Western Pacific Fisheries; 2013 Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures, 15885-15888 [2013-05785]
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 49 / Wednesday, March 13, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
§ 71.7 Boundary line between central and
mountain zones.
Pacific, Alaska, Hawaii-Aleutian,
Samoa, and Chamorro.
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*
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*
*
(g) Municipalities on boundary line.
* * *
3. In § 71.2, revise paragraph (a) to
read as follows:
■
§ 71.2
time.
7. In § 71.9, revise the paragraph (d)
subject heading to read as follows:
■
Annual advancement of standard
(a) The Uniform Time Act of 1966 (15
U.S.C. 260a(a)), as amended, requires
that the standard time of each State
observing Daylight Saving Time shall be
advanced 1 hour beginning at 2 a.m. on
the second Sunday in March of each
year and ending at 2 a.m. on the first
Sunday in November. This advanced
time shall be the standard time of each
zone during such period. The Act
authorizes any State to exempt itself
from this requirement. States in two or
more time zones may exempt either the
entire State or may exempt the entire
area of the State lying within either time
zone.
*
*
*
*
*
■
4. Revise § 71.6 to read as follows:
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with RULES
§ 71.6
Central zone.
(a) Central zone in general. The third
zone, the central standard time zone,
includes that part of the United States
that is west of the boundary line
between the eastern and central
standard time zones described in § 71.5
and east of the boundary line between
the central and mountain standard time
zones described in § 71.7.
(b) Specified rail carrier exemptions.
The boundary line described in § 71.7
will not apply to the list of rail carriers
in this subsection. These carriers will
have the following changing points
between the central and mountain time
zones. The Chicago, Rock Island and
Gulf Railway Company and the Chicago,
Rock Island and Pacific Railway
Company may use Tucumcari, New
Mexico, as the point at which they
change from central to mountain time
and vice versa; the Colorado Southern
and Fort Worth and Denver City
Railway Companies may use Sixela,
New Mexico, as such changing point;
the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe
Railway Company and other branches of
the Santa Fe system may use Clovis,
New Mexico, as such changing point,
and those railways running into or
through El Paso, Texas, may use El Paso
as such point.
6. In § 71.7, revise the paragraph (g)
subject heading to read as follows:
■
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§ 71.9 Boundary line between mountain
and Pacific zones.
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*
*
*
*
(d) Municipalities on boundary line.
* * *
[FR Doc. 2013–05736 Filed 3–12–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–9X–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 665
[Docket No. 121107617–3181–02]
RIN 0648–XC351
Western Pacific Fisheries; 2013 Annual
Catch Limits and Accountability
Measures
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Final specifications.
AGENCY:
In this rule, NMFS specifies
annual catch limits for western Pacific
bottomfish, crustacean, precious coral,
and coral reef ecosystem fisheries, and
accountability measures to correct or
mitigate any overages of catch limits.
The catch limits and accountability
measures support the long-term
sustainability of fishery resources of the
U.S. Pacific Islands.
DATES: The final specifications are
effective April 12, 2013 through
December 31, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the fishery
ecosystem plans are available from the
Western Pacific Fishery Management
Council (Council), 1164 Bishop St.,
Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, tel
808–522–8220, fax 808–522–8226, or
www.wpcouncil.org. Copies of the
environmental assessments and findings
of no significant impact for this action,
identified by NOAA–NMFS–2012–0226,
are available from www.regulations.gov,
or from Michael D. Tosatto, Regional
Administrator, NMFS Pacific Islands
Region (PIR), 1601 Kapiolani Blvd.
1110, Honolulu, HI 96814.
SUMMARY:
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15885
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jarad Makaiau, NMFS PIR Sustainable
Fisheries, 808–944–2108.
NMFS is
specifying the 2013 annual catch limits
(ACLs) and accountability measures
(AM) for bottomfish, crustacean,
precious coral, and coral reef ecosystem
fishery management unit species (MUS)
in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone
(EEZ, generally 3–200 nm from shore)
around American Samoa, Guam, the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands (CNMI), and Hawaii. The 2013
fishing year begins on January 1 and
ends on December 31, except for
precious coral fisheries, for which the
fishing year began on July 1, 2012, and
ends on June 30, 2013.
NMFS is not specifying ACLs for
bottomfish, crustacean, precious coral,
or coral reef ecosystem MUS identified
in the Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) for
the U.S. Pacific Remote Island Areas
(PRIA), because commercial fishing is
prohibited in the Pacific Remote Islands
Marine National Monument, typically
within about 50 nm of shore
(Presidential Proclamation 8336,
January 12, 2009, 74 FR 1565).
Moreover, there is no suitable habitat for
these fisheries, except at Kingman Reef,
where fishing for these resources does
not presently occur. NMFS is currently
reviewing a proposed amendment to the
PRIA FEP, which proposes to permit
non-commercial fishing 12 nm seaward
of emergent features in the Pacific
Remote Islands Monument, and ensure
such fishing, if allowed, is managed as
a sustainable activity (see the proposed
rule, February 21, 2013, 78 FR 12015).
Additionally, NMFS is not specifying
ACLs for MUS that are currently subject
to Federal fishing moratoria or
prohibitions. These MUS include all
species of gold coral, all species of
deepwater precious corals at the
Westpac Bed Refugium, and the three
Hawaii seamount groundfish: pelagic
armorhead, alfonsin, and raftfish. The
current prohibitions on fishing for these
MUS serve as a functional equivalent of
an ACL of zero. Finally, NMFS is also
not specifying ACLs for pelagic MUS at
this time, because it previously
determined that pelagic species are
subject to international fishery
agreements or have a life cycle of
approximately one year and, therefore,
have statutory exceptions to the ACL
requirements.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 49 / Wednesday, March 13, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 1—AMERICAN SAMOA
Fishery
Management unit species
Bottomfish ...........................................................
Crustacean .........................................................
Bottomfish multi-species stock complex ..........
Deepwater Shrimp ...........................................
Spiny Lobster ...................................................
Slipper Lobster .................................................
Kona Crab ........................................................
Black Coral .......................................................
Precious Corals in the American Samoa Exploratory Area.
Acanthuridae—surgeonfish ..............................
Lutjanidae—snappers ......................................
Selar crumenophthalmus—atule or bigeye
scad.
Mollusks—turbo snail; octopus; giant clams ...
Carangidae—jacks ...........................................
Lethrinidae—emperors .....................................
Scaridae—parrotfish ........................................
Serranidae—groupers ......................................
Holocentridae—squirrelfish ..............................
Mugilidae—mullets ...........................................
Crustaceans—crabs .........................................
Bolbometopon
muricatum—bumphead
parrotfish.
Cheilinus undulatus—Humphead (Napoleon)
wrasse.
Carcharhinidae—Reef Sharks .........................
All Other CREMUS combined .........................
Precious Coral ....................................................
Coral Reef Ecosystem ........................................
Proposed ACL specification
101,000 lb (45,813 kg).
80,000 lb (36,287 kg).
2,300 lb (1,043 kg).
30 lb (14 kg).
3,200 lb (1,451 kg).
790 lb (358 kg).
2,205 lb (1,000 kg).
19,516 lb (8,852 kg).
18,839 lb (8,545 kg).
8,396 lb (3,808 kg).
16,694 lb (7,572 kg).
9,490 lb (4,305 kg).
7,350 lb (3,334 kg).
8,145 lb (3,695 kg).
5,600 lb (2,540 kg).
2,585 lb (1,173 kg).
2,857 lb (1,296 kg).
2,248 lb (1,020 kg).
235 lb (107 kg).
1,743 lb (791 kg).
1,309 lb (594 kg).
18,910 lb (8,577 kg).
TABLE 2—MARIANA ARCHIPELAGO—GUAM
Fishery
Management unit species
Bottomfish ...........................................................
Crustaceans .......................................................
Bottomfish multi-species stock complex ..........
Deepwater Shrimp ...........................................
Spiny Lobster ...................................................
Slipper Lobster .................................................
Kona Crab ........................................................
Black Coral .......................................................
Precious Corals in the Guam Exploratory
Area.
Acanthuridae—surgeonfish ..............................
Carangidae—jacks ...........................................
Selar crumenophthalmus—atulai or bigeye
scad.
Lethrinidae—emperors .....................................
Scaridae—parrotfish ........................................
Mullidae—goatfish ............................................
Mollusks—turbo snail; octopus; giant clams ...
Siganidae—rabbitfish .......................................
Lutjanidae—snappers ......................................
Serranidae—groupers ......................................
Mugilidae—mullets ...........................................
Kyphosidae—chubs/rudderfish ........................
Crustaceans—crabs .........................................
Holocentridae—squirrelfish ..............................
Algae ................................................................
Labridae—wrasses ..........................................
Bolbometopon
muricatum—bumphead
parrotfish.
Cheilinus undulatus—Humphead (Napoleon)
wrasse.
Carcharhinidae—Reef Sharks .........................
All Other CREMUS combined .........................
Precious Coral ....................................................
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Cora Reef Ecosystem ........................................
Proposed ACL specification
66,800 lb (30,300 kg).
48,488 lb (21,994 kg).
2,700 lb (1,225 kg).
20 lb (9 kg).
1,900 lb (862 kg).
700 lb (318 kg).
2,205 lb (1,000 kg).
70,702 lb (32,070 kg).
45,377 lb (20,583 kg).
56,514 lb (25,634 kg).
38,720 lb (17,563 kg).
28,649 lb (12,995 kg).
25,367 lb (11,506 kg).
21,941 lb (9,952 kg).
26,120 lb (11,848 kg).
17,726 lb (8,040 kg).
17,958 lb (8,146 kg).
15,032 lb (6,818 kg).
13,247 lb (6,009 kg).
5,523 lb (2,505 kg).
8,300 lb (3,765 kg).
5,329 lb (2,417 kg).
5,195 lb (2,356 kg).
797 lb (362 kg) (CNMI and Guam combined).
1,960 lb (889 kg).
6,942 lb (3,149 kg).
83,214 lb (37,745 kg).
TABLE 3—MARIANA ARCHIPELAGO—CNMI
Fishery
Management unit species
Bottomfish ...........................................................
Crustacean .........................................................
Bottomfish multi-species stock complex ..........
Deepwater Shrimp ...........................................
Spiny Lobster ...................................................
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Proposed ACL specification
228,000 lb (103,419 kg).
275,570 lb (124,996 kg).
5,500 lb (2,495 kg).
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 49 / Wednesday, March 13, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
15887
TABLE 3—MARIANA ARCHIPELAGO—CNMI—Continued
Fishery
Management unit species
Precious Coral ....................................................
Coral Reef Ecosystem ........................................
Slipper Lobster .................................................
Kona Crab ........................................................
Black Coral .......................................................
Precious Corals in the CNMI Exploratory Area
Lethrinidae—emperors .....................................
Carangidae—jacks ...........................................
Acanthuridae—surgeonfish ..............................
Selar crumenophthalmus—atulai or bigeye
scad.
Serranidae—groupers ......................................
Lutjanidae—snappers ......................................
Mullidae—goatfish ............................................
Scaridae—parrotfish ........................................
Mollusks—turbo snail; octopus; giant clams ...
Mugilidae—mullets ...........................................
Siganidae—rabbitfish .......................................
Bolbometopon
muricatum—bumphead
parrotfish.
Cheilinus undulatus—Humphead (Napoleon)
wrasse.
Carcharhinidae—Reef Sharks .........................
All Other CREMUS combined .........................
Proposed ACL specification
60 lb (27 kg).
6,300 lb (2,858 kg).
2,100 lb (953 kg).
2,205 lb (1,000 kg).
27,466 lb (12,458 kg).
21,512 lb (9,758 kg).
6,884 lb (3,123 kg).
7,459 lb (3,383 kg).
5,519 lb (2,503 kg).
3,905 lb (1,771 kg).
3,670 lb (1,665 kg).
3,784 lb (1,716 kg).
4,446 lb (2,017 kg).
3,308 lb (1,500 kg).
2,537 lb (1,151 kg).
797 lb (362 kg) (CNMI and Guam combined).
2,009 lb (911 kg).
5,600 lb (2,540 kg).
9,820 lb (4,454 kg).
TABLE 4—HAWAII
Fishery
Management unit species
Bottomfish ...........................................................
Crustacean .........................................................
Non-Deep 7 Bottomfish ...................................
Deepwater Shrimp ...........................................
Spiny Lobster ...................................................
Slipper Lobster .................................................
Kona Crab ........................................................
Auau Channel Black Coral ..............................
Makapuu Bed—Pink Coral ..............................
Makapuu Bed—Bamboo Coral ........................
180 Fathom Bank—Pink Coral ........................
180 Fathom Bank—Bamboo Coral ..................
Brooks Bank—Pink Coral ................................
Brooks Bank—Bamboo Coral ..........................
Kaena Point Bed—Pink Coral .........................
Kaena Point Bed—Bamboo Coral ...................
Keahole Bed—Pink Coral ................................
Keahole Bed—Bamboo Coral ..........................
Precious Corals in the Hawaii Exploratory
Area.
Selar crumenophthalmus—akule or bigeye
scad.
Decapterus macarellus—opelu or mackerel
scad.
Carangidae—jacks ...........................................
Mullidae—goatfish ............................................
Acanthuridae—surgeonfish ..............................
Lutjanidae—snappers ......................................
Holocentridae—squirrelfish ..............................
Mugilidae—mullets ...........................................
Mollusks—turbo snails; octopus ......................
Scaridae—parrotfish ........................................
Crustaceans—crabs .........................................
Carcharhinidae—Reef Sharks .........................
All Other CREMUS combined .........................
Precious Coral ....................................................
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Coral Reef Ecosystem ........................................
Accountability Measures
NMFS and the Council, relying on
information from local resource
management agencies in American
Samoa, Guam, the CNMI, and Hawaii,
will conduct a post-season accounting
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of the annual catch for each stock and
stock complex immediately after the
end of the fishing year. If an ACL is
exceeded, the Council will take action
in accordance with 50 CFR 600.310(g),
which may include a recommendation
that NMFS reduce the ACL for the
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Proposed ACL specification
145,000 (65,771 kg).
250,773 lb (113,749 kg).
10,000 lb (4,536 kg).
280 lb (127 kg).
27,600 lb (12,519 kg).
5,512 lb (2,500 kg).
2,205 lb (1,000 kg).
551 lb (250 kg).
489 lb (222 kg).
123 lb (56 kg).
979 lb (444 kg).
245 lb (111 kg).
148 lb (67 kg).
37 lb (17 kg).
148 lb (67 kg).
37 lb (17 kg).
2,205 lb (1,000 kg).
651,292 lb (295,421 kg).
393,563 lb (178,517 kg).
193,423 lb (87,735 kg).
125,813 lb (57,068 kg).
80,545 lb (36,535 kg).
65,102 lb (29,530 kg).
44,122 lb (20,013 kg).
41,112 lb (18,648 kg).
28,765 lb (13,048 kg).
33,326 lb (15,116 kg).
20,686 lb (9,383 kg).
111,566 lb (50,605 kg).
142,282 lb (64,538 kg).
subsequent fishing year by the amount
of the overage, or other measure, as
appropriate.
Additional background information
on this action is found in the preamble
to the proposed specifications, and is
not repeated here.
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 49 / Wednesday, March 13, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
Comments and Responses
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with RULES
On January 31, 2013, NMFS
published a request for public
comments (78 FR 6798) on proposed
specifications that are finalized here.
The public comment period ended on
February 15, 2013. NMFS received two
comments, and responds, as follows:
Comment 1: Affirming support for the
proposed specifications as a tool to
prevent overfishing of a renewable
resource and ensure a better future for
prosperity.
Response: NMFS agrees that these
final specifications are essential to help
prevent overfishing, and ensure
sustainable, long-term catches for
fishermen.
Comment 2: Fishermen should be able
to catch as much fish as they can
because a free market would establish
better acceptable catch levels than a
government agency.
Response: Federal law requires NMFS
and the Council to manage fisheries
using annual catch limits to ensure
sustainable fisheries. NMFS and the
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Council developed the annual catch
limit specifications using the best
available scientific and commercial
information, and in consideration of
scientific uncertainty and social and
economic factors. The final
specifications result from the
mechanism established in the Council’s
fishery ecosystem plans, consistent with
the National Standard 1 requirements
found at 50 CFR 600.310.
Changes From the Proposed
Specifications
There are no changes in the final
specifications.
Classification
The Regional Administrator, NMFS
PIR, determined that this action is
necessary for the conservation and
management of Pacific Island fishery
resources, and that it is consistent with
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act and
other applicable laws.
The Chief Counsel for Regulation of
the Department of Commerce certified
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to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the
Small Business Administration during
the proposed specification stage that
this action would not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. The factual
basis for the certification was published
in the proposed specifications and is not
repeated here. No comments were
received regarding this certification. As
a result, a regulatory flexibility analysis
was not required, and none was
prepared.
This action is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: March 8, 2013.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
performing the functions and duties of the
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–05785 Filed 3–12–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 13, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15885-15888]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-05785]
=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 665
[Docket No. 121107617-3181-02]
RIN 0648-XC351
Western Pacific Fisheries; 2013 Annual Catch Limits and
Accountability Measures
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Final specifications.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In this rule, NMFS specifies annual catch limits for western
Pacific bottomfish, crustacean, precious coral, and coral reef
ecosystem fisheries, and accountability measures to correct or mitigate
any overages of catch limits. The catch limits and accountability
measures support the long-term sustainability of fishery resources of
the U.S. Pacific Islands.
DATES: The final specifications are effective April 12, 2013 through
December 31, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the fishery ecosystem plans are available from the
Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), 1164 Bishop St.,
Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, tel 808-522-8220, fax 808-522-8226, or
www.wpcouncil.org. Copies of the environmental assessments and findings
of no significant impact for this action, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2012-
0226, are available from www.regulations.gov, or from Michael D.
Tosatto, Regional Administrator, NMFS Pacific Islands Region (PIR),
1601 Kapiolani Blvd. 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jarad Makaiau, NMFS PIR Sustainable
Fisheries, 808-944-2108.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS is specifying the 2013 annual catch
limits (ACLs) and accountability measures (AM) for bottomfish,
crustacean, precious coral, and coral reef ecosystem fishery management
unit species (MUS) in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ, generally
3-200 nm from shore) around American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and Hawaii. The 2013 fishing year
begins on January 1 and ends on December 31, except for precious coral
fisheries, for which the fishing year began on July 1, 2012, and ends
on June 30, 2013.
NMFS is not specifying ACLs for bottomfish, crustacean, precious
coral, or coral reef ecosystem MUS identified in the Fishery Ecosystem
Plan (FEP) for the U.S. Pacific Remote Island Areas (PRIA), because
commercial fishing is prohibited in the Pacific Remote Islands Marine
National Monument, typically within about 50 nm of shore (Presidential
Proclamation 8336, January 12, 2009, 74 FR 1565). Moreover, there is no
suitable habitat for these fisheries, except at Kingman Reef, where
fishing for these resources does not presently occur. NMFS is currently
reviewing a proposed amendment to the PRIA FEP, which proposes to
permit non-commercial fishing 12 nm seaward of emergent features in the
Pacific Remote Islands Monument, and ensure such fishing, if allowed,
is managed as a sustainable activity (see the proposed rule, February
21, 2013, 78 FR 12015).
Additionally, NMFS is not specifying ACLs for MUS that are
currently subject to Federal fishing moratoria or prohibitions. These
MUS include all species of gold coral, all species of deepwater
precious corals at the Westpac Bed Refugium, and the three Hawaii
seamount groundfish: pelagic armorhead, alfonsin, and raftfish. The
current prohibitions on fishing for these MUS serve as a functional
equivalent of an ACL of zero. Finally, NMFS is also not specifying ACLs
for pelagic MUS at this time, because it previously determined that
pelagic species are subject to international fishery agreements or have
a life cycle of approximately one year and, therefore, have statutory
exceptions to the ACL requirements.
[[Page 15886]]
Table 1--American Samoa
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management unit Proposed ACL
Fishery species specification
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bottomfish.................. Bottomfish multi- 101,000 lb (45,813
species stock kg).
complex.
Crustacean.................. Deepwater Shrimp.... 80,000 lb (36,287
kg).
Spiny Lobster....... 2,300 lb (1,043 kg).
Slipper Lobster..... 30 lb (14 kg).
Kona Crab........... 3,200 lb (1,451 kg).
Precious Coral.............. Black Coral......... 790 lb (358 kg).
Precious Corals in 2,205 lb (1,000 kg).
the American Samoa
Exploratory Area.
Coral Reef Ecosystem........ Acanthuridae--surgeo 19,516 lb (8,852
nfish. kg).
Lutjanidae--snappers 18,839 lb (8,545
kg).
Selar 8,396 lb (3,808 kg).
crumenophthalmus--a
tule or bigeye scad.
Mollusks--turbo 16,694 lb (7,572
snail; octopus; kg).
giant clams.
Carangidae--jacks... 9,490 lb (4,305 kg).
Lethrinidae--emperor 7,350 lb (3,334 kg).
s.
Scaridae--parrotfish 8,145 lb (3,695 kg).
Serranidae--groupers 5,600 lb (2,540 kg).
Holocentridae--squir 2,585 lb (1,173 kg).
relfish.
Mugilidae--mullets.. 2,857 lb (1,296 kg).
Crustaceans--crabs.. 2,248 lb (1,020 kg).
Bolbometopon 235 lb (107 kg).
muricatum--bumphead
parrotfish.
Cheilinus undulatus-- 1,743 lb (791 kg).
Humphead (Napoleon)
wrasse.
Carcharhinidae--Reef 1,309 lb (594 kg).
Sharks.
All Other CREMUS 18,910 lb (8,577
combined. kg).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 2--Mariana Archipelago--Guam
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management unit Proposed ACL
Fishery species specification
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bottomfish.................. Bottomfish multi- 66,800 lb (30,300
species stock kg).
complex.
Crustaceans................. Deepwater Shrimp.... 48,488 lb (21,994
kg).
Spiny Lobster....... 2,700 lb (1,225 kg).
Slipper Lobster..... 20 lb (9 kg).
Kona Crab........... 1,900 lb (862 kg).
Precious Coral.............. Black Coral......... 700 lb (318 kg).
Precious Corals in 2,205 lb (1,000 kg).
the Guam
Exploratory Area.
Cora Reef Ecosystem......... Acanthuridae--surgeo 70,702 lb (32,070
nfish. kg).
Carangidae--jacks... 45,377 lb (20,583
kg).
Selar 56,514 lb (25,634
crumenophthalmus--a kg).
tulai or bigeye
scad.
Lethrinidae--emperor 38,720 lb (17,563
s. kg).
Scaridae--parrotfish 28,649 lb (12,995
kg).
Mullidae--goatfish.. 25,367 lb (11,506
kg).
Mollusks--turbo 21,941 lb (9,952
snail; octopus; kg).
giant clams.
Siganidae--rabbitfis 26,120 lb (11,848
h. kg).
Lutjanidae--snappers 17,726 lb (8,040
kg).
Serranidae--groupers 17,958 lb (8,146
kg).
Mugilidae--mullets.. 15,032 lb (6,818
kg).
Kyphosidae--chubs/ 13,247 lb (6,009
rudderfish. kg).
Crustaceans--crabs.. 5,523 lb (2,505 kg).
Holocentridae--squir 8,300 lb (3,765 kg).
relfish.
Algae............... 5,329 lb (2,417 kg).
Labridae--wrasses... 5,195 lb (2,356 kg).
Bolbometopon 797 lb (362 kg)
muricatum--bumphead (CNMI and Guam
parrotfish. combined).
Cheilinus undulatus-- 1,960 lb (889 kg).
Humphead (Napoleon)
wrasse.
Carcharhinidae--Reef 6,942 lb (3,149 kg).
Sharks.
All Other CREMUS 83,214 lb (37,745
combined. kg).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 3--Mariana Archipelago--CNMI
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management unit Proposed ACL
Fishery species specification
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bottomfish.................. Bottomfish multi- 228,000 lb (103,419
species stock kg).
complex.
Crustacean.................. Deepwater Shrimp.... 275,570 lb (124,996
kg).
Spiny Lobster....... 5,500 lb (2,495 kg).
[[Page 15887]]
Slipper Lobster..... 60 lb (27 kg).
Kona Crab........... 6,300 lb (2,858 kg).
Precious Coral.............. Black Coral......... 2,100 lb (953 kg).
Precious Corals in 2,205 lb (1,000 kg).
the CNMI
Exploratory Area.
Coral Reef Ecosystem........ Lethrinidae--emperor 27,466 lb (12,458
s. kg).
Carangidae--jacks... 21,512 lb (9,758
kg).
Acanthuridae--surgeo 6,884 lb (3,123 kg).
nfish.
Selar 7,459 lb (3,383 kg).
crumenophthalmus--a
tulai or bigeye
scad.
Serranidae--groupers 5,519 lb (2,503 kg).
Lutjanidae--snappers 3,905 lb (1,771 kg).
Mullidae--goatfish.. 3,670 lb (1,665 kg).
Scaridae--parrotfish 3,784 lb (1,716 kg).
Mollusks--turbo 4,446 lb (2,017 kg).
snail; octopus;
giant clams.
Mugilidae--mullets.. 3,308 lb (1,500 kg).
Siganidae--rabbitfis 2,537 lb (1,151 kg).
h.
Bolbometopon 797 lb (362 kg)
muricatum--bumphead (CNMI and Guam
parrotfish. combined).
Cheilinus undulatus-- 2,009 lb (911 kg).
Humphead (Napoleon)
wrasse.
Carcharhinidae--Reef 5,600 lb (2,540 kg).
Sharks.
All Other CREMUS 9,820 lb (4,454 kg).
combined.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 4--Hawaii
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management unit Proposed ACL
Fishery species specification
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bottomfish.................. Non-Deep 7 145,000 (65,771 kg).
Bottomfish.
Crustacean.................. Deepwater Shrimp.... 250,773 lb (113,749
kg).
Spiny Lobster....... 10,000 lb (4,536
kg).
Slipper Lobster..... 280 lb (127 kg).
Kona Crab........... 27,600 lb (12,519
kg).
Precious Coral.............. Auau Channel Black 5,512 lb (2,500 kg).
Coral.
Makapuu Bed--Pink 2,205 lb (1,000 kg).
Coral.
Makapuu Bed--Bamboo 551 lb (250 kg).
Coral.
180 Fathom Bank-- 489 lb (222 kg).
Pink Coral.
180 Fathom Bank-- 123 lb (56 kg).
Bamboo Coral.
Brooks Bank--Pink 979 lb (444 kg).
Coral.
Brooks Bank--Bamboo 245 lb (111 kg).
Coral.
Kaena Point Bed-- 148 lb (67 kg).
Pink Coral.
Kaena Point Bed-- 37 lb (17 kg).
Bamboo Coral.
Keahole Bed--Pink 148 lb (67 kg).
Coral.
Keahole Bed--Bamboo 37 lb (17 kg).
Coral.
Precious Corals in 2,205 lb (1,000 kg).
the Hawaii
Exploratory Area.
Coral Reef Ecosystem........ Selar 651,292 lb (295,421
crumenophthalmus--a kg).
kule or bigeye scad.
Decapterus 393,563 lb (178,517
macarellus--opelu kg).
or mackerel scad.
Carangidae--jacks... 193,423 lb (87,735
kg).
Mullidae--goatfish.. 125,813 lb (57,068
kg).
Acanthuridae--surgeo 80,545 lb (36,535
nfish. kg).
Lutjanidae--snappers 65,102 lb (29,530
kg).
Holocentridae--squir 44,122 lb (20,013
relfish. kg).
Mugilidae--mullets.. 41,112 lb (18,648
kg).
Mollusks--turbo 28,765 lb (13,048
snails; octopus. kg).
Scaridae--parrotfish 33,326 lb (15,116
kg).
Crustaceans--crabs.. 20,686 lb (9,383
kg).
Carcharhinidae--Reef 111,566 lb (50,605
Sharks. kg).
All Other CREMUS 142,282 lb (64,538
combined. kg).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accountability Measures
NMFS and the Council, relying on information from local resource
management agencies in American Samoa, Guam, the CNMI, and Hawaii, will
conduct a post-season accounting of the annual catch for each stock and
stock complex immediately after the end of the fishing year. If an ACL
is exceeded, the Council will take action in accordance with 50 CFR
600.310(g), which may include a recommendation that NMFS reduce the ACL
for the subsequent fishing year by the amount of the overage, or other
measure, as appropriate.
Additional background information on this action is found in the
preamble to the proposed specifications, and is not repeated here.
[[Page 15888]]
Comments and Responses
On January 31, 2013, NMFS published a request for public comments
(78 FR 6798) on proposed specifications that are finalized here. The
public comment period ended on February 15, 2013. NMFS received two
comments, and responds, as follows:
Comment 1: Affirming support for the proposed specifications as a
tool to prevent overfishing of a renewable resource and ensure a better
future for prosperity.
Response: NMFS agrees that these final specifications are essential
to help prevent overfishing, and ensure sustainable, long-term catches
for fishermen.
Comment 2: Fishermen should be able to catch as much fish as they
can because a free market would establish better acceptable catch
levels than a government agency.
Response: Federal law requires NMFS and the Council to manage
fisheries using annual catch limits to ensure sustainable fisheries.
NMFS and the Council developed the annual catch limit specifications
using the best available scientific and commercial information, and in
consideration of scientific uncertainty and social and economic
factors. The final specifications result from the mechanism established
in the Council's fishery ecosystem plans, consistent with the National
Standard 1 requirements found at 50 CFR 600.310.
Changes From the Proposed Specifications
There are no changes in the final specifications.
Classification
The Regional Administrator, NMFS PIR, determined that this action
is necessary for the conservation and management of Pacific Island
fishery resources, and that it is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Act and other applicable laws.
The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business
Administration during the proposed specification stage that this action
would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of
small entities. The factual basis for the certification was published
in the proposed specifications and is not repeated here. No comments
were received regarding this certification. As a result, a regulatory
flexibility analysis was not required, and none was prepared.
This action is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: March 8, 2013.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, performing the functions and
duties of the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-05785 Filed 3-12-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
