Caribbean Fishery Management Council; Scoping Meetings, 2665-2672 [2011-712]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 10 / Friday, January 14, 2011 / Notices form, legible copies of documents supporting historical participation in the American Samoa pelagic longline fishery, and payment for the nonrefundable application processing fee, in accordance with the regulations at 50 CFR 665.13. Applications must be received by NMFS (see ADDRESSES) by May 16, 2011 to be considered for a permit; applications will not be accepted if received after that date. Authoritative additional information on the American Samoa limited entry program may be found in 50 CFR part 665. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: January 10, 2011. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2011–797 Filed 1–13–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RIN 0648–XA107] New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting; Cancellation National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. AGENCY: Notice of cancellation of a public meeting. ACTION: The New England Fishery Management Council has cancelled the public meeting of its Herring Oversight Committee that was scheduled for Thursday, January 20, 2011. SUMMARY: Paul J. Howard, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council; telephone: (978) 465–0492. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The initial notice was published on December 29, 2010, (75 FR 81972) and the meeting will be rescheduled at a later date and announced in the Federal Register. mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dated: January 10, 2011. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2011–688 Filed 1–13–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:03 Jan 13, 2011 Jkt 223001 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XA146 Caribbean Fishery Management Council; Scoping Meetings National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of Scoping Meetings. AGENCY: The Caribbean Fishery Management Council will hold scoping meetings to obtain input from fishers, the general public, and the local agencies representatives on the Options Paper for the Comprehensive Annual Catch Limit (ACL) Amendment for the U.S. Caribbean including Amendment 6 to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; Amendment 2 to the Fishery Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; Amendment 5 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Spiny Lobster Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; Amendment 3 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Queen Conch Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands DATES AND ADDRESSES: The scoping meetings will be held on the following dates and locations: For Puerto Rico, February 7, 2011, DoubleTree by Hilton San Juan, De Diego Avenue, San Juan, Puerto Rico ¨ February 9, 2011, Mayaguez Holiday Inn, 2701 Hostos Avenue, ¨ Mayaguez, Puerto Rico February 10, 2011, Holiday Inn Ponce & Tropical Casino, 3315 Ponce By Pass, Ponce, Puerto Rico For the U.S. Virgin Islands, February 16, 2011, The Buccaneer Hotel, Estate Shoys, Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. February 17, 2011, Holiday Inn (Windward Passage Hotel) Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands All meetings will be held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Caribbean Fishery Management Council, ˜ 268 Munoz Rivera Avenue, Suite 1108, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918–1920, telephone (787) 766–5926. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Caribbean Fishery Management Council will hold Scoping meetings to receive public input on the following SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 2665 management options. The complete Options Paper is available at: https:// caribbeanfmc.com/pdfs/2011%20ACL% 20Amendment%20Options%20Paper% 20December%2022%202010.pdf: Management Options Action 1. Management Reference Points Action 1a: Establish a year sequence for determining average annual landings that can be applied to each island group for both the commercial and recreational sectors. Option 1: No action. Retain current management reference points or proxies for species/species groups within the reef fish, queen conch, lobster, and corals FMUs. Option 2: Establish a year sequence for determining average annual landings for each species or species group within Puerto Rico. Sub-option A: Establish a start year for the year sequence. Sub-sub-option i: Use 1983 as the start date for determining average annual landings for each species or species group within Puerto Rico. Sub-sub-option ii: Use 1998 as the start date for determining average annual landings for each species or species group within Puerto Rico. Sub-sub-option iii: Use 1999 as the start date for determining average annual landings for each species or species group within Puerto Rico. Sub-sub-option iv: Use 2000 as the start date for determining average annual landings for each species or species group within Puerto Rico. Sub-sub-option v: Use 2003 as the start date for determining average annual landings for each species or species group within Puerto Rico. Sub-sub-option vi: Use 2004 as the start date for determining average annual landings for each species or species group within Puerto Rico. Sub-option B: Establish an end year for the year sequence. Sub-sub-option i: Use 2005 as the end date for determining average annual landings for each species or species group within Puerto Rico. Sub-sub-option ii: Use 2007 as the end date for determining average annual landings for each species or species group within Puerto Rico. Sub-sub-option iii: Use 2008 as the end date for determining average annual landings for each species or species group within Puerto Rico. Option 3: Establish a year sequence for determining average annual landings for each species or species group within St. Thomas and St. John. Sub-option A: Establish a start year for the year sequence. E:\FR\FM\14JAN1.SGM 14JAN1 mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES 2666 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 10 / Friday, January 14, 2011 / Notices Sub-sub-option i: Use 2000 as the start date for determining average annual landings for each species or species group within St. Thomas and St. John. Sub-sub-option ii: Use 2003 as the start date for determining average annual landings for each species or species group within St. Thomas and St. John. Sub-option B: Establish an end year for the year sequence. Sub-sub-option i: Use 2005 as the end date for determining average annual landings for each species or species group within St. Thomas and St. John. Sub-sub-option ii: Use 2007 as the end date for determining average annual landings for each species or species group within St. Thomas and St. John. Option 4: Establish a year sequence for determining average annual landings for each species or species group within St. Croix. Sub-option A: Establish a start year for the year sequence. Sub-sub-option i: Use 1998 as the start date for determining average annual landings for each species or species group within St. Croix. Sub-sub-option ii: Use 1999 as the start date for determining average annual landings for each species or species group within St. Croix. Sub-sub-option iii: Use 2000 as the start date for determining average annual landings for each species or species group within St. Croix. Sub-sub-option iv: Use 2003 as the start date for determining average annual landings for each species or species group within St. Croix. Sub-option B: Establish an end year for the year sequence. Sub-sub-option i: Use 2005 as the end date for determining average annual landings for each species or species group within St. Croix. Sub-sub-option ii: Use 2007 as the end date for determining average annual landings for each species or species group within St. Croix. Action 1b. Establish MSY proxy. The MSA requires that FMPs specify a number of reference points for managed fish stocks, including: • Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY)—The greatest amount or yield that can be sustainably harvested under prevailing environmental conditions. • Overfishing Threshold—The maximum rate of fishing a stock can withstand (MFMT) or maximum yield a stock can produce (OFL), annually, while still providing MSY on a continuing basis. • Overfished Threshold (MSST)—The biomass level below which a stock VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:03 Jan 13, 2011 Jkt 223001 would not be capable of producing MSY. • Annual Catch Limit (ACL)—The annual level to which catch is limited in order to prevent overfishing from occurring. • Optimum Yield (OY)—The amount or yield that provides the greatest overall benefit to the Nation, taking into account food production, recreational opportunities and the protection of marine ecosystems. Together, these parameters are intended to provide the means to measure the status and performance of fisheries relative to established goals. Available data in the U.S. Caribbean are not sufficient to support direct estimation of MSY and other key parameters. In such cases, the National Standard 1 (NS1) guidelines direct regional fishery management councils to adopt other measures of productive capacity, including long-term average catch, which can serve as reasonable proxies. Option 1: No action. Retain current management reference points or proxies for species/species groups. Discussion: This alternative would retain the present MSY proxy, OY, and overfishing threshold definitions specified in the Comprehensive SFA Amendment for species/species groups. These definitions are detailed in Table 6. The current MSY proxy is based on average catch (C) and on estimates of where stock biomass and fishing mortality rates are in relation to MSY levels during the period over which catches are averaged. The overfishing threshold (MFMT) is defined as a rate of fishing which exceeds that which would produce MSY. And OY is defined as the amount of fish produced by fishing at a rate equal to 75% of that which would produce MSY. The numerical values associated with these parameters are provided in Table 6. TABLE 6—CURRENT MSY PROXY, OY AND OVERFISHING THRESHOLD DEFINITIONS FOR SPECIES/SPECIES GROUPS—Continued Reference point Overfishing Threshold. Optimum Yield Status quo definition MFMT = FMSY. OY = average yield associated with fishing on a continuing basis at FOY; where FOY = 0.75FMSY. The Comprehensive SFA Amendment in which these reference points were established pre-dated the MSRA provisions requiring FMPs to specify ACLs; consequently, the Comprehensive SFA Amendment did not explicitly specify this parameter for managed species/species groups. However, the ABC estimates derived from the Council’s MSY control rule could be considered to represent the ACLs if no additional action were taken to revise management reference points in this amendment. Option 2: Redefine management reference points or proxies based on the time series of catch data that is considered to be consistently reliable across all islands as defined in Action 1a. Discussion: Option 2 would define aggregate management reference points or proxies based on what the Council considers to be the longest time series of catch data that is consistently reliable across all islands. Specific definitions are detailed in Table 7. The MSY proxy specified by Option 2 would equate to average catch, calculated using commercial landings data and recreational landings data defined in Action 1a. Commercial data would be derived from trip ticket TABLE 6—CURRENT MSY PROXY, OY reports collected by the state AND OVERFISHING THRESHOLD DEFI- governments. Recreational data would NITIONS FOR SPECIES/SPECIES be derived from the MRFSS. The overfishing threshold (OFL) GROUPS would be defined as the amount of catch Reference corresponding to the MSY proxy, and Status quo definition point overfishing would be determined to occur if annual catches exceeded the Maximum Sus- MSY proxy = C/[(FCURR/ overfishing threshold (Option 2(a)) or if tainable FMSY) × (BCURR/BMSY)]; Yield. where C is calculated annual catches exceeded the overfishing based on commercial threshold and scientists (in consultation landings for the years with managers) attributed the overage to 1997–2001 for Puerto increased catches versus improved data Rico and 1994–2002 for collection and monitoring (Option 2(b)). the USVI, and on rec- PO 00000 reational landings for the years 2000–2001. Frm 00022 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\14JAN1.SGM 14JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 10 / Friday, January 14, 2011 / Notices 2667 TABLE 7—MANAGEMENT REFERENCE POINTS OR PROXIES PROPOSED UNDER ALTERNATIVE 2 Reference point Option 2 Maximum Sustainable Yield ........................................ Overfishing Threshold: Option 2(a) ............................................................ Option 2(b) ............................................................ Optimum Yield/Annual Catch Limit: Option 2(c) ............................................................ Option 2(d) ............................................................ Option 2(e) ............................................................ Option 2(f) ............................................................. Option 2(g) ............................................................ Option 2(h) ............................................................ mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES The OY and ACL would be equal values, and the same socioeconomic and ecological tradeoffs would be considered in the determination of where to set both of these parameters. Most of the alternative ACL definitions considered here are more restrictive than the current OY definition and would prevent the fishery from achieving OY as currently defined. ACL (= OY) Options 2(c) through 2(f) would set those parameters equal to some proportion (100–50%) of the OFL to take into account uncertainty, ecological factors, and other concerns. Option 2(g) would set the ACL (= OY) equal to the ABC recommended by the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee. Option 2(h) would set the ACL (= OY) equal to zero for surgeonfish. Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) The MSY proxy defined by no action Option 1 averages catches over the longest time period during which data were considered to be relatively stable at the time the Council approved the Comprehensive SFA Amendment. Because the Council had fewer years of catch data to work with at that time, that proxy incorporated Puerto Rico and USVI catch data prior to 1999. The MSY proxies evaluated in Option 2 does not use pre-1999 data in average catch calculations because those data were collected by gear type rather than by family group. The Council instead prefers to use data from more recent years, when the data were collected by family group and therefore provide a relatively consistent baseline among all of the islands. Additionally, in contrast to the no action Option 1, Option 2 does not attempt to incorporate information on recreational catches in the USVI because the MRFSS does not provide this information and no alternative data are available to reliably estimate these VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:03 Jan 13, 2011 Jkt 223001 MSY proxy = average annual commercial catch selected by Council in Action 1a. OFL = MSY proxy; overfishing occurs when annual catches exceed the OFL. OFL = MSY proxy; overfishing occurs when annual catches exceed the OFL, unless NMFS’ Southeast Fisheries Science Center (in consultation with the Caribbean Fishery Management Council and its Scientific and Statistical Committee) determines the overage occurred because data collection/monitoring improved, rather than because catches actually increased. OY OY OY OY OY OY = = = = = = ACL ACL ACL ACL ACL ACL = = = = = = OFL. OFL × (0.85). OFL × (0.75). OFL × (0.50). ABC specified by Scientific and Statistical Committee. 0. landings. As a result, the MSYs specified by these alternative proxies are expected to be underestimated to some unknown degree. In general, underestimating MSY can result in foregone yield, whereas overestimating MSY can lead to overfishing. Overfishing Threshold (MFMT/OFL) The overfishing threshold defined by Option 1 is a maximum fishing mortality threshold (MFMT) equal to the fishing mortality rate at MSY. Because this fishing mortality rate is unknown for U.S. Caribbean species, the Comprehensive SFA Amendment adopted natural mortality rate as a proxy for this parameter. However, data are insufficient to evaluate the sustainability of current fishing mortality rates relative to this proxy and make a determination as to whether overfishing is or is not occurring. To remedy this, Option 2 proposes to specify a catch-based, rather than fishing mortality-based, overfishing threshold, called the overfishing limit (OFL). Annual catches would be evaluated relative to the OFL to determine whether overfishing is or is not occurring. This approach is consistent with the NS1 guidelines, which provide fishery managers the flexibility to determine if overfishing occurs based on either fishing mortality rates or actual annual catch. Option 2 would essentially maintain the same relationship as the no action alternative between the overfishing threshold and MSY. MSY represents the maximum yield a species complex can provide in the long term, while OFL estimates the amount of annual catch above which overfishing is occurring. In theory, the annual OFL would vary above and below the MSY level depending on fluctuations in stock size. Since both MSY and OFL are related to the highest fishing mortality rate that PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 will not result in overfishing, the longterm average of OFLs would be expected to equate to MSY, provided that stock abundance is high enough to support MSY. But, in practice, the annual OFL proposed in Option 2 would remain constant at the MSY level until stock biomass can be estimated. Sub-option (a) would result in an automatic overfishing determination if annual catch exceeded the OFL in any given year, whereas Option (b) would provide scientists (in consultation with managers) the flexibility to evaluate the cause of the reported catch increase prior to making a determination that a species complex is undergoing overfishing. Specifically, they would consider whether the reported increase represents an actual increase in landings or just improved data collection and monitoring. The intent of this suboption is to eliminate any incentive for fishermen to under-report or misreport catches to avoid exceeding ACLs and triggering associated AMs. Optimum Yield (OY) and Annual Catch Limits (ACLs) The current OY defined by no action Option 1 is derived from the technical guidance provided by Restrepo et al. (1998), which recommends the target fishing mortality rate be set equal to the average yield available on a continuing basis from fishing at 75% of the fishing mortality rate that would produce MSY. The authors of that guidance indicate that fishing at this level adds precaution and maintains stocks at higher biomass levels, while sacrificing only a small amount (∼ 6.25%) of catch. Because data are insufficient to estimate the fishing mortality rate that would produce MSY, the Comprehensive SFA Amendment estimated the OY of each species/ species group to equal 93.75% of MSY. While the no action Option 1 does not explicitly define ACLs for the target E:\FR\FM\14JAN1.SGM 14JAN1 2668 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 10 / Friday, January 14, 2011 / Notices mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES species, the ABC estimates specified by the Council’s MSY control rule could be considered to represent the ACLs of these species/species groups if no additional action were taken through this amendment to revise management reference points. However, these ABC values are very uncertain as they were calculated using natural mortality rate as a proxy for the fishing mortality rate that would produce MSY and informed judgment regarding stock biomass. And, because these values were set well below MSY values to address SFA Working Group determinations regarding overfishing, they would VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:03 Jan 13, 2011 Jkt 223001 prevent the fishery from achieving OY; even though recent landings data indicate that, in most cases, management controls appear to have effectively reduced catch rates below the overfishing threshold. To remedy this, Option 2 would set the OY and ACL as equal values, requiring the Council to consider the socioeconomic and ecological components of OY when determining how far ACLs should be reduced below the overfishing threshold to account for scientific uncertainty in estimating the OFL and management uncertainty in effectively constraining harvest over PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 time. This approach leads to OY estimates for the target species that are below those estimated in the Comprehensive SFA Amendment, regardless of the OY (= ACL) alternative selected. In contrast, most of the OY alternatives would result in larger OY estimates for the grouper and parrotfish complexes relative to the no action alternative. Action 1c. Allocation of ACLs among island groups. Option 1: No Action. Maintain U.S. Caribbean-wide reference points. BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\14JAN1.SGM 14JAN1 VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:03 Jan 13, 2011 Jkt 223001 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\14JAN1.SGM 14JAN1 2669 EN14JA11.000</GPH> mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 10 / Friday, January 14, 2011 / Notices 2670 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 10 / Friday, January 14, 2011 / Notices BILLING CODE 3510–22–C mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES Action 2: Management of Aquarium Trade Species Option 1: No action. Do not reevaluate and revise management of aquarium trade species. Option 2: Consolidate all aquarium trade species listed in the Fishery Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands into a single Fishery Management Plan. Sub-option A: Move all aquarium trade species listed in the Fishery Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands into the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Sub-option B: Move all of the aquarium trade species listed in the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands into the Fishery Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Sub-option C: Move all of the aquarium trade species listed in both the Fishery Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and in the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, into a separate Fishery Management Plan specific to aquarium trade species. Option 3: Remove aquarium trade species from both the Fishery Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Sub-option A: Remove all aquarium trade species from the Fishery Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and from the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and no longer track their landings. Sub-option B: Move all aquarium trade species listed in the Fishery Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands into the ‘data collection only’ category. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:03 Jan 13, 2011 Jkt 223001 Sub-option C: Move only those aquarium trade species listed in either the Fishery Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands or the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and for which landings data are available during the year sequence chosen in Action 1 above, into the ‘data collection only’ category. Remove all remaining aquarium trade species from either the Fishery Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands or the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and no longer track their landings. Option 4: Transfer management authority, for all aquarium trade species listed in either the Fishery Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands or the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, to the jurisdiction of the appropriate commonwealth or territory as defined by Action 3(c) of Amendment 2 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Queen Conch Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and Amendment 5 to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Table 8. List of all species included in the Aquarium Trade category in both the Reef Fish and Coral FMPs. Table contents are extracted from Table 8 of the Comprehensive Amendment to the Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) of the U.S. Caribbean to Address Required Provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (a.k.a. the Comprehensive Sustainable Fisheries Act Amendment). Reef Fish FMP Clepticus parrae, Creole wrasse Halichoeres garnoti, Yellowhead wrasse Halichoeres cyanocephalus, Yellowcheek wrasse Halichoeres maculipinna, Clown wrasse Thalassoma bifasciatum, Bluehead wrasse Liopropoma rubre, Swissguard basslet Gramma loreto, Royal gramma Microspathodon chrysurus, Yellowtail damselfish Stegastes adustus, Dusky damselfish Stegastes partitus, Bicolor damselfish Stegastes planifrons, Threespot damselfish Stegastes leucostictus, Beaugregory Chaetodon capistratus, Foureye butterflyfish Chaetodon aculeatus, Longsnout butterflyfish PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Chaetodon ocellatus, Spotfin butterflyfish Chaetodon striatus, Banded butterflyfish Serranus baldwini, Lantern bass Serranus annularis, Orangeback bass Serranus tabacarius, Tobaccofish Serranus tigrinus, Harlequin bass Serranus tortugarum, Chalk bass Opistognathus aurifrons, Yellowhead jawfish Opistognathus whitehursti, Dusky jawfish Xyrichtys novacula, Pearly razorfish Xyrichtys splendens, Green razorfish Echidna catenata, Chain moray Gymnothorax funebris, Green moray Gymnothorax miliaris, Goldentail moray Elacatinus oceanops, Neon goby Priolepis hipoliti, Rusty goby Equetus lanceolatus, Jackknife-fish Equetus punctatus, Spotted drum Chromis cyanea, Blue chromis Chromis insolata, Sunshinefish Abudefduf saxatilis, Sergeant major Astrapogon stellatus, Conchfish Apogon maculatua, Flamefish Amblycirrhitus pinos, Redspotted hawkfish Antennarius spp., Frogfish Bothus lunatus, Peacock flounder Chaetodipterus faber, Atlantic spadefish Canthigaster rostrata, Sharpnose puffer Centropyge argi, Cherubfish Diodon hystrix, Porcupinefish Dactylopterus volitans, Flying gurnard Heteropriacanthus cruentatus, Glasseye snapper Hypoplectrus unicolor, Butter hamlet Holocanthus tricolor, Rock beauty Myrichthys ocellatus, Goldspotted eel Ophioblennius macclurei, Redlip blenny Pareques acuminatus, High-hat Rypticus saponaceus, Greater sopafish Synodus intermedius, Sand diver Symphurus diomedianus, Caribbean tonguefish Family Syngnathidae, Pipefishes and Seahorses Family Ogcocephalidae, Batfish Family Scorpaenidae, Scorpionfish Table 8 (continued). List of all species included in the Aquarium Trade category in both the Reef Fish and Coral FMPs. Table contents are extracted from Table 8 of the Comprehensive Amendment to the Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) of the U.S. Caribbean to Address Required Provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (a.k.a. the Comprehensive Sustainable Fisheries Act Amendment). Coral FMP Aphimedon compressa, Erect rope sponge Astrophyton muricatum, Giant basket star E:\FR\FM\14JAN1.SGM 14JAN1 mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 10 / Friday, January 14, 2011 / Notices Alpheaus armatus, Snapping shrimp Aiptasia tagetes, Pale anemone Astropecten spp., Sand stars Analcidometra armata, Swimming crinoid Bartholomea annulata, Corkscrew anemone Cynachirella alloclada, sponge (no common name) Condylactis gigantea, Giant pink-tipped anemone Cyphoma gibbosum, Flamingo tongue Chondrilla nucula, Chicken liver sponge Diadema antillarum, Long-spined urchin Davidaster spp., Crinoids Discosoma spp., False coral Echinometra spp., Purple urchin Eucidaris tribuloides, Pencil urchin Gonodactylus (Neogonodactylus) spp., Smashing mantis shrimp Geodia neptuni, Potato sponge Haliclona sp., Finger sponge Holothuria spp., Sea cucumbers Hereractis lucida, Knobby anemone Lima spp., Fileclams Lima scabra, Rough fileclam Lytechinus spp., Pin cushion urchin Lysmata spp., Peppermint shrimp Linckia guildingii, Common comet star Lysiosquilla spp., Spearing mantis shrimp Lebrunia spp., Staghorn anemone Mithrax spp., Clinging crabs Mithrax cinctimanus, Banded clinging crab Mithrax sculptus, Green clinging crab Myriastra sp., sponge (no common name) Niphates digitalis, Pink vase sponge Niphates erecta, Lavender rope sponge Nemaster spp., Crinoids Ophiocoma spp., Brittlestars Ophioderma spp., Brittlestars Ophioderma rubicundum, Ruby brittlestar Oreaster reticulatus, Cushion sea star Ophidiaster guildingii, Comet star Oliva reticularis, Netted olive Octopus spp. (except the Common octopus, O. vulgaris) Paguristes spp., Hermit crabs Paguristes cadenati, Red reef hermit crab Percnon gibbesi, Nimble spray crab Periclimenes spp., Cleaner shrimp Ricordia florida, Florida false coral Stichodactyla helianthus, Sun anemone Spirobranchus giganteus, Christmas tree worm Sabellastarte magnifica, Magnificent duster Sabellastarte spp., Tube worms Stenopus scutellatus, Golden shrimp Stenopus hispidus, Banded shrimp Stenorhynchus seticornis, Yellowline arrow crab Spondylus americanus, Atlantic thorny oyster VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:03 Jan 13, 2011 Jkt 223001 Spinosella plicifera, Iridescent tube sponge Spinosella vaginalis, Lavendar tube sponge Tripneustes ventricosus, Sea egg urchin Thor amboinensis, Anemone shrimp Tectitethya (Tethya) crypta, sponge (no common name) Subphylum Urochordata, Tunicates Tridachia crispata, Lettuce sea slug Zoanthus spp., Sea mat Action 3. Recreational fishery management. Action 3a. Separation of recreational and commercial sectors. Option 1: No action. Do not specify sector-specific annual catch limits. Option 2: Specify separate commercial and recreational annual catch limits based on the preferred management reference point time series. Action 3b. Recreational Bag Limits Option 1: No action. Do not establish bag limit restrictions on recreational harvest. Option 2: Specify a 5-fish aggregate bag limit per person (would not apply to a fisherman who has a valid commercial fishing license issued by Puerto Rico or the USVI). Option 3: Specify a 2-fish aggregate bag limit per person (would not apply to a fisherman who has a valid commercial fishing license issued by Puerto Rico or the USVI). Option 4: Establish a 0-fish aggregate bag limit per person (would not apply to a fisherman who has a valid commercial fishing license issued by Puerto Rico or the USVI) for species in the surgeonfish FMU. Option 5: Establish an aggregate bag limit of: 10 per fisher including not more than two surgeonfish per fisher or six surgeonfish per boat, and 30 aggregate fish per boat on a fishing day (would not apply to a fisherman who has a valid commercial fishing license issued by Puerto Rico or the USVI). Option 6: Establish an aggregate bag limit of: Five per fisher including not more than two surgeonfish per fisher or six surgeonfish per boat, and 15 aggregate fish per boat on a fishing day (would not apply to a fisherman who has a valid commercial fishing license issued by Puerto Rico or the USVI). Action 4: Accountability Measures. Action 4a: Triggering Accountability Measures. Option 1: No Action. Do not trigger AMs. Option 2: Trigger AMs if the Annual Catch Limit is exceeded based upon: Sub-option A: A single year of landings beginning with landings from 2011. Sub-option B: A single year of landings beginning with landings from PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 2671 2011, then a 2-year running average of landings in 2012 (average of 2011+2012) and thereafter (i.e., 2011, 2011–2012, 2012–2013, etc.). Sub-option C: A single year of landings beginning with landings from 2011, a 2-year average of landings in 2012 (average of 2011+2012), then a 3year running average of landings in 2013 (average of 2011+2012+2013) and thereafter (i.e., 2011, 2011–2012, 2011– 2013, 2012–2014, etc.). Option 3: Trigger AMs if the annual catch limit is exceeded as defined below and NMFS’ SEFSC (in consultation with the Caribbean Fishery Management Council and its Scientific and Statistical Committee) determines the overage occurred because catches increased versus data collection/monitoring improved: Sub-option A: A single year of landings effective beginning 2011. Sub-option B: A single year of landings effective beginning 2011, then a 2-year running average of landings effective 2012 and thereafter (i.e., 2011, 2011–2012, 2012–2013, etc.). Sub-option C: A single year of landings effective beginning 2011, a 2year running average of landings effective 2012, then a 3-year running average of landings effective 2013 and thereafter (i.e., 2011, 2011–2012, 2011– 2013, 2012–2014, etc.). Action 4b: Apply Accountability Measures. Option 1: No Action. Do not apply AMs. Option 2: If AMs are triggered, then reduce the length of the fishing season for that species or species group the year following the trigger determination by the amount needed to prevent such an overage from occurring again. The needed changes will remain in effect until modified. Option 3: If AMs are triggered, then reduce the length of the fishing season for that species or species group the year following the trigger determination by the amount needed to prevent such an overage from occurring again and to pay back the overage. The needed changes will remain in effect until modified. Action 5: Framework Measures. Action 5a: Establish Framework Measures for the Spiny Lobster FMP. Option 1: No Action. Do not amend the framework measures for the Spiny Lobster FMP. Option 2: Amend the framework procedures for the Spiny Lobster FMP to provide a mechanism to expeditiously adjust the following reference points and management measures through framework action: a. Quota Requirements E:\FR\FM\14JAN1.SGM 14JAN1 mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES 2672 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 10 / Friday, January 14, 2011 / Notices b. Seasonal Closures c. Area Closures d. Fishing Year e. Trip/Bag Limit f. Size Limits g. Gear Restrictions or Prohibitions h. Total Allowable Catch (TAC) i. Annual Catch Limits (ACLs) j. Accountability Measures (AMs) k. Annual Catch Targets (ACTs) l. Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) m. Optimum Yield (OY) n. Minimum Stock Size Threshold (MSST) o. Maximum Fishing Mortality Threshold (MFMT) p. Overfishing Limit (OFL) q. Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) control rules r. Actions to Minimize the Interaction of Fishing Gear with Endangered Species or Marine Mammals Option 3: Amend the framework procedures for the Spiny Lobster FMP to provide the Council with a mechanism to expeditiously adjust a subset of management measures outlined in Option 2. Action 5b: Establish Framework Measures for the Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates FMP. Option 1: No Action. Do not amend the framework measures for the Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates FMP. Option 2: Amend the framework procedures for the Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates FMP to provide a mechanism to expeditiously adjust the following reference points and management measures through framework action: a. Quota Requirements b. Seasonal Closures c. Area Closures d. Fishing Year e. Trip/Bag Limit f. Size Limits g. Gear Restrictions or Prohibitions h. Fishery Management Units (FMUs) i. Total Allowable Catch (TAC) j. Annual Catch Limits (ACLs) k. Accountability Measures (AMs) l. Annual Catch Targets (ACTs) m. Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) n. Optimum Yield (OY) o. Minimum Stock Size Threshold (MSST) p. Maximum Fishing Mortality Threshold (MFMT) q. Overfishing Limit (OFL) r. Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) control rules s. Actions to Minimize the Interaction of Fishing Gear with Endangered Species or Marine Mammals Option 3: Amend the framework procedures for the Corals and Reef VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:03 Jan 13, 2011 Jkt 223001 Associated Plants and Invertebrates FMP to provide the Council with a mechanism to expeditiously adjust a subset of management measures outlined in Option 2. Special Accommodations These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. For more information or request for sign language interpretation and other auxiliary aids, please contact Mr. ´ Miguel A. Rolon, Executive Director, Caribbean Fishery Management Council, ˜ 268 Munoz Rivera Avenue, Suite 1108, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00918–1920, telephone (787) 766–5926, at least five days prior to the meeting date. Dated: January 11, 2011. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2011–712 Filed 1–13–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Science Advisory Board Meeting Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce (DOC). ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of a forthcoming meeting of the NOAA Science Advisory Board. The members will discuss and provide advice on issues outlined in the agenda below. DATES: The meeting is scheduled for: Monday, January 31 from 10–11 a.m. Eastern Time. ADDRESSES: Conference call. Public access is available at: NOAA, SSMC 3, Room 11836, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Cynthia Decker, Executive Director, Science Advisory Board, NOAA, Rm. 11230, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910. (Phone: 301– 734–1156, Fax: 301–713–1459, E-mail: Cynthia.Decker@noaa.gov) SUMMARY: The Science Advisory Board (SAB) was established by a Decision Memorandum dated September 25, 1997, and is the only Federal Advisory Committee with responsibility to advise the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere on strategies for research, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 education, and application of science to operations and information services. SAB activities and advice provide necessary input to ensure that National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) science programs are of the highest quality and provide optimal support to resource management. Matters To Be Considered: The agenda for the meeting is as follows: Date and Time: Monday, January 31 from 10–11 a.m. Eastern Time. Status: The meeting will be open to public participation at NOAA, SSMC 3, Room 11836, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Md. with a 5-minute public comment period from 10:55–11 a.m. The SAB expects that public statements presented at its meetings will not be repetitive of previously submitted verbal or written statements. In general, each individual or group making a verbal presentation will be limited to a total time of one minute. Written comments should be received in the SAB Executive Director’s Office by January 28, 2011 to provide sufficient time for SAB review. Written comments received by the SAB Executive Director after January 28, 2011, will be distributed to the SAB, but may not be reviewed prior to the meeting date. Agenda 1. Revised proposal from the Working Group Subcommittee on alignment of SAB Working Groups. 2. Process of SAB comments on NOAA Responses to SAB products. Dated: January 10, 2011. Mark E. Brown, Chief Financial Officer/Chief Administrator Officer, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. [FR Doc. 2011–755 Filed 1–13–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–KD–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 068–XA145 Caribbean Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of a public meeting. AGENCY: The Caribbean Fishery Management Council (Council) in partnership with the Fisheries Leadership and Sustainability Forum SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\14JAN1.SGM 14JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 10 (Friday, January 14, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2665-2672]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-712]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA146


Caribbean Fishery Management Council; Scoping Meetings

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

ACTION: Notice of Scoping Meetings.

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

SUMMARY: The Caribbean Fishery Management Council will hold scoping 
meetings to obtain input from fishers, the general public, and the 
local agencies representatives on the Options Paper for the 
Comprehensive Annual Catch Limit (ACL) Amendment for the U.S. Caribbean 
including Amendment 6 to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan of 
Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; Amendment 2 to the Fishery 
Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates 
of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; Amendment 5 to the Fishery 
Management Plan for the Spiny Lobster Fishery of Puerto Rico and the 
U.S. Virgin Islands; Amendment 3 to the Fishery Management Plan for the 
Queen Conch Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

DATES AND ADDRESSES: The scoping meetings will be held on the following 
dates and locations:

For Puerto Rico,
    February 7, 2011, DoubleTree by Hilton San Juan, De Diego Avenue, 
San Juan, Puerto Rico
    February 9, 2011, Mayag[uuml]ez Holiday Inn, 2701 Hostos Avenue, 
Mayag[uuml]ez, Puerto Rico
    February 10, 2011, Holiday Inn Ponce & Tropical Casino, 3315 Ponce 
By Pass, Ponce, Puerto Rico
For the U.S. Virgin Islands,
    February 16, 2011, The Buccaneer Hotel, Estate Shoys, 
Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.
    February 17, 2011, Holiday Inn (Windward Passage Hotel) Charlotte 
Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

    All meetings will be held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Caribbean Fishery Management Council, 
268 Mu[ntilde]oz Rivera Avenue, Suite 1108, San Juan, Puerto Rico 
00918-1920, telephone (787) 766-5926.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Caribbean Fishery Management Council 
will hold Scoping meetings to receive public input on the following 
management options. The complete Options Paper is available at: https://caribbeanfmc.com/pdfs/2011%20ACL%20Amendment%20Options%20Paper%20December%2022%202010.pdf:

Management Options

Action 1. Management Reference Points

    Action 1a: Establish a year sequence for determining average annual 
landings that can be applied to each island group for both the 
commercial and recreational sectors.
    Option 1: No action. Retain current management reference points or 
proxies for species/species groups within the reef fish, queen conch, 
lobster, and corals FMUs.
    Option 2: Establish a year sequence for determining average annual 
landings for each species or species group within Puerto Rico.
    Sub-option A: Establish a start year for the year sequence.
    Sub-sub-option i: Use 1983 as the start date for determining 
average annual landings for each species or species group within Puerto 
Rico.
    Sub-sub-option ii: Use 1998 as the start date for determining 
average annual landings for each species or species group within Puerto 
Rico.
    Sub-sub-option iii: Use 1999 as the start date for determining 
average annual landings for each species or species group within Puerto 
Rico.
    Sub-sub-option iv: Use 2000 as the start date for determining 
average annual landings for each species or species group within Puerto 
Rico.
    Sub-sub-option v: Use 2003 as the start date for determining 
average annual landings for each species or species group within Puerto 
Rico.
    Sub-sub-option vi: Use 2004 as the start date for determining 
average annual landings for each species or species group within Puerto 
Rico.
    Sub-option B: Establish an end year for the year sequence.
    Sub-sub-option i: Use 2005 as the end date for determining average 
annual landings for each species or species group within Puerto Rico.
    Sub-sub-option ii: Use 2007 as the end date for determining average 
annual landings for each species or species group within Puerto Rico.
    Sub-sub-option iii: Use 2008 as the end date for determining 
average annual landings for each species or species group within Puerto 
Rico.
    Option 3: Establish a year sequence for determining average annual 
landings for each species or species group within St. Thomas and St. 
John.
    Sub-option A: Establish a start year for the year sequence.

[[Page 2666]]

    Sub-sub-option i: Use 2000 as the start date for determining 
average annual landings for each species or species group within St. 
Thomas and St. John.
    Sub-sub-option ii: Use 2003 as the start date for determining 
average annual landings for each species or species group within St. 
Thomas and St. John.
    Sub-option B: Establish an end year for the year sequence.
    Sub-sub-option i: Use 2005 as the end date for determining average 
annual landings for each species or species group within St. Thomas and 
St. John.
    Sub-sub-option ii: Use 2007 as the end date for determining average 
annual landings for each species or species group within St. Thomas and 
St. John.
    Option 4: Establish a year sequence for determining average annual 
landings for each species or species group within St. Croix.
    Sub-option A: Establish a start year for the year sequence.
    Sub-sub-option i: Use 1998 as the start date for determining 
average annual landings for each species or species group within St. 
Croix.
    Sub-sub-option ii: Use 1999 as the start date for determining 
average annual landings for each species or species group within St. 
Croix.
    Sub-sub-option iii: Use 2000 as the start date for determining 
average annual landings for each species or species group within St. 
Croix.
    Sub-sub-option iv: Use 2003 as the start date for determining 
average annual landings for each species or species group within St. 
Croix.
    Sub-option B: Establish an end year for the year sequence.
    Sub-sub-option i: Use 2005 as the end date for determining average 
annual landings for each species or species group within St. Croix.
    Sub-sub-option ii: Use 2007 as the end date for determining average 
annual landings for each species or species group within St. Croix.
    Action 1b. Establish MSY proxy.
    The MSA requires that FMPs specify a number of reference points for 
managed fish stocks, including:
     Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY)--The greatest amount or 
yield that can be sustainably harvested under prevailing environmental 
conditions.
     Overfishing Threshold--The maximum rate of fishing a stock 
can withstand (MFMT) or maximum yield a stock can produce (OFL), 
annually, while still providing MSY on a continuing basis.
     Overfished Threshold (MSST)--The biomass level below which 
a stock would not be capable of producing MSY.
     Annual Catch Limit (ACL)--The annual level to which catch 
is limited in order to prevent overfishing from occurring.
     Optimum Yield (OY)--The amount or yield that provides the 
greatest overall benefit to the Nation, taking into account food 
production, recreational opportunities and the protection of marine 
ecosystems.
    Together, these parameters are intended to provide the means to 
measure the status and performance of fisheries relative to established 
goals. Available data in the U.S. Caribbean are not sufficient to 
support direct estimation of MSY and other key parameters. In such 
cases, the National Standard 1 (NS1) guidelines direct regional fishery 
management councils to adopt other measures of productive capacity, 
including long-term average catch, which can serve as reasonable 
proxies.
    Option 1: No action. Retain current management reference points or 
proxies for species/species groups.
    Discussion: This alternative would retain the present MSY proxy, 
OY, and overfishing threshold definitions specified in the 
Comprehensive SFA Amendment for species/species groups. These 
definitions are detailed in Table 6.
    The current MSY proxy is based on average catch (C) and on 
estimates of where stock biomass and fishing mortality rates are in 
relation to MSY levels during the period over which catches are 
averaged. The overfishing threshold (MFMT) is defined as a rate of 
fishing which exceeds that which would produce MSY. And OY is defined 
as the amount of fish produced by fishing at a rate equal to 75% of 
that which would produce MSY. The numerical values associated with 
these parameters are provided in Table 6.

Table 6--Current MSY Proxy, OY and Overfishing Threshold Definitions for
                         Species/Species Groups
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Reference point                   Status quo definition
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sustainable Yield..............  MSY proxy = C/[(FCURR/FMSY) x
                                          (BCURR/BMSY)]; where C is
                                          calculated based on commercial
                                          landings for the years 1997-
                                          2001 for Puerto Rico and 1994-
                                          2002 for the USVI, and on
                                          recreational landings for the
                                          years 2000-2001.
Overfishing Threshold..................  MFMT = FMSY.
Optimum Yield..........................  OY = average yield associated
                                          with fishing on a continuing
                                          basis at FOY; where FOY =
                                          0.75FMSY.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Comprehensive SFA Amendment in which these reference points 
were established pre-dated the MSRA provisions requiring FMPs to 
specify ACLs; consequently, the Comprehensive SFA Amendment did not 
explicitly specify this parameter for managed species/species groups. 
However, the ABC estimates derived from the Council's MSY control rule 
could be considered to represent the ACLs if no additional action were 
taken to revise management reference points in this amendment.
    Option 2: Redefine management reference points or proxies based on 
the time series of catch data that is considered to be consistently 
reliable across all islands as defined in Action 1a.
    Discussion: Option 2 would define aggregate management reference 
points or proxies based on what the Council considers to be the longest 
time series of catch data that is consistently reliable across all 
islands. Specific definitions are detailed in Table 7.
    The MSY proxy specified by Option 2 would equate to average catch, 
calculated using commercial landings data and recreational landings 
data defined in Action 1a. Commercial data would be derived from trip 
ticket reports collected by the state governments. Recreational data 
would be derived from the MRFSS.
    The overfishing threshold (OFL) would be defined as the amount of 
catch corresponding to the MSY proxy, and overfishing would be 
determined to occur if annual catches exceeded the overfishing 
threshold (Option 2(a)) or if annual catches exceeded the overfishing 
threshold and scientists (in consultation with managers) attributed the 
overage to increased catches versus improved data collection and 
monitoring (Option 2(b)).

[[Page 2667]]



     Table 7--Management Reference Points or Proxies Proposed Under
                              Alternative 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Reference point                          Option 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sustainable Yield..............  MSY proxy = average annual
                                          commercial catch selected by
                                          Council in Action 1a.
Overfishing Threshold:
    Option 2(a)........................  OFL = MSY proxy; overfishing
                                          occurs when annual catches
                                          exceed the OFL.
    Option 2(b)........................  OFL = MSY proxy; overfishing
                                          occurs when annual catches
                                          exceed the OFL, unless NMFS'
                                          Southeast Fisheries Science
                                          Center (in consultation with
                                          the Caribbean Fishery
                                          Management Council and its
                                          Scientific and Statistical
                                          Committee) determines the
                                          overage occurred because data
                                          collection/monitoring
                                          improved, rather than because
                                          catches actually increased.
Optimum Yield/Annual Catch Limit:
    Option 2(c)........................  OY = ACL = OFL.
    Option 2(d)........................  OY = ACL = OFL x (0.85).
    Option 2(e)........................  OY = ACL = OFL x (0.75).
    Option 2(f)........................  OY = ACL = OFL x (0.50).
    Option 2(g)........................  OY = ACL = ABC specified by
                                          Scientific and Statistical
                                          Committee.
    Option 2(h)........................  OY = ACL = 0.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The OY and ACL would be equal values, and the same socioeconomic 
and ecological tradeoffs would be considered in the determination of 
where to set both of these parameters. Most of the alternative ACL 
definitions considered here are more restrictive than the current OY 
definition and would prevent the fishery from achieving OY as currently 
defined. ACL (= OY) Options 2(c) through 2(f) would set those 
parameters equal to some proportion (100-50%) of the OFL to take into 
account uncertainty, ecological factors, and other concerns. Option 
2(g) would set the ACL (= OY) equal to the ABC recommended by the 
Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee. Option 2(h) would set 
the ACL (= OY) equal to zero for surgeonfish.

Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY)

    The MSY proxy defined by no action Option 1 averages catches over 
the longest time period during which data were considered to be 
relatively stable at the time the Council approved the Comprehensive 
SFA Amendment. Because the Council had fewer years of catch data to 
work with at that time, that proxy incorporated Puerto Rico and USVI 
catch data prior to 1999. The MSY proxies evaluated in Option 2 does 
not use pre-1999 data in average catch calculations because those data 
were collected by gear type rather than by family group. The Council 
instead prefers to use data from more recent years, when the data were 
collected by family group and therefore provide a relatively consistent 
baseline among all of the islands.
    Additionally, in contrast to the no action Option 1, Option 2 does 
not attempt to incorporate information on recreational catches in the 
USVI because the MRFSS does not provide this information and no 
alternative data are available to reliably estimate these landings. As 
a result, the MSYs specified by these alternative proxies are expected 
to be underestimated to some unknown degree. In general, 
underestimating MSY can result in foregone yield, whereas 
overestimating MSY can lead to overfishing.

Overfishing Threshold (MFMT/OFL)

    The overfishing threshold defined by Option 1 is a maximum fishing 
mortality threshold (MFMT) equal to the fishing mortality rate at MSY. 
Because this fishing mortality rate is unknown for U.S. Caribbean 
species, the Comprehensive SFA Amendment adopted natural mortality rate 
as a proxy for this parameter. However, data are insufficient to 
evaluate the sustainability of current fishing mortality rates relative 
to this proxy and make a determination as to whether overfishing is or 
is not occurring. To remedy this, Option 2 proposes to specify a catch-
based, rather than fishing mortality-based, overfishing threshold, 
called the overfishing limit (OFL). Annual catches would be evaluated 
relative to the OFL to determine whether overfishing is or is not 
occurring. This approach is consistent with the NS1 guidelines, which 
provide fishery managers the flexibility to determine if overfishing 
occurs based on either fishing mortality rates or actual annual catch.
    Option 2 would essentially maintain the same relationship as the no 
action alternative between the overfishing threshold and MSY. MSY 
represents the maximum yield a species complex can provide in the long 
term, while OFL estimates the amount of annual catch above which 
overfishing is occurring. In theory, the annual OFL would vary above 
and below the MSY level depending on fluctuations in stock size. Since 
both MSY and OFL are related to the highest fishing mortality rate that 
will not result in overfishing, the long-term average of OFLs would be 
expected to equate to MSY, provided that stock abundance is high enough 
to support MSY. But, in practice, the annual OFL proposed in Option 2 
would remain constant at the MSY level until stock biomass can be 
estimated.
    Sub-option (a) would result in an automatic overfishing 
determination if annual catch exceeded the OFL in any given year, 
whereas Option (b) would provide scientists (in consultation with 
managers) the flexibility to evaluate the cause of the reported catch 
increase prior to making a determination that a species complex is 
undergoing overfishing. Specifically, they would consider whether the 
reported increase represents an actual increase in landings or just 
improved data collection and monitoring. The intent of this sub-option 
is to eliminate any incentive for fishermen to under-report or 
misreport catches to avoid exceeding ACLs and triggering associated 
AMs.

Optimum Yield (OY) and Annual Catch Limits (ACLs)

    The current OY defined by no action Option 1 is derived from the 
technical guidance provided by Restrepo et al. (1998), which recommends 
the target fishing mortality rate be set equal to the average yield 
available on a continuing basis from fishing at 75% of the fishing 
mortality rate that would produce MSY. The authors of that guidance 
indicate that fishing at this level adds precaution and maintains 
stocks at higher biomass levels, while sacrificing only a small amount 
(~ 6.25%) of catch. Because data are insufficient to estimate the 
fishing mortality rate that would produce MSY, the Comprehensive SFA 
Amendment estimated the OY of each species/species group to equal 
93.75% of MSY.
    While the no action Option 1 does not explicitly define ACLs for 
the target

[[Page 2668]]

species, the ABC estimates specified by the Council's MSY control rule 
could be considered to represent the ACLs of these species/species 
groups if no additional action were taken through this amendment to 
revise management reference points. However, these ABC values are very 
uncertain as they were calculated using natural mortality rate as a 
proxy for the fishing mortality rate that would produce MSY and 
informed judgment regarding stock biomass. And, because these values 
were set well below MSY values to address SFA Working Group 
determinations regarding overfishing, they would prevent the fishery 
from achieving OY; even though recent landings data indicate that, in 
most cases, management controls appear to have effectively reduced 
catch rates below the overfishing threshold.
    To remedy this, Option 2 would set the OY and ACL as equal values, 
requiring the Council to consider the socioeconomic and ecological 
components of OY when determining how far ACLs should be reduced below 
the overfishing threshold to account for scientific uncertainty in 
estimating the OFL and management uncertainty in effectively 
constraining harvest over time. This approach leads to OY estimates for 
the target species that are below those estimated in the Comprehensive 
SFA Amendment, regardless of the OY (= ACL) alternative selected. In 
contrast, most of the OY alternatives would result in larger OY 
estimates for the grouper and parrotfish complexes relative to the no 
action alternative.
    Action 1c. Allocation of ACLs among island groups.
    Option 1: No Action. Maintain U.S. Caribbean-wide reference points.
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

[[Page 2669]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN14JA11.000


[[Page 2670]]


BILLING CODE 3510-22-C
Action 2: Management of Aquarium Trade Species
    Option 1: No action. Do not re-evaluate and revise management of 
aquarium trade species.
    Option 2: Consolidate all aquarium trade species listed in the 
Fishery Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and 
Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and Reef Fish 
Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands into 
a single Fishery Management Plan.
    Sub-option A: Move all aquarium trade species listed in the Fishery 
Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates 
of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands into the Reef Fish Fishery 
Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    Sub-option B: Move all of the aquarium trade species listed in the 
Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin 
Islands into the Fishery Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated 
Plants and Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    Sub-option C: Move all of the aquarium trade species listed in both 
the Fishery Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and 
Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and in the 
Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin 
Islands, into a separate Fishery Management Plan specific to aquarium 
trade species.
    Option 3: Remove aquarium trade species from both the Fishery 
Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates 
of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Reef Fish Fishery 
Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    Sub-option A: Remove all aquarium trade species from the Fishery 
Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates 
of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and from the Reef Fish 
Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and 
no longer track their landings.
    Sub-option B: Move all aquarium trade species listed in the Fishery 
Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates 
of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Reef Fish Fishery 
Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands into the 
`data collection only' category.
    Sub-option C: Move only those aquarium trade species listed in 
either the Fishery Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated 
Plants and Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands or 
the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. 
Virgin Islands, and for which landings data are available during the 
year sequence chosen in Action 1 above, into the `data collection only' 
category. Remove all remaining aquarium trade species from either the 
Fishery Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and 
Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands or the Reef 
Fish Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands 
and no longer track their landings.
    Option 4: Transfer management authority, for all aquarium trade 
species listed in either the Fishery Management Plan for Corals and 
Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and the U.S. 
Virgin Islands or the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico 
and the U.S. Virgin Islands, to the jurisdiction of the appropriate 
commonwealth or territory as defined by Action 3(c) of Amendment 2 to 
the Fishery Management Plan for the Queen Conch Fishery of Puerto Rico 
and the U.S. Virgin Islands and Amendment 5 to the Reef Fish Fishery 
Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    Table 8. List of all species included in the Aquarium Trade 
category in both the Reef Fish and Coral FMPs. Table contents are 
extracted from Table 8 of the Comprehensive Amendment to the Fishery 
Management Plans (FMPs) of the U.S. Caribbean to Address Required 
Provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (a.k.a. the Comprehensive Sustainable Fisheries Act Amendment).

Reef Fish FMP

Clepticus parrae, Creole wrasse
Halichoeres garnoti, Yellowhead wrasse
Halichoeres cyanocephalus, Yellowcheek wrasse
Halichoeres maculipinna, Clown wrasse
Thalassoma bifasciatum, Bluehead wrasse
Liopropoma rubre, Swissguard basslet
Gramma loreto, Royal gramma
Microspathodon chrysurus, Yellowtail damselfish
Stegastes adustus, Dusky damselfish
Stegastes partitus, Bicolor damselfish
Stegastes planifrons, Threespot damselfish
Stegastes leucostictus, Beaugregory
Chaetodon capistratus, Foureye butterflyfish
Chaetodon aculeatus, Longsnout butterflyfish
Chaetodon ocellatus, Spotfin butterflyfish
Chaetodon striatus, Banded butterflyfish
Serranus baldwini, Lantern bass
Serranus annularis, Orangeback bass
Serranus tabacarius, Tobaccofish
Serranus tigrinus, Harlequin bass
Serranus tortugarum, Chalk bass
Opistognathus aurifrons, Yellowhead jawfish
Opistognathus whitehursti, Dusky jawfish
Xyrichtys novacula, Pearly razorfish
Xyrichtys splendens, Green razorfish
Echidna catenata, Chain moray
Gymnothorax funebris, Green moray
Gymnothorax miliaris, Goldentail moray
Elacatinus oceanops, Neon goby
Priolepis hipoliti, Rusty goby
Equetus lanceolatus, Jackknife-fish
Equetus punctatus, Spotted drum
Chromis cyanea, Blue chromis
Chromis insolata, Sunshinefish
Abudefduf saxatilis, Sergeant major
Astrapogon stellatus, Conchfish
Apogon maculatua, Flamefish
Amblycirrhitus pinos, Redspotted hawkfish
Antennarius spp., Frogfish
Bothus lunatus, Peacock flounder
Chaetodipterus faber, Atlantic spadefish
Canthigaster rostrata, Sharpnose puffer
Centropyge argi, Cherubfish
Diodon hystrix, Porcupinefish
Dactylopterus volitans, Flying gurnard
Heteropriacanthus cruentatus, Glasseye snapper
Hypoplectrus unicolor, Butter hamlet
Holocanthus tricolor, Rock beauty
Myrichthys ocellatus, Goldspotted eel
Ophioblennius macclurei, Redlip blenny
Pareques acuminatus, High-hat
Rypticus saponaceus, Greater sopafish
Synodus intermedius, Sand diver
Symphurus diomedianus, Caribbean tonguefish
Family Syngnathidae, Pipefishes and Seahorses
Family Ogcocephalidae, Batfish
Family Scorpaenidae, Scorpionfish

    Table 8 (continued). List of all species included in the Aquarium 
Trade category in both the Reef Fish and Coral FMPs. Table contents are 
extracted from Table 8 of the Comprehensive Amendment to the Fishery 
Management Plans (FMPs) of the U.S. Caribbean to Address Required 
Provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (a.k.a. the Comprehensive Sustainable Fisheries Act Amendment).

Coral FMP

Aphimedon compressa, Erect rope sponge
Astrophyton muricatum, Giant basket star

[[Page 2671]]

Alpheaus armatus, Snapping shrimp
Aiptasia tagetes, Pale anemone
Astropecten spp., Sand stars
Analcidometra armata, Swimming crinoid
Bartholomea annulata, Corkscrew anemone
Cynachirella alloclada, sponge (no common name)
Condylactis gigantea, Giant pink-tipped anemone
Cyphoma gibbosum, Flamingo tongue
Chondrilla nucula, Chicken liver sponge
Diadema antillarum, Long-spined urchin
Davidaster spp., Crinoids
Discosoma spp., False coral
Echinometra spp., Purple urchin
Eucidaris tribuloides, Pencil urchin
Gonodactylus (Neogonodactylus) spp., Smashing mantis shrimp
Geodia neptuni, Potato sponge
Haliclona sp., Finger sponge
Holothuria spp., Sea cucumbers
Hereractis lucida, Knobby anemone
Lima spp., Fileclams
Lima scabra, Rough fileclam
Lytechinus spp., Pin cushion urchin
Lysmata spp., Peppermint shrimp
Linckia guildingii, Common comet star
Lysiosquilla spp., Spearing mantis shrimp
Lebrunia spp., Staghorn anemone
Mithrax spp., Clinging crabs
Mithrax cinctimanus, Banded clinging crab
Mithrax sculptus, Green clinging crab
Myriastra sp., sponge (no common name)
Niphates digitalis, Pink vase sponge
Niphates erecta, Lavender rope sponge
Nemaster spp., Crinoids
Ophiocoma spp., Brittlestars
Ophioderma spp., Brittlestars
Ophioderma rubicundum, Ruby brittlestar
Oreaster reticulatus, Cushion sea star
Ophidiaster guildingii, Comet star
Oliva reticularis, Netted olive
Octopus spp. (except the Common octopus, O. vulgaris)
Paguristes spp., Hermit crabs
Paguristes cadenati, Red reef hermit crab
Percnon gibbesi, Nimble spray crab
Periclimenes spp., Cleaner shrimp
Ricordia florida, Florida false coral
Stichodactyla helianthus, Sun anemone
Spirobranchus giganteus, Christmas tree worm
Sabellastarte magnifica, Magnificent duster
Sabellastarte spp., Tube worms
Stenopus scutellatus, Golden shrimp
Stenopus hispidus, Banded shrimp
Stenorhynchus seticornis, Yellowline arrow crab
Spondylus americanus, Atlantic thorny oyster
Spinosella plicifera, Iridescent tube sponge
Spinosella vaginalis, Lavendar tube sponge
Tripneustes ventricosus, Sea egg urchin
Thor amboinensis, Anemone shrimp
Tectitethya (Tethya) crypta, sponge (no common name)
    Subphylum Urochordata, Tunicates
Tridachia crispata, Lettuce sea slug
Zoanthus spp., Sea mat

    Action 3. Recreational fishery management.
    Action 3a. Separation of recreational and commercial sectors.
    Option 1: No action. Do not specify sector-specific annual catch 
limits.
    Option 2: Specify separate commercial and recreational annual catch 
limits based on the preferred management reference point time series.
Action 3b. Recreational Bag Limits
    Option 1: No action. Do not establish bag limit restrictions on 
recreational harvest.
    Option 2: Specify a 5-fish aggregate bag limit per person (would 
not apply to a fisherman who has a valid commercial fishing license 
issued by Puerto Rico or the USVI).
    Option 3: Specify a 2-fish aggregate bag limit per person (would 
not apply to a fisherman who has a valid commercial fishing license 
issued by Puerto Rico or the USVI).
    Option 4: Establish a 0-fish aggregate bag limit per person (would 
not apply to a fisherman who has a valid commercial fishing license 
issued by Puerto Rico or the USVI) for species in the surgeonfish FMU.
    Option 5: Establish an aggregate bag limit of: 10 per fisher 
including not more than two surgeonfish per fisher or six surgeonfish 
per boat, and 30 aggregate fish per boat on a fishing day (would not 
apply to a fisherman who has a valid commercial fishing license issued 
by Puerto Rico or the USVI).
    Option 6: Establish an aggregate bag limit of: Five per fisher 
including not more than two surgeonfish per fisher or six surgeonfish 
per boat, and 15 aggregate fish per boat on a fishing day (would not 
apply to a fisherman who has a valid commercial fishing license issued 
by Puerto Rico or the USVI).
    Action 4: Accountability Measures.
    Action 4a: Triggering Accountability Measures.
    Option 1: No Action. Do not trigger AMs.
    Option 2: Trigger AMs if the Annual Catch Limit is exceeded based 
upon:
    Sub-option A: A single year of landings beginning with landings 
from 2011.
    Sub-option B: A single year of landings beginning with landings 
from 2011, then a 2-year running average of landings in 2012 (average 
of 2011+2012) and thereafter (i.e., 2011, 2011-2012, 2012-2013, etc.).
    Sub-option C: A single year of landings beginning with landings 
from 2011, a 2-year average of landings in 2012 (average of 2011+2012), 
then a 3-year running average of landings in 2013 (average of 
2011+2012+2013) and thereafter (i.e., 2011, 2011-2012, 2011-2013, 2012-
2014, etc.).
    Option 3: Trigger AMs if the annual catch limit is exceeded as 
defined below and NMFS' SEFSC (in consultation with the Caribbean 
Fishery Management Council and its Scientific and Statistical 
Committee) determines the overage occurred because catches increased 
versus data collection/monitoring improved:
    Sub-option A: A single year of landings effective beginning 2011.
    Sub-option B: A single year of landings effective beginning 2011, 
then a 2-year running average of landings effective 2012 and thereafter 
(i.e., 2011, 2011-2012, 2012-2013, etc.).
    Sub-option C: A single year of landings effective beginning 2011, a 
2-year running average of landings effective 2012, then a 3-year 
running average of landings effective 2013 and thereafter (i.e., 2011, 
2011-2012, 2011-2013, 2012-2014, etc.).
    Action 4b: Apply Accountability Measures.
    Option 1: No Action. Do not apply AMs.
    Option 2: If AMs are triggered, then reduce the length of the 
fishing season for that species or species group the year following the 
trigger determination by the amount needed to prevent such an overage 
from occurring again. The needed changes will remain in effect until 
modified.
    Option 3: If AMs are triggered, then reduce the length of the 
fishing season for that species or species group the year following the 
trigger determination by the amount needed to prevent such an overage 
from occurring again and to pay back the overage. The needed changes 
will remain in effect until modified.
    Action 5: Framework Measures.
    Action 5a: Establish Framework Measures for the Spiny Lobster FMP.
    Option 1: No Action. Do not amend the framework measures for the 
Spiny Lobster FMP.
    Option 2: Amend the framework procedures for the Spiny Lobster FMP 
to provide a mechanism to expeditiously adjust the following reference 
points and management measures through framework action:

a. Quota Requirements

[[Page 2672]]

b. Seasonal Closures
c. Area Closures
d. Fishing Year
e. Trip/Bag Limit
f. Size Limits
g. Gear Restrictions or Prohibitions
h. Total Allowable Catch (TAC)
i. Annual Catch Limits (ACLs)
j. Accountability Measures (AMs)
k. Annual Catch Targets (ACTs)
l. Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY)
m. Optimum Yield (OY)
n. Minimum Stock Size Threshold (MSST)
o. Maximum Fishing Mortality Threshold (MFMT)
p. Overfishing Limit (OFL)
q. Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) control rules
r. Actions to Minimize the Interaction of Fishing Gear with Endangered 
Species or Marine Mammals

    Option 3: Amend the framework procedures for the Spiny Lobster FMP 
to provide the Council with a mechanism to expeditiously adjust a 
subset of management measures outlined in Option 2.
    Action 5b: Establish Framework Measures for the Corals and Reef 
Associated Plants and Invertebrates FMP.
    Option 1: No Action. Do not amend the framework measures for the 
Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates FMP.
    Option 2: Amend the framework procedures for the Corals and Reef 
Associated Plants and Invertebrates FMP to provide a mechanism to 
expeditiously adjust the following reference points and management 
measures through framework action:

a. Quota Requirements
b. Seasonal Closures
c. Area Closures
d. Fishing Year
e. Trip/Bag Limit
f. Size Limits
g. Gear Restrictions or Prohibitions
h. Fishery Management Units (FMUs)
i. Total Allowable Catch (TAC)
j. Annual Catch Limits (ACLs)
k. Accountability Measures (AMs)
l. Annual Catch Targets (ACTs)
m. Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY)
n. Optimum Yield (OY)
o. Minimum Stock Size Threshold (MSST)
p. Maximum Fishing Mortality Threshold (MFMT)
q. Overfishing Limit (OFL)
r. Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) control rules
s. Actions to Minimize the Interaction of Fishing Gear with Endangered 
Species or Marine Mammals

    Option 3: Amend the framework procedures for the Corals and Reef 
Associated Plants and Invertebrates FMP to provide the Council with a 
mechanism to expeditiously adjust a subset of management measures 
outlined in Option 2.

Special Accommodations

    These meetings are physically accessible to people with 
disabilities. For more information or request for sign language 
interpretation and other auxiliary aids, please contact Mr. Miguel A. 
Rol[oacute]n, Executive Director, Caribbean Fishery Management Council, 
268 Mu[ntilde]oz Rivera Avenue, Suite 1108, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 
00918-1920, telephone (787) 766-5926, at least five days prior to the 
meeting date.

    Dated: January 11, 2011.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-712 Filed 1-13-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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