlin, and roundscale spearfish exceeded the annual 
landings limit for a given fishing year, as established in paragraph 
(d)(1) of this section, NMFS will subtract any overharvest from the 
landings limit for the following fishing year. Additionally, if NMFS 
determines that aggregate landings of Atlantic blue marlin, white 
marlin, and roundscale spearfish were below the annual landings limit 
for a given fishing year, as established in paragraph (d)(1) of this 
section, NMFS may add any underharvest, or portion thereof, to the 
landings limit for the following fishing year. Such adjustments to the 
annual recreational marlin landings limit, as specified in paragraph 
(d)(1) of this section, if necessary, will be filed with the Office of 
the Federal Register for publication prior to the start of the next 
fishing year or as early as possible.
    (3) When the annual marlin landings limit specified in paragraph 
(d)(1) or, if adjusted, as specified in paragraph (d)(2) of this 
section is reached or projected to be reached, based upon a review of 
landings, the period of time remaining in the current fishing year, 
current and historical landings trends, and any other relevant factors, 
NMFS will file for publication with the Office of the Federal Register 
and action restricting fishing for Atlantic blue marlin, white marlin, 
and roundscale spearfish to catch-and-release fishing only. In no case 
shall such adjustment be effective less than 14 calendar days after the 
date of publication. From the effective date and time of such action 
until additional landings become available, no blue marlin, white 
marlin, or roundscale spearfish from the management unit may be taken, 
retained, or possessed.
* * * * *

0
9. In Sec.  635.29, paragraph (a) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  635.29  Transfer at sea.

    (a) Persons may not transfer an Atlantic tuna, blue marlin, white 
marlin, roundscale spearfish, or swordfish at sea in the Atlantic 
Ocean, regardless of where the fish was harvested. However, an owner or 
operator of a vessel for which a Purse Seine category Atlantic Tunas 
category permit has been issued under Sec.  635.4 may transfer large 
medium and giant BFT at sea from the net of the catching vessel to 
another vessel for which a Purse Seine category Atlantic Tunas permit 
has been issued, provided the amount transferred does not cause the 
receiving vessel to exceed its currently authorized vessel allocation, 
including incidental catch limits.
* * * * *

0
10. In Sec.  635.30, paragraph (b) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  635.30  Possession at sea and landing.

* * * * *
    (b) Billfish. Any person that possesses a blue marlin, white 
marlin, or roundscale spearfish taken from its management unit or a 
sailfish taken shoreward of the outer boundary of the EEZ or lands a 
blue marlin, white marlin, or roundscale spearfish in an Atlantic 
coastal port must maintain such billfish with its head, fins, and bill 
intact through offloading. Persons may eviscerate such billfish, but it 
must otherwise be maintained whole.
* * * * *

0
11. In Sec.  635.34, paragraph (a) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  635.34  Adjustment of management measures.

    (a) NMFS may adjust the catch limits for BFT, as specified in Sec.  
635.23; the quotas for BFT, shark and swordfish, as specified in Sec.  
635.27; the marlin landing limit, as specified in Sec.  635.27(d); and 
the minimum sizes for Atlantic blue marlin, white marlin, and 
roundscale spearfish as specified in Sec.  635.20.
* * * * *

0
12. In Sec.  635.71, paragraphs (c)(5) and (c)(8) are revised to read 
as follows:


Sec.  635.71  Prohibitions.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (5) Retain onboard a vessel a longbill spearfish, or a blue marlin, 
white marlin, roundscale spearfish, or sailfish that is less than the 
minimum size specified in Sec.  635.20(d).
* * * * *
    (8) Take, retain, or possess an Atlantic blue marlin, white marlin, 
and roundscale spearfish when the fishery for these species has been 
restricted to catch and release fishing only, as specified in Sec.  
635.27(d).
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2010-23689 Filed 9-21-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S