Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 32, 6988-7000 [2012-3177]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 28 (Friday, February 10, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6988-7000]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-3177]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 100217095-2081-04]
RIN 0648-AY56


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 32

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS issues this final rule to implement management measures 
described in Amendment 32 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the 
Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (Amendment 32) prepared by 
the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). This rule 
adjusts the commercial gag quota and recreational annual catch target 
(ACT) for 2012 through 2015 and subsequent fishing years, consistent 
with the gag rebuilding plan established in Amendment 32; adjusts the 
shallow-water grouper (SWG) quota; adjusts the commercial and 
recreational sector annual catch limits (ACLs) for gag and red grouper; 
adjusts the commercial ACL for SWG; establishes a formula-based method 
for setting gag and red grouper multi-use allocation for the grouper/
tilefish individual fishing quota (IFQ) program in the Gulf of Mexico 
(Gulf); sets the recreational gag fishing season from July 1 through 
October 31; reduces the gag commercial size limit to 22 inches (59 cm) 
total length (TL); and modifies the gag and red grouper accountability 
measures (AMs). In addition, Amendment 32 establishes gag commercial 
ACTs and a 10-year gag rebuilding plan consistent with the requirements 
of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
(Magnuson-Stevens Act). This final rule is intended to end overfishing 
of gag, allow the gag stock to rebuild, and adjust red grouper 
management measures to allow the harvest of optimum yield (OY).

DATES: This rule is effective March 12, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of Amendment 32, which includes a final 
environmental impact statement, a regulatory flexibility act analysis, 
and a regulatory impact review, may be obtained from the Southeast 
Regional Office Web Site at https://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sf/GrouperSnapperandReefFish.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Hood, Southeast Regional Office, 
NMFS, telephone 727-824-5305; email: Peter.Hood@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The reef fish fishery of the Gulf is managed 
under the FMP. The FMP was prepared by the Council and is implemented 
through regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the authority of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    On October 27, 2011, NMFS published a notice of availability for 
Amendment 32 and requested public comment (76 FR 66672). NMFS published 
a proposed rule for Amendment 32 on November 2, 2011 and requested 
public comment (76 FR 67656). During the comment period for the 
proposed rule published on November 2, 2011, NMFS identified an 
inconsistency in the regulatory text regarding the AMs for recreational 
gag and red grouper that needed correction. To correct this 
inconsistency, NMFS published a second proposed rule on January 12, 
2012 (77 FR 1910), to revise the process for applying overage 
adjustments in the recreational AMs for gag and red grouper. Each of 
the proposed rules and Amendment 32 outline the rationale for the 
actions contained in this final rule. A summary of the actions 
implemented by this final rule is provided below.
    Management measures implemented through this final rule adjust the 
commercial gag quota and recreational ACT for 2012 through 2015 and 
subsequent fishing years, consistent with the gag rebuilding plan 
established in Amendment 32; adjust the SWG quota; adjust the 
commercial and recreational sector's ACLs for gag and red grouper; 
adjust the commercial ACL for SWG; establish a formula-based method for 
setting gag and red grouper multi-use allocation for the grouper/
tilefish IFQ program in the Gulf; set the recreational gag fishing 
season from July 1 through October 31; reduce the gag commercial size 
limit to 22 inches (59 cm) TL; modify the gag and red grouper AMs; and 
revise the process for applying overage adjustments in the recreational 
AMs for gag and red grouper.

Comments and Responses

    NMFS received 26 comment letters with a total of 13 separate 
comments on Amendment 32 and the two proposed rules. Five of the 
comments were on the second proposed rule. Comments were received from 
both individuals and organizations. Comments from two non-governmental 
organizations (NGOs) supported most of the management measures 
contained in the first proposed rule. One Federal agency indicated they 
had no comments on Amendment 32 or the rule. Three of the comments on 
the second proposed rule did not specifically address the proposed 
revision to the overage adjustment for the recreational gag and red 
grouper AMs contained in the second proposed rule. Comments related to 
the actions contained in the amendment or the proposed rules are 
summarized and responded to below.
    Comment 1: Alternative gag recreational seasons, beyond the 
proposed season of July 1 through October 31, should be considered. Gag 
recreational seasons suggested were a fall/winter season, a spring and 
a winter season, a summer season synchronized with other species such 
as red snapper, and a 6-month season. Also suggested was reducing the 
gag bag limit to one fish.
    Response: The Council selected the July 1 through October 31 season 
because it sets the longest fishing season that is consistent with the 
reductions

[[Page 6989]]

needed to adhere to the 10-year rebuilding plan. This decision was 
based on public testimony with many preferring a summer/fall season. 
The Council did consider other seasons including a fall season and a 
split winter and spring season. The reason the Council did not select 
these alternatives is that catch rates are much higher at these times 
and would only allow for an approximate 60-day season under the 
assumptions used to model season length.
    The Council did initially consider a one-fish bag limit during the 
development of Amendment 32. However, this was discounted because the 
gains in season length were minimal (generally less than 15 days). A 
small gain in season length relative to the reduction in the bag limit 
from two to one is due to the fact that many fishermen do not catch 
their bag limit under the current two-fish bag limit. If all fishermen 
were to return with their bag limit, then gains in the season length 
from reducing the bag limit would be much greater.
    Comment 2: The proposed gag recreational season is not conservative 
enough to constrain harvests to the ACT.
    Response: The gag recreational season allows for total gag removals 
to be reduced sufficiently to end overfishing and allow the stock to 
rebuild within the 10-year rebuilding plan. Two baselines were 
considered to determine the range of effects of different management 
measures. Under the 2009 baseline, lower reductions are needed and 
under the 2006-2008 baseline, higher reductions are needed. The July 1 
through October 31 fishing season is sufficient to achieve target 
harvest levels (yields based on the fishing mortality rate associated 
with harvesting OY) under the 2009 baseline and achieve rebuilding 
targets (yields based on the fishing mortality rate needed to rebuild 
the stock in 10 years) under the 2006-2008 baseline. In evaluating 
alternative management measures, the Council selected a strategy within 
the range provided by the baselines, namely the July 1 through October 
31 gag recreational season that balances the ability for the stock to 
recover while minimizing adverse effects on the recreational sector. 
These reductions also assume that gag fishing effort will increase by 
50 percent during the recreational fishing season compared to past 
years when the season was longer. The Council did consider that a 
doubling of fishing effort could occur, but determined this possibility 
overestimated effort shifting. Should the effort increase be greater 
than 50 percent and the ACL is exceeded, then recreational AMs would be 
triggered and mitigate the effects of the overage.
    Comment 3: Gag populations appear to be abundant, bringing into 
question the data used for the stock assessment.
    Response: The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires NMFS and regional 
fishery management councils to prevent overfishing, and achieve, on a 
continuing basis, the OY from federally managed fish stocks. In 
addition, the Magnuson-Stevens Act requires fishery managers to specify 
their strategy for rebuilding overfished stocks to a sustainable level 
within a certain time frame. The most recent stock assessment of gag 
indicated the stock was overfished and undergoing overfishing. 
Therefore, a rebuilding plan for gag is required. The gag rebuilding 
plan specifies annual harvest levels and management measures 
implemented through Amendment 32 must constrain harvest to these 
levels.
    Stock assessments are conducted under the scientifically peer-
reviewed Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) process, which 
was initiated in 2002 to improve the quality and reliability of fishery 
stock assessments in the South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and U.S. 
Caribbean. SEDAR seeks improvements in the scientific quality of stock 
assessments and supporting information available to address existing 
and emerging fishery management issues. This process emphasizes 
constituent and stakeholder participation in assessment development, 
transparency in the assessment process, and a rigorous and independent 
scientific review of completed stock assessments. SEDAR is organized 
around three workshops. First, the data workshop documents, analyzes, 
and reviews the data sets to be used for assessment analyses. Second, 
the assessment workshop develops and refines quantitative population 
analyses and estimates population parameters. The final workshop is 
conducted by a panel of independent experts who review the data and the 
assessment and recommend the most appropriate values of critical 
population and management quantities. The 2006 gag assessment, 2009 
update assessment, and 2010 assessment reruns were conducted within the 
SEDAR process. The 2010 assessment reruns were performed to better 
account for discarded fish. These assessments were used to assist in 
developing the management measures contained in Amendment 32. All 
workshops and Council-initiated meetings to review the assessment were 
open to the public and included constituent participation on the 
various SEDAR panels to ensure the transparency of the data and how it 
was applied in the assessments. In addition, the Council's Scientific 
and Statistical Committee (SSC) reviewed assessment results and made 
recommendations to the Council about the adequacy of the assessments 
and the acceptable biological catch. The Council took all of this 
information into consideration when selecting preferred alternatives in 
Amendment 32.
    Comment 4: Regionalized gag management should be considered to 
allow a greater proportion of the gag harvest to occur in areas where 
gag are more abundant.
    Response: Considering regionalized management with measures such as 
seasonal closures, bag limits, and size limits is outside the scope of 
this rulemaking because such an approach would not directly reduce 
overfishing. However, the Council has examined regionalized management 
for reef fish species such as gray triggerfish and red snapper. One 
impediment to developing regionalized management measures is that fine 
scale geographic data are needed to evaluate the effects of the 
measures. These data are not available at this time; however, NMFS is 
working to improve data collection efforts so regionalized management 
may be an option in the future.
    In the course of developing long-term management measures in 
Amendment 32, the Council did consider seasonal-area closures for 
grouper species. This is a type of regionalized management. However, 
the Council did not select seasonal-area closures for gag in Amendment 
32 because of potential adverse social and economic impacts and they 
were not necessary to rebuild the stock.
    Comment 5: Gag should be included in multi-species bag limits and 
seasons so that fishermen have the opportunity to harvest a variety of 
fish species. Species suggested for a multi-species bag limit for gag 
and other grouper include red snapper and greater amberjack.
    Response: Although the Council did not consider changing the 
existing multi-species bag limits, the Council did consider the fishing 
seasons for other targeted species when selecting the gag seasonal 
closure. Part of the rationale for selecting a gag summer season is 
that it may overlap with the red snapper season, which begins on June 1 
each year. The Council also considered public testimony, which was not 
in favor of multi-species seasons. For-hire operators desire to have 
some targeted species available for harvest year-round

[[Page 6990]]

so that they can market trips to their customers.
    Comment 6: The amount of area closed should be increased to protect 
gag during their spawning season and to reduce gag bycatch.
    Response: The Council decided not to add any new area closures in 
Amendment 32 because it determined that a new area closure could result 
in more negative social and economic impacts than measurable biological 
benefits. As described in Amendment 32, closing a particular area can 
provide biological and ecological benefits. However, because of effort 
shifting outside the closed area, these benefits are difficult to 
quantify. In general, closing a fishing area, particularly a large 
fishing area, remains controversial. The Council received many negative 
comments regarding additional closed areas because of issues such as 
effort shifting and inter-sector competition.
    Comment 7: The commercial minimum size limit for gag should not be 
reduced and more research should be conducted on the consequence of 
reducing the minimum size limit for gag before implementing a 
reduction.
    Response: As described in Amendment 32, grouper minimum size limits 
are the greatest factor contributing to bycatch of SWG species. Size 
limits are intended to protect immature fish and reduce fishing 
mortality. For gag, yield-per-recruit analyses were conducted through 
the SEDAR process to identify the sizes that best balance the benefits 
of harvesting fish at larger sizes against losses due to natural 
mortality. The gag size where the yield-per-recruit was maximized was 
less than the proposed commercial minimum size limit of 22 inches (55.9 
cm), TL, and the current recreational minimum size limit of 22 inches 
(55.9 cm), TL. Although decreasing the minimum size limit for either 
commercial or recreational gag positively benefits yield-per-recruit 
and reduces bycatch, it also negatively affects spawning potential. 
However, the Council determined the reduced minimum size limit will 
likely provide a net positive benefit to the stock, and delaying taking 
such action would be detrimental to the health of the stock.
    Comment 8: The trigger for activating recreational inseason AMs 
should be the more precautionary ACT rather than the higher ACL.
    Response: The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires that ACLs be 
implemented for each fishery and measures to ensure accountability. The 
Magnuson-Stevens Act does not require ACTs. The National Standards 1 
guidelines (74 FR 3178, January 16, 2009), state that when an ACL is 
exceeded or projected to be exceeded, then AMs should be implemented to 
``correct or mitigate the overage.'' NMFS' guidance views ACTs as a 
type of AM, particularly in the case of stocks or sectors that do not 
have inseason AMs. The ACT, which is usually set below the ACL, acts as 
a buffer. This is because managing a stock or sector at the ACT, or 
lower harvest level, reduces the probability that the ACL will be 
exceeded.
    Amendment 32 proposes inseason AMs for recreational gag and red 
grouper that close the recreational sector if an ACL is projected to be 
exceeded or is exceeded within that fishing year. Therefore, in the 
case of gag and red grouper, ACTs are not necessary. However, as an 
added precaution, gag and red grouper recreational management measures 
are based on fishing at FOY (the ACT level) which is below 
the fishing mortality rate (F) associated with the ACL. Given this 
additional level of protection, the Council and NMFS determined that it 
was not necessary to set the AM trigger at the ACT level.
    Amendment 32 also provides additional protection for recreational 
gag and red grouper under the revisions to the AMs. If the gag or red 
grouper recreational ACL is exceeded, and gag or red grouper are 
overfished, then an overage adjustment would be applied, further 
reducing the subsequent year's recreational ACL and reducing the gag or 
red grouper recreational fishing season by the amount necessary to 
ensure gag or red grouper recreational landings do not exceed the 
recreational ACT in the following fishing year.
    Comment 9: The gag stock should be rebuilt in 7 years as opposed to 
the proposed 10-year rebuilding plan.
    Response: As mentioned in Amendment 32, the management measures set 
by the Council for the recreational and commercial sectors should 
rebuild the stock within 7 years. However, given management 
uncertainties and uncertainties regarding stock assessment projections 
more than a few years in the future, the Council selected a 10-year 
rebuilding plan. This longer time frame allows for fluctuations in 
catches and provides fishing communities with greater socioeconomic 
benefits.
    Comment 10: More restrictive measures should be applied to the gag 
commercial sector. These include reducing the commercial quota so more 
fish are available to the recreational sector, restricting the 
commercial sector to deeper waters to fish, and restricting the 
commercial sector to gag fishing only when the recreational sector is 
open.
    Response: Revising commercial and recreational sector allocations 
is beyond the scope of Amendment 32 and this rulemaking. Amendment 30B 
to the FMP set the current allocation of 39 percent commercial and 61 
percent recreational. This allocation may be revised as the Council 
develops Amendment 28 to the FMP to address grouper allocations.
    With regards to moving the commercial sector to deeper waters, the 
Council did not consider this action in Amendment 32. However, some 
commercial operators are already required to fish farther offshore than 
recreational anglers. Recent regulations restrict longline vessels to 
deeper waters for a portion of the year to reduce the number of 
incidental sea turtle captures. These measures prohibit the use of 
bottom longline gear shoreward of a line approximating the 35-fathom 
depth contour from June through August. For the remainder of the year, 
bottom longlines are prohibited inside a line approximating the 20-
fathom depth contour.
    The commercial sector is not subject to seasonal restrictions 
because it is managed under an IFQ program. In this program, individual 
fishermen are given an allocation of gag based on the commercial quota 
and the number of IFQ shares owned by the fisherman. This individual 
allocation allows commercial fishermen more flexibility in how they can 
fish, including fishing year-round if they still have allocation 
remaining. If the commercial sector was not allowed to keep gag when 
the recreational sector was closed, dead discards of gag would 
increase. This is because gag would be incidentally caught as 
commercial fishermen target other species. The likelihood these 
incidentally caught fish would survive is lower than for the 
recreational sector because the commercial sector generally fishes at 
greater depths. Therefore, by allowing the commercial sector to keep 
gag year-round if an individual fisherman still has allocation, any gag 
above the minimum size limit are counted towards the quota and not 
wasted.
    Comment 11: Taking final action on the commercial minimum size 
limit for gag was in violation of the Magnuson-Stevens Act because the 
SSC did not review ``all proposed management actions'' in the 
development of Amendment 32.
    Response: Section 302(g)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act states, 
``Each Council shall establish, maintain, and appoint the members of a 
scientific and statistical committee to assist it in the development, 
collection, evaluation,

[[Page 6991]]

and peer review of such statistical, biological, economic, social, and 
other scientific information as is relevant to such Council's 
development and amendment of any fishery management plan.'' As part of 
the development of Amendment 32, the SSC reviewed and accepted both the 
SEDAR gag benchmark assessment and 2009 assessment update. These 
assessments provided the data for the biological and economic analyses 
contained in Amendment 32. Therefore, the SSC did review the relevant 
scientific information needed to develop the amendment. Although the 
SSC might have provided some additional insight if they had reviewed 
all the actions in Amendment 32, there is no obligation under the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act for this review. Specific to the action to reduce 
the gag commercial minimum size limit, the data used in assessing the 
effects of changing the minimum size limit came directly from the 2009 
update assessment and subsequent reruns of this update assessment, 
which were accepted by the SSC. Further, the minimum size limit 
analysis was determined by NMFS to be based upon the best scientific 
information available.
    Comment 12: Economic analyses are not representative of individual 
charter vessel operators and so individual estimates of net operating 
revenues (NOR) due to gag management measures are underestimated.
    Response: Analyses used to evaluate the economic impacts of the 
management measures are based on the average performance of affected 
charter vessels. Therefore, the analyses are not intended to be 
representative of particular for-hire vessels that target gag. A more 
complete discussion of this comment can be found in the Classification 
section of this rule.
    Comment 13: The economic impacts of the gag management measures are 
underestimated because the estimates of the percentage of trips by for-
hire anglers that target gag in the Gulf used to evaluate performance 
of for-hire vessels are too low and not representative of individual 
charter vessel operators.
    Response: The dependence of fishing for individual species such as 
gag by specific for-hire vessels cannot be determined with available 
data. Some for-hire vessels, as described in the IRFA, are likely more 
dependent on trips that target gag than other for-hire vessels. Thus, 
NMFS agrees that the economic impact of the management measures for 
vessels that are highly dependent on targeting gag is greater than 
those that do not. However, the economic analyses looked at for-hire 
vessels in general and are not specific to particular vessels (a more 
complete discussion of this comment can be found in the Classification 
section of this rule). It should be noted that the Council did account 
for some effort shifting by the recreational sector during the months 
that recreational fishing for gag occurs. During these months, the 
number of trips targeting gag will likely increase and the dependence 
of for-hire vessels on gag fishing will also likely increase. The 
Council considered three effort shifting scenarios and concluded that 
doubling of effort was too high an assumption. Accordingly, the Council 
chose to assume a 1.5 effort shift for the purpose of evaluating the 
alternatives but also recognized that the full range of projected 
effort shifting should be taken into consideration because an exact 
number could not be predicted.

Changes From the Proposed Rule

    NMFS revised the regulatory text of the proposed rule in this final 
rule in several places. In Sec.  622.20, NMFS renumbered the paragraphs 
because a final rule implementing revisions to the Gulf red snapper and 
Gulf grouper/tilefish IFQ programs, that published November 4, 2011 (76 
FR 68339), reorganized and renumbered the paragraphs in Sec.  622.20. 
The revision to Sec.  622.39, contained in the proposed rule was 
removed in this final rule because a final rule to implement a red 
grouper regulatory amendment published November 2, 2011 (76 FR 67618), 
revised the bag limit for red grouper; therefore, no change to this 
section is necessary. In Sec.  622.49, the amendatory instruction was 
revised to reflect that the heading for Sec.  622.49 was revised in a 
final rule implementing the Generic ACLs/AMs Amendment for the Gulf 
(Generic ACL Amendment) (76 FR 66021, October 25, 2011). Also in Sec.  
622.49, NMFS amended the term ``target catch level'' to read ``annual 
catch target'' or ``ACT'', which is the language used in Amendment 32, 
and which is consistent with the language used in the regulatory text 
for other Gulf and South Atlantic species with ACLs, AMs, and target 
catches. NMFS also clarified the regulatory text in Sec.  622.49 by 
adding the term ``of this section'' when citing sections of 50 CFR part 
622.

Classification

    The Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS has determined 
that this rule and Amendment 32 are necessary for the conservation and 
management of the reef fish fishery and are consistent with the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable laws.
    This final rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et 
seq.), NMFS prepared a final regulatory flexibility analysis (FRFA) for 
this action. The FRFA incorporates the initial regulatory flexibility 
analysis (IRFA), a summary of the significant economic issues raised by 
public comments, NMFS responses to those comments, and a summary of the 
analyses completed to support the action. A copy of the full analysis 
is available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES). A summary of the FRFA follows.
    The Magnuson-Stevens Act provides the statutory basis for this 
final rule. No duplicative, overlapping, or conflicting Federal rules 
have been identified. The preamble of the proposed rule and this rule 
provide a statement of the need for and objectives of this rule, and it 
is not repeated here.
    Two public comments provided by one commenter raised issues related 
to the IRFA. The first comment claims that the $2,000 estimate of the 
average annual NOR per charter vessel from trips targeting gag is 
arbitrary and capricious because it is not representative of the 
commenter's charter vessel's operations. The commenter indicates that 
his vessel operates in state waters, specializes in the harvest of gag, 
and thus gag is responsible for a significant portion of his business. 
As the IRFA states, the $2,000 is an estimate of the average NOR per 
charter vessel from trips targeting gag and is therefore not intended 
to be representative of all charter vessels that target gag. The 
commenter's description of his operation suggests his charter vessel is 
above average with respect to the NOR generated from trips targeting 
gag. As such, NMFS agrees that the NOR estimate is not representative 
of the commenter's charter vessel operation. However, based on the 
available data, the $2,000 estimate of NOR per charter vessel is 
accurate on average and thus NMFS disagrees it is arbitrary and 
capricious.
    The second comment from this commenter questions NMFS' estimate 
that 3 percent of for-hire angler trips in the Gulf target gag and, 
specifically, asserts the estimate is too low. The commenter indicates 
that 65-70 percent of his charter vessel's customers target gag and 
suggests that estimate applies to other for-hire vessels on the west 
coast of Florida. As stated in the IRFA, for-hire vessel dependence on 
fishing for individual species such as gag cannot be determined with 
available data. Further,

[[Page 6992]]

the IRFA indicates that some for-hire vessels are likely more dependent 
on trips that target gag than other for-hire vessels. Thus, NMFS agrees 
that the commenter's charter vessel operation is very dependent on 
trips that target gag based on the information provided by the 
commenter. However, given available data, it is unknown whether the 
commenter's estimate applies to many other for-hire charter vessel 
operations on the west coast of Florida. Further, the comment is not 
contrary to NMFS' estimate that 3 percent of all for-hire angler trips 
target gag. For these reasons, no changes were made to the proposed 
rule as a result of these comments.
    This rule is expected to directly affect commercial harvesting and 
for-hire operations. The Small Business Administration (SBA) has 
established size criteria for all major industry sectors in the U.S., 
including fish harvesters. A business involved in fish harvesting is 
classified as a small business if it is independently owned and 
operated, is not dominant in its field of operation (including its 
affiliates), and has combined annual receipts not in excess of $4 
million (NAICS code 114111, finfish fishing) for all its affiliated 
operations worldwide. For for-hire vessels, the other qualifiers apply 
and the receipts threshold is $7 million (NAICS code 713990, 
recreational industries).
    This rule is expected to directly affect commercial fishing vessels 
whose owners possess gag or red grouper fishing quota shares and for-
hire fishing vessels that harvest gag. As of October 1, 2009, 970 
entities owned a valid commercial Gulf reef fish permit and thus were 
eligible for initial shares and allocation in the grouper and tilefish 
IFQ program. Of these 970 entities, 908 entities initially received 
shares and allocation of grouper or tilefish, and 875 entities 
specifically received gag shares and an initial allocation of the 
commercial sector's gag quota in 2010. These 875 entities are expected 
to be directly affected by the actions to reduce the gag commercial 
quota to 86 percent of the ACT to account for dead discards, modify the 
percentages of red grouper and gag allocation that can be converted 
into multi-use allocation, and reduce the commercial size limit for 
gag. Of these 875 entities, 815 also received red grouper shares and an 
initial allocation of the commercial sector's red grouper quota in 
2010.
    Of the 875 entities that initially received gag shares, 215 were 
not commercially fishing in 2008 or 2009 and thus had no commercial 
fishing revenue during these years. On average, these 215 entities 
received an initial allocation of 874 lb (397 kg) of gag in 2010. Eight 
of these 215 entities also received a bottom longline endorsement in 
2010. These 8 entities received a much higher initial allocation of gag 
in 2010, with an average of 3,139 lb (1,427 kg).
    The other 660 entities that initially received gag shares and 
allocations in 2010 were active in commercial fisheries in 2008 or 
2009. The maximum annual commercial fishing revenue in 2008 or 2009 by 
an individual vessel that subsequently received commercial gag fishing 
quota shares was approximately $606,000 (2008 dollars).
    The average charterboat is estimated to earn approximately $88,000 
(2008 dollars) in annual revenue, while the average headboat is 
estimated to earn approximately $461,000 (2008 dollars). Based on these 
values, all commercial and for-hire fishing vessels expected to be 
directly affected by this rule are determined to be small business 
entities for the purpose of this analysis.
    Of the 660 commercial fishing vessels with commercial landings in 
2008 or 2009, 139 vessels did not have any gag landings in 2008 or 
2009. Their average annual gross revenue in these 2 years was 
approximately $50,800 (2008 dollars). The vast majority of these 
vessels' commercial fishing revenue is from a combination of snapper, 
mackerel, dolphin, and wahoo landings. On average, in 2010, these 
vessels received an initial allocation of 540 lb (245 kg) of gag quota.
    The remaining 521 commercially active fishing vessels did have 
landings of gag in 2008 or 2009. Their average annual gross revenue 
from commercial fishing was approximately $71,000 (2008 dollars) 
between the 2 years. On average, these vessels had 2,375 lb (1,080 kg) 
and 1,300 lb (591 kg) of gag landings in 2008 and 2009, respectively, 
or 1,835 lb (834 kg) between the 2 years. Gag landings accounted for 
approximately 8 percent of these vessels' annual average gross revenue, 
and thus they are somewhat, though not significantly, dependent on 
revenue from gag landings. These vessels' average initial gag 
allocation in 2010 was 2,121 lb (964 kg). Therefore, on average, their 
2008 gag landings were very near their 2010 gag allocation, but their 
2009 gag landings were considerably less than their 2010 allocation.
    Of these 521 vessels, 52 vessels also received a bottom longline 
endorsement in 2010. These particular vessels' average annual revenue 
was approximately $156,000 (2008 dollars) in 2008 and 2009. Revenue 
from gag landings decreased from approximately $15,900 to $8,400 in 
2009 and thus these vessels became relatively less dependent on gag 
landings. These vessels are highly dependent on revenue from red 
grouper landings, which accounted for 54 percent and 47 percent of 
their gross revenue in 2008 and 2009, respectively. Revenue from deep-
water grouper (DWG) landings decreased only slightly, from 
approximately $36,000 in 2008 to $31,000 in 2009, and thus these 
vessels became relatively more dependent on revenue from DWG landings. 
Their average initial 2010 allocation of gag was approximately 5,507 lb 
(2,503 kg) while their average gag landings were 3,933 lb (1,788 kg) 
and 2,204 lb (1,002 kg) in 2008 and 2009, respectively. Thus, vessels 
that now have a bottom longline endorsement have harvested less than 
that allocation in recent years, particularly in 2009.
    The for-hire fleet is comprised of charter vessels, which charge a 
fee on a vessel basis, and headboats, which charge a fee on an 
individual angler (head) basis. The harvest of gag in the exclusive 
economic zone (EEZ) by for-hire vessels requires a charter vessel/
headboat permit for Gulf reef fish. On March 23, 2010, there were 1,376 
valid or renewable for-hire Gulf reef fish permits. A valid permit is a 
non-expired permit. Expired reef fish for-hire permits may not be 
actively fished, but are renewable for up to 1 year after expiration. 
Because of the extended permit renewal period, numerous permits may be 
expired but still renewable at any given time of the year during the 
renewal period after the permit's expiration. The majority (823, or 
approximately 60 percent) of the 1,376 valid or renewable permits were 
registered with Florida addresses. The registration address for the 
Federal permit does not restrict operation to Federal waters off that 
state; however, vessels would be subject to any applicable state 
permitting requirements. Although the permit does not distinguish 
between headboats and charter vessels, it is estimated that 79 
headboats operate in the Gulf. The majority of these vessels (43, or 
approximately 54 percent) operate from Florida ports. Given that nearly 
99 percent of target effort for gag and 97 percent of the economic 
impacts from the recreational sector for gag in the Gulf reef fish 
fishery are in west Florida, it is assumed that the 823 for-hire 
vessels (780 charter vessels and 43 headboats) in Florida are expected 
to be directly affected by the action to

[[Page 6993]]

establish a recreational gag fishing season of July 1 through October 
31.
    Establishing a rebuilding plan for gag is an administrative action 
and is therefore not expected to generate direct, adverse economic 
effects on commercial or for-hire entities. Thus, the action to 
establish a rebuilding plan for gag that would rebuild the gag stock to 
a level consistent with producing maximum sustainable yield in 10 years 
or less is not expected to reduce profits for commercial or for-hire 
entities.
    NOR are assumed to be representative of profit for for-hire 
vessels. It is assumed that 823 for-hire vessels (780 charter vessels 
and 43 headboats) participate in the recreational gag component of the 
Gulf reef fish fishery. Estimates of NOR from recreational fisheries 
other than gag, and thus across all fisheries in which these charter 
vessels and headboats participate, are not currently available. 
However, on average, NOR for charter vessels from trips targeting gag 
are estimated to be approximately $1.56 million per year while NOR for 
headboats from trips targeting gag are estimated to be $91,300 per 
year. NOR for all trips targeting gag are estimated to be approximately 
$1.65 million per year. The average annual NOR from trips targeting gag 
are estimated to be $2,000 per charter vessel and $2,124 per headboat.
    When the length of the recreational gag season is reduced and the 
daily bag limit for gag set at zero, some trips that formerly targeted 
gag will instead target other species while other trips that formerly 
targeted gag will be cancelled. Assuming the NOR per trip is constant 
regardless of the species targeted, for-hire operators will only lose 
NOR from trips cancelled as a result of the shortened season length. 
Information regarding the number of trips cancelled as a result of the 
shortened season is not currently available. Thus, this analysis 
assumes all of the current for-hire trips targeting gag will be 
cancelled when the recreational sector is closed. Because some of these 
trips would probably not be cancelled, this assumption is expected to 
overestimate the actual reduction in NOR associated with a shorter 
season. Thus, the following estimates of losses in NOR and profit for 
charter vessels and headboats should be considered maximum values.
    Under the action to establish a recreational gag fishing season of 
July 1 through October 31, the losses in NOR from trips targeting gag 
for charter vessels and headboats are estimated to be approximately 
$1,304,000 and $76,000, respectively, and thus NOR for all trips 
targeting gag is estimated to be approximately $1,380,000. The average 
annual losses in NOR from trips targeting gag are estimated to be 
$1,672 and $767 per charter vessel and headboat, respectively. These 
NOR losses represent a loss in profit from trips targeting gag of 
approximately 84 percent and 36 percent per charter vessel and 
headboat, respectively.
    The action to establish a recreational gag fishing season of July 1 
through October 31 is not expected to affect profit from trips not 
targeting gag for charter vessels and headboats. For-hire vessel 
dependence on fishing for individual species cannot be determined with 
available data. Although some for-hire vessels are likely more 
dependent on trips that target gag than other for-hire vessels, 
overall, about 3 percent of for-hire angler trips are estimated to 
target gag. As a result, although the action would be expected to 
substantially affect the NOR derived from gag trips, overall, gag trips 
do not comprise a substantial portion of total for-hire trips nor would 
they, by extension, be expected to account for a substantial portion of 
total for-hire NOR.
    For the action to increase the recreational bag limit for red 
grouper from two fish to four fish, the number of trips in all 
recreational fishing modes is assumed to remain the same regardless of 
any change in the red grouper bag limit. As such, no changes to 
producer surplus in the for-hire sector are expected. Thus, the action 
is not expected to reduce profits for for-hire entities.
    The 215 entities with gag shares that did not participate in 
commercial fishing in 2008 or 2009 have no commercial fishing revenue 
and did not earn profit from commercial fishing in those 2 years. For 
the action to reduce the commercial gag quota to 86 percent of the ACT 
to account for dead discards, their average allocation of gag in 2012 
would be reduced from 421 lb (191 kg) to 362 lb (165 kg), or by 
approximately 59 lb (27 kg). Using the average 2008 price of $3.52 per 
lb, this loss in allocation could potentially represent a loss of 
nearly $208 (2008 dollars) in gross revenue per entity. Using the 2010 
average price of $1.00 per lb of gag allocation, this loss in 
allocation could potentially represent a loss of $59 (2008 dollars) in 
net revenue per entity. For 8 of these 215 entities that also possess 
longline endorsements, their average allocation of gag in 2012 would be 
reduced from 1,512 lb (687 kg) to 1,300 lb (591 kg), or by 212 lb (96 
kg). Thus, their potential losses in gross revenue and net revenue, 
estimated to be $746 and $212 (2008 dollars), respectively, are 
expected to be somewhat higher.
    However, in general, these potential losses in gross revenue and 
net revenue would only be realized if these 215 entities not only 
become active in commercial fishing but also specifically intend to 
harvest gag in 2012 and at a level greater than their reduced 
allocation. That is, a reduction in allocation can only lead to a 
reduction in landings, and thus gross revenue, if these entities intend 
to harvest at levels greater than their reduced allocation. 
Alternatively, these losses in gross and net revenue could be due to 
these entities' inability to sell the allocations they are losing from 
the action, though this possibility presumes that a demand for these 
allocations exists. Regardless, the significance of these potential 
losses in gross and net revenue to these 215 entities cannot be 
evaluated given the lack of information on potential gross revenue, net 
revenue, and profits from commercial fishing in general and 
specifically for gag.
    Similarly, for the 139 entities with gag shares that participated 
in commercial fisheries other than gag, they earned approximately 
$50,800 in annual gross revenue on average in 2008 and 2009. Profit 
estimates for these vessels are not currently available. However, 
because they did not have any gag landings, none of their gross revenue 
and thus none of their potential profits were the result of gag 
harvests. Under the action to reduce the commercial gag quota to 86 
percent of the ACT to account for dead discards, their average 
allocation of gag in 2012 would be reduced from 260 lb (118 kg) to 224 
lb (102 kg), or by 36 lb (16 kg). Using the average 2008 price of $3.52 
per lb, this loss in allocation could potentially represent a loss of 
$127 (2008 dollars) in gross revenue per entity. Using the 2010 average 
price of $1.00 per lb of gag allocation, this loss in allocation could 
potentially represent a loss of approximately $36 (2008 dollars) in net 
revenue per entity.
    However, these potential losses in gross and net revenue could only 
lead to a loss in profits if these 139 entities intend to commercially 
harvest gag in 2012 and at a level above their reduced allocation. That 
is, a reduction in allocation can only lead to a reduction in landings 
if these entities intend to harvest at levels above their reduced 
allocation. Thus, for example, if these vessels intended to harvest gag 
in 2012 at a level equivalent to their 2012 allocation, and this 
harvest was in addition to, rather than in place of, their recent 
commercial fishing activities, the reduction in allocation could lead 
to a maximum loss of approximately 0.3 percent in gross revenue, which 
could

[[Page 6994]]

in turn reduce net revenue and profits. Alternatively, losses in gross 
and net revenue could be due to these entities' inability to sell the 
allocations being lost from this action, though this possibility 
presumes that a demand for these allocations exists.
    For the 521 entities with gag shares that commercially harvested 
gag in 2008 or 2009, they earned approximately $71,000 (2008 dollars) 
in annual gross revenue on average in 2008 and 2009. Profit estimates 
for these vessels are not currently available. However, gag landings 
accounted for approximately 8 percent of these vessels' annual average 
gross revenue, and thus they are somewhat but not significantly 
dependent on revenue from gag landings. For the action to reduce the 
commercial gag quota to account for dead discards, these vessels' 2012 
gag allocations would be reduced from 1,022 lb (465 kg) to 879 lb (400 
kg), or 143 lb (65 lb) on average. As these vessels have been 
harvesting at levels near their 2010 allocation in recent years on 
average, this reduction in gag allocation is likely to lead to an 
equivalent reduction in gag landings and therefore gross revenue. Using 
the average 2008 price of $3.52 per lb, it is estimated that these 
vessels could lose nearly $143 (2008 dollars), or approximately 0.7 
percent, in annual gross revenue on average. Using the 2010 average 
price of $1.00 per lb of gag allocation, this loss in allocation would 
represent a loss of $143 (2008 dollars) in net revenue per entity. 
Because net revenue is assumed to be representative of profits for 
commercial vessels, these vessels are expected to experience a 
reduction in profits.
    However, 52 of these 521 vessels also received a bottom longline 
endorsement in 2010. These particular vessels' average annual gross 
revenue was approximately $156,000 (2008 dollars) in 2008 and 2009, 
with gag landings accounting for approximately 8 percent of that gross 
revenue. These vessels are highly dependent on revenue from red grouper 
rather than gag landings. For the action to reduce the commercial gag 
quota, their allocation of gag in 2012 would decrease from 2,749 lb 
(1,250 kg) to 2,364 lb (1,075 kg), or by 385 lb (175 kg). As these 
vessels have harvested at average levels near their 2010 allocation in 
recent years, this reduction in gag allocation is likely to lead to an 
equivalent reduction in gag landings and therefore gross revenue. Using 
the average 2008 price of $3.52 per lb, it is estimated that these 
vessels could lose $385 (2008 dollars), or approximately 0.9 percent, 
in annual gross revenue on average. Using the 2010 average price of 
$1.00 per lb of gag allocation, this loss in allocation would represent 
a loss of approximately $385 (2008 dollars) in net revenue per entity. 
Because net revenue is assumed to be representative of profits for 
commercial vessels, these vessels are expected to experience a 
reduction in profits.
    No additional economic effects would be expected to result from the 
revised SWG quota because the updated SWG quota simply reflects the 
reduction in the commercial gag quota, the effects of which have 
already been discussed.
    Given the action to establish a rebuilding plan for gag, the 
conversion of red grouper allocation into multi-use allocation valid 
toward the harvest of red grouper or gag would be suspended under the 
action to modify the percentages of red grouper and gag allocation that 
can be converted into multi-use allocation. Because red grouper is not 
under a rebuilding plan at this time, gag shareholders would be allowed 
to convert 8 percent of their gag allocation into multi-use allocation 
and thus no adverse economic effects are expected. However, minimal 
adverse economic effects are expected as a result of commercial fishing 
entities not being allowed to convert 4 percent of their red grouper 
allocation into multi-use allocation. Multi-use allocation that has 
been converted from red grouper allocation can only be used to possess, 
land, or sell gag after an entity's gag and gag multi-use allocation 
has been landed, sold, or transferred. Given the action to reduce the 
commercial gag quota due to dead discards, it is possible these 
entities will exhaust their gag and gag multi-use allocations. Gross 
revenue from gag landings is greater than gross revenue from an 
equivalent amount of red grouper landings because gag commands a 
relatively higher market price. Thus, gross revenue from commercial 
fishing and therefore profits per vessel could be slightly lower than 
if the conversion were allowed to continue.
    For the action to reduce the commercial size limit for gag from 24 
inches (61 cm) to 22 inches (56 cm) total length, commercial fishing 
entities would be allowed to retain more and discard less of the gag 
they catch and thus are expected to experience increased economic 
benefits relative to the status quo. However, if commercial fishermen 
prefer to harvest larger gag due to a higher market demand for larger 
fish, then additional high-grading may be possible because the 
commercial sector is managed under the IFQ program. As such, few 
additional gag may be retained and thus the potential increases in 
gross revenue, net revenue, and profits per vessel are likely minimal.
    Establishing AMs is an administrative action and is therefore not 
expected to generate direct, adverse economic effects on commercial or 
for-hire entities. Direct, adverse economic effects would only occur if 
and when the AMs are actually triggered. This action would replace 
current AMs established in Amendment 30B to the FMP with the current 
IFQ program because an IFQ functions as an AM. This action would also 
add an overage adjustment and an in-season closure to the current AMs 
for the recreational sector when the gag or red grouper stocks are 
overfished and in a rebuilding plan. Because red grouper is not 
overfished or in a rebuilding plan, this action does not currently 
apply to the red grouper component of the reef fish fishery. The action 
to establish a recreational fishing season of July 1 through October 31 
for gag is expected to restrain landings in the gag recreational sector 
well below its 2012 ACL, and in fact is intended and expected to 
constrain landings below the 2012 recreational ACT. In turn, the 
probability an overage adjustment or in-season closure will be required 
in 2013 is also minimal. Thus, the action to establish new AMs for the 
commercial and recreational sectors of the gag, red grouper, and SWG 
component of the Gulf reef fish fishery is not expected to reduce 
profits for commercial or for-hire entities.
    Three alternatives, including the status quo, were considered for 
the action to establish a rebuilding plan for gag that would rebuild 
the gag stock to a level consistent with producing maximum sustainable 
yield in 10 years or less. In the absence of all fishing mortality, 
including bycatch mortality, the shortest possible time in which the 
gag stock can rebuild is 5 years. Under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the 
maximum time allowed for rebuilding the gag stock is 10 years. In the 
Generic ACL Amendment, the ACLs are based on yields that are projected 
to rebuild the stock in 10 years, and the ACTs are based on yields that 
are projected to rebuild the stock in 7 years.
    The first alternative, the status quo, would not have established a 
rebuilding plan for gag. The fishing mortality rate for gag has shown 
an increasing trend over time and fishing mortality rates in recent 
years are not consistent with rebuilding or maintaining the gag stock 
at its maximum sustainable yield level. Moreover, because the gag stock 
has been determined to be overfished and undergoing overfishing, this 
alternative

[[Page 6995]]

does not comply with the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    The second alternative would have established a rebuilding plan 
that would rebuild the gag stock to a level consistent with producing 
maximum sustainable yield in 7 years or less. Seven years is the 
estimated time to rebuild if the stock is managed at a fishing rate 
corresponding to OY (FOY) rather than the rate corresponding 
to a 10-year rebuilding plan (Frebuilding). Although the 
yields under a 7-year rebuilding plan would eventually catch up to 
those for a 10-year plan, the initial catch targets in the early years 
would be less during a 7-year rebuilding plan relative to a 10-year 
rebuilding plan. Thus, this alternative would potentially imply more 
restrictive regulations and thus more adverse indirect economic effects 
in the short-term relative to rebuilding the gag stock to a level 
consistent with producing maximum sustainable yield in 10 years or 
less.
    The third alternative would have established a rebuilding plan that 
would rebuild the gag stock to a level consistent with producing 
maximum sustainable yield in 5 years. If this alternative were adopted, 
strong measures to reduce bycatch of gag in other fisheries would also 
need to be considered. Because a total elimination of discard mortality 
is unlikely to be achieved, this alternative would likely result in the 
stock being slightly under the rebuilding target at the end of 5 years. 
Most importantly, this alternative would require a complete closure of 
the gag component of the Gulf reef fish fishery for at least 5 years. 
Therefore, this alternative would eliminate all net revenue from the 
commercial sector and all consumer and producer surplus from the 
recreational sector for at least 5 years and, as such, would lead to 
the most restrictive regulations and, thus, considerably greater 
adverse indirect economic effects in the short-term relative to 
rebuilding the gag stock to a level consistent with producing maximum 
sustainable yield in 10 years or less.
    Four alternatives, including the status quo, were considered for 
the action to establish a recreational gag fishing season of July 1 
through October 31. The first alternative, the status quo, would 
maintain a year-round gag recreational fishing season, with the 
exception of the current February 1 to March 31 closed season for SWG. 
This alternative would be expected to result in a 14 percent reduction 
in gag removals relative to the 2006-2008 baseline and a 1 percent 
increase in gag removals relative to the 2009 baseline. As such, this 
alternative does not achieve the necessary reduction in removals to 
rebuild the gag stock, contrary to the Council's goals and objectives 
and the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    The second alternative, which would establish a gag recreational 
season of September 16 through November 15, would reduce gag removals 
by 60 percent relative to the 2009 baseline, which exceeds the ACT 
reduction of 47 percent. Relative to the 2006-2008 baseline, this 
alternative also reduces removals by 60 percent. Therefore, this 
alternative does not fully meet the ACT of 61 percent relative to the 
2006-2008 baseline, but does exceed the ACL and rebuilding yield 
reduction level of 53 percent. This alternative is more conservative 
biologically than the preferred alternative, but only allows a 61-day 
fishing season as opposed to the 123-day fishing season allowed during 
a recreational gag fishing season of July 1 to October 31.
    The third alternative, which would establish a gag recreational 
season of January and April, would reduce removals by 52 percent, which 
exceeds the ACT reduction of 47 percent. Relative to the 2006-2008 
baseline, this alternative reduces removals by 56 percent. This 
alternative does not fully meet the ACT of 61 percent relative to the 
2006-2008 baseline, but it does exceed the ACL and rebuilding yield 
reduction level of 53 percent. This alternative is similar to the 
second alterative in that it allows 61 days of fishing, and thus is 
shorter than the 123-day fishing season allowed under a recreational 
gag fishing season of July 1 through October 31, but it splits the 
season into two segments to provide more fishing opportunities. 
Biologically, this alternative is as conservative as the action.
    The fourth alternative would also establish a gag recreational 
season of July 1 through October 31 as the action. However, rather than 
maintain the current 22 inch (56 cm) recreational minimum size limit, 
it would implement a 22-30 inch (56-76 cm) slot limit. Although this 
alternative would achieve a larger reduction in removals, a larger 
percentage of those removals would consist of dead discards. Further, a 
portion of those additional dead discards would consist of larger fish 
above the slot limit. These larger fish produce more eggs in spawning 
season. Thus, this alternative could negatively impact the spawning 
potential ratio and in turn the rate of rebuilding.
    Two alternatives, including the status quo, were considered for the 
action to increase the recreational bag limit for red grouper from two 
fish to four fish, reducing it by one fish in the subsequent year if 
the recreational ACL is exceeded. The first alternative, the status 
quo, would retain the current recreational bag limit for red grouper of 
two fish. The recreational ACL for red grouper has not been met in 
recent years. Recreational red grouper landings averaged less than 1 
million lb (454,545 kg) between 2006 and 2009. Further, the 
recreational ACL was recently increased from 1.51 million lb (686,364 
kg) to 1.72 million lb (781,818 kg) in the final rule to implement a 
Gulf red grouper regulatory amendment (76 FR 67618, November 2, 2011), 
which would create a larger difference between the ACL and the expected 
catch in 2012. Additional increases in the red grouper recreational ACL 
are planned through 2016. This alternative would not allow for-hire 
entities to increase their landings per trip even though the 
recreational sector's harvest has been and is expected to be well below 
its allocation. As such, opportunities to increase the economic value 
of red grouper harvests in the recreational sector would be 
unnecessarily foregone.
    The second alternative would increase the recreational bag limit 
for red grouper from two fish to three fish. This alternative would 
allow for-hire entities to increase their landings per trip, but would 
not enhance their opportunities to increase the economic value of red 
grouper harvests to the same extent as increasing the recreational bag 
limit for red grouper to four fish. Such opportunities should be 
enhanced as much as possible given the large difference between the 
recreational sector's ACL and the expected catch according to the 
current bag limit. Like the action's preferred alternative to increase 
the recreational bag limit for red grouper from two fish to four fish, 
this alternative includes an adaptive feedback mechanism that would 
adjust the bag limit if the recreational sector exceeds its ACL, though 
it would not be a two-stage process.
    Two alternatives, including the status quo, were considered for the 
action to reduce the gag commercial quota to 86 percent of the ACT to 
account for dead discards. The first alternative, the status quo, would 
not adjust the gag commercial quota to account for dead discards. This 
alternative would set the gag commercial quota at the current ACT. The 
ACT assumes dead discards in the commercial sector will be reduced by 
the same proportion as landings. If this assumption is not valid, then 
total removals of gag will exceed the harvest levels projected in the 
assessment. The ACT provides a buffer against reaching the ACL, but 
this buffer

[[Page 6996]]

may not be sufficient to offset increased removals due to dead 
discards.
    The second alternative would reduce the gag commercial quota to 47 
percent of the ACT to account for dead discards. This alternative 
represents the worst case scenario, under which dead discards are 
assumed to remain at their 2006-2008 level. Analyses associated with 
the 2011 gag interim rule indicated that, if dead discards remain at 
their 2006-2008 levels, the gag commercial quota would need to be 
reduced to 47 percent of the ACT in order to compensate for the 
increased removals. Although this alternative would provide the 
greatest allowance for dead discards and, thus, the highest likelihood 
of rebuilding the gag stock successfully, it is based on the unlikely 
assumption that dead discards will remain at their 2006-2008 levels. 
Longline vessels have historically landed about 34 percent of the 
commercial gag harvest. As a result of the longline endorsement 
requirements implemented in 2010, the number of reef fish longline 
vessels has decreased substantially. Of the 908 initial grouper/
tilefish shareholders in 2010, 293 vessels used bottom longline or trap 
gear for commercial reef fish harvesting purposes between 1999 and 
2007. However, only 62 of these vessels qualified for the bottom 
longline endorsement. Given the substantial reduction in the number of 
longline vessels, dead discards are expected to be considerably less 
now and in the future compared to their 2006-2008 levels. As such, 
reducing the gag commercial quota to 47 percent of the ACT would 
unnecessarily impose more significant economic and social impacts on 
commercial harvesters and associated communities relative to reducing 
the gag commercial quota to 86 percent of the ACT.
    Two alternatives, including the status quo, were considered for the 
action to modify the percentage of red grouper allocation that can be 
converted into multi-use allocation if a rebuilding plan for gag is in 
effect. The first alternative, the status quo, would allow 4 percent of 
the red grouper allocation to be converted into multi-use allocation at 
the beginning of each year. With this alternative, the amount of red 
grouper multi-use allocation could exceed the available gag commercial 
quota, thereby leading to harvests that exceed the ACL. Such a result 
is contrary to the purposes of the action to establish a rebuilding 
plan for gag that would rebuild the gag stock to a level consistent 
with producing maximum sustainable yield in 10 years or less and is 
therefore inconsistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and National 
Standard 1 Guidance.
    The second alternative would base the amount of red grouper multi-
use allocation on the buffer between the gag ACL and ACT. Subsequent 
ACLs and ACTs may be set by the ACL/ACT control rule implemented as a 
result of the Generic ACL Amendment. Furthermore, the gag ACL is set at 
the level where there is only a 50-percent probability of meeting the 
target to rebuild the gag stock in 10 years or less. Thus, this 
alternative will reduce the probability of the rebuilding plan being 
successful.
    One alternative, the status quo, was considered for the action to 
modify the percentage of gag allocation that can be converted into 
multi-use allocation if a rebuilding plan for red grouper is in effect. 
With this alternative, 8 percent of the gag allocation would be 
converted into multi-use allocation. If a rebuilding plan for red 
grouper is necessary in the future, this alternative could result in 
red grouper harvests that would exceed the future commercial ACL, which 
would in turn trigger AMs and reduce the ability of the red grouper 
stock to rebuild.
    Three alternatives, including the status quo, were considered for 
the action to reduce the commercial gag minimum size limit from 24 
inches (61 cm) to 22 inches (56 cm) in TL. The first alternative, the 
status quo, would maintain the commercial gag minimum size limit at 24 
inches (61 cm) TL. The size at 50-percent female maturity is 
approximately 24 inches (61 cm) TL. With this alternative, regulatory 
discards due to the minimum size limit would continue at the current 
rate, which is contrary to the Council's goal of reducing gag discards.
    The second alternative would reduce the commercial gag minimum size 
limit from 24 inches (61 cm) to 20 inches (51 cm) TL. Until a 
commercial fisherman's IFQ allocation is reached, this alternative is 
expected to reduce total gag discards by 62 percent for the vertical 
line component of the commercial sector and by 47.2 percent for the 
longline component. At the same time, the number of gag needed to fill 
an IFQ allocation is expected to increase by 29.7 percent for the 
vertical line component and by 0.9 percent for the longline component. 
This alternative has a greater likelihood of creating a price 
differential by size, which would in turn likely result in additional 
high-grading as fishermen attempt to maximize the economic return on 
their IFQ shares. Additional high-grading would lead to higher rather 
than lower levels of gag discards, which is contrary to the Council's 
goals.
    The third alternative would eliminate the minimum size limit and 
thus would effectively require that all commercially caught gag be 
retained regardless of size. As a result, this alternative would also 
effectively require that each commercial fisherman possess sufficient 
gag allocation to cover all harvest of gag. Grouper sizes in the 
commercial sector have been recorded as small as 11 inches (28 cm) 
prior to the implementation of size limits, but the numbers landed are 
few below 18 inches (46 cm). At a minimum size limit of 18 inches (46 
cm), the expected reduction in total gag discards is 79.9 percent for 
the vertical line component and 66.7 percent for the longline 
component. At the same time, the increase in number of gag needed to 
fill an individual's allocation of gag is expected to be 38.2 percent 
for the vertical line component and 1.3 percent for the longline 
component. At minimum size limits less than 18 inches (46 cm), these 
values will change little because both gears become less selective for 
gag at smaller sizes. To the extent a market demand for larger fish 
exists, this alternative is likely to create a price differential for 
larger size fish. Given the limited amount of gag allocation expected 
to be distributed with the gag commercial quota, this alternative could 
encourage high-grading by commercial fishermen, which would lead to 
higher levels of gag discards, contrary to the Council's goals.
    Four alternatives, including the status quo, were considered for 
the action to expand the current time and area closures off the west 
coast of Florida. The first alternative would expand the current closed 
areas of Madison-Swanson and the Edges by approximately 70 square miles 
(181 square km). Four options were considered in this alternative. The 
first option would prohibit all fishing from November 1 through April 
30, but allow surface trolling from May 1 through October 31. The 
second option would prohibit all fishing from November 1 through April 
30, but allow all fishing from May 1 through October 31. The third 
option would prohibit all fishing from January 1 through April 30, but 
allow all fishing from May 1 through December 31. The fourth option 
would prohibit all fishing year-round. The percentage of gag and red 
grouper commercial landings coming from this area ranges from 0.55 
percent for gag and 0.06 percent of red grouper with the third option 
to 1.25 percent and 0.39 percent for gag and red grouper, respectively, 
with the fourth option. These numbers indicate it is unlikely

[[Page 6997]]

that gag and particularly red grouper are being targeted in this area. 
Thus, the expected reduction in gag bycatch is relatively small and, 
thus, so are the biological benefits.
    The second alternative would expand the current closed areas of 
Madison-Swanson and the Edges by approximately 244 square miles (632 
square km). Four options were considered in this alternative. The first 
option would prohibit all fishing from November 1 through April 30, but 
allow surface trolling from May 1 through October 31. The second option 
would prohibit all fishing from November 1 through April 30, but allow 
all fishing from May 1 through October 31. The third option would 
prohibit all fishing from January 1 through April 30, but allow all 
fishing from May 1 through December 31. The fourth option would 
prohibit all fishing year-round. Gag bycatch is expected to increase as 
a result of the action to reduce the Gulf gag commercial quota and the 
resulting reduction in the gag to red grouper quota ratio. The 
percentage of gag and red grouper commercial landings coming from this 
area ranges from 3.23 percent for gag and 0.26 percent of red grouper 
in the third option to 5.92 percent and 0.93 percent for gag and red 
grouper, respectively, in the fourth option. If this alternative was 
selected, by limiting where recreational fishermen may harvest, the 
adverse economic and social effects incurred as a result of the July 1 
through October 31 recreational fishing season would be amplified, 
particularly from the fourth option. Furthermore, the Council 
determined that these additional adverse economic and social effects on 
the recreational sector outweighed the biological benefits to the gag 
stock.
    The third alternative would modify the seasonal closure dates of 
The Edges 40 fathom contour area, which is approximately 390 square 
miles (1,010 square km) in size and currently prohibits all fishing 
from January 1 through April 30 and allows all fishing from May 1 
through December 31. Four options were also considered under this 
alternative. The first option would prohibit all fishing from November 
1 through April 30, but allow surface trolling from May 1 through 
October 31. The second option would prohibit all fishing from November 
1 through April 30, but allow all fishing from May 1 through October 
31. The third option would prohibit all fishing from January 1 through 
April 30, but allow all fishing from May 1 through December 31. The 
fourth option would prohibit all fishing year-round. This alternative 
would close a larger area than the other alternatives that would expand 
the existing closures. Because The Edges 40 fathom contour area is 
relatively large, the percentage of gag and red grouper commercial 
landings coming from it is greater than under the other alternatives 
that would expand the existing closures, ranging from 4.13 percent for 
gag and 0.57 percent of red grouper for the third option to 8.92 
percent and 2.41 percent for gag and red grouper, respectively. for the 
fourth option. Thus, the expected reduction in gag bycatch is greater 
than for the other alternatives that would expand the existing time 
area closures. If this alternative was selected, by limiting where 
recreational fishermen may fish, the adverse economic and social 
effects incurred as a result of the July 1 through October 31 
recreational fishing season would be amplified, particularly from the 
fourth option. Furthermore, the Council determined that these 
additional adverse economic and social effects on the recreational 
sector outweighed the biological benefits to the gag stock.
    The fourth alternative would modify the seasonal closure dates for 
the Madison Swanson and Steamboat Lumps closed areas, which cover 
approximately 219 square miles (567 square km). At present, these 
closures prohibit all fishing from November 1 through April 30, but 
allow surface trolling for species other than reef fish from May 1 
through October 31. The first option would prohibit all fishing from 
November 1 through April 30, but allow surface trolling from May 1 
through October 31. The second option would prohibit all fishing from 
November 1 through April 30, but allow all fishing from May 1 through 
October 31. The third option would prohibit all fishing from January 1 
through April 30, but allow all fishing from May 1 through December 31. 
The fourth option would prohibit all fishing year-round. Because 
Madison Swanson and Steamboat Lumps have been closed to reef fish 
fishing for an extended time period, no data are available to determine 
how much harvesting activity may occur in these areas. As such, it is 
not possible to determine the potential effects from closing them for a 
longer time period and, thus, considerable uncertainty exists regarding 
those potential effects. However, it is highly likely that the 
biological benefits to the gag stock would be minimal at best.
    One alternative, the status quo, was considered for the action to 
replace the current AMs for the commercial sector of gag, red grouper, 
and the SWG component of the Gulf reef fish fishery with the IFQ 
program. By retaining the current AMs, this alternative would close the 
commercial SWG sector if commercial landings of red grouper, gag, or 
SWG reach or are projected to reach their respective quotas. As such, 
these measures are inconsistent with the Council's management goals and 
objectives for the commercial sector of the Gulf reef fish fishery, as 
reflected by the IFQ program. Furthermore, the need for additional AMs 
appears to be unnecessary because commercial landings have been less 
than the quotas for all individual species and species complexes 
managed under the IFQ program.
    Three alternatives, including the status quo, were considered for 
the action to establish additional AMs for the recreational harvest of 
gag and red grouper. The first alternative, the status quo, would 
retain the existing AMs for the recreational harvest of gag and red 
grouper. The current AMs do not include in-season management measures 
or an overage adjustment if either the gag or red grouper stocks are 
determined to be overfished. The gag stock is currently overfished. 
Thus, this alternative would allow the recreational ACLs to be exceeded 
before taking action, which could have short-term negative effects on 
the red grouper stock and particularly the gag stock.
    The second alternative would add an overage adjustment to the 
existing AMs if gag or red grouper are determined to be overfished. 
This alternative would provide some benefit to the gag and red grouper 
stocks if they are under a rebuilding plan. Given the plan to establish 
a rebuilding plan for gag, this alternative would be expected to apply 
immediately to the gag recreational sector. If the recreational ACL is 
exceeded, the overage adjustment would mitigate any damage done to a 
stock's recovery by reducing the ACL for the following year by the size 
of the overage or by some other level depending on what the best 
available science indicates will place the stock back on its rebuilding 
path. However, relative to establishing additional AMs for the 
recreational harvest of gag and red grouper, this alternative would not 
allow in-season closures as a result of projections indicating the 
recreational sector will exceed its red grouper or gag ACL. Thus, this 
alternative would allow the recreational ACLs to be exceeded before 
taking action, which could have short-term negative effects on the red 
grouper stock and particularly on the gag stock.
    The third alternative would add in-season AMs to the existing AMs 
that would allow the gag or red grouper recreational fishing seasons in 
the Gulf to close early if necessary. This

[[Page 6998]]

alternative would provide some benefit to the gag and red grouper 
stocks. However, this alternative does not add an overage adjustment as 
per National Standard 1 guidance. Moreover, by not requiring an overage 
adjustment, this alternative would allow overages to occur from one 
year to the next if the in-season closures are implemented after the 
ACL has been exceeded. If these overages consistently occur over time, 
the cumulative effect could be sufficient to preclude rebuilding if a 
stock is under a rebuilding plan. As such, this alternative is not as 
beneficial to the red grouper and gag stocks as establishing additional 
AMs for the recreational harvest of gag and red grouper that include an 
overage adjustment.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 622

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

    Dated: February 7, 2012.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator For Regulatory Programs, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.

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

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

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

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


0
2. In Sec.  622.20, paragraphs (a)(5)(i) and (ii) are revised to read 
as follows:


Sec.  622.20  Individual fishing quota (IFQ) program for Gulf groupers 
and tilefishes.

    (a) * * *
    (5) * * *
    (i) Red grouper multi-use allocation. (A) At the time the 
commercial quota for red grouper is distributed to IFQ shareholders, a 
percentage of each shareholder's initial red grouper allocation will be 
converted to red grouper multi-use allocation. Red grouper multi-use 
allocation, determined annually, will be based on the following 
formula:
    Red Grouper multi-use allocation (in percent) = 100 * [Gag ACL--Gag 
commercial quota]/Red grouper commercial quota
    (B) However, if gag is under a rebuilding plan, the percentage of 
red grouper multi-use allocation is equal to zero. Red grouper multi-
use allocation may be used to possess, land, or sell either red grouper 
or gag under certain conditions. Red grouper multi-use allocation may 
be used to possess, land, or sell red grouper only after an IFQ account 
holder's (shareholder or allocation holder's) red grouper allocation 
has been landed and sold, or transferred; and to possess, land, or sell 
gag, only after both gag and gag multi-use allocation have been landed 
and sold, or transferred.
    (ii) Gag multi-use allocation. (A) At the time the commercial quota 
for gag is distributed to IFQ shareholders, a percentage of each 
shareholder's initial gag allocation will be converted to gag multi-use 
allocation. Gag multi-use allocation, determined annually, will be 
based on the following formula:
    Gag multi-use allocation (in percent) = 100 * [Red grouper ACL--Red 
grouper commercial quota]/Gag commercial quota
    (B) However, if red grouper is under a rebuilding plan, the 
percentage of red grouper multi-use allocation is equal to zero. Gag 
multi-use allocation may be used to possess, land, or sell either gag 
or red grouper under certain conditions. Gag multi-use allocation may 
be used to possess, land, or sell gag only after an IFQ account 
holder's (shareholder or allocation holder's) gag allocation has been 
landed and sold, or transferred; and to possess, land, or sell red 
grouper, only after both red grouper and red grouper multi-use 
allocation have been landed and sold, or transferred. Multi-use 
allocation transfer procedures and restrictions are specified in 
paragraph (b)(4)(iv) of this section.
* * * * *

0
3. In Sec.  622.34, paragraph (v) is revised to read as follows:


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

* * * * *
    (v) Seasonal closure of the recreational sector for gag. The 
recreational sector for gag, in or from the Gulf EEZ, is closed from 
January 1 through June 30 and November 1 through December 31 each year. 
During the closure, the bag and possession limit for gag in or from the 
Gulf EEZ is zero.
    4. In Sec.  622.37, the heading of paragraph (d)(2)(iii) is revised 
and paragraph (d)(2)(v) is added to read as follows:


Sec.  622.37  Size limits.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (iii) Black grouper-- * * *
* * * * *
    (v) Gag--22 inches (55.9 cm), TL.
* * * * *

0
5. In Sec.  622.42, paragraphs (a)(1)(iii)(A) and (B) and paragraph 
(a)(1)(vi) are revised to read as follows:


Sec.  622.42  Quotas.

    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (iii) * * *
    (A) SWG combined. (1) For fishing year 2012--6.347 million lb 
(2.879 million kg).
    (2) For fishing year 2013--6.648 million lb (3.015 million kg).
    (3) For fishing year 2014--6.875 million lb (3.118 million kg).
    (4) For fishing year 2015 and subsequent fishing years--7.069 
million lb (3.206 million kg).
    (B) Gag. (1) For fishing year 2012--0.567 million lb (0.257 million 
kg).
    (2) For fishing year 2013--0.708 million lb (0.321 million kg).
    (3) For fishing year 2014--0.835 million lb (0.378 million kg).
    (4) For fishing year 2015 and subsequent fishing years--0.939 
million lb (0.426 million kg).
* * * * *
    (vi) Gray triggerfish--106,000 lb (48,081 kg), round weight.
* * * * *

0
6. In Sec.  622.49, the headings and first sentences of paragraphs 
(a)(1)(i) and (ii), the heading and first and last sentences in 
paragraph (a)(2)(i), paragraph (a)(2)(ii), and paragraphs (a)(3) 
through (5) are revised to read as follows:


Sec.  622.49  Annual Catch Limits (ACLs) and Accountability measures 
(AMs).

    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (i) Commercial sector. If commercial landings, as estimated by the 
SRD, reach or are projected to reach the applicable quota specified in 
Sec.  622.42(a)(1)(v), the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, 
(AA) will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register 
to close the commercial sector for the remainder of the fishing year. * 
* *
    (ii) Recreational sector. If recreational landings, as estimated by 
the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the applicable quota specified 
in Sec.  622.42(a)(2)(ii), the AA will file a notification with the 
Office of the Federal Register to close the recreational sector for the 
remainder of the fishing year. * * *
    (2) * * *
    (i) Commercial sector. If commercial landings, as estimated by the 
SRD, reach or are projected to reach the applicable quota specified in 
Sec.  622.42(a)(1)(vi), the AA will file a notification with the Office 
of the Federal Register to close the commercial sector for the 
remainder of the fishing year.* * * The commercial ACL for 2010 and

[[Page 6999]]

subsequent fishing years is 138,000 lb (62,596 kg).
    (ii) Recreational sector. If recreational landings, as estimated by 
the SRD, exceed the ACL, the AA will file a notification with the 
Office of the Federal Register reducing the length of the following 
recreational fishing season by the amount necessary to ensure 
recreational landings do not exceed the recreational target catch for 
that following fishing year. The recreational ACL for 2010 and 
subsequent fishing years is 457,000 lb (207,291 kg). The recreational 
ACT for 2010 and subsequent fishing years is 405,000 lb (183,705 kg). 
Recreational landings will be evaluated relative to the ACL based on a 
moving multi-year average of landings, as described in the FMP.
    (3) Shallow-water grouper (SWG) combined. (i) Commercial sector. 
The IFQ program for groupers and tilefishes in the Gulf of Mexico 
serves as the accountability measure for commercial SWG. The commercial 
ACL for SWG, in gutted weight, for 2012 and subsequent fishing years is 
8.04 million lb (3.65 million kg).
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (4) Gag. (i) Commercial sector. The IFQ program for groupers and 
tilefishes in the Gulf of Mexico serves as the accountability measure 
for commercial gag. The applicable commercial ACLs for gag, in gutted 
weight, are 0.788 million lb (0.357 million kg) for 2012, 0.956 million 
lb (0.434 million kg) for 2013, 1.100 million lb (0.499 million kg) for 
2014, and 1.217 million lb (0.552 million kg) for 2015 and subsequent 
fishing years.
    (ii) Recreational sector. (A) Without regard to overfished status, 
if gag recreational landings, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are 
projected to reach the applicable ACLs specified in paragraph 
(a)(4)(ii)(D)of this section, the AA will file a notification with the 
Office of the Federal Register, to close the recreational sector for 
the remainder of the fishing year. On and after the effective date of 
such a notification, the bag and possession limit of gag in or from the 
Gulf EEZ is zero. This bag and possession limit applies in the Gulf on 
board a vessel for which a valid Federal charter vessel/headboat permit 
for Gulf reef fish has been issued, without regard to where such 
species were harvested, i.e. in state or Federal waters. In addition, 
the notification will reduce the length of the recreational SWG fishing 
season the following fishing year by the amount necessary to ensure gag 
recreational landings do not exceed the recreational ACT in the 
following fishing year.
    (B) If gag are not overfished, and in addition to the measures 
specified in paragraph (a)(4)(ii)(A)of this section, if gag 
recreational landings, as estimated by the SRD, exceed the applicable 
ACLs specified in paragraph (a)(4)(ii)(D) of this section, the AA will 
file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to maintain 
the gag ACT, specified in paragraph (a)(4)(ii)(D) of this section, for 
that following fishing year at the level of the prior year's ACT, 
unless the best scientific information available determines that 
maintaining the prior year's target catch is unnecessary. In addition, 
the notification will reduce the length of the recreational SWG fishing 
season the following fishing year by the amount necessary to ensure gag 
recreational landings do not exceed the recreational ACT in the 
following fishing year.
    (C) In addition to the measures specified in paragraphs 
(a)(4)(ii)(A) and (B) of this section, if gag recreational landings, as 
estimated by the SRD, exceed the applicable ACL specified in paragraph 
(a)(4)(ii)(D) of this section, and gag are overfished, based on the 
most recent status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, the AA will 
file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register, at or near 
the beginning of the following fishing year to reduce the ACL and the 
ACT for that following year by the amount of the ACL overage in the 
prior fishing year, unless the best scientific information available 
determines that a greater, lesser, or no overage adjustment is 
necessary.
    (D) The applicable recreational ACLs for gag, in gutted weight, are 
1.232 million lb (0.559 million kg) for 2012, 1.495 million lb (0.678 
million kg) for 2013, 1.720 million lb (0.780 million kg) for 2014, and 
1.903 million lb (0.863 million kg) for 2015 and subsequent fishing 
years. The recreational ACTs for gag, in gutted weight, are 1.031 
million lb (0.468 million kg) for 2012, 1.287 million lb (0.584 million 
kg) for 2013, 1.519 million lb (0.689 million kg) for 2014, and 1.708 
million lb (0.775 million kg) for 2015 and subsequent fishing years. 
Recreational landings will be evaluated relative to the ACL based on a 
moving multi-year average of landings, as described in the FMP.
    (5) Red grouper. (i) Commercial sector. The IFQ program for 
groupers and tilefishes in the Gulf of Mexico serves as the 
accountability measure for commercial red grouper. The applicable 
commercial ACL for red grouper, in gutted weight, for 2012 and 
subsequent fishing years is 6.03 million lb (2.735 million kg).
    (ii) Recreational sector. (A) Without regard to overfished status, 
if red grouper recreational landings, as estimated by the SRD, reach or 
are projected to reach the applicable ACL specified in paragraph 
(a)(5)(ii)(D) of this section, the AA will file a notification with the 
Office of the Federal Register, to close the recreational sector for 
the remainder of the fishing year. On and after the effective date of 
such a notification, the bag and possession limit of red grouper in or 
from the Gulf EEZ is zero. This bag and possession limit applies in the 
Gulf on board a vessel for which a valid Federal charter vessel/
headboat permit for Gulf reef fish has been issued, without regard to 
where such species were harvested, i.e. in state or Federal waters.
    (B) If red grouper are not overfished, and in addition to the 
measures specified in paragraph (a)(5)(ii)(A) of this section, if red 
grouper recreational landings, as estimated by the SRD, exceed the 
applicable ACL specified in paragraph (a)(5)(ii)(D) of this section, 
the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register 
to maintain the red grouper ACT, specified in paragraph (a)(5)(ii)(D) 
of this section, for that following fishing year at the level of the 
prior year's ACT, unless the best scientific information available 
determines that maintaining the prior year's ACT is unnecessary. In 
addition, the notification will reduce the bag limit by one fish and 
reduce the length of the recreational SWG fishing season the following 
fishing year by the amount necessary to ensure red grouper recreational 
landings do not exceed the recreational ACT in the following fishing 
year. The minimum red grouper bag limit for 2014 and subsequent fishing 
years is two fish.
    (C) In addition to the measures specified in paragraphs 
(a)(5)(ii)(A) and (B) of this section, if red grouper recreational 
landings, as estimated by the SRD, exceed the applicable ACL specified 
in paragraph (a)(5)(ii)(D) of this section, and red grouper are 
overfished, based on the most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to 
Congress, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the 
Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing 
year to reduce the ACL and the ACT for that following year by the 
amount of the ACL overage in the prior fishing year, unless the best 
scientific information available determines that a greater, lesser, or 
no overage adjustment is necessary.
    (D) The recreational ACL for red grouper, in gutted weight, is 1.90 
million lb (0.862 million kg) for 2012

[[Page 7000]]

and subsequent fishing years. The recreational ACT for red grouper, in 
gutted weight, is 1.730 million lb (0.785 million kg) for 2012 and 
subsequent fishing years. Recreational landings will be evaluated 
relative to the ACL based on a moving multi-year average of landings, 
as described in the FMP.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2012-3177 Filed 2-9-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P