Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Shark Management Measures; Amendment 5a, 40317-40350 [2013-15875]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 3, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40317-40350]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-15875]



[[Page 40317]]

Vol. 78

Wednesday,

No. 128

July 3, 2013

Part IV





Department of Commerce





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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration





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50 CFR Part 635





 Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Shark Management Measures; 
Amendment 5a; Final Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 78 , No. 128 / Wednesday, July 3, 2013 / 
Rules and Regulations

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 635

[Docket No. 110831548-3536-02]
RIN 0648-BB29


Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Shark Management Measures; 
Amendment 5a

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

ACTION: Final rule; fishery closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS publishes this final rule implementing the Final 
Amendment 5a to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species 
(HMS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP). In developing Amendment 5a to the 
2006 Consolidated HMS FMP, we examined a full range of management 
alternatives to maintain rebuilding of sandbar sharks; end overfishing 
and rebuild scalloped hammerhead and Atlantic blacknose sharks; and 
establish a total allowable catch (TAC) and commercial quota and 
recreational measures for Gulf of Mexico blacknose and blacktip sharks, 
consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), and other applicable laws. This 
final rule implements the final conservation and management measures in 
Amendment 5a to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP for sandbar, scalloped 
hammerhead, blacknose, and Gulf of Mexico blacktip sharks. This final 
rule also announces the revised 2013 annual regional quotas for 
aggregated large coastal sharks (LCS), hammerhead, Gulf of Mexico 
blacktip, blacknose, and non-blacknose small coastal sharks (SCS). 
These changes could affect all commercial and recreational fishermen 
who fish for sharks in the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the 
Caribbean Sea.

DATES: This final rule and revised annual quotas are effective on July 
3, 2013, except for the amendments to Sec. Sec.  635.5, 635.20, 635.21, 
and 635.22, which are effective August 2, 2013. The commercial Gulf of 
Mexico blacktip shark management group is closed effective 11:30 p.m. 
local time July 7, 2013, until the end of the 2013 fishing season on 
December 31, 2013 or if NMFS announces, via a notice in the Federal 
Register, that additional quota is available and the season is 
reopened.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Final Amendment 5a to the 2006 Consolidated 
HMS FMP, including the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), the 
latest shark stock assessments, and other documents relevant to this 
rule are available from the HMS Management Division Web site at https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Cooper, Gu[yacute] DuBeck, or 
Karyl Brewster-Geisz at 301-427-8503.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Atlantic tunas and swordfish are managed 
under the dual authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and the Atlantic 
Tunas Conventions Act (ATCA), which authorizes the Secretary of 
Commerce (Secretary) to promulgate regulations as may be necessary and 
appropriate to implement recommendations of the International 
Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). Federal 
Atlantic shark fisheries are managed under the authority of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act. The authority to issue regulations under the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act and ATCA has been delegated from the Secretary to 
the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA). On May 28, 1999, 
NMFS published in the Federal Register (64 FR 29090) final regulations, 
effective July 1, 1999, implementing the FMP for Atlantic Tunas, 
Swordfish, and Sharks (1999 FMP). On October 2, 2006, NMFS published in 
the Federal Register (71 FR 58058) final regulations, effective 
November 1, 2006, implementing the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP, which 
details the management measures for Atlantic HMS fisheries, including 
the Atlantic shark fisheries.

Background

    A brief summary of the background of this final action is provided 
below. Complete details of what was proposed and the alternatives 
considered are described in Draft Amendment 5 to the 2006 Consolidated 
HMS FMP and its proposed rule (77 FR 70552, November 26, 2012). Those 
documents are incorporated by reference and their description of 
management and conservation measures considered are not repeated here. 
Additional information regarding Atlantic HMS management can be found 
in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for Amendment 5a to 
the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP, the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and its 
amendments, the annual HMS Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation 
(SAFE) Reports, and online at https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/. The 
comments received on Draft Amendment 5 and its proposed rule, and our 
responses to those comments, are summarized below in the section 
labeled ``Response to Comments.''
    On April 28, 2011, we made the determination that scalloped 
hammerhead sharks were overfished and experiencing overfishing (76 FR 
23794). Following this determination, on October 7, 2011, we published 
a notice announcing our intent to prepare Amendment 5 to the 2006 
Consolidated HMS FMP with an Environmental Impact Statement in 
accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy 
Act (76 FR 62331). We made stock status determinations for sandbar, 
dusky, and blacknose sharks based on the results of the Southeast Data, 
Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) 21 process. Determinations in the 
October 2011 notice included that sandbar sharks are still overfished, 
but no longer experiencing overfishing, and that dusky sharks are still 
overfished and still experiencing overfishing (i.e., their stock status 
has not changed). The October 2011 notice also acknowledged that there 
are two stocks of blacknose sharks, the Atlantic blacknose shark stock 
and the Gulf of Mexico blacknose shark stock. The Atlantic blacknose 
shark stock is overfished and experiencing overfishing, and the Gulf of 
Mexico blacknose shark stock status is unknown.
    We published a Federal Register notice on May 29, 2012 (77 FR 
31562) notifying the public that we were considering the addition of 
Gulf of Mexico blacktip sharks to Amendment 5 to the 2006 Consolidated 
HMS FMP. This addition was proposed because Gulf of Mexico blacktip 
sharks were undergoing a stock assessment as part of the SEDAR 29 
process, and that process would be completed before Amendment 5 to the 
2006 Consolidated HMS FMP was finalized. Therefore, we determined that 
the addition of Gulf of Mexico blacktip sharks to Amendment 5 to the 
2006 Consolidated HMS FMP would allow us to address new scientific 
information in the timeliest manner and facilitate administrative 
efficiency by optimizing our resources. We also expected that this 
addition would provide better clarify and communicate to the public any 
possible impacts of the rulemaking on shark fisheries by combining 
potential management measures resulting from recent shark stock 
assessments into fewer rulemakings. Since publication of the Federal 
Register notice announcing our intent to consider the addition of Gulf 
of Mexico blacktip sharks in Amendment 5 to the 2006 Consolidated

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HMS FMP, we accepted the results of the stock assessment as final. As 
explained in the proposed rule, the stock assessment indicates that the 
Gulf of Mexico blacktip shark stock is not overfished and overfishing 
is not occurring.
    Based on comments received during scoping, on the Predraft (an 
informal document that is shared with the HMS Advisory Panel and the 
public to obtain additional information and input from constituents on 
potential alternatives prior to development of the formal DEIS and 
proposed rule), and the addition of Gulf of Mexico blacktip sharks to 
this action, we determined the scope of significant issues of concern 
that would be addressed in Amendment 5 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS 
FMP. The Notice of Availability of the DEIS for Amendment 5 to the 2006 
Consolidated HMS FMP and the proposed rule published in the Federal 
Register on December 7, 2012 (77 FR 73029), and November 26, 2012 (77 
FR 70552), respectively. The public comment period ended on February 
12, 2013.
    During the comment period, we received numerous comments on the 
proposed dusky shark measures regarding the data sources used and the 
analyses of these data. We also received many comments requesting 
consideration of approaches to dusky shark fishery management that were 
significantly different from those we proposed and analyzed in the 
Amendment 5 proposed rule and DEIS. For example, commenters suggested 
exemptions to the proposed recreational minimum size increase that 
would protect dusky sharks but still allow landings of other sharks--
such as blacktip sharks or ``blue'' sharks such as shortfin mako and 
thresher sharks--and other commenters suggested implementing gear 
restrictions instead of additional pelagic longline closures.
    After reviewing all of the comments received, we concluded that 
further analyses are needed for dusky shark measures. In order to 
ensure that the other shark measures are finalized as expeditiously as 
possible, we decided to conduct additional dusky shark analyses in a 
separate proposed action, which will be referred to as ``Amendment 5b 
to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP'' (See 78 FR 24148; April 24, 2013). 
Comments received on the dusky shark portions of the November 2012 
proposed rule will be considered in that action and there will be a 
comment period for the new 5b proposed rule. This current action 
implements Amendment 5a to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and finalizes 
other shark measures from the November 2012 proposed rule needed to 
maintain rebuilding of sandbar sharks; end overfishing and rebuild 
scalloped hammerhead and Atlantic blacknose sharks; and establish a 
total allowable catch (TAC) and commercial quota and recreational 
measures for Gulf of Mexico blacknose and blacktip sharks.
    We prepared an FEIS that discussed the direct, indirect, and 
cumulative impacts on the quality of the human environment as a result 
of the preferred management measures in Amendment 5a to the 2006 
Consolidated HMS FMP. The FEIS, including the preferred management 
measures in Amendment 5a to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP, was made 
available on April 26, 2013 (78 FR 24743). On June 7, 2013, the 
Assistant Administrator for NOAA signed a Record of Decision (ROD) 
adopting Final Amendment 5a to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP. A copy of 
the FEIS, including final Amendment 5a to the 2006 Consolidated HMS 
FMP, is available from the HMS Management Division (see ADDRESSES). In 
brief, the final management measures implemented in this rule are to: 
establish a new hammerhead shark (great, scalloped, and smooth) 
management group with regional quotas; implement a Gulf of Mexico 
blacktip shark annual quota; establish aggregated LCS management groups 
with regional quotas; implement regional blacknose shark annual quotas; 
establish non-blacknose SCS annual quotas by region; establish regional 
quota linkages; and increase the recreational size limit for all 
hammerhead sharks. As described in the FEIS and the responses to 
comments below, we made several changes to the preferred alternatives 
between the DEIS and FEIS, based in part on public comments. 
Corresponding changes were made, where appropriate, in Final Amendment 
5a to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and this final rule. The specific 
changes are described below in the section titled ``Changes from the 
Proposed Rule.''
    In addition to the management measures in this final action, we are 
also making several minor changes in the regulations for corrective or 
clarification purposes. These changes were in the proposed rule and we 
received no comments regarding them. These final changes are not 
expected to have any ecological or economic impacts and do not impose 
any new requirements on the regulated community or require fishermen to 
change their actions to comply with the regulations. These 
administrative changes are: (1) The addition of a definition of ``fork 
length''; (2) an update to the permit Web page and name of the 
reporting system at Sec.  635.5(c)(1); (3) the deletion of incorrect 
text referring to swordfish permits in a sentence regarding tunas at 
Sec.  635.20(a); (4) a correction changing the term ``NED closed area'' 
to ``NED restricted area'' at Sec.  635.21(c)(5)(iii)(C); (5) the 
removal of smoothhound shark language at Sec.  635.24(a)(7) that 
incorrectly remained after the final rule (76 FR 70064; November 10, 
2011) delaying the effectiveness of the smoothhound measures 
indefinitely; (6) in Table 1 of Appendix A, a correction to the 
scientific name of Atlantic angel sharks along with a removal of the 
headings ``ridgeback'' and ``non-ridgeback sharks'' because, with the 
changes in this rule, those terms are no longer necessary as defined 
and are not used at this time; and (7) the removal of language at Sec.  
635.27(b)(1)(iv)(C) that required landings reported by dealers located 
in certain areas to be counted against the regional quota where the 
dealer is located because measures recently put in place in the 
electronic dealer reporting rule (77 FR 47303; August 8, 2012) allow 
dealers to report and to count landed fish against the appropriate 
quota of the region where the fish was caught. Additionally, to 
accommodate the changes being finalized in this rulemaking and to more 
clearly organize the regulations, Sec.  635.27(b) has been reorganized. 
Changes to the operative text are minimal and include: removing 
language and sentences that refer to text that will expire before this 
rule is finalized and removing terms such as ``non-sandbar LCS'' that 
will no longer be relevant because of the changes in this rule.

Response to Comments

    We received 115 written comments from fishermen, states, and other 
interested parties on the proposed rule during the comment period in 
writing or at public hearings. All written comments can be found at 
https://www.regulations.gov/. As described above, we separated out all 
of the dusky shark management measures and comments from this 
rulemaking. All comments received on the dusky shark measures will be 
addressed in Amendment 5b to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP. The 
comments received resulted in changes, as described below in the 
Changes from the Proposed Rule section. Significant comments are 
summarized below by major topic together with our responses. There are 
eight major issues: stock assessments, general support for measures in 
DEIS, TACs and quotas, quota linkages, recreational issues,

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economic impacts, concerns regarding the DEIS, and general comments.

A. Stock Assessments

    Comment 1: We received a variety of comments on the SEDAR stock 
assessment process and procedures. One commenter wanted an explanation 
of how NMFS conducts a stock assessment, while another commenter 
preferred that NMFS conduct a SEDAR stock assessment on all shark 
species. Another commenter wanted us to consider and address sources of 
mortality of sharks in other commercial fisheries.
    Response: Domestic shark stock assessments are generally conducted 
through the SEDAR process, in which NMFS participates. This process is 
also used by the South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Fishery 
Management Councils and is designed to provide transparency throughout 
the stock assessment process. Generally, SEDAR stock assessments have 
three stages. Meetings in these stages may be face-to-face or by 
webinar or conference call. All meetings are open to the public. The 
first stage of the assessment process focuses on the available data. 
During this stage, fisheries monitoring programs, life history and 
other biological data, catch data, and indices of abundance from both 
fishery-independent (e.g., scientific surveys) and fishery-dependent 
(e.g., fishermen, dealer, and observer reports) sources are reviewed 
and compiled. The end result of this stage is a summary of all sources 
of data and relevant research, including all sources of potential 
mortality for the shark species in other commercial fisheries.
    The second stage focuses on the assessment models themselves. 
During this stage, the participants discuss the available models, how 
the data fit the models, and any changes needed. The end result of this 
stage is a complete assessment model and a preliminary determination of 
the status of the stock.
    The third stage is the peer review. During this part, scientists 
who were not participants in either previous stage and who do not have 
any conflict of interest review the data and the models to determine if 
they are appropriate and were conducted correctly. During this stage, 
the peer reviewers may ask the assessment scientists to re-run models 
or include specific sensitivity runs to check how the models work. This 
peer review stage may be done in a public forum or, as was done with 
the Gulf of Mexico blacktip stock assessment, may be done via a paper 
review. All reports from all stages of the process are available online 
at https://www.sefsc.noaa.gov/sedar/.
    The SEDAR process can take several months to over a year depending 
on whether the species has been assessed before, if a species needs a 
full review of a previous assessment, or if the assessment is more of 
an update to previous assessments. Because the process takes so long 
and because of the large number of shark stocks that need to be 
assessed, there are times where we have reviewed stock assessments that 
were completed and peer reviewed outside of the SEDAR process and have 
determined the assessment to be appropriate for management. We have 
done that for both porbeagle and scalloped hammerhead sharks. 
Additionally, there are some shark stocks that are assessed 
internationally via the process established by ICCAT. In all cases, we 
ensure the data and models used are appropriate, all sources of 
mortality are considered, and that the end result constitutes the best 
available science, consistent with National Standard 2 of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act and other requirements.
    Comment 2: We received a comment that the non-sandbar LCS 
management group is not overfished with no overfishing occurring in the 
mid-Atlantic region.
    Response: The LCS management group, including sandbar sharks, was 
last assessed as a whole in 2006 as part of the SEDAR 11 process. At 
that time, the peer reviewers found that while the data and assessment 
model were appropriate, the assessment as a whole was unlikely to 
produce effective management advice given the potential for conflicting 
information from the various species components in the catch and 
abundance index data. Based on this, we determined the status of the 
LCS management group to be unknown. Therefore, we do not know whether 
the non-sandbar LCS management group is overfished or if overfishing is 
occurring given the information currently available.
    Comment 3: We received a comment regarding the stock determination 
for Gulf of Mexico blacktip sharks. The commenter noted that they 
disagree with the determination that the stock is not overfished and 
that overfishing is not occurring as they believe the fish population 
has been dramatically reduced and has not increased over time. In 
addition, the commenter wanted us to provide background on the data for 
the past 40 years.
    Response: The best available scientific data and a rigorous SEDAR 
stock assessment process support the conclusion that Gulf of Mexico 
blacktip sharks are not overfished (SSF2010/
SSFMSY=2.00-2.78) with no overfishing occurring 
(F2010/FMSY=0.05-0.27). The independent review 
panel determined that the data used in the stock assessment were 
considered the best available. They also determined that appropriate 
standard assessment methods based on general production models and on 
age-structured modeling were used to derive management benchmarks given 
the data available. The stock assessment scientists showed in the post-
review updates and projections document that process error in 
recruitment was fully considered and that recruitment in the model was 
reasonable. They also showed that the low value of FMSY is 
consistent with what is expected from the biology of sharks, and that 
of the three indices mentioned by the reviewer that showed a decline, 
two show an increase in the terminal year of 2010. Therefore, the stock 
assessment scientists concluded that the stock assessment result of no 
overfishing is warranted. Thus, the commenters' contention that the 
stock is overfished with overfishing occurring is unfounded as is the 
contention that the GOM blacktip shark population has ``been 
dramatically reduced.'' In the SEDAR 29 stock assessment, background 
data for some catch indices were provided that went back as far as 
1964. Commenters can access this data and additional background data at 
the SEDAR 29 stock assessment Web site at: https://www.sefsc.noaa.gov/sedar/.
    Comment 4: Commenters asked us to schedule the Atlantic blacktip 
shark stock assessment in 2013, as the Gulf of Mexico blacktip shark 
assessment was completed in 2012. They consider the Atlantic blacktip 
assessment to be ``more important'' than the non-blacknose SCS 
(Atlantic sharpnose, bonnethead, and finetooth) assessments.
    Response: We aim to conduct a number of shark stock assessments 
every year and to regularly reassess the stocks. The number of species 
that can be assessed each year depends on whether assessments are 
establishing baselines or are only updates to previous assessments. 
Assessments also depend on ensuring there is data available for a 
particular species; not all shark species or stocks have enough data to 
assess. We try to assess shark species as often as possible, 
particularly for primary commercial and recreational species, and will 
aim to conduct an Atlantic blacktip shark assessment as soon as 
practicable.
    Comment 5: NMFS should perform a SEDAR stock assessment on all of 
the hammerhead (scalloped, great, and smooth) shark species. The Hayes 
et al.

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(2009) scalloped hammerhead shark stock assessment was not a complete 
assessment and included modeling assumptions that were driven by flawed 
recreational harvest data. For smooth and great hammerhead sharks, we 
need a sufficient assessment of these species, as the impacts of the 
proposed hammerhead shark measures are only based on scalloped 
hammerhead sharks.
    Response: The Hayes et al. (2009) stock assessment utilized a 
surplus production model, an approach commonly used in data poor 
scenarios, and incorporated commercial and recreational landings, 
fisheries dependent data, and fisheries independent data from NMFS 
observer programs and scientific surveys. We reviewed this paper and 
concluded that: the assessment is complete; the assessment is an 
improvement over a 2008 aggregated species assessment for hammerhead 
sharks; and the assessment is appropriate for U.S. management decisions 
(76 FR 23794; April 28, 2011). Based on the results of this paper, we 
determined that scalloped hammerhead sharks were overfished and 
experiencing overfishing. Scalloped hammerhead sharks are currently a 
part of the non-sandbar LCS management group, and this is the first 
assessment specific to scalloped hammerhead sharks. We intend to 
conduct SEDAR stock assessments on scalloped, smooth, and great 
hammerhead sharks in the future, as soon as practicable given timing, 
resource limits, and data availability.
    Comment 6: NMFS should analyze the seasonality of hammerhead shark 
catches to avoid closing management groups with quota linkages in the 
Gulf of Mexico region.
    Response: We analyzed a few ways to ensure fishermen can fully 
harvest the aggregated LCS, hammerhead, and blacktip shark quotas in 
the Gulf of Mexico region. Due to the short and variable shark fishing 
season lengths in the Gulf of Mexico region, the seasonality of 
hammerhead catches is not definitive. In 2010, the non-sandbar LCS 
fishery was only open for six weeks, while the season remained open for 
approximately five months in 2011 and 2012. In this amendment, we 
analyzed the catch composition on a per trip basis. We noticed that the 
catch composition varied. There were both trips that caught and landed 
primarily blacktip sharks and trips that caught and landed a mix of 
aggregated LCS and hammerhead sharks. The aggregated LCS and hammerhead 
sharks are caught in small amounts on trips targeting Gulf of Mexico 
blacktip sharks, so this should not affect the mortality rates of 
hammerhead sharks. In addition, the blacktip shark and aggregated LCS 
quotas will be set equal to average annual landings from 2008-2011. The 
preferred Gulf of Mexico hammerhead shark quota will be set using the 
TAC from the Hayes et al. (2009) stock assessment after accounting for 
all sources of mortality, but the results are quotas that are slightly 
higher in both regions than average annual landings from 2008-2011. If 
fishing continues in a fashion similar to the years 2008-2011, all 
three quotas in this region should fill at about the same rate. As long 
as the quotas do fill at about the same rate, significant additional 
mortality of aggregate LCS and hammerhead sharks should not occur after 
these management groups close. Dead discards of scalloped hammerhead 
sharks have already been factored into the preferred hammerhead shark 
quota.
    Based on this information, we decided, in preferred Alternative 
Suite A6, to link the Gulf of Mexico regional quotas for aggregated LCS 
and hammerhead sharks while allowing the Gulf of Mexico blacktip shark 
management group to open and close independently. Closing the 
aggregated LCS management group when landings of hammerhead sharks 
reach, or are expected to reach, 80 percent of the hammerhead shark 
quota would prevent hammerhead sharks from being incidentally caught in 
the aggregated LCS fishery and the associated continued overfishing. 
Because the Gulf of Mexico blacktip management group would not 
necessarily close with the aggregated LCS and hammerhead shark 
management groups, there is the potential for incidental hammerhead 
mortality when fishing for blacktip sharks after the hammerhead shark 
management group has been closed. To address this concern, we will have 
the authority to close the blacktip shark management group before 
landings of blacktip sharks reach, or is expected to reach, 80 percent 
of the blacktip shark quota. This final action should allow fishermen 
to harvest as much of the Gulf of Mexico blacktip and aggregated LCS 
quotas as is possible without overfishing scalloped hammerhead sharks.
    Comment 7: The State of Florida recommends NMFS coordinate with 
Regional Fishery Management Councils' Scientific and Statistical 
Committees (SSCs) to develop proper stock assessments with data poor or 
un-assessed stocks (i.e. Gulf of Mexico blacknose and Atlantic blacktip 
sharks).
    Response: As described above, we conduct most domestic shark stock 
assessments through the SEDAR process. This process is the same process 
that the South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Fishery 
Management Councils use to assess their stocks. The only difference 
between how the Councils treat stock assessments and how federally 
managed shark stock assessments are treated by NMFS is that once the 
stock assessment is complete at the SEDAR level, the Regional Fishery 
Management Councils have their SSC review each stock assessment. NMFS 
does not have its own SSC. Instead, the assessment is reviewed 
internally before being accepted. Thus, our shark stock assessments use 
essentially the same processes to address data poor or un-assessed 
stocks as the Regional Fishery Management Councils.
    Comment 8: Some commenters believe the recent NMFS stock 
assessments are incomplete due to lack of data, outdated data, and 
misguided assumptions. As an example, one commenter stated that NMFS 
assumes that Gulf of Mexico blacknose sharks needs rebuilding because 
the status of this species is unknown.
    Response: As described above, we use the SEDAR process to conduct 
most domestic shark stock assessments. This process is a transparent 
one that includes meetings, webinars, and/or conference calls that are 
open to the public. All the working papers for SEDAR assessments along 
with the final reports are available online at https://www.sefsc.noaa.gov/sedar/. During the course of the assessment, the 
participants in the assessment carefully go through all the available 
data and any underlying assumptions regarding either the data or the 
models. The participants in the assessment are composed of both NMFS 
scientists as well as a mix of fishermen, academics, and 
environmentalists that are chosen from the members of the HMS SEDAR 
Pool. Consideration is given to each participant's expertise. The 
assessments themselves use the most up-to-date data available at the 
time the assessment is started. For example, if discussions about data 
begin in March of a particular year, the scientists may decide to use 
data from the previous year if that data has undergone a quality 
control check or the scientists may decide that the previous year's 
data would not be quality control checked and may rely on data from the 
year before instead. Because of the lengthy time in conducting an 
assessment (sometimes more than a year) and then incorporating the 
assessment results into management measures (this process can take two 
or more years depending on the action), it can seem as though the data 
the assessment relied on is out of

[[Page 40322]]

date. However, in our analyses of potential management measures in the 
FEIS, we use updated information where available even if that data was 
not included in the assessment model itself because it was not 
available at the time (e.g., 2011 commercial landings data). Thus, the 
assessment and the data upon which it relied remains the best 
scientific data available at this time, and we are required by National 
Standard 2 to utilize this information.
    Regarding the specific comment about blacknose sharks, the SEDAR 21 
blacknose shark stock assessment incorporated new landings and 
biological information that was not available for previous assessments. 
This was the first time blacknose sharks were assessed as two separate 
stocks. The scientists found that while the Atlantic blacknose 
assessment model appeared robust, the assessment model for the Gulf of 
Mexico stock did not fit some of the input data. Because of this lack 
of fit, the Review Panel did not accept the Gulf of Mexico blacknose 
stock assessment results. Therefore, we declared the status of the Gulf 
of Mexico blacknose shark stock as ``unknown.'' We would prefer to have 
a definitive status and will conduct a Gulf of Mexico blacknose shark 
stock assessment as soon as practicable given timing, resource limits, 
and data availability. In the meantime, the preferred Alternative Suite 
A6 caps Gulf of Mexico blacknose shark landings at current levels.
    Comment 9: We received multiple comments on the issue of blacknose 
sharks caught in shrimp trawl nets. One commenter wanted NMFS to 
develop accountability measures in case the shrimp trawl fishery 
exceeds its blacknose shark allocation and to improve the quality of 
the best available science for future management decisions. Another 
commenter believes the SEDAR estimates of blacknose sharks being caught 
in shrimp trawl nets are incorrect, that the species is misidentified, 
and that we need to work with the Gulf of Mexico shrimpers to reduce 
shark bycatch.
    Response: In this amendment, we are only implementing measures to 
reduce the landings and discards in Atlantic shark fisheries. 
Regulatory changes to the shrimp trawl fisheries in the South Atlantic 
and Gulf of Mexico regions are beyond the scope of this rulemaking and 
would be implemented through the Council process in those regions. At 
the blacknose shark stock assessment, we had several shrimp trawl 
industry scientists involved in estimating the number of blacknose 
sharks that are caught in shrimp trawl nets. Those scientists were 
instrumental in reviewing the data and developing the models that 
ultimately were used to estimate the number of blacknose sharks caught 
in shrimp trawl nets. Additionally, since the first blacknose stock 
assessment in 2007, NMFS has been collecting species-specific shark 
data reporting from the shrimp trawl observer program. Thus, we feel 
the stock assessment estimates of blacknose sharks caught in shrimp 
trawls is appropriate and the best available science.

B. General Support for Measures in the DEIS and Proposed Rule

    Comment 10: We received comments that generally supported the 
measures in Alternative Suite A2. Commenters liked the idea of regional 
hammerhead shark, aggregated LCS, and Gulf of Mexico blacktip shark 
TACs and quotas, the quota linkages in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico 
regions, and the move to more species-specific shark management. The 
State of Maryland said that they believed the Alternative Suite A2 
measures for sandbar, scalloped hammerhead, and blacknose sharks were 
appropriate.
    Response: Most of the management measures that commenters liked in 
Alternative Suite A2 in the DEIS are also in the preferred Alternative 
Suite A6 in the FEIS. One change between Alternative Suites A2 and A6 
is the quota linkages between Gulf of Mexico hammerhead, aggregated LCS 
and blacktip sharks. Alternative Suite A2 links all three quotas, while 
Alternative Suite A6 only links the aggregated LCS and hammerhead 
quotas. In the final action, we prefer linking only the aggregated LCS 
and hammerhead shark quotas, and not the blacktip shark quota, for two 
reasons. First, because average landings of hammerhead sharks in the 
Gulf of Mexico from 2008-2011 are slightly less than the preferred 
hammerhead shark quota for the Gulf of Mexico, and the preferred 
aggregated LCS and blacktip shark quotas are calculated based on 
average landings, it is anticipated that all three quotas will be 
reached at similar points in time if fishing practices continue as they 
have since 2008. Second, when analyzing commercial shark fishery 
observer data in the Gulf of Mexico from 2008-2011, we noticed much 
lower interactions with hammerhead sharks on trips that were 
specifically targeting blacktip sharks than on trips that generally 
targeted sharks. On observed trips outside of the shark research 
fishery that specifically targeted blacktip sharks, interactions with 
hammerhead sharks and aggregated LCS was low, while on trips that 
generically targeted sharks, hammerhead sharks and aggregated LCS had 
the highest interactions. Therefore, because recent average shark 
landings have been similar to preferred quotas and because the 
hammerhead shark and aggregated LCS catch is much higher on trips 
generally targeting shark than on trips specifically targeting blacktip 
sharks, we feel that it is appropriate to link the Gulf of Mexico 
aggregated LCS and hammerhead shark quotas and not link the Gulf of 
Mexico blacktip shark quota.
    Comment 11: One commenter stated that the rule should be completed 
and implemented by April 2013 because the two-year rebuilding timeline 
for scalloped hammerhead sharks is in April. The commenter urged NMFS 
to not lose focus on ending overfishing for hammerhead, blacktip, and 
blacknose sharks.
    Response: We understand the importance of implementing management 
plans that will rebuild stocks within 2 years of declaring them 
overfished as required by the Magnuson-Stevens Act. We have been 
working on a schedule to implement these measures within that deadline. 
As this action progressed, we realized we would not be able to 
implement final measures before the 2 year anniversary of declaring the 
scalloped hammerhead stock overfished with overfishing occurring. We 
worked, however, to implement the final action as soon as procedurally 
possible, and as close as possible to that deadline. This final action 
is designed to end overfishing of scalloped hammerhead and Atlantic 
blacknose sharks, consistent with the objective and need for this 
amendment. Gulf of Mexico blacktip sharks are not experiencing 
overfishing and this final action is designed to ensure that 
overfishing of that stock does not occur. While the status of the 
Atlantic blacktip shark is unknown, we determined that this final 
action would not cause overfishing.

C. TACs and Quotas

    Comment 12: We received a comment that retention of sandbar sharks 
should be prohibited in all fisheries, including the shark research 
fishery. This commenter supported a prohibition rather than the current 
TAC that allows rebuilding after a long timeframe, in favor of a 
shorter rebuilding time.
    Response: The latest sandbar shark stock assessment in SEDAR 21 
found that, while the species is still overfished, overfishing is no 
longer occurring, and the species has a greater than 70 percent 
probability of rebuilding by 2070 with a greater than 50-percent 
probability of rebuilding by

[[Page 40323]]

2066 under current regulations and fishing pressure. Under no fishing, 
the species would likely rebuild by 2046; however, zero fishing 
pressure is difficult to achieve due to incidental catch. For this 
reason, a prohibition on sandbar shark retention would likely result in 
a rebuilding year later than 2046. Because the current TAC already 
provides a greater than 70-percent probability of rebuilding, and 
because overfishing is not occurring and the stock status is improving, 
maintaining the current TAC and rebuilding plan is fully consistent 
with the Magnuson-Stevens Act requirements and the National Standard 
Guidelines. The benefit of having a small, sustainable, well-regulated 
sandbar shark fishery outweighs the benefit of a shorter rebuilding 
timeframe. The small sandbar shark fishery, administered through the 
shark research fishery, allows commercial fishermen some access to the 
resource and also provides important data on the species. The latest 
stock assessment used information gathered from the shark research 
fishery, the absence of which would have reduced the confidence in 
assessment results. For these reasons, we prefer to continue with the 
rebuilding plan for sandbar sharks currently underway.
    Comment 13: Some commenters stated that this amendment needs to 
provide additional regulations with regard to TACs for blue, porbeagle, 
or other sharks in the pelagic shark management group.
    Response: Pelagic sharks are outside the scope of this rulemaking. 
As stated in the published Notice of Intent and the Purpose and Need 
section of the FEIS, this rulemaking addresses the recent stock 
assessments for scalloped hammerhead sharks, sandbar, blacknose sharks, 
and blacktip sharks.
    Comment 14: Some commenters are concerned that regulations for 
sandbar, blacknose, scalloped hammerhead, and blacktip sharks force 
regulatory discards of some species and contribute to mortality that 
exceeds the TAC, causing overfishing.
    Response: Regulations for sandbar, blacknose, scalloped hammerhead, 
and blacktip sharks are expressly designed to keep mortality below the 
TAC to end overfishing and rebuild, as necessary. Sandbar sharks are 
currently on a rebuilding plan, and the latest stock assessment 
confirms that current regulations will allow the species to rebuild 
within the required timeframe. The Atlantic blacknose shark assessment 
provided a TAC necessary to end overfishing and rebuild the stock. All 
sources of mortality were accounted for when developing a commercial 
quota, so mortality is unlikely to exceed the established TAC. The Gulf 
of Mexico blacknose shark stock status is unknown; however, we 
considered all sources of mortality when calculating the Gulf of Mexico 
blacknose TAC and capped that commercial quota at recent commercial 
landings to keep total mortality from exceeding current levels. 
Scalloped hammerhead sharks are overfished with overfishing occurring 
and the latest stock assessment provided a TAC that would end 
overfishing and allow the stock to rebuild. All sources of mortality 
were accounted for when developing a scalloped hammerhead commercial 
quota, so mortality is unlikely to exceed the established TAC. The Gulf 
of Mexico blacktip shark stock is not overfished nor is it experiencing 
overfishing, and current mortality levels are sustainable.
    Regulatory discards are a possibility for any of these species. The 
nature of regulations that provide an open season (when there is quota 
available) and a closed season (when the quota is closed) leaves the 
possibility that incidentally caught individuals will be discarded if 
the quota is closed. Many of the discarded fish are alive, but some 
will not be. Our concern over regulatory discards and additional 
mortality is one of the reasons we prefer quota linkages for some 
species in Alternative Suite A6. These regulatory discards are a source 
of mortality and we take them into consideration when developing 
commercial quotas within each species or management group's quota. For 
example, when developing the hammerhead management group quota, we took 
into account dead discard estimates from a variety of fisheries that 
interact with scalloped hammerhead sharks, including directed shark 
fisheries. This estimate, among other sources of mortality, was 
subtracted from the TAC to provide a sustainable commercial quota. See 
Chapter 2 of the FEIS for Amendment 5a to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP 
for more details of the quota calculations. We strive to prevent or 
minimize regulatory discards. If we are unable to eliminate dead 
discards, we account for this mortality to ensure no species or 
management group exceeds its TAC.
    Comment 15: We received a comment that the preferred Gulf of Mexico 
blacknose shark quota of 2.0 mt dw is too low. The commenter is 
concerned that higher than expected catch levels or new entrants into 
the fishery could land too many blacknose sharks resulting in closing 
both the blacknose shark management group and the linked non-blacknose 
SCS management group. This commenter requested an increase in the Gulf 
of Mexico blacknose quota to prevent the stock from becoming a ``choke 
species'' for non-blacknose SCS.
    Response: The SEDAR 21 stock assessment for Gulf of Mexico 
blacknose sharks was not accepted by the review panel and was not 
accepted for management. Consequently, the stock status for Gulf of 
Mexico blacknose sharks is unknown. Under this final action, we would 
cap total mortality based on recent commercial landings, dead discards, 
and recreational landings. For 2011, commercial landings for Gulf of 
Mexico blacknose sharks were 2.0 mt dw. At this time, we do not have 
any information to support an increase beyond the 2011 commercial 
landings estimate.
    Because the Gulf of Mexico blacknose shark quota is linked to the 
non-blacknose quota, both management groups will close when either 
quota is reached, or is expected to reach, 80 percent. The Gulf of 
Mexico blacknose shark quota in this final action is smaller than the 
non-blacknose SCS quota and would likely fill more quickly, closing the 
non-blacknose SCS quota before it had been filled (becoming what the 
commenter termed a ``choke species''). However, the Gulf of Mexico 
blacknose shark quota in this final action is set equal to commercial 
landings since the implementation of Amendment 3 to the 2006 
Consolidated HMS FMP (which established a separate blacknose quota and 
encouraged fishermen to avoid the species), excluding 2010 landings 
which were impacted by the Deepwater Horizon/BP oil spill fishing 
closures. Because the preferred quota is based on recent annual 
landings, it is likely that this quota would last most of the year if 
the fishery continues as it has. Consequently, it is unlikely that the 
Gulf of Mexico blacknose shark quota will result in a ``choke 
species.''
    Comment 16: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission commented that 
the blacknose shark quota should be linked to the LCS and sandbar 
quotas, in addition to the non-blacknose SCS quota. While blacknose 
sharks are sometimes caught alongside non-blacknose SCS, the Commission 
stated that blacknose sharks are commonly caught in the LCS and 
snapper/grouper longline fisheries, especially in South Florida. These 
sources of mortality were not accounted for in the quota calculations. 
Additionally, LCS are often caught in the directed SCS fisheries when 
the LCS attempt to feed on the SCS already caught in the fishing gear 
(depredation).

[[Page 40324]]

    Response: In both the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico regions, all 
sources of blacknose shark mortality were accounted for in this final 
action, including other fisheries such as the LCS and snapper/grouper 
fisheries. In the Atlantic region, the TAC specified in the stock 
assessment was reduced by recreational landings, research set-asides, 
and dead discards to derive the commercial quota. These dead discards 
were estimated using gillnet and bottom longline observer data and were 
accounted for in this final action's quota calculations. The Gulf of 
Mexico TAC and quota were calculated in a slightly different way in 
this final action, but the dead discards were also accounted for from 
gillnet and bottom longline observer data.
    LCS are sometimes caught in the directed SCS fishery, whether 
through depredation or conventional capture. In the context of this 
rulemaking, the only LCS species addressed is hammerhead sharks, the 
quota for which was calculated in this final action by taking the 
scalloped hammerhead shark TAC from the stock assessment and 
subtracting scalloped hammerhead shark recreational landings, research 
set-aside, and dead discards from the LCS and other fisheries. These 
dead discards were estimated from logbook data in the directed pelagic 
longline and bottom longline shark fisheries, gillnet observer program 
data, and the reef fish observer program. Therefore, dead discards of 
LCS in the directed SCS fisheries were accounted for when calculating 
the hammerhead shark quotas.
    Comment 17: Some commenters do not support aggregating multiple 
species into management groups such as the LCS, SCS, and pelagic shark 
management groups.
    Response: As more single-species stock assessments are conducted, 
we have been moving toward single-species management rather than group 
management where appropriate. Recent stock assessments that have 
allowed us to move to some single-species management include: sandbar 
sharks, Atlantic blacknose sharks, scalloped hammerhead sharks, Gulf of 
Mexico blacktip sharks, dusky sharks, and porbeagle sharks. At this 
time, we do not have accepted and approved single species assessments 
for Gulf of Mexico blacknose sharks or the remaining aggregated LCS 
species: Atlantic blacktip, silky, tiger, bull, lemon, spinner, nurse, 
and great and smooth hammerhead sharks. For SCS, we have single-species 
assessments for Atlantic sharpnose, finetooth, and bonnethead sharks, 
which indicate that these species are not overfished nor are they 
experiencing overfishing. However, we manage these species under a 
single management group as these species co-occur in the SCS fishery. 
This simplifies quota tracking and management while minimizing the risk 
of unsustainable fishing occurring on one or more of the stocks. 
Additionally, some single-species regulations exist in the recreational 
fishery. Both Atlantic sharpnose and bonnethead sharks are exempt from 
the recreational minimum size limits and current regulations allow 
limited additional retention of these two species above the per vessel 
bag limit. For pelagic sharks, we have species-specific assessments for 
porbeagle, blue sharks, and shortfin mako sharks; however, 
international management for pelagic species complicates single-species 
management. There are no international quotas for these species or 
country-specific allocations. Porbeagle and blue sharks were last 
assessed by the ICCAT SCRS in 2012, which determined that porbeagle 
sharks were overfished but that overfishing has likely stopped and that 
blue sharks are neither overfished nor experiencing overfishing. Both 
of these species are managed under separate quotas. For shortfin mako 
sharks, we established conservation initiatives in Amendment 3 to the 
2006 Consolidated HMS FMP after a 2008 ICCAT SCRS assessment indicated 
that the North Atlantic stock was experiencing overfishing and 
approaching an overfished status. These conservation initiatives 
included outreach and efforts to encourage live release of the species. 
Since then, a 2012 ICCAT SCRS assessment concluded that indications of 
potential overfishing shown in the 2008 stock assessment had diminished 
and that the current level of catches may be considered sustainable. 
Please visit https://www.iccat.int/Documents/SCRS/ExecSum/SHK_EN.pdf 
for more information.
    Comment 18: Several commenters expressed support for establishing 
separate TACs for hammerhead sharks, Atlantic blacknose, Gulf of Mexico 
blacknose, and Gulf of Mexico blacktip sharks.
    Response: We agree that establishing separate quotas and TACs for 
the two blacknose shark stocks and Gulf of Mexico blacktip sharks will 
rebuild overfished Atlantic blacknose and scalloped hammerhead sharks, 
provide additional protection for the Gulf of Mexico blacknose and 
blacktip stocks, and minimize socioeconomic impacts, consistent with 
the Magnuson-Stevens Act. For these reasons, we prefer these measures 
at this time.
    Comment 19: Some commenters felt that Atlantic blacktip sharks 
should be separated from the LCS management group like Gulf of Mexico 
blacktip sharks.
    Response: The peer review panel for the 2006 stock assessment for 
Atlantic blacktip sharks concluded that while the methods were 
scientifically sound, the assessment model did not provide reliable 
estimates of abundance, biomass, or exploitation rates. As a result, we 
determined the stock status of Atlantic blacktip sharks to be unknown 
(71 FR 65086; November 7, 2006). Unlike the situation for Gulf of 
Mexico blacknose sharks, where the status of the stock was declared to 
be unknown as a result of a peer review of the stock assessment, there 
is no previous stock assessment for blacktip sharks on which to 
appropriately base a species-specific TAC or quota. Therefore, because 
we had no new information to inform a separate quota or TAC, we decided 
to maintain Atlantic blacktip sharks in the aggregated LCS management 
group. When we have a peer reviewed and approved stock assessment for 
Atlantic blacktip sharks, we will reconsider this decision.
    Comment 20: The State of Louisiana expressed concern that we 
conducted a SEDAR stock assessment and then used current landings for 
the TAC instead of the stock assessment results. In the Magnuson-
Stevens Act, there is a mandate for NMFS to manage fisheries towards 
optimum yield, but the approach preferred in the DEIS does not address 
that mandate.
    Response: Based on SEDAR 29, we made the determination that the 
Gulf of Mexico blacktip shark stock is not overfished and no 
overfishing is occurring. However, the SEDAR 29 process did not include 
the projections and the calculations needed to determine the acceptable 
biological catch during the stock assessment itself. Rather, the SEFSC 
calculated the projections after the stock assessment was peer 
reviewed. The stock assessment noted that current removal rates are 
sustainable and the subsequent projections, which were completed 
outside the SEDAR process, indicate that current removals are unlikely 
to lead to an overfished fish stock by 2040. The projections also 
indicate that higher levels of removal (those associated with an 
FTARGET scenario) are unlikely to result in an overfished 
stock; however, the methodology for estimating FTARGET is 
currently in development for sharks and has yet to be introduced and 
reviewed within the SEDAR process. Therefore, because the projections 
for blacktip sharks have not been peer

[[Page 40325]]

reviewed through the SEDAR process and as described in the preferred 
Alternative Suite A6 in the FEIS, we are establishing a TAC based on 
current sustainable levels of catch. The TAC based on current 
sustainable levels of catch will be 413.4 mt dw, the total of all of 
the sources of mortality (recreational landings, commercial discards, 
and research set-aside mortality) and the commercial quota. The 
commercial quota is calculated by taking the proportion of current Gulf 
of Mexico blacktip shark landings that make up the Gulf of Mexico non-
sandbar LCS quota multiplied by the Gulf of Mexico non-sandbar LCS 
quota that will be in effect in 2013. This results in a commercial 
quota of 256.6 mt dw (565,700 lb dw).
    Comment 21: We received comments that retention of lemon, tiger, 
scalloped hammerhead, and blacknose sharks, and any species without a 
stock assessment should be prohibited.
    Response: Although some states have prohibited retention of these 
species, we have codified criteria that guide our decision whether to 
declare a species prohibited. The species must meet at least two of 
following four criteria for us to consider adding it to the prohibited 
species list:
    (1) Biological information indicates that the stock warrants 
protection.
    (2) Information indicates that the species is rarely encountered or 
observed caught in HMS fisheries.
    (3) Information indicates that the species is not commonly 
encountered or observed caught as bycatch in fishing operations for 
species other than HMS.
    (4) The species is difficult to distinguish from other prohibited 
species.
    At this time, we do not have a stock assessment for lemon or tiger 
sharks. Therefore, we do not have information indicating that tiger or 
lemon sharks meet at least two of these criteria. We will revisit and 
consider these criteria in a future action if additional data become 
available about the species indicating that such review is warranted.
    Scalloped hammerhead and Atlantic blacknose sharks have stock 
assessments that form the basis for the management measures under this 
final action. These stock assessments indicate a level of harvest which 
can occur while still allowing for the species and stock to rebuild. 
After taking all sources of mortality, including recreational harvest, 
into consideration, the TACs in the stock assessment provide room for 
commercial harvest of the species and stock. This is the basis for the 
preferred commercial quotas for scalloped hammerhead and Atlantic 
blacknose sharks. Gulf of Mexico blacknose sharks do not have an 
accepted stock assessment and the stock status is unknown. Under this 
final action, we established the quota based on current landings to 
help prevent future mortality from increasing. At this time, we do not 
have information that Gulf of Mexico blacknose sharks meet at least two 
of the above criteria for prohibiting a species.
    Comment 22: Commenters suggested that NMFS should cease all shark 
fishing and that all of these species are overfished and should be 
considered endangered.
    Response: We continually monitor stocks of all species under our 
jurisdiction and promptly begin the rulemaking process should one of 
these stocks be determined to be overfished or have overfishing 
occurring based on the results of a stock assessment. Based on the best 
available scientific information, we take the required action for those 
shark species that are determined to be overfished through fishery 
management actions focused on rebuilding the fishery. Species that are 
``overfished'' as defined by the Magnuson-Stevens Act are not 
necessarily also ``endangered'' as defined under the Endangered 
Species, which applies a different legal standard. We work closely with 
the NMFS Office of Protected Resources to determine if shark species 
warrant protection under ESA.
    Comments 23: NMFS should remove hammerhead sharks from the LCS 
management group and designate them as a prohibited species under the 
ESA.
    Response: This amendment is being conducted under the authority of 
the Magnuson-Stevens Act, not the ESA. While we could consider 
prohibiting hammerhead sharks under the regulatory criteria established 
in the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP, any consideration of listing 
hammerhead sharks under the ESA would need to take place through a 
different process. Regarding listing scalloped hammerhead sharks under 
the ESA, we have received petitions to list scalloped hammerhead and 
great hammerhead sharks under the ESA. The 90-day finding for the 
scalloped hammerhead shark petition concluded that the petition 
presented substantial scientific or commercial information indicating 
that the petitioned action may be warranted. Consistent with legal 
requirements, a status review was conducted to determine if the 
petitioned action is warranted. The 90-day finding alone does not 
result in legal obligations pertaining to management of the species. 
NMFS is now proposing to list four populations of scalloped hammerhead 
sharks under the ESA, two as threatened and two as endangered (78 FR 
20717; April 5, 2013). However, NMFS has not proposed listing the 
species in the majority of U.S. waters due to steps fisheries managers 
and fishermen have already taken to help protect these species. NMFS 
would have to consider management implications for the species if it is 
listed, consistent with ESA requirements. Two other petitions to list 
great hammerhead sharks are currently awaiting 90-day findings.
    In the current rulemaking, we did consider prohibiting all 
commercial and recreational shark fishing, which would include fishing 
for hammerhead sharks, in Alternative Suite A5 but rejected that 
alternative because prohibiting retention would curtail data collection 
for future stock assessments and other alternatives would meet the 
objectives of this Amendment with less significant adverse 
socioeconomic impacts. Generally, prohibiting hammerhead sharks from 
retention may not meet rebuilding goals because of the high at-vessel 
mortality rate of hammerhead sharks on bottom longline gear. 
Establishing regional TACs and quotas and quota linkages with 
aggregated LCS should rebuild the scalloped hammerhead stock while 
minimizing socioeconomic impacts because fishermen could still retain 
some hammerhead sharks, which otherwise would be discarded dead if 
there was a prohibition. We will continue to collect fishery-dependent 
and independent data to incorporate into stock assessments as well as 
incorporating new data sources when available and appropriate.
    Comment 24: We received comments that management measures should be 
coordinated across state, regional, and Federal plans.
    Response: Although this rulemaking addresses shark regulations in 
federal waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean 
Sea, we closely consult with Regional Fisheries Management Councils and 
affected States to coordinate shark management to the greatest extent 
practical. Furthermore, Federal shark commercial quotas take into 
account commercial landings from both Federal and state waters. 
Applying all landings, regardless of catch location, to Federal shark 
quotas helps keep total mortality below the TAC.
    Comment 25: We received support for the preferred alternative 
suite's measures to manage all hammerhead sharks together under the 
same quota due to the similarity in appearance.

[[Page 40326]]

    Response: Under this final action, we will include all hammerhead 
sharks under one quota that is divided between two regions. The quota 
was calculated by taking the scalloped hammerhead shark TAC from the 
stock assessment and subtracting recreational landings, commercial 
discards, and research set-aside mortality to establish a quota for 
commercial landings. Although this calculation provides a cap to 
scalloped hammerhead commercial landings that keeps mortality below the 
TAC, all hammerhead landings will count toward this calculated quota. 
The three hammerhead sharks are difficult to differentiate, with the 
most evident differences being small differences in the shape of the 
front of the head. Once the head has been removed and the carcass has 
been dressed, species identification becomes more difficult. For this 
reason, all hammerhead shark landings will count toward the quota 
calculated using scalloped hammerhead shark-specific data. This would 
help prevent species misidentification from causing scalloped 
hammerhead shark mortality to exceed the TAC.
    Comment 26: We received comments that the preferred hammerhead 
shark regional quotas would not reduce landings sufficiently to protect 
scalloped hammerhead sharks, particularly because the preferred quotas 
are very close to recent landings and commercial landings would not be 
significantly reduced.
    Response: The stock assessment for scalloped hammerhead sharks by 
Hayes et al. (2009) determined a TAC under which overfishing for the 
species would end and rebuilding could occur. Under this final action, 
the commercial quota for hammerhead sharks was calculated by reducing 
this TAC by scalloped hammerhead shark recreational landings, the 
research set-aside mortality, and dead discards. The resulting 
commercial quota was divided between the two regions using historical 
landing proportions. The resulting regional hammerhead shark quotas 
ended up at levels near recent landings. This could lead to the 
misperception that we are not reducing mortality from commercial 
landings, despite an assessment that determined that scalloped 
hammerhead sharks are overfished with overfishing occurring. However, 
the stock assessment considered data through the year 2006. Since then, 
commercial landings for all hammerhead sharks, including scalloped 
hammerhead sharks are at a lower level for a variety of market and 
management reasons, including Amendment 2 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS 
FMP which reduced LCS trips limits. Thus, the landings for hammerhead 
sharks did not need to be reduced significantly to reduce mortality 
consistent with the stock assessment.
    Comment 27: One commenter stated that we should adopt the most 
precautionary TACs and bottom longline (BLL) restrictions for Atlantic 
blacknose sharks.
    Response: The TAC provided by the stock assessment would allow 
Atlantic blacknose sharks to rebuild by 2043 with a 70-percent 
probability of success. Under zero fishing mortality, the stock would 
have a 70-percent change of rebuilding by 2034. This rebuilding year 
under zero fishing mortality is greater than 10 years; therefore, a 
generation time (9 years) is added to the rebuilding year of 2034 to 
provide a rebuilding target year of 2043, consistent with the Magnuson-
Stevens Act. Under the TAC in this final action, Atlantic blacknose 
sharks have a 70-percent probability of rebuilding by 2043. This TAC 
provides a probability of rebuilding in line with our stated goals for 
rebuilding depleted stocks. For this reason, we adopted the TAC 
calculated in the stock assessment.
    Different types of BLL effort controls were considered but not 
further analyzed in the DEIS including gear tending requirements, soak 
time restrictions, and hook restrictions. We decided not to further 
consider these actions due to enforcement and monitoring concerns, 
safety-at-sea issues, and uncertainty regarding the conservation 
benefit of hook restrictions for some species because the effects of 
different types of hooks are not the same for all species. For these 
reasons, we feel setting a TAC and commercial quota, without further 
BLL effort controls, for Atlantic blacknose sharks will rebuild the 
stock. Blacknose shark dead discard estimates are calculated using BLL 
observer program data and these estimates are considered in the stock 
assessment. Furthermore, in each region commercial dead discards of 
blacknose sharks are used to calculate the TAC so that total mortality 
from the commercial fishery is accounted for.
    Comment 28: Some commenters stated that the Gulf of Mexico blacktip 
shark quota should be increased above recent landings because the stock 
is not overfished and overfishing is not occurring.
    Response: The SEDAR 29 stock assessment for Gulf of Mexico blacktip 
sharks found that the stock is not overfished, that overfishing is not 
occurring, and that current mortality levels are likely sustainable. 
Beyond these conclusions, the stock assessment does not provide 
projections for future removal rates. Projections were completed by 
SEFSC scientists outside the SEDAR process and suggest that current 
removals are unlikely to lead to an overfished fish stock by 2040 and 
that higher levels of removal are unlikely to result in an overfished 
stock; however, the projection methodology for shark stocks that are 
not overfished is currently in development and has yet to be introduced 
and reviewed within the SEDAR process for this species. Therefore, 
these projections have a high degree of uncertainty, and SEFSC 
scientists noted that they were not peer-reviewed through the SEDAR 
process. For these two reasons, we do not prefer, at this time, to 
increase the Gulf of Mexico blacktip shark quota above recent landings.
    Comment 29: We received a comment for a new alternative suite 
consisting of one hammerhead shark quota covering both regions or two 
quotas equally divided between the regions (Alternative Suite A3); 
establishing regional aggregated LCS quotas using the base quotas on 
highest annual landings in each region (method outlined in Alternative 
Suite A4); establishing a Gulf of Mexico blacktip quota of 1,992.6 mt 
dw (Alternative Suite A4); not establishing quota linkages (Alternative 
Suite A3); maintaining current blacknose shark and non-blacknose SCS 
quotas (Alternative Suite A1); and maintaining current recreational 
size limits (Alternative Suite A1) while increasing outreach and 
education efforts.
    Response: In the FEIS, we created a new preferred Alternative Suite 
A6, which is a combination of Alternative Suites A2 and A3, and does 
not contain any of the measures suggested by the commenter. This final 
action is a balance between the rebuilding requirements of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act by addressing the overfished and overfishing 
status, while minimizing the socioeconomic impacts to shark fishery 
participants. Alternative Suite A6 will establish a new hammerhead 
shark (great, scalloped, and smooth) management group with regional 
quotas calculated from the average annual landing percentage of 
hammerhead sharks by region. A separate hammerhead shark quota in each 
region would allow us to effectively monitor commercial landings of the 
species to keep mortality within the recommended TAC in the stock 
assessment and to rebuild within the parameters set by the rebuilding 
plan. Because hammerhead and Gulf of Mexico blacktip sharks are removed 
from the non-sandbar LCS management group in Alternative Suite A6, new 
regional aggregated LCS

[[Page 40327]]

management groups that do not include those species, as appropriate, 
will be created. Because this management group has an unknown stock 
status in both regions, we created regional quotas based on average 
annual landings from 2008 through 2011 of the species remaining in the 
management group. Due to the stock status, we did not want to increase 
the quotas by establishing regional aggregated LCS quotas using the 
base quotas on highest annual landings in each region as outlined in 
Alternative Suite A4. The Gulf of Mexico blacktip shark quota will be 
established based on average blacktip shark landings from 2008-2011 
under Alternative Suite A6. Based on SEDAR 29, the stock assessment 
showed that current removal rates of Gulf of Mexico blacktip sharks are 
sustainable, and the subsequent projections, which were completed 
outside the SEDAR process, indicate that current removals are unlikely 
to lead to an overfished fish stock by 2040. SEFSC scientists 
calculated that an increase in mortality might be sustainable, but 
stated that these projections have a high degree of uncertainty and 
noted that they were not peer-reviewed through the SEDAR process. For 
these reasons, we do not prefer, at this time, to increase the Gulf of 
Mexico blacktip shark quota as in Alternative Suites A3 or A4. In 
Alternative Suite A6, we linked the quotas of shark species and 
management groups that are caught together to prevent incidental catch 
mortality from exceeding the TAC. The aggregated LCS and hammerhead 
shark quotas and the blacknose and non-blacknose SCS quotas will be 
linked in each region. The Gulf of Mexico blacktip shark quota will not 
be linked and the management group will open and close independent of 
the aggregated LCS and hammerhead shark management groups. The 
blacknose shark and non-blacknose SCS quotas were first linked by 
Amendment 3 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP (NMFS 2010) and both 
quotas are administered as a single region across both the Atlantic and 
Gulf of Mexico. Since implementation of the Amendment 3, a blacknose 
shark fishery closure has only caused a closure in the linked non-
blacknose SCS fishery once, the first year of implementation. For these 
fisheries, the quota linkages will not present any substantial 
impediments to full quota utilization. In addition, we will allow 
inseason regional quota transfers between regions for hammerhead shark 
and non-blacknose SCS management groups. Due to the stock assessment 
and quota linkage, we adjusted the blacknose and non-blacknose shark 
quota in Alternative Suite A6. We will create separate commercial 
quotas for Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico blacknose sharks based on the 
recent blacknose assessments conducted under the SEDAR 21 process, 
which determined that two separate stocks exist (Atlantic and Gulf of 
Mexico). In the Atlantic, we established a regional blacknose shark 
quota based on the stock assessment TAC. The assessment model for the 
Gulf of Mexico stock did not fit some of the input data, so we used 
current landings to determine the regional quota. Based on public 
comment, we will maintain the current recreational management measures 
on all authorized shark species, except for hammerhead sharks, and 
address any dusky shark rebuilding measures in a separate rulemaking. 
Based on the reasons above, we implemented this final action, which 
will maximize the beneficial ecological impacts, while minimizing the 
adverse socioeconomic impacts to the fishery.

D. Quota Linkages

    Comment 30: We received several comments expressing support for the 
proposed quota linkages as a means to minimize incidental mortality 
after the quotas have been filled. We also received comments cautioning 
against the use of quota linkages due to concerns of creating a 
``choke'' species that precludes landings of species with higher 
quotas. These commenters suggested that quota linkages cause some 
quotas to close prematurely, reducing fishing opportunities at an 
economic cost.
    Response: Quota linkages are designed to prevent incidental 
mortality of one species from occurring in another shark fishery after 
its management group has closed. For example, under this final action, 
in each region, the blacknose shark quota is linked to the non-
blacknose SCS quota. If landings of either stock or management group 
reach, or are expected to reach, 80 percent of either quota, both 
management groups would close. If blacknose shark landings in one 
region trigger a quota closure, the non-blacknose SCS management group 
in that region would close as well. This would prevent blacknose 
mortality in the directed non-blacknose SCS fishery from occurring 
after the quota has been filled. We agree with some of the commenters 
that this management approach can offer benefits in some cases, 
specifically for blacknose sharks and non-blacknose SCS in both regions 
and hammerhead sharks and aggregated LCS in both regions. Analyses in 
Amendment 3 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP indicated that fishermen 
can avoid blacknose sharks. The quota linkage between blacknose sharks 
and non-blacknose SCS management groups, which has been in effect since 
implementing that amendment, has only been triggered once, in the first 
year of effectiveness, which is consistent with the Amendment 3 
analysis. The regional hammerhead shark and aggregated LCS quota 
linkages could result in closure of one of the management groups before 
its quota is filled, but we anticipate that quotas will be reached at 
approximately the same rate. Unharvested quota does result in some 
negative economic impacts, but the protections provided by the quota 
linkage are important to end overfishing and rebuild stocks. However, 
as described in Chapter 2 of the FEIS under this final action, we do 
not expect the hammerhead shark quota in either region to be filled at 
a significantly faster rate than the aggregated LCS quota. The 
preferred aggregated LCS quota is set equal to average annual landings 
in each region from 2008-2011. The preferred hammerhead quota was set 
using the TAC from the Hayes et al. (2009) stock assessment after 
accounting for all sources of mortality, but the results are quotas 
that are slightly higher in both regions than average annual landings 
from 2008-2011. If fishing continues in a similar fashion to the years 
2008-2011, both quotas in each region should fill at about the same 
rate, reducing the chances of premature management group closures. 
Although the two quotas would likely be filled at the same rate, we 
still prefer to link the quotas to provide extra protection for 
scalloped hammerhead sharks. As described in Chapter 2 of the FEIS, 
scalloped hammerhead sharks are often caught with aggregated LCS. If 
the hammerhead shark quota is filled more quickly than usual, linking 
the quotas will provide protection for scalloped hammerhead sharks in 
the aggregated LCS fishery.
    After considering comments provided during the public comment 
period and analyzing updated data, we no longer prefer to link the Gulf 
of Mexico blacktip quota to the Gulf of Mexico aggregated LCS and 
hammerhead shark quotas. In this region, the blacktip shark and 
aggregated LCS quotas will be set equal to average annual landings from 
2008-2011. The preferred Gulf of Mexico hammerhead shark quota will be 
set using the TAC from the Hayes et al. (2009) stock assessment after 
accounting for all sources of mortality, but the result are quotas that 
are slightly higher in both regions than average annual landings from 
2008-2011. If fishing continues in a similar fashion to

[[Page 40328]]

the years 2008-2011, all three quotas in this region should fill at 
about the same rate. Furthermore, aggregated LCS and hammerhead sharks 
are caught in small amounts on trips targeting Gulf of Mexico blacktip 
sharks, so this should not affect the mortality rates of hammerhead 
sharks. As long as the quotas do fill at about the same rate, 
significant additional mortality of aggregate LCS and hammerhead sharks 
should not occur after these management groups close. Dead discards of 
scalloped hammerhead sharks in the greater LCS fishery have already 
been factored into the preferred hammerhead shark quota. As a 
safeguard, this final action will provide us with a mechanism to close 
the Gulf of Mexico blacktip shark management group after the hammerhead 
shark fishery closes if high levels of scalloped hammerhead shark 
mortality were occurring.
    To try to prevent closures with quota remaining to the extent 
possible, this final action will also allow for the transfer of 
hammerhead shark quota and non-blacknose SCS quota between regions. The 
quotas for these two management groups were split for quota linkage 
purposes and not because of differences in stocks. If one of the 
regional quotas is filling more quickly than the other, we could 
transfer quota between regions to maximize access to the resource. When 
considering quota transfers, we would follow a set of criteria as 
outlined in Chapter 2 of the FEIS. A full analysis of economic impact 
of quota transfers is available in Chapter 4 of the FEIS.
    Comment 31: We received comments that instead of implementing quota 
linkages, we should deduct the estimated incidental mortality that 
would occur after a quota closure, and deduct it from the commercial 
quota.
    Response: Dead discards have already been factored into the quotas 
where quota linkages will be implemented under this final action: the 
blacknose sharks and non-blacknose SCS quotas in each region and the 
aggregated LCS and hammerhead shark quotas in each region. The 
blacknose shark and non-blacknose SCS quotas were first linked by 
Amendment 3 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and both quotas are 
administered as a single region across both the Atlantic and Gulf of 
Mexico regions. The blacknose shark quota was established based upon a 
recent stock assessment. The non-blacknose SCS quota was based on 
average landings for finetooth, Atlantic sharpnose, and bonnethead 
sharks. This approach for the non-blacknose SCS quota was used to 
ensure that fishing mortality of those species would not be increased, 
consistent with the 2007 SCS stock assessment. This action, although 
reconsidering the blacknose shark quotas, would only split the non-
blacknose SCS quota between the two regions without impacting the dead 
discard mitigation measures implemented though Amendment 3. Since 
implementation of Amendment 3, a blacknose shark fishery closure has 
only caused a closure in the linked non-blacknose SCS fishery once, in 
the first year of implementation. For these two fisheries, the quota 
linkage has not presented any substantial impediments to full quota 
utilization.
    Similarly, the aggregated LCS and hammerhead shark quotas in each 
region would likely be harvested at about the same rate. Both regional 
aggregated LCS quotas were set equal to average annual landings from 
2008-2011. Both regional hammerhead shark quotas were established using 
the TAC, reduced by non-commercial landings sources of mortality, and 
then divided among the regions. The resulting commercial quotas are at 
a level slightly above average annual hammerhead shark landings from 
2008-2011. Because both the aggregated LCS and hammerhead quotas are at 
or slightly below average annual landings, both should be taken at 
about the same rate and the quota linkages should not present any 
substantial impediments to full quota utilization.
    As noted in our response to Comment 30, we no longer prefer to link 
the Gulf of Mexico blacktip shark management group to the aggregated 
LCS and hammerhead shark management groups. All three quotas should be 
harvested at about the same rate, so the blacktip management group 
closure would likely occur shortly before or after the hammerhead shark 
management group closure. The hammerhead shark quota has also already 
considered dead discards from a variety of fisheries, including the 
non-sandbar LCS fishery, of which Gulf of Mexico blacktip sharks are 
currently a part.
    Comment 32: Several commenters, including the Florida Fish and 
Wildlife Commission, noted that quota linkages could also result in 
fishermen discarding the species with the smaller quota (sometimes 
referred to as a ``choke species'') to avoid closure of the larger 
fishery, resulting in unreported dead discards.
    Response: The regional aggregated LCS and hammerhead shark quota 
linkages under this final action are unlikely to result in excessive 
discards. As discussed in Chapter 2 of the FEIS, we expect these two 
quotas to be harvested at about the same rate, dis-incentivizing 
discards of hammerhead sharks to keep the aggregated LCS fishery open. 
Therefore, because the quotas of these management groups are expected 
to be filled at about the same time we do not expect one management 
group to overwhelmingly act as a ``choke species'' on the other 
management groups.
    Currently, the blacknose shark and non-blacknose SCS quotas are 
linked. These quotas are administered across both regions, but this 
final action will separate both into Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico 
regions. Since implementation of the blacknose shark and non-blacknose 
SCS quota linkage, we have not received information about excessive 
discards. When analyzing the impacts of this quota linkage in Amendment 
3 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP, we found that fishermen were 
largely able to avoid blacknose sharks. Furthermore, dead discard 
estimates from observer programs are collected and factored into the 
SEDAR 21 stock assessment and will be factored into future assessments 
as well. For these reasons, total mortality will still be accounted 
for.
    Comment 33: We received comments that we should send updates to 
dealers and give advanced notice regarding the landings of hammerhead 
sharks to minimize the risk of a premature aggregated LCS management 
group closure.
    Response: Currently, we send periodic shark landings updates to all 
interested parties and post these updates online throughout the year. 
All members of the public have access to these landings updates. As of 
January 1, 2013, dealers are now required to report all HMS, including 
sharks, electronically. This new requirement will produce more timely 
information and can provide more frequent shark landings reports for 
all interested parties, including dealers. Upon implementation of this 
amendment, we will also provide landings updates of all management 
units, including the hammerhead shark management group.
    Comment 34: One commenter expressed concern that quota linkages 
could provide a mechanism for an individual or group to obtain fishing 
and dealer reports and close shark fisheries through false landings 
reports.
    Response: This type of activity is unlikely. We review logbook and 
dealer reports regularly and would likely notice these types of 
reports. Irregularities in the reported information, including 
excessive landings or unusual fishing operations would flag these 
reports for further

[[Page 40329]]

review. Furthermore, quota linkages are unlikely to make this practice 
more effective. If this action was possible, quota linkages would not 
increase the effectiveness. Finally, falsifying Federal reports is 
unlawful and any individual or group engaging in this type of activity 
would be subject to enforcement action.
    Comment 35: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission suggested that 
the proposed management approach on dusky sharks may have significant 
impacts on hammerhead sharks, and recommends that a more comprehensive 
management approach be developed that considers sandbar, dusky and 
hammerhead sharks together.
    Response: The recent dusky shark stock assessment (SEDAR 21) 
determined that dusky sharks are overfished with overfishing occurring. 
Measures to end overfishing and rebuild this species were included in 
the DEIS for this action but, as detailed in the Chapter 1 of the FEIS, 
will not be addressed in this rulemaking but will instead be addressed 
in the upcoming Amendment 5b to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP. The 
measures in that rulemaking to reduce mortality of dusky sharks could 
have an impact on hammerhead shark mortality; however, any impact would 
likely be quite low. Dusky sharks and hammerhead sharks are rarely 
caught together as they largely interact with different gears (pelagic 
longline for dusky sharks and bottom longline for hammerhead sharks). 
Furthermore, any measures to reduce mortality of dusky sharks in the 
pelagic longline fishery is unlikely to affect hammerhead sharks 
because the retention of hammerhead sharks caught with pelagic longline 
gear is already prohibited (76 FR 53652). Finally, as detailed in 
Chapter 1 of the FEIS, we need to address overfishing on scalloped 
hammerhead sharks and implement a rebuilding plan based on a timeline 
mandated in the Magnuson-Stevens Act. For that reason, we cannot delay 
action until dusky shark overfishing is addressed.

E. Recreational Issues

    Comment 36: We received a comment stating that because recreational 
shark fishing is mostly catch-and-release, anglers should be allowed to 
occasionally land a shark that is not overfished for personal 
consumption.
    Response: Recreational anglers with an HMS Angling Permit or HMS 
Charter/Headboat Permit are currently allowed to retain one authorized 
shark per vessel per trip as long as the shark meets the 54-inch 
minimum size requirement and one additional Atlantic sharpnose and one 
bonnethead per person per trip with no minimum size. The preferred 
alternative suite presented in the FEIS increases the minimum size for 
hammerhead sharks but otherwise does not change these regulations. As 
such, recreational fishermen will still be allowed to land a limited 
number of sharks.
    Comment 37: We received a comment that many shark species are not 
good candidates for a catch-and-release fishery and that the proposed 
minimum size increase could be dangerous and increase discard 
mortality.
    Response: We recognize that an increase in minimum size could cause 
some safety concerns given the larger size of sharks retained and 
difficulties associated with bringing them onboard and may increase 
discard mortality. However, increasing the minimum size as in the 
preferred Alternative Suite A6 would ensure that only larger hammerhead 
sharks are landed and that as the scalloped hammerhead stock rebuilds, 
increased fishing opportunities may result in the long-term. 
Furthermore, the increased minimum size would ensure that only larger 
or ``trophy'' sized sharks are landed. Post-release mortality rates of 
sharks in the recreational fishery are generally believed to be low 
when injuries from hooking and releasing the shark are minimized.
    Comment 38: The regulations should be split into three sectors: 
commercial, recreational, and charter/headboat.
    Response: Current regulations apply to the commercial and 
recreational sectors and do not address the charter/headboat sector 
separately. The proposed rule did not consider all restructuring the 
regulations vis-[agrave]-vis three sectors, thus we cannot make change 
in the final rule. However, we will take into consideration in future 
amendments, as appropriate.
    Comment 39: NMFS should divide the HMS recreational permits to 
separate shark permits from tuna and other HMS permits. Permits should 
be issued to the individual rather than the vessel. NMFS should also 
consider requiring operator permits.
    Response: In preparing the FEIS and final rule, we considered the 
commenter's recommendation to split the HMS recreational permits apart 
by species, issuing individual and not vessel permits, and requiring 
operator permits, but found that it was not considered ``reasonable'' 
under the NEPA Screening Criteria (see Chapter 2 of the FEIS). 
Specifically, the alternative is not administratively feasible under 
current budget restrictions. and costs associated with this 
recommendation require additional resources not available at this time. 
HMS Angling permits were originally authorized to allow recreational 
fishing activities for all HMS species (sharks, swordfish, tunas, and 
billfish) to simplify the permitting process, as some anglers may wish 
to fish for a variety of HMS species. Additionally, recreational 
fishing for large pelagic species often results in capture of tunas, 
swordfish, billfish, or sharks on a given trip. Because Atlantic HMS 
regulations require permits for species that are likely to be caught, 
having a single recreational permit for all HMS ensures that a vessel 
owner is properly permitted in the event that an HMS is caught. This 
system allows for effective management of the recreational fishery at 
this time. While we do not currently consider the commenter's suggested 
alternative reasonable, we will take these options into consideration 
in future amendments.
    Comment 40: One commenter supported the approach in Alternative 
Suite A4 that would set species-specific quotas for recreational 
fisheries.
    Response: We considered species-specific shark quotas for the 
recreational fishery under Alternative Suite A4. Species-specific shark 
quotas have not been implemented in the recreational fishery due to the 
difficulty in estimating recreational landings in real-time. Currently, 
anglers are limited to one authorized shark species per vessel per trip 
and one Atlantic sharpnose and one bonnethead shark per person per 
vessel per trip. We determined that Alternative Suite A4 would have 
minor, beneficial ecological impacts on sandbar sharks, which are 
currently sometimes landed (though prohibited) due to misidentification 
by anglers. However, we felt that increasing outreach, an 
identification guide, and increasing the hammerhead shark minimum size 
limit would result in beneficial long-term ecological impacts. Due to 
the administrative difficulties in establishing and monitoring numerous 
species-specific recreational quotas, we do not currently prefer this 
alternative.
    Comment 41: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 
does not support the claim that NMFS needs to reduce the recreational 
mortality of blacknose sharks to meet the rebuilding target for the 
established total allowable catch. Reductions in recreational mortality 
are likely not needed as harvest reductions in the Atlantic blacknose 
shark fishery due to management measures in Amendment 3 to the 2006 
Consolidated HMS FMP implemented in 2010 were not taken into account 
for the 2010 stock assessment for Atlantic blacknose, and

[[Page 40330]]

it is highly questionable that Atlantic blacknose sharks are overfished 
and experiencing overfishing at this time.
    Response: In the calculation of total allowable catch and quotas, 
we examined 2011 data for commercial landings. The results of the SEDAR 
21 stock assessments for blacknose sharks showed the overfished/
overfishing status of blacknose sharks in the Gulf of Mexico region is 
currently unknown and blacknose sharks are overfished and experiencing 
overfishing in the Atlantic region. The commercial blacknose quota in 
the Atlantic region is based on the TAC from the SEDAR 21 stock 
assessment after deducting other sources of mortality, including 
recreational landings. Because the status is unknown in the Gulf of 
Mexico region, the commercial quota is based on landings capped at a 
level already reduced since the implementation of Amendment 3 to the 
2006 Consolidated HMS FMP. Under the preferred Alternative SuiteA6, 
current recreational size and retention limits will remain at 54 inches 
fork length, except for the recreational minimum size for hammerhead 
sharks, which will increase to 78 inches fork length. Blacknose sharks 
rarely, if ever, reach 54 inches fork length as a maximum size. 
Blacknose sharks will not be explicitly prohibited, and states may 
continue to allow recreational landings of blacknose sharks. We 
determined that these current regulations would continue to provide 
adequate protection for blacknose sharks in the commercial and 
recreational fishery. This final action also includes additional 
outreach to recreational anglers on identification of sharks.
    Comment 42: NMFS needs to be more involved in fishing tournaments.
    Response: We require any fishing competition involving Atlantic HMS 
in which participants must register or in which a prize/award is 
offered for catching or landing HMS to register their tournament with 
the HMS Management Division of NMFS at least four weeks prior to the 
start of the tournament. At that time, the HMS Management Division 
provides tournaments with copies of compliance guides and recreational 
placards. The NMFS SEFSC notifies tournament organizers if their 
tournament has been selected for reporting and all reporting forms must 
be sent to SEFSC within seven days of the tournament ending. 
Additionally, NMFS NEFSC often samples sharks landed at shark fishing 
tournaments and provides outreach to anglers as needed. Tournament 
operators are responsible for ensuring that anglers are aware of and 
compliant with Federal regulations. Currently, we hold shark 
identification workshops that are mandatory for shark dealers, although 
other parties can attend, and have recreational shark identification 
placards that categorize the differences between the recreational 
sharks. The placards can be attained on the HMS Web site (https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/sharks/2008/Rec_shark_ID_placard.pdf) or 
by contacting the HMS Management Division at 301-427-8503. We are also 
working on an identification guide for all the prohibited shark species 
to help with this outreach. Measures in this action will also increase 
outreach and education on shark identification and recreational 
measures.
    Comment 43: We received a number of comments recommending that NMFS 
require circle hooks in recreational shark fisheries. The Mid-Atlantic 
Fishery Management Council recommended that circle hooks be required in 
shark fishing tournaments. One commenter suggested requiring non-offset 
circle hooks with natural bait.
    Response: We currently do not have hook requirements in the shark 
recreational fishery, but require the use of circle hooks in billfish 
tournaments where billfish fishery-specific data indicated a 
substantial decrease in white marlin mortality when circle hooks were 
used. The effect of circle hooks is not the same for all species, and 
their conservation benefit for some species may be mixed (as discussed 
in Section 2.2 Alternatives Considered but not Further Analyzed in 
Chapter 2 of the FEIS). We are not aware of any shark-specific research 
demonstrating the performance of circle hooks in reducing shark 
mortality in recreational fisheries. We may consider this action, as 
appropriate, in future amendments.
    Comment 44: Texas Parks and Wildlife expressed concern about the 
level of illegal shark fishing occurring that involves foreign fishing 
vessels operating illegally in U.S. waters and asserted that the number 
of sharks harvested illegally far exceeds the landings that Texas has 
seen in recreational and commercial fisheries combined.
    Response: NOAA and the U.S. Coast Guard are actively working to 
address illegal fishing vessel incursions into U.S. waters, and NMFS 
has begun including illegal catches from the border of Texas and Mexico 
in stock assessments to ensure we are considering all sources of 
mortality. Illegal fishing is of high concern to us as this capture 
undermines management and rebuilding strategies, makes stock 
assessments and capture data less reliable for science, and hurts legal 
fishermen.
    Comment 45: The same laws should apply to commercial or 
recreational fishermen fishing on boats as those fishing from shore.
    Response: Fishermen fishing for sharks from shore are subject to 
state regulations as they are fishing in state waters. If fishermen are 
harvesting Atlantic sharks in federal waters, they are required to hold 
an HMS permit. HMS permit holders must abide by all applicable Federal 
regulations, regardless of where fishing occurs, including in state 
waters. However, when fishing in the waters of a state with more 
restrictive regulations, the more restrictive state regulations apply.
    Comment 46: Charter boat operators should be able to harvest sharks 
if the season is open.
    Response: Under the HMS Charter/Headboat permit, most Charter/
Headboat operators fish under the recreational retention limits for 
sharks and follow the same retention limits and size limits as would 
any angler. However, if the vessel has been issued both an HMS Charter/
Headboat permit and a commercial shark permit, the vessel operator is 
allowed to land commercial limits and use commercial gear types under 
certain conditions. More information is provided in the HMS 2012 
Recreational Compliance Guide, which can be obtained by contacting the 
HMS Management Division (see ADDRESSES).
    Comment 47: NMFS received comments supporting an increase in 
minimum fork length to 78 inches for hammerhead sharks as considered in 
Alternative Suite A3. One commenter expressed concern that the proposed 
length of 96 inches is too large for great hammerhead sharks, although 
appropriate for scalloped and smooth hammerheads. Another commenter 
suggested that the minimum size for hammerheads be increased to 96 
inches fork length or that NMFS should add the species to the 
prohibited species list.
    Response: This recommendation is part of our new preferred 
Alternative Suite A6 in the FEIS. The larger recreational size limit 
will limit the retention of scalloped hammerhead sharks to mature 
individuals. Also, we will include all hammerhead species together for 
this alternative due to identification issues. Hammerhead sharks are 
difficult to identify even for experienced fishermen, particularly when 
dressed with the head removed. We found that this action, as proposed 
in Alternative Suite A3, would be unlikely to impact tournaments, as 
participants typically target larger

[[Page 40331]]

sharks than other recreational fishermen and many tournaments have 
minimum shark sizes greater than 54 inches fork length. Additionally, 
increasing the recreational size limit for hammerhead sharks would 
ensure that only larger, trophy sharks would be landed. The size 
increase is necessary to end overfishing and rebuild the scalloped 
hammerhead stock. As the scalloped hammerhead shark stock rebuilds, 
future fishing opportunities are likely to increase. Due to the 
difficulty of distinguishing between the different hammerhead shark 
species, it is important to have the same minimum size across the three 
hammerhead shark species. Therefore, an increase to 96 inches fork 
length is not appropriate at this time.
    Comment 48: We received a number of comments recommending that NMFS 
increase the shark minimum fork length to 72 inches. Commenters 
suggested 72 inches as a compromise between the current minimum size of 
54 inches and the proposed minimum size of 96 inches.
    Response: We did not consider a shark minimum size increase to 72 
inches fork length in the DEIS because there is no biological reason we 
are aware of for a 72-inch minimum size. The current minimum size of 54 
inches was established due to the size-at-maturity for sandbar sharks. 
We proposed an increase to 96 inches fork length minimum size due to 
the size-at-maturity for dusky sharks, which are no longer considered 
under this amendment. The 78 inches fork length increased minimum size 
for hammerhead sharks in this final action is due to the size-of-
maturity for scalloped hammerhead sharks.
    Comment 49: We received comments that an increase in minimum size 
limit for all recreationally caught sharks would essentially eliminate 
the recreational fishery for blacktip sharks as they are smaller 
sharks. Commenters suggested that blacktip sharks be exempt from the 
minimum size limit in the Gulf of Mexico region.
    Response: We understand the concerns with blacktip sharks 
specifically with regard to an increase in minimum size as the Gulf of 
Mexico blacktip shark stock was found to be not overfished and not 
experiencing overfishing. According to the most recent stock 
assessment, current fishing rates are sustainable, and the current 
quotas maintain these rates. If we exempted Gulf of Mexico blacktip 
sharks for the recreational minimum size, this would increase mortality 
on these sharks. The preferred Alternative Suite A6 in the FEIS does 
not increase the minimum size for blacktip sharks. We may consider 
exempting Gulf of Mexico blacktip sharks from the minimum size limit in 
the future.
    Comment 50: We should increase the recreational size limit to 60 
inches fork length, as some 54 inches fork length mako sharks weigh 
only 70 lb and that is pretty small for a keeper.
    Response: We considered increasing the minimum size to 96 inches 
fork length for all sharks in recreational fisheries or 78 inches fork 
length for hammerhead sharks in the DEIS. The Preferred Alternative 
Suite A6 in the FEIS does not increase the minimum size for mako 
sharks. In 2012, ICCAT conducted a stock assessment of shortfin mako 
sharks, which found that shortfin mako sharks are not overfished and 
that overfishing is not occurring. Therefore, additional action on 
shortfin mako sharks is not needed at this time.
    Comment 51: We received a number of comments in support of 
mandatory reporting of recreational landings especially if this data 
would improve stock assessments. Many commenters, including state 
agencies such as the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Florida 
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and South Carolina 
Department of Natural Resources, supported reporting requirements for 
hammerhead sharks specifically and suggested having information on 
reporting included on permits and through the HMS online non-tournament 
reporting system.
    Response: Despite many public comments in favor of mandatory 
reporting of recreational landings, particularly of hammerhead sharks, 
we have determined to not move forward with this requirement at this 
time. Estimates of recreational mortality for hammerhead sharks will 
continue to occur via existing surveys (LPS/MRIP), which NMFS has 
determined is sufficient for immediate rebuilding purposes, as set out 
in Alternative Suite 6 (the Preferred Alternative). Recreational shark 
reporting measures will be further addressed in Amendment 5b. We 
removed dusky shark regulations and measures from the current action. 
Mandatory reporting of all recreationally landed sharks, not just 
hammerhead sharks, may be considered in a future action.
    Comment 52: We received many comments that strongly supported NMFS' 
proposal to increase outreach, education, and shark identification 
training to recreational anglers and tournament participants. Many 
commenters had specific suggestions for NMFS to improve these efforts. 
The State of Maryland, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, 
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the Mid-Atlantic 
Fishery Management Council expressed their support and suggestions as 
well. Specific suggestions include: Publish information in sport 
fishing magazines and Web sites; sending identification placards to all 
HMS recreational fishing permit holders; holding public seminars; 
posting placards at marinas, fishing jetties, and piers; having 
identification guides focus on key morphological characteristics of 
species; and restructuring the HMS recreational permits so that anglers 
cannot harvest sharks without an ``endorsement'' that can only be 
received after shark identification training. For charter/headboat 
operators, one commenter recommended that NMFS create shark 
identification videos and post them to popular video-sharing sites and 
require charter boat permit holders to show the videos to customers. 
This commenter also suggested that videos of the top five most 
frequently caught and top five overfished sharks with specific 
characteristics to look for and instructions on how to differentiate 
between similar looking species be sent to the Regional Fishery 
Management Councils. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources 
recommended that NMFS emphasize better enforcement of the regulations 
already in place. One commenter expressed concern about surf-fishermen 
in Delaware where shark interactions are high, and suggested that NMFS 
have outreach information and shark identification placards at these 
beaches. One commenter emphasized the need for NMFS to increase 
outreach to tournaments, especially as some are not registered with 
HMS. This commenter suggested that placards and checklists be sent to 
tournament operators and that NMFS check with state enforcement 
officials or state Sea Grant offices to ensure tournament registration. 
One commenter also provided suggestions for how to distinguish between 
different hammerhead shark species. Many emphasized that benefits from 
increased outreach efforts by NMFS would improve the quality of 
species-specific catch data for future assessments.
    Response: We agree with all commenters that additional outreach and 
education, particularly to recreational anglers, is important to 
increasing compliance with recreational regulations and in ensuring the 
sustainability of recreational fishing. We greatly appreciate the many 
suggestions by commenters on how to improve education and outreach and 
will take these under consideration. Preferred

[[Page 40332]]

Alternative Suite A6 in the FEIS will allow for such activities to 
occur. Currently, we hold shark identification workshops that are 
mandatory for shark dealers, but others can attend. We also have 
recreational shark identification placards that categorize the 
differences between the recreational sharks. The placards can be 
obtained on the HMS Web site (https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/index.htm) or by contacting the HMS Management Division at 301-427-
8503. Additionally, we are currently working on a similar placard for 
all the prohibited shark species to help with this outreach. In the 
future, we could increase cooperation with states to improve 
identification of species in state waters as a larger portion of the 
recreational catches of some species occurs in state waters. It may 
also be necessary to work with states to ensure consistent regulations 
and enforcement.

F. Economic Impacts

    Comment 53: We received several comments regarding the adverse 
economic impact of proposed recreational measures on the Charter/
Headboat fishery including one from the Mississippi Department of 
Marine Resources highlighting the importance of the large coastal shark 
fishery to the livelihood of Charter/Headboat captains.
    Response: We agree that the large coastal shark fishery is 
important to the HMS Charter/Headboat industry; the new preferred 
alternative suite to raise the minimum size limit on hammerhead sharks 
(great, smooth, and scalloped) would have minimal impact on the 
Charter/Headboat fleet. Recreational regulations will remain the same 
for all other shark species, and the preferred hammerhead shark 
regulations will only apply to three hammerhead shark species. 
Furthermore, the preferred minimum size limit could potentially create 
a trophy fishery for hammerhead sharks while ensuring the continued 
sustainability of the hammerhead shark stocks, which could lead to 
positive long-term economic impacts for the Charter/Headboat fishery.
    Comment 54: While reducing catch limits may have an immediate 
negative economic impact, the impact on shark stocks in the long-term 
will only be positive.
    Response: We agree that the preferred catch limits and quotas would 
have a positive impact on the long-term sustainability of the 
associated shark stocks. Additionally, while the preferred quota 
reductions will have some minor short-term adverse economic impacts, 
their long-term economic impacts should be positive as they allow for 
rebuilding of overfished stocks.
    Comment 55: NMFS is incorrect that the impacts of these proposals 
will have a neutral effect on the surrounding resources yet will have a 
minor effect on the social and economic impact of fishermen and their 
communities. You will see that the current regulations are having a 
severe negative impact on the surrounding resources as is evidenced by 
the multitude of damaged and wasted fish due to shark predation.
    Response: Under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, we must manage all our 
nation's marine fisheries for optimum yield and end overfishing of all 
fish stocks, including shark fisheries. Current regulations are 
established under the Magnuson-Stevens Act to manage all our nation's 
marine fisheries for optimal yield and to rebuild overfished fish 
stocks for all fisheries, including sharks. We work closely with the 
regional fisheries management councils to ensure actions in the HMS 
fisheries do not jeopardize the continued existence of other fisheries. 
The cumulative direct and indirect impacts on EFH, predator/prey 
relationships, and protected resources would be neutral for the short- 
and long-term because commercial quotas would be similar to current 
levels and fishing pressure is not expected to change. Sharks are a 
natural and integral part of the marine ecosystem, and commercial and 
recreational shark fisheries provide significant positive economic 
impacts to our coastal communities.
    When taken as a whole, this final action would likely have direct 
short- and long-term minor adverse socioeconomic impacts. These impacts 
would mostly affect fishermen targeting scalloped hammerhead and 
blacknose sharks, because the quotas would be reduced. These fishermen 
are likely to adapt to the new regulations by fishing in other 
fisheries, or changing their fishing habitats. Recreational management 
measures would increase the size limit for hammerhead sharks and cause 
fishermen to catch and release more hammerhead sharks, although 
tournament participants should not be impacted. Neutral socioeconomic 
impacts are expected for fishermen targeting the aggregated LCS and 
non-blacknose SCS management groups because the quotas are based on the 
average landings for each species.
    Indirect short-term minor adverse socioeconomic impacts would 
likely result from this alternative suite's actions. The measures in 
this alternative suite adjust quotas based on new scientific 
information and would impact shark landings. Consequently, it is 
possible that dealers and supporting businesses such as bait and tackle 
suppliers may experience minor adverse impacts in the short-term. 
However, as they do not rely solely on the shark fishery and buy from 
and sell to a variety of fisheries, the impacts are expected to be 
neutral in the long-term. The changes to quotas would impact fishermen 
retaining certain shark species, but the changes are small enough that 
dealers and supporting businesses are unlikely to experience impacts 
from this alternative suite and its effects are therefore expected to 
be neutral.
    Comment 56: The EPA says that while they appreciated NMFS' effort 
to evaluate the potential economic impact on these communities, more 
research is needed to address the impact on the fisherman, especially 
if these proposed limitations will have a disproportionate economic 
impact on minority and/or low-income populations.
    Response: We agree that it is important to assess the economic 
impacts of regulatory actions on minority and/or low-income 
populations. However, this final action is expected to have neutral or 
minor adverse economic impacts at worst, and positive long-term impacts 
as overfished shark populations are rebuilt. As such, these measures 
will benefit everyone affected in the long-term. Our analyses of 
economic impacts used the best data available at this time. In future 
rulemakings, we will use more specific data regarding economic impacts 
on minority and/or low-income populations if it becomes available. We 
continue to support the development of methods to identify whether 
proposed amendments will have disproportionally high adverse impacts on 
minority or low income populations, as appropriate.

G. Concerns Regarding the DEIS

    Comment 57: The DEIS document is more than 600 pages and very 
difficult to understand at times, especially the information, data, and 
its sources.
    Response: We recognize that the DEIS was large and complex because 
it contained a complete range of alternatives for rebuilding multiple 
shark stocks. The removal of the dusky shark measures to a future 
action has reduced the number of alternatives in the FEIS, and we have 
made a concerted effort to explain these measures, and their impacts, 
using language that is as clear and concise as possible.
    Comment 58: We received comments that pointed out typographical 
errors and other errors in the DEIS.
    Response: We appreciate these comments and have made the 
appropriate edits in the FEIS.

[[Page 40333]]

    Comment 59: The EPA recommended that NMFS provide the reader with a 
better understanding of when the agency has received the same comment 
multiple times, thus helping the reader with further public comment.
    Response: We appreciate the EPA's comment and made a point to note 
in the FEIS that we received numerous public comments on the dusky 
shark measures in the DEIS. In part, these comments helped us make the 
decision to remove the dusky shark measures from this rulemaking and 
re-evaluate and analyze approaches to rebuild dusky sharks in an 
upcoming proposed action.
    Comment 60: The EPA commented that NMFS provided a clear and 
understandable table summarizing preferred alternatives for each shark 
species.
    Response: We appreciate the EPA's comment and note that tables in 
the Executive Summary of the FEIS clearly summarizes the preferred 
alternative suite as well as changes from the DEIS and the reasons for 
those changes.
    Comment 61: The State of North Carolina and Atlantic States Marine 
Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) recommended moving forward with management 
measures to achieve ending overfishing for scalloped hammerhead and 
delaying other measures until they can be more fully analyzed, and 
emphasized that NMFS should delay the measures to end dusky shark 
overfishing.
    Response: We appreciate the State of North Carolina's and the 
ASMFC's comment and have removed the dusky shark measures from this 
rulemaking to re-evaluate and analyze approaches to rebuild dusky 
sharks in an upcoming proposed action. We did not receive substantive 
comment to delay any of the measures proposed in the DEIS for 
blacknose, sandbar, or Gulf of Mexico blacktip sharks; therefore, we 
are moving forward with these management measures, as well as the 
management measures to rebuild scalloped hammerhead sharks, in this 
amendment.
    Comment 62: We received a number of requests to extend the DEIS 
comment period for 45 days. Some of the reasons for this request 
included additional time for data analysis and extra time for fishermen 
impacted by Super Storm Sandy to read and comment on the DEIS. The 
ASMFC was concerned that the 2-year rebuilding timeline for scalloped 
hammerhead sharks would be cited as a reason not to extend the comment 
period.
    Response: We did not extend the DEIS comment period, in part in an 
attempt to meet our Magnuson-Stevens Act requirement to establish a 
rebuilding plan within 2-years after a stock has been determined to be 
overfished. Also, the requests to extend the comment period for 
additional data analysis and public comment were mainly concerned with 
the dusky shark measures that were included in the DEIS. We would not 
have been able to complete additional dusky shark data analyses or 
develop additional measures based on public comment within a 45-day 
extension of the comment period. Therefore, we decided to remove the 
dusky shark measures from this rulemaking to re-evaluate and analyze 
approaches to rebuild dusky sharks in an upcoming proposed action. This 
will allow us to conduct further data analysis for dusky shark 
rebuilding measures and allow the public ample opportunity to comment 
on these upcoming proposed measures, while continuing with Amendment 
A5a to establish a rebuilding plan for scalloped hammerhead sharks.

H. General Comments

    Comment 63: The proposed regulations drive regulatory discards, 
contribution to mortality over established limits and overfishing. 
Waste of sharks and inefficiencies from derby rules (e.g., trip limits 
and market gluts) are in conflict with National Standards 1, 8, 9, and 
10.
    Response: While conducting assessments and in calculating TACs and 
quotas, we take regulatory discards into account. As described in 
Chapter 2 of the FEIS, dead discards of scalloped hammerhead sharks are 
already considered under the TAC. The quota linkages in preferred 
Alternative Suite A6 are necessary in these multispecies fisheries to 
ensure that the TAC of shark species under a rebuilding plan is not 
exceeded and to minimize regulatory discards, to the extent 
practicable. To allow maximum access to the Gulf of Mexico blacktip 
shark resource, this final action will allow us to open and close the 
Gulf of Mexico blacktip shark management group independently of the 
hammerhead shark and aggregated LCS management groups. We also do not 
anticipate increased discards in the recreational fishery, as the 
increase in minimum size to 78 inches fork length is limited to 
hammerhead sharks.
    As part of this FEIS, we have analyzed the consistency with the 
National Standards and found the action to meet them all. This final 
action would be consistent with National Standard 1 because it would 
implement adjustments to mortality levels consistent with the stock 
assessments for blacknose, blacktip, and scalloped hammerhead sharks 
that would allow fishermen to harvest optimum yield for these species 
while allowing for rebuilding and preventing overfishing. With respect 
to National Standard 8, this final action strikes an appropriate 
balance between positive ecological impacts that are necessary to 
rebuild and prevent overfishing on depleted stocks while minimizing, to 
the extent practicable, the severity of negative social and economic 
impacts that will occur as a result of these actions. For National 
Standard 9, this final action considers bycatch while focusing on 
capping fishing mortality. The preferred quota linkages would prevent 
bycatch of sharks by opening and closing shark management groups at the 
same time to prevent excessive mortality of one species due to 
incidental capture while targeting other shark species. Additionally, 
the bycatch of hammerhead sharks while fishing for Gulf of Mexico 
blacktip sharks was explicitly analyzed under the quota linkage section 
in Alternative Suite A6. No impact to safety of life at sea is 
anticipated to result from this final action, meeting National Standard 
10. Please see Chapters 2, 4, 6, and 10 in the FEIS for more 
information.
    Comment 64: We received several comments expressing support for us 
to accelerate the rulemaking process for Amendment 6 to the 2006 
Consolidated HMS FMP, which would consider catch shares in some or all 
of the Atlantic shark fisheries. Some commenters suggested that we 
should wait to implement the measures in this rulemaking until 
Amendment 6 is implemented, citing the possibility of increased 
accountability in the fishery and decreased incentives for discards of 
sharks.
    Response: We are currently working on Amendment 6 to the 2006 
Consolidated Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan. Under 
current limited resources, we do not have the ability to work on both 
Amendment 6 and Amendment 5 simultaneously. Because statutory mandates 
require us to implement a rebuilding plan to rebuild overfished species 
(in this case, scalloped hammerhead sharks) within two years of a stock 
status determination that the stock is overfished, we must complete 
this amendment prior to development of Amendment 6 to the 2006 
Consolidated HMS FMP. We will consider the issues raised in this 
comment as we develop draft Amendment 6 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS 
FMP.
    Comment 65: We need to provide clear objectives to both 
recreational and

[[Page 40334]]

commercial fisherman to describe what a successful rebuilding plan 
would look like. What would need to happen for us to increase TACs or 
bring back the former minimum size limits?
    Response: The Magnuson-Stevens Act National Standards require us to 
meet certain standards when making fisheries management decisions. 
National Standard 1 requires us to end overfishing while achieving, on 
a continuing basis, optimum yield from each fishery. National Standard 
8 states that conservation and management measures shall take into 
account the importance of fishery resources to fishing communities. As 
mentioned in response to other comments, we continually monitor stocks 
of all species under our jurisdiction and promptly begin the rulemaking 
process should one of these stocks be determined to be overfished or 
have overfishing occurring based on the results of a stock assessment. 
As management measures for overfished stocks result in stock 
rebuilding, we will be able to revisit TACs, minimum size limits, and 
other management measures to provide more fishing opportunities, 
consistent with legal requirements.
    Comment 66: The current shark regulations have caused the shark 
populations to increase and cause a direct negative impact on other 
fishery stocks. Due to the high predation from the abundant sharks, 
profits in other commercial fisheries have declined on every trip. Not 
only does this create more discards and waste of our resources, it has 
a direct impact on the increased cost of fishing due to lost gear.
    Response: We are required under the Magnuson-Stevens Act to rebuild 
overfished fish stocks, including sharks, to manage for optimum yield. 
We conduct stock assessments and seek to maintain shark stocks at a 
level that allows them to be harvested at optimum yield while also 
maintaining their role in the ecosystem. Sharks are top predators and 
hunt and eat lower trophic level species, including fishes targeted by 
other fishermen. We work closely with five Atlantic Fishery Management 
Councils (New England, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, 
and the Caribbean), the two Atlantic Interstate Marine Fisheries 
Commissions (Atlantic States and Gulf States), and the HMS Advisory 
Panel to promote an ecosystem-based approach to management which takes 
such interactions into consideration.
    Comment 67: We received two comments regarding the listing of 
sharks under the ESA: one comment requested to know the status of the 
scalloped hammerhead shark 90-day finding; the other comment urged us 
to continue to promulgate shark regulations in a proactive and 
conservative way, so that petitions for listing sharks under the ESA 
are found to be without substantial scientific or commercial 
information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted. The 
commenter stated that such listings will almost definitely force time/
area closures for a variety of fishermen and reduce fishing 
opportunities across a number of fisheries. The commenter stated that 
it is important for fishermen to understand that economic value is 
excluded from consideration under the ESA, and that once these listings 
occur, fishermen will lose their voice in the regulatory process.
    Response: On November 28, 2011 (76 FR 72891), the NMFS Office of 
Protected Resources determined that the listing of scalloped hammerhead 
sharks may be warranted and began a status review. Two other petitions 
to list great hammerhead sharks are currently awaiting 90-day findings. 
The results of the status review will lead either to a determination 
that listing scalloped hammerhead sharks is not warranted or a proposed 
rule to list the species. The NMFS Office of Protected Resources has 
also received petitions to list whale, great hammerhead, dusky, and 
Pacific great white sharks under the ESA. NMFS is reviewing those 
requests to determine if the petitions contained present substantial 
scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned 
action may be warranted. We agree with the commenter that if some 
species of sharks are listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA, 
there could be changes to how the shark fishery operates and that 
economic value of a fishery is not considered in the context of the 
ESA.
    Comment 68: One comment urged NMFS to try to work with Mexico and 
other countries, as well as the Department of State, regarding blacktip 
sharks.
    Response: We are dedicated to working with other nations, 
particularly those with which we share a border, and within 
international organizations, to promote sustainable management 
practices of sharks, including blacktip sharks. We participate in 
annual bilateral meetings with Canada and Mexico, as well as annual 
ICCAT meetings and stock assessments to discuss management measures for 
shared stocks. With Mexico in particular, we aim to strengthen our 
coordination within the Gulf of Mexico and promote sustainable 
management of shared shark stocks. In SEDAR 29, we invited a Mexican 
scientist to participate in the stock assessment process. The scientist 
provided data critical to the assessment of Gulf of Mexico blacktip 
sharks. We recognize that it is essential to work collaboratively when 
managing tunas, sharks, and other highly migratory species when stocks 
are shared and fished by both nations. We also work closely with our 
colleagues at the Department of State to promote cooperation in this 
area.
    Comment 69: We need to continue investigating measures to minimize 
mortality after sharks are caught (particularly limits on gear 
deployment, soak time, and tending) as these hold promise for enhancing 
recovery of particularly sensitive and depleted shark species.
    Response: We have considered alternative approaches to minimize 
shark mortality, including limits on gear deployment, hook type, soak 
type, and gear tending. We have found that limiting soak times and 
requiring gear tending may have safety-at sea implications, especially 
if fishing vessels are forced to retrieve fishing gear during unsafe 
sea conditions, and may reduce flexible fishing techniques. 
Additionally, enforcing restrictions on soak times is extremely 
resource-intensive as close monitoring is required to ensure 
compliance. Regulating quantity and type of hooks deployed (e.g. 
Selective Magnetic and Repellant Treated (SMART) hooks, circle hooks, 
or weak hooks), have also been considered as a method for reducing 
fishing mortality and contribute to rebuilding of overfished stocks. A 
SMART hook requirement may have potential economic impacts to the 
bottom longline and pelagic longline fisheries and ecological benefits 
for blacknose, sandbar, dusky, or scalloped hammerhead sharks have not 
been demonstrated. The effect of circle hooks is not the same for all 
species, and their conservation benefit for some species may be mixed 
(as discussed in Section 2.2 Alternatives Considered but not Further 
Analyzed in Chapter 2 of the FEIS). A weak hook alternative may protect 
some species of sub-adult sharks until they have had a chance to 
reproduce; however, because of the range in size at maturity among 
shark species, it may be difficult to discern which gauge hook to use 
to ensure these benefits. Therefore, because these hook options would 
not achieve the purpose of managing these fishery resources in a manner 
that maximizes resources sustainability, while minimizing, to the 
greatest extent possible, the socioeconomic impacts on affected

[[Page 40335]]

fisheries, they were not further analyzed.

Changes From the Proposed Rule (77 FR 70552; November 26, 2012)

    As described above, as a result of public comment and additional 
analyses, we have made several substantive changes in the final rule 
consistent with changes made between the DEIS and FEIS. As discussed 
previously, the primary change was the removal of the dusky shark 
measures into a separate proposed action for Amendment 5b to the 2006 
Consolidated HMS FMP. This final rule implements Amendment 5a to the 
2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and finalizes measures needed to rebuild 
sandbar sharks, end overfishing and rebuild scalloped hammerhead and 
Atlantic blacknose sharks, and establish a TAC, commercial quota, and 
recreational measures for Gulf of Mexico blacknose and blacktip sharks. 
Amendment 5b to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP will contain further 
analysis and consideration of management approaches, data sources, and 
available information that are needed for dusky sharks beyond those 
considered in the proposed rule.
    The specific changes among the remaining management measures are 
outlined below.
    1. Final 2011 Data. In the proposed rule, we used preliminary 2011 
commercial data because the finalized data were not available at that 
time. Finalized 2011 commercial data are now available and are used in 
the FEIS and final rule. Specifically, the final 2011 dealer data 
changed the species landings percentage of the total LCS and SCS 
landings slightly; therefore, finalized quotas were updated 
appropriately. Additionally, the final 2011 logbook data changed the 
dead discard mortality estimates for hammerhead sharks.
    2. Quota Linkages. We proposed several quota linkages: The Atlantic 
aggregated LCS and hammerhead shark quotas; the Gulf of Mexico 
aggregated LCS, hammerhead and blacktip shark quotas; and the blacknose 
and non-blacknose small coastal shark regional quotas. Based on public 
comment, we re-evaluated the quota linkage between the management 
groups. In the Gulf of Mexico region, the hammerhead and aggregated LCS 
quotas will be linked because directed shark fishermen frequently catch 
these species together when targeting LCS. The Gulf of Mexico blacktip 
shark quota will not be linked to the aggregated LCS or hammerhead 
shark quotas, mainly because aggregated LCS and hammerhead sharks are 
caught in small amounts on trips targeting Gulf of Mexico blacktip 
sharks. We maintain the flexibility to close the Gulf of Mexico 
blacktip shark management group depending on several criteria in the 
final rule, which will ensure that bycatch of hammerhead sharks and 
aggregated LCS does not result in mortality that will exceed the TAC of 
either management group. The other proposed quota linkages did not 
change in this final rule.
    3. Inseason Quota Transfers. In the proposed rule, we proposed 
allowing inseason or annual regional quota transfers for non-blacknose 
SCS quota because the non-blacknose SCS quota is being split between 
regions for management purposes and not because there are different 
stocks between the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico regions. Based on public 
comment and because the scalloped hammerhead shark stock assessment was 
based on a single stock between the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico 
regions, in the final rule, we will also allow for inseason or annual 
regional transfers of the hammerhead quota.
    4. Recreational Minimum Size. We proposed to increase the 
recreational size limit to 96 inches fork length based on the size-at-
maturity of dusky sharks. As described above, we are addressing dusky 
shark management measures in another rulemaking; therefore we are not 
finalizing the proposed increase to 96 inches fork length. Instead, as 
part of the rebuilding plan for scalloped hammerhead sharks implemented 
in this action, we are increasing the minimum size limit to 78 inches 
fork length for all hammerhead sharks based on the size-at-maturity for 
scalloped hammerheads and are maintaining the current size limit of 54 
inches fork length for all other shark species, except for Atlantic 
sharpnose and bonnethead sharks.
    5. Mandatory Reporting of Hammerhead Sharks. We proposed requiring 
mandatory reporting of all hammerhead sharks landed recreationally to 
NMFS through the non-tournament landing system. This final action would 
not require mandatory reporting of hammerhead sharks because we have 
determined that the existing surveys (Large Pelagics/Marine 
Recreational Information Program) are sufficient for immediate 
rebuilding purposes. Recreational shark reporting measures may be 
addressed in the upcoming dusky shark proposed action (Amendment 5b to 
the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP).

Commercial Fishing Season Notification

    Pursuant to the measures being implemented in this final rule, the 
Gulf of Mexico regional base annual quotas will be as follows:
     Blacktip sharks = 256.6 mt dw;
     Aggregated LCS = 157.5 mt dw;
     Hammerhead sharks = 25.3 mt dw;
     Non-blacknose SCS = 45.5 mt dw; and
     Blacknose sharks = 2.0 mt dw.
    The Atlantic regional base quotas will be as follows:
     Aggregated LCS = 168.9 mt dw;
     Hammerhead sharks = 27.1 mt dw;
     Non-blacknose SCS = 176.1 mt dw; and
     Blacknose sharks = 18.0 mt dw.
    As described in the final rule that established the initial 2013 
quotas based on the previous quotas (77 FR 75896, December 26, 2012), 
the quotas for the LCS and SCS management groups were not exceeded in 
2012. As such, none of these regional base annual quotas need to be 
adjusted for overharvests. However, as described in the December 2012 
final rule, the non-blacknose SCS quota was not fully harvested in 
2012, and because the species in that management group are not 
overfished and are not experiencing overfishing, we increased the 
initial 2013 quota by 107.6 mt dw (237,106 lb dw). In this final rule, 
we have split that increase based on the regional split described in 
the FEIS (79.4 percent in the Atlantic and 20.6 percent in the Gulf of 
Mexico), and adjusted the 2013 Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico regional 
non-blacknose SCS quotas accordingly. As such, the new final adjusted 
2013 quotas are the same as the respective base quotas for all 
management groups except for the non-blacknose SCS management group, 
which is adjusted as described above. The final adjusted 2013 quotas 
are as follows.
    For the Gulf of Mexico region:
     Blacktip sharks = 256.6 mt dw (565,700 lb dw);
     Aggregated LCS = 157.5 mt dw (347,317 lb dw);
     Hammerhead sharks = 25.3 mt dw (55,722 lb dw);
     Non-blacknose SCS = 67.7 mt dw (149,161 lb dw); and
     Blacknose sharks = 2.0 mt dw (4,513 lb dw).
    For the Atlantic region:
     Aggregated LCS = 168.9 mt dw (372,552 lb dw);
     Hammerhead sharks = 27.1 mt dw (59,736 lb dw);
     Non-blacknose SCS = 261.5 mt dw (576,484 lb dw); and
     Blacknose sharks = 18.0 mt dw (39,749 lb dw).

[[Page 40336]]

    As of June 14, 2013, based on dealer reports, the following 
landings have been reported in the Gulf of Mexico region:
     Blacktip sharks = 202.8 mt dw (79% of quota);
     Aggregated LCS = 115.4 mt dw (73% of quota);
     Hammerhead sharks = 7.7 mt dw (30% of quota);
     Non-blacknose SCS = 21.1 mt dw (31% of quota); and
     Blacknose sharks = 0.5 mt dw (23% of quota).
    The landings in the Atlantic region are as follows:
     Aggregated LCS = 68.7 mt dw (41% of quota);
     Hammerhead sharks = 9.2 mt dw (34% of quota);
     Non-blacknose SCS = 40.1 mt dw (15% of quota); and
     Blacknose sharks = 8.2 mt dw (46% of quota).
    Dealer reports through June 14, 2013, indicate that 202.8 mt dw or 
79 percent of the new final adjusted quota for the Gulf of Mexico 
blacktip shark management group has been landed. Projections using 
dealer reports indicate that using catch rates from May 1, 2013 to June 
1, 2013, that 83.2 percent of the available Gulf of Mexico blacktip 
shark quota could be landed by July 1, 2013. Accordingly, NMFS is 
closing the commercial Gulf of Mexico blacktip shark management group 
as of 11:30 p.m. local time July 7, 2013. This closure does not affect 
any other shark management groups.
    During the closure, retention of sharks from the Gulf of Mexico 
blacktip shark management group is prohibited for persons fishing 
aboard vessels issued a commercial shark limited access permit under 
Sec.  635.4, unless the vessel is properly permitted to operate as a 
charter vessel or headboat for HMS and is engaged in a for-hire trip, 
in which case the recreational retention limits for sharks and ``no 
sale'' provisions apply (Sec.  635.22(a) and (c)). A shark dealer 
issued a permit pursuant to Sec.  635.4 may not purchase or receive 
Gulf of Mexico blacktip sharks from a vessel issued an Atlantic shark 
limited access permit (LAP), except that a permitted shark dealer or 
processor may possess Gulf of Mexico blacktip sharks that were 
harvested, off-loaded, and sold, traded, or bartered, prior to the 
effective date of the closure and were held in storage. Under this 
closure, a shark dealer issued a permit pursuant to Sec.  635.4 may, in 
accordance with state regulations, purchase or receive Gulf of Mexico 
blacktip sharks if the sharks were harvested, off-loaded, and sold, 
traded, or bartered from a vessel that fishes only in state waters and 
that has not been issued an Atlantic Shark LAP, HMS Angling permit, or 
HMS Charter/Headboat permit pursuant to Sec.  635.4.

Classification

    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries (AA) determined that 
Amendment 5a to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP is necessary for the 
conservation and management of the Atlantic shark fisheries and that it 
is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable laws.
    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the AA has determined that there is 
good cause to waive the 30-day delay in effective date for the revised 
commercial quotas for Gulf of Mexico blacktip sharks. This final rule 
will implement, among other management measures, new commercial quota 
and management groups and revised quotas. A delay in effectiveness of 
this rule for these revised quotas and management groups would cause 
negative ecological impacts on the fishery resource because the newly 
established rebuilding plans and TACs will be exceeded. As described 
above, the landings for the Gulf of Mexico blacktip shark management 
group are projected to reach 80 percent of the new final adjusted 2013 
quotas by July 1, 2013. Given these landings, we need to close the Gulf 
of Mexico blacktip shark management group to ensure that the new final 
adjusted 2013 quotas are not overharvested in 2013. The situation where 
we implement new management group quotas then close a management group 
immediately has not happened in the past. In past rulemakings of this 
scope, the shark fishery has generally remained closed for the entire 
year until the new management groups and quotas were implemented. This 
year, we decided to open the fishery in order to provide equitable 
opportunities across all regions. In the final rule establishing the 
2013 fishing seasons, we notified constituents that the quotas could be 
changing as a result of Amendment 5 and that any changes would be made 
in this final rule. Generally, the LCS shark fisheries have remained 
open for only a few months for the entire year. The fisheries this year 
have remained open for six months (since January 1, 2013). Thus, 
because of the notice in the final specifications rule and because of 
normal fishing season length practices, the fishermen who could be 
affected were aware that we could implement the new management group 
quotas and potentially close the fisheries in this rulemaking.
    For this reason, the AA finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay 
in effectiveness of the new final adjusted 2013 commercial quotas for 
Gulf of Mexico blacktip sharks.
    We prepared an FEIS for this Amendment 5a to the 2006 Consolidated 
HMS FMP. The FEIS was filed with the Environmental Protection Agency on 
April 19, 2013. A notice of availability was published on April 26, 
2013 (78 FR 24743). In approving Amendment 5a to the 2006 Consolidated 
HMS FMP on June 7, 2013, we issued a ROD identifying the selected 
alternative suite. A copy of the ROD is available from the HMS 
Management Division (see ADDRESSES).
    This final rule has been determined to be not significant under EO 
12866.

Coastal Zone Management Act

    The Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) requires that Federal agency 
activities that have reasonably foreseeable coastal effects be 
consistent to the maximum extent practicable with the enforceable 
policies of affected federally-approved state coastal management 
programs (CMPs). This rule implements Alternative Suite A6 from the 
FEIS, which is a new alternative that largely represents a hybrid of 
measures previously proposed in the DEIS under Alternative Suites A2 
and A3, as well as minor adjustments resulting from the application of 
final 2011 data. Thus, we have determined that this rule will be 
implemented in a manner consistent to the maximum extent practicable 
with the enforceable policies of the coastal states in the Atlantic, 
Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean that have federally approved CMPs. In 
December 2012, we provided all coastal states along the eastern 
seaboard and the Gulf of Mexico (21 states), including Puerto Rico and 
the U.S. Virgin Islands, with a copy of the proposed rule and DEIS for 
Amendment 5 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP. Under 15 CFR 930.41, 
states and/or U.S. territories have 60 days to respond after the 
receipt of the consistency determination and supporting materials. 
States can request an extension of up to 15 days. If a response is not 
received within those time limits, NMFS can presume concurrence (15 CFR 
930.41 (a)). Nine states replied within the response time period that 
the proposed regulations were consistent with the enforceable policies 
of their CMPs (Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, New 
Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and South Carolina). Another nine 
states (Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, South 
Carolina, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico) did not respond 
within the response time period, nor did they

[[Page 40337]]

request an extension in the comment period; therefore, we presume their 
concurrence. The State of Georgia replied that they concur with our 
consistency determination with the condition that changes are made to 
the rule or incorporate other state agency comments. The State of North 
Carolina concurred with our consistency determination but also stated 
that the proposed action would have negative impacts on North Carolina 
fishermen and we should incorporate the North Carolina Division of 
Marine Fisheries' (NCDMF's) suggestions and concerns to the greatest 
extent practicable. The Commonwealth of Virginia indicated that 
Alternative Suites A2, A3, and A4 were consistent with its CMP, noted 
that Alternative Suites A2 and A3 would severely restrict recreational 
fishermen's access to other species of LCS, and that Alternative Suite 
A3 would have the greatest potential to allow Virginia commercial and 
recreational fishermen access to a portion of the annual quota of the 
managed shark management groups while still adequately protecting those 
species of shark identified as overfished.

A. Response to the State of Georgia

    The State of Georgia, in its February 12, 2013, CZMA consistency 
letter to NMFS, stated that ``portions of the preferred Alternative 
Suite A2 would place undue burdens on Georgia's recreational shark 
fishery when there are other alternatives that would meet NMFS's 
objectives and reduce coastal use impacts.'' The State of Georgia also 
noted that rather than linking quotas, ``bycatch and post-release 
mortality should be considered when catch levels are determined'' and 
that ``whenever possible single species management should be considered 
until appropriate multispecies assessments can be developed.'' The 
State of Georgia concurred with NMFS' consistency determination on the 
proposed rule with the condition that the following changes be made to 
the rule. Georgia would prefer Alternative Suite A3 for TAC and 
commercial quota measures since no quota linkage would fulfill the 
intended goal of this amendment and reduce impacts to Georgia's 
fishermen. The State of Georgia also stated that it did not support the 
increase to the shark minimum recreational size limit to 96 inches fork 
length stating that this increased size would eliminate recreational 
shark fishing in Georgia. The State of Georgia suggested that NMFS 
prohibit the take of all ridgeback sharks and implement a fine for 
landings of any prohibited species. In the Alternative Suite A2, the 
State of Georgia would like NMFS to postpone mandatory reporting of 
hammerhead sharks until a process has been fully developed, and 
postpone education and outreach for prohibited shark identification 
unless Federal funds are used to support this program.
    While we acknowledge the potential impacts to Georgia fishermen, 
under the Magnuson-Stevens Act's (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) National 
Standards, we are required to, among other things, implement 
conservation and management measures to prevent overfishing while 
achieving, on a continuing basis, the optimum yield from each fishery; 
base actions upon the best scientific information available; manage 
stocks throughout their range to the extent practicable; minimize 
adverse economic impacts on fishing communities to the extent 
practicable; and minimize bycatch and bycatch mortality to the extent 
practicable (16 U.S.C. 1851(a)(1), (2), (3), (8), and (9)). In the 
preparation of this final action, we performed an extensive analysis on 
quota linkages for shark species that are caught together to determine 
which quotas would likely trigger management group closures. This 
analysis concluded that the aggregated LCS quota would likely be 
reached before the hammerhead shark quota in the Atlantic region based 
on species landings per trip from the logbook data. Opening and closing 
these two management groups concurrently would strengthen the 
conservation benefits of either group's quota closure. Furthermore, SCS 
fishermen have been able to avoid blacknose sharks to fully retain the 
non-blacknose SCS quota since Amendment 3 to the 2006 Consolidated HMS 
FMP in 2008. Regarding bycatch and post-release mortality, we already 
account for fishing mortality of sharks across multiple fisheries in 
the TACs and commercial quota estimates for sharks, consistent with the 
State of Georgia's recommendation.
    During the comment period for Amendment 5 to the 2006 Consolidated 
HMS FMP, we received numerous comments on the proposed dusky shark 
measures, some requesting consideration of approaches to dusky shark 
fishery management that were significantly different from those we 
analyzed in the proposed rule and DEIS. After reviewing all of the 
comments received, we are not proceeding at this time with the dusky 
shark measures as proposed and will address the dusky shark overfishing 
and rebuilding plan in an upcoming proposed separate action. Therefore, 
we will not be implementing the 96 inches fork length minimum size as 
it was designed for dusky shark rebuilding, consistent with the State 
of Georgia's recommendation. In the FEIS, the preferred Alternative 
Suite A6 will establish a rebuilding plan for scalloped hammerhead 
sharks, which includes an increase in the minimum size limit of all 
recreationally landed hammerhead sharks to 78 inches fork length. In 
addition, we will increase outreach to the recreational community 
regarding the identification of prohibited shark species in 
recreational fisheries. This outreach could be in the form of updated 
shark identification placards for authorized and prohibited species, 
and outreach to state agencies and fishing tournaments on the current 
recreational shark regulations. This outreach would not impose costs on 
state agencies as NMFS will produce and distribute the placards.
    The minor adverse economic and social impacts resulting from the 
quota linkage and recreational measures do not outweigh the ecological 
benefits for these shark species. Therefore, we are implementing these 
quota linkage and recreational measures in the shark fishery. Because 
the recent stock assessments were determined to be the best scientific 
data available, this finding is consistent with National Standard 2, 
which requires that management measures be based on the best scientific 
information available. Based on the information in this amendment and 
combined with the Magnuson-Stevens Act legal requirements noted in this 
paragraph, under the CZMA and NOAA regulations, we find that the 
preferred Alternative Suite A6 and this final action are consistent to 
the maximum extent practicable with Georgia's CMP enforceable policies.

B. Response to the State of North Carolina

    The State of North Carolina, in its January 17, 2013, CZMA 
consistency letter to NMFS, stated that the proposed actions are 
consistent, to the maximum extent practicable, with the relevant 
enforceable policies of North Carolina's CMP. Though the State of North 
Carolina concurred with the proposed action, they encouraged us to 
incorporate the suggestions and concerns of the NCDMF to the greatest 
extent possible. During the comment period for the DEIS, we received 
comments from the NCDMF. NCDMF did not support quota linkage for the 
LCS and SCS fisheries because having one species as a trigger for 
closure can result in reduced fishing opportunity and have significant 
economic consequences. In this final rule, we are linking the quotas of 
shark species and

[[Page 40338]]

management groups that are caught together to prevent incidental catch 
mortality from exceeding the TAC, consistent with National Standard 
One. The aggregated LCS and hammerhead shark quotas and the blacknose 
and non-blacknose SCS quotas will be linked in each region. The Gulf of 
Mexico blacktip shark quota will not be linked and will open and close 
independent of the aggregated LCS and hammerhead management groups. In 
addition, we are allowing in-season quota transfers between regions for 
hammerhead shark and non-blacknose SCS management groups. NCDMF was 
also concerned that the increase in the recreational minimum size to 96 
inches fork length would eliminate almost all recreational shark 
harvest, and recommended a slot limit for recreationally harvested 
shark species. The final action in this rule will not increase the 
recreational minimum size to 96 inches fork length, consistent with the 
NCDMF's recommendation, and will only increase the recreational size 
limit for all landed hammerhead sharks to provide additional protection 
for the scalloped hammerhead shark stock, which is overfished and is 
experiencing overfishing. As described above, all of the dusky shark 
measures will be addressed in a separate rulemaking. Therefore, we find 
the preferred Alternative Suite A6 and this final action to be 
consistent to the maximum extent practicable with the enforceable 
policies of the State of North Carolina's CMP.

C. Response to the Commonwealth of Virginia

    The Commonwealth of Virginia, in its January 17, 2013, CZMA 
consistency letter to NMFS, stated that, while the Alternative Suites 
A2 and A3 have measures severely restricting recreational fishermen 
access to other species of LCS, these alternative suites are consistent 
with the enforceable fisheries management policy of the Virginia CMP. 
The State of Virginia finds that Alternative Suite A3 would have the 
greatest potential to allow Virginia commercial and recreational 
fishermen access to a portion of the annual quota of the managed shark 
management groups, while still adequately protecting those species of 
shark identified as being overfished. Additionally, they support 
additional outreach to all fishermen to improve the identification of 
sharks. Based on public comment, we have changed the preferred 
alternative suite. In the FEIS, preferred Alternative Suite A6 is a 
combination of management measures from Alternative Suites A2 and A3. 
The State of Virginia's CZMA consistency letter noted that Alternative 
Suite A2 and A3 would be consistent with the state's CMP. Therefore, we 
find the actions in the FEIS to be consistent with the State of 
Virginia's CMP enforceable policies, to the maximum extent practicable.

Summary of the Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

    A final regulatory flexibility analysis (FRFA) was prepared for 
this rule. The FRFA incorporates the Initial Regulatory Flexibility 
Analysis (IRFA), a summary of the significant issues raised by the 
public comments in response to the IRFA, our responses to those 
comments, and a summary of the analyses completed to support the 
action. The full FRFA is available from us (see ADDRESSES). A summary 
is provided below.

A. Statement of the Need for and Objectives of the Final Rule

    Section 604(a)(1) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) requires 
a succinct statement of the need for and objectives of the rule. 
Chapter 1 of the FEIS and the proposed rule fully describes the need 
for and objectives of this final rule. The management goals and 
objectives of this final action are to provide for the sustainable 
management of shark species under authority of the Secretary consistent 
with the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other statutes 
which may apply to such management, including the ESA, MMPA, and ATCA. 
The Magnuson-Stevens Act mandates that the Secretary provide for the 
conservation and management of HMS through development of an FMP for 
species identified for management and to implement the FMP with 
necessary regulations. In addition, the Magnuson-Stevens Act directs 
the Secretary, in managing HMS, to prevent overfishing of species while 
providing for their optimum yield on a continuing basis and to rebuild 
fish stocks that are considered overfished. The management objectives 
of this final action are to amend the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP to 
rebuild and end overfishing of both the scalloped hammerhead and 
Atlantic blacknose shark stocks, maintain rebuilding for sandbar 
sharks, and achieve optimum yield and provide an opportunity for the 
sustainable harvest of Gulf of Mexico blacknose and Gulf of Mexico 
blacktip sharks.

B. A Summary of Significant Issues Raised by the Public Comments in 
Response to the IRFA

    Section 604(a)(2) of the RFA requires a summary of the significant 
issues raised by the public comments in response to the IRFA, a summary 
of the assessment of the Agency of such issues, and a statement of any 
changes made in the rule as a result of such comments. NMFS received 
many comments on the proposed rule and draft Amendment 5 to the 2006 
Consolidated HMS FMP during the public comment period. A summary of 
these comments and the Agency's responses, including changes as a 
result of public comment, are included above. For general economic 
comments, see section F in ``Responses to Comments.'' NMFS did not 
receive comments specifically on the IRFA.

C. A Description and an Estimate of the Number of Small Entities to 
Which the Rule Will Apply

    Section 604(a)(3) of the RFA requires a description and estimate of 
the number of small entities to which the final rule would apply. The 
Small Business Administration has defined a ``small'' fishing entity as 
one with average annual receipts of less than $4.0 million; a small 
charter/party boat entity is one with average annual receipts of less 
than $7.0 million; a small wholesale dealer as one with 100 or fewer 
employees; and a small seafood processor as one with 500 or fewer 
employees (13 CFR 121.201). Under these standards, we consider all 
Atlantic HMS permit holders subject to this rulemaking to be small 
entities.
    The commercial measures in this final action will apply to the 486 
commercial shark permit holders in the Atlantic shark fishery based on 
an analysis of permit holders as of October 2012 (NMFS 2012). Of these 
permit holders, 215 have directed shark permits and 271 hold incidental 
shark permits. Not all permit holders are active in the fishery in any 
given year. We estimate that between 2008 and 2011, approximately 108 
vessels with directed shark permits and 71 vessels with incidental 
shark permits landed sharks. These measures could also affect 92 shark 
dealers. A further breakdown of these permit holders is provided in 
Amendment 5a to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP.
    The recreational measures in this final action will impact HMS 
angling category and HMS charter/headboat category permit holders, as 
well as HMS tournaments. In general, the HMS charter/headboat category 
permit holders can be regarded as small businesses, while HMS angling 
category

[[Page 40339]]

permits are typically obtained by individuals who are not considered 
small entities for purposes of the RFA. While HMS tournaments are not 
themselves small businesses, many of them are organized by small 
businesses as promotional events. In 2012, 4,129 vessels obtained HMS 
charter/headboat category permits, and 235 HMS tournaments were 
registered. Chapter 6 of the FEIS for Amendment 5a to the 2006 
Consolidated HMS FMP provides the overall historic trend in the number 
of charter/headboat permit holders and registered HMS tournaments from 
2008 to 2012. It is unknown what portion of HMS charter/headboat permit 
holders actively participate in shark fishing or market shark fishing 
services for recreational anglers.
    We have determined that the rule would not likely affect any small 
governmental jurisdictions. More information regarding the description 
of the fisheries affected, and the categories and number of permit 
holders can be found in Amendment 5a to the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP.

D. A Description of the Projected Reporting, Record-keeping, and Other 
Compliance Requirements of the Final Rule

    Section 604(a)(4) of the RFA requires a description of the 
projected reporting, record-keeping, and other compliance requirements 
of the final rule, including an estimate of the classes of small 
entities that would be subject to the requirements of the report or 
record. The preferred commercial and recreational measures in 
Alternative Suite A6 of the FEIS will not introduce any new reporting 
or record-keeping requirements.

E. A Description of the Steps Taken To Minimize the Significant 
Economic Impact on Small Entities

    Section 604(a)(5) of the RFA requires a description of the steps 
the Agency has taken to minimize the significant economic impact on 
small entities consistent with the stated objectives of applicable 
statutes, including a statement of the factual, policy, and legal 
reasons for selecting the alternative adopted in the final rule and the 
reason that each one of the other significant alternatives to the rule 
considered by the Agency that affect small entities was rejected. These 
impacts are discussed below and in the FEIS for Amendment 5a to the 
2006 Consolidated HMS FMP. Additionally, the RFA (5 U.S.C. 603 (c) (1)-
(4)) lists four general categories of ``significant'' alternatives that 
could assist an agency in the development of significant alternatives. 
These categories of alternatives are: Establishment of differing 
compliance or reporting requirements or timetables that take into 
account the resources available to small entities; clarification, 
consolidation, or simplification of compliance and reporting 
requirements under the rule for such small entities; use of performance 
rather than design standards; and, exemptions from coverage of the rule 
for small entities.
    In order to meet the objectives of this rule, consistent with 
Magnuson-Stevens Act and ESA, we cannot exempt small entities or change 
the reporting requirements only for small entities because all the 
entities affected are considered small entities. Thus, there are no 
alternatives discussed that fall under the first and fourth categories 
described above. We do not know of any performance or design standards 
that would satisfy the aforementioned objectives of this rulemaking 
while, concurrently, complying with the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Thus, 
there are no alternatives considered under the third category. As 
described below, we analyzed several different alternatives in this 
rulemaking and provide rationale for identifying the preferred 
alternative to achieve the desired objective.
    The alternatives considered and analyzed have been grouped into six 
alternative suites that address various shark TACs, quotas, quota 
linkages, and recreational measures. Alternative Suite A1 would 
maintain the current Atlantic shark fishery (no action). Alternative 
Suite A2 would establish new species management groups by regions, 
adjust LCS and SCS quotas, and link appropriate quotas. Alternative 
Suite A3 would establish new species management groups by region, 
adjust LCS and SCS quotas with no quota linkages, and increase the 
hammerhead shark minimum recreational size to 78 inches fork length. 
Alternative Suite A4 would establish new species management groups by 
region, adjust LCS and SCS quotas, and establish species-specific 
recreational shark quotas. Alternative Suite A5 would close all 
commercial and recreational shark fisheries. Finally, Alternative Suite 
A6, the preferred alternative, would establish new species management 
groups by regions, adjust LCS and SCS quotas, link appropriate quotas, 
and increase the hammerhead shark minimum recreational size to 78 
inches fork length. Additionally, Alternative Suites A2, A3, and A6 
would also require the Agency to conduct more outreach on shark 
identification to recreational anglers and Charter/Headboat permit 
holders, which could lead to reduced landings of prohibited species, 
but we anticipate that any reductions will be minimal.
    The potential impacts these alternatives may have on small entities 
have been analyzed and are discussed in the following sections. The 
preferred alternative in the FEIS is Alternative Suite A6. The economic 
impacts that would occur under this preferred alternative suite was 
compared with the other alternatives to determine if economic impacts 
to small entities could be minimized while still accomplishing the 
stated objectives of this rule.

 A. Alternative Suite A1

    Alternative Suite A1 (status quo) would not change current 
management of the Atlantic shark fisheries. When taken as a whole, 
Alternative Suite A1 would likely have neutral economic impacts on 
small entities in the short-term because the fisheries would continue 
to operate as status quo. In the long-term, it could cause direct minor 
adverse economic impacts because we would need to make to changes to 
the fishery to address the overfishing and overfished stocks. Since 
Alternative Suite A1 does not address the overfished and/or overfishing 
determination based on recent stock assessments, we do not prefer this 
alternative at this time.

1. Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks

    From 2008 through 2011, approximately 22 vessels with directed 
shark permits had hammerhead shark landings, while approximately 2 
vessels with incidental shark permits had hammerhead shark landings in 
the Atlantic region. In the Gulf of Mexico region, approximately 12 
vessels with directed shark permits had hammerhead shark landings, 
while 1 vessel with an incidental shark permit had hammerhead shark 
landings. Spread amongst the directed and incidental shark permit 
holders that landed scalloped hammerhead in the Atlantic region, the 
average directed shark permit holder earned $1,443 in average annual 
gross revenues, and the average incidental shark permit holder earned 
$491 in average annual gross revenues from scalloped hammerhead shark 
landings. Divided evenly amongst the directed and incidental shark 
permit holders that landed scalloped hammerhead in the Gulf of Mexico 
region, the average directed shark permit holder earned $3,303 in 
average annual gross revenues, and the incidental shark permit holder 
earned $40 in annual gross revenues from scalloped hammerhead shark 
landings. Scalloped hammerhead sharks compose

[[Page 40340]]

a small portion of total non-sandbar LCS landings; an annual average of 
7.3 percent of non-sandbar LCS landings are scalloped hammerhead sharks 
in the Atlantic region and 4.3 percent on the Gulf of Mexico region. 
Scalloped hammerhead sharks are overfished with overfishing occurring, 
and the stock could become increasingly unproductive under the status 
quo, therefore we do not prefer this alternative at this time.

2. Large Coastal Sharks

    From 2008 through 2011, approximately 43 vessels with directed 
shark permits had non-sandbar LCS landings, while approximately 14 
vessels with incidental shark permits had non-sandbar LCS landings in 
the Atlantic region. In the Gulf of Mexico region, approximately 18 
vessels with directed shark permits had non-sandbar LCS landings, while 
approximately 6 vessels with incidental shark permits had non-sandbar 
LCS landings. It is estimated that these permit holders would be the 
most affected by management measures proposed for non-sandbar LCS. 
Spread amongst the directed and incidental shark permit holders that 
landed non-sandbar LCS in the Atlantic region, the average directed 
shark permit holder earned $15,200 in average annual gross revenues, 
and the average incidental shark permit holder earned $1,444 in average 
annual gross revenues from non-sandbar LCS landings. Spread amongst the 
directed and incidental shark permit holders that landed non-sandbar 
LCS in the Gulf of Mexico region, the average directed shark permit 
holder earned $58,920 in average annual gross revenues, and the average 
incidental shark permit holder earned $1,786 in average annual gross 
revenues from non-sandbar LCS landings.

3. Gulf of Mexico Blacktip Sharks

    From 2008 through 2011, approximately 15 vessels with directed 
shark permits had blacktip shark landings, while approximately 2 
vessels with incidental shark permits had blacktip shark landings in 
the Gulf of Mexico region. Spread amongst the directed and incidental 
shark permit holders that landed blacktip shark, the average directed 
shark permit holder earned $41,532 in average annual gross revenues, 
and the average incidental shark permit holder earned $1,251 in average 
annual gross revenues from blacktip shark landings.

4. Blacknose Sharks

    Since Amendment 3 was implemented in 2010, an average of 
approximately 25 vessels with directed shark permits had blacknose 
shark landings, while approximately 3 vessels with incidental shark 
permits had blacknose shark landings. It is estimated that these permit 
holders would be the most affected by management measures proposed for 
blacknose sharks. Spread amongst the directed and incidental shark 
permit holders that landed blacknose, the average directed shark permit 
holder earned $2,075 in average annual gross revenues, and the average 
incidental shark permit holder earned $353 in average annual gross 
revenues from blacknose shark landings.

5. Non-Blacknose Small Coastal Sharks

    Since Amendment 3 was implemented in 2010, an average of 
approximately 41 vessels with directed shark permits had non-blacknose 
shark landings, while approximately 13 vessels with incidental shark 
permits had non-blacknose SCS landings. It is estimated that these 
permit holders would be the most affected by management measures 
proposed for non-blacknose SCS. Spread amongst the directed and 
incidental shark permit holders that landed non-blacknose SCS, the 
average directed shark permit holder earned $13,107 in average annual 
gross revenues, and the average incidental shark permit holder earned 
$844 in average annual gross revenues from non-blacknose SCS landings.

6. Quota Linkages

    Because Alternative Suite A1 does not create any new species or 
management group quotas, new quota linkages would be unnecessarily. 
Consequently, there are no additional direct or indirect socioeconomic 
impacts in the short or long-term beyond those discussed for scalloped 
hammerhead, blacktip sharks, non-blacknose SCS, and blacknose sharks.

7. Recreational Measures

    Under Alternative Suite A1, there would be no changes to the 
existing recreational retention limits for all species. Therefore, 
small entities, such as charter/headboat operators and tournaments that 
target sharks, would not experience any change in economic impact under 
this alternative.

B. Alternative Suite A2

    Alternative Suite A2 would establish new species management groups 
by regions, adjust LCS and SCS quotas, and link appropriate quotas. 
When taken as a whole, Alternative Suite A2 would likely have direct 
short and long-term minor adverse economic impacts. These impacts would 
mostly affect fishermen targeting scalloped hammerhead and blacknose 
sharks because the quotas would restrict the amount of sharks that 
could be landed some years. These fishermen are likely to adapt to the 
new regulations by fishing in other fisheries, or change their fishing 
habitats. Neutral economic impacts are expected for fishermen targeting 
the aggregated LCS and non-blacknose SCS management groups because the 
new proposed quotas are based on the average landings for each species. 
Quota linkages could have moderate adverse economic impacts based on 
the fishing rate of each linked shark quota in some years, but not all 
years. Furthermore, failure to alter recreational measures under this 
alternative could lead to long-term adverse economic impacts due to 
continued overfishing.

1. Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks

    Under Alternative Suite A2, we would establish an Atlantic and a 
Gulf of Mexico hammerhead shark quota (including scalloped, smooth, and 
great hammerhead sharks) using the methodology outlined in Chapter 2 of 
the FEIS. Compared to average landings the quotas could result in a 
fishery-wide increase in revenue of $1,719 in the Atlantic region and 
$2,005 in the Gulf of Mexico region. However, because hammerhead sharks 
are currently counted against the regional non-sandbar LCS quotas, 
which are much higher than the regional hammerhead shark quotas in 
Alternative Suite A2, the opportunities to land hammerhead sharks under 
this alternative suite would be reduced. Fishing activities could be 
more constrained in future years under the quotas as compared to the 
historical range of landings. Therefore, impact on the annual revenues 
of individual vessels actively involved in the fishery are anticipated 
to be neutral in most years, but minor impacts may be experienced in 
years of high landings.

2. Large Coastal Sharks

    Alternative Suite A2 would establish new, separate quotas for 
scalloped hammerhead sharks and Gulf of Mexico blacktip sharks, 
necessitating removal of these species from the non-sandbar LCS 
management group (which will then be renamed ``aggregated LCS'' in both 
the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico regions). The aggregated LCS quota 
would be based on average annual landings of the remaining species (see 
Chapter 2 of the FEIS for annual landings of remaining species), 
therefore, those species composing the aggregated LCS management group 
would not experience a change in fishing pressure

[[Page 40341]]

and landings would be capped at recent levels. For these reasons, 
economic impacts to small entities resulting from this portion of 
Alternative Suite A2 are expected to be neutral.

3. Gulf of Mexico Blacktip Sharks

    Alternative suite A2 would establish a new, separate quota for Gulf 
of Mexico blacktip sharks based on current average landings. This 
alternative suite's blacktip shark action would likely result in 
neutral economic impacts to small entities. As discussed in Chapter 1 
of the FEIS, based on the SEDAR 29 Gulf of Mexico blacktip shark stock 
assessment, we have determined that the Gulf of Mexico blacktip shark 
stock is not overfished and not experiencing overfishing (NMFS 2011). 
These results indicate the Gulf of Mexico blacktip shark stock can 
sustain current fishing levels and should not result in any additional 
impacts to small entities.

4. Blacknose Sharks

    Alternative Suite A2 would separate blacknose sharks into the 
Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico regions as suggested in the SEDAR 21 stock 
assessment (NMFS 2011). These alternatives would increase the blacknose 
shark landings in each region. Average annual gross revenues for the 
blacknose shark landings for the Atlantic region would increase from 
$50,501 under the No Action alternative to $54,854 under Alternative 
Suite A2. Although, because the blacknose shark quota for the Atlantic 
region would be less than the current overall blacktip shark quota 
(19.9 mt dw), there could be some minor, adverse socioeconomic impacts 
associated with the reduced opportunities to land blacknose sharks. We 
anticipate that directed and incidental shark permit holders would 
experience neutral direct socioeconomic impacts in the short- and long-
term as blacknose sharks are not the targeted shark species for SCS 
fishermen. Average annual gross revenues for the blacknose shark 
landings for the Gulf of Mexico region would decrease slightly from 
$5,645 under the No Action alternative to $5,641 under Alternative 
Suite A2. NMFS anticipates these directed and incidental shark permit 
holders would experience minor economic impacts since the new Gulf of 
Mexico blacknose shark quota is consistent with current landings. In 
the short-term, lost revenues would be moderate for the 20 directed 
shark permit and 1 incidental shark permit holders that land blacknose 
sharks in the Atlantic region, and the 5 directed shark and the 2 
incidental shark permits that land blacknose sharks in the Gulf of 
Mexico.

5. Non-Blacknose Small Coastal Sharks

    Alternative Suite A2 would establish regional quotas for non-
blacknose SCS based on the landings since Amendment 3 was implemented 
in 2010 (NMFS 2010). In the Atlantic, an average of approximately 35 
vessels with directed shark permits had non-blacknose shark landings, 
while approximately 9 vessels with incidental shark permits had non-
blacknose SCS landings. In the Gulf of Mexico, an average of 
approximately 5 vessels with directed shark permits had non-blacknose 
shark landings, while approximately 2 vessels with incidental shark 
permits had non-blacknose SCS landings since Amendment 3 was 
implemented in 2010. Under the Alternative Suite A2, there would be 
neutral economic impacts to directed and incidental shark permit 
holders as the average annual gross revenues from non-blacknose SCS 
landings would be the same as the status quo in the short- and long-
term. Fishermen would be expected to operate in the same manner as the 
status quo in the short-term. However, this alternative suite could 
have minor negative economic impacts on fishermen if fishing effort 
increases for non-blacknose SCS. The fishery has never filled the 
entire quota established for the fishery in 2010, but that could change 
with a smaller regional quota and if fishermen are displaced from other 
fisheries.

6. Quota Linkages

    The quota linkages under this alternative suite could have short 
and long-term moderate adverse economic impacts. Quota linkages are 
explicitly designed to concurrently close multiple shark management 
groups, regardless of whether all the linked quotas are filled. This 
provides protection against incidental capture for species for which 
the quota has been reached, but it could also preclude fishermen from 
harvesting the entirety of each of the linked quotas. A quantitative 
analysis of the economic impact is not possible without comparing the 
rates of hammerhead shark, blacktip shark, and aggregated LCS catch and 
without knowing the extent to which fishermen can avoid hammerhead 
sharks. However, a qualitative analysis can provide insight on the 
possibility of adverse socioeconomic impacts. Under Alternative Suite 
A2, both the hammerhead shark and aggregated LCS management groups 
would close when landings of either reaches or is expected to reach 80 
percent of the quota. If hammerhead shark landings reach 80 percent of 
the quota, the aggregated LCS management group would close, regardless 
of what portion of the quota has been filled. If the entire aggregated 
LCS management group has not been harvested, the fishery would not 
realize the full level of revenues possible under the established 
quota. However, given that the hammerhead quota for the Atlantic region 
is larger than average landings of hammerhead sharks in the Atlantic 
region by a little over than 2,000 lb dw and that the Atlantic 
aggregated LCS quota is not changing from average landings, we do not 
expect either quota to reach or be projected to reach 80 percent 
significantly faster than the other quota as a result of this 
alternative suite. A similar situation could occur in the Gulf of 
Mexico region under Alternative Suite A2 where both the hammerhead 
shark and blacktip shark quotas would be linked to the aggregated LCS 
quota. In the Gulf of Mexico the hammerhead, Gulf of Mexico blacktip, 
and aggregated LCS management groups would close when landings of any 
one reaches or is expected to reach 80 percent of its quota. However, 
given that the hammerhead quota for the Gulf of Mexico region is larger 
than average landings of hammerhead sharks in the Gulf of Mexico region 
by a little over than 2,000 lb dw and that the Gulf of Mexico 
aggregated LCS and blacktip quotas are not changing from average 
landings, we do not expect either quota to be reach or be projected to 
reach 80 percent significantly faster than the other quotas as a result 
of this alternative suite.
    The blacknose shark and non-blacknose SCS socioeconomic impacts 
would be the same as the LCS since there would be similar scenarios 
with the quota linkage by species and region. In addition, we would 
allow inseason quota transfers between non-blacknose SCS regions. This 
would have minor beneficial economic impacts for the fishery as the 
non-blacknose SCS quota would not be the limiting factor. Consequently, 
the quota linkages proposed under this Alternative Suite could have 
moderate adverse economic impacts, but will likely have neutral impacts 
most years.

7. Recreational Measures

    Under Alternative Suite A2, there would be no changes to the 
existing recreational retention limits for all species. Therefore, 
small entities, such as charter/headboat operators and tournaments that 
target sharks, would not experience any change in economic impact under 
this alternative. However, continued overfishing of selected shark

[[Page 40342]]

species could lead to long-term adverse economic impacts.

C. Alternative Suite A3

    Alternative Suite A3 would establish new species management groups 
by regions, adjust LCS and SCS quotas, and increase the hammerhead 
shark minimum recreational size to 78 inches fork length. When taken as 
a whole, Alternative Suite A3 would likely have moderate adverse 
economic impacts on small entities. These impacts would mostly affect 
fishermen catching hammerhead and blacknose sharks. The hammerhead 
shark quota would be based on the scalloped hammerhead shark TAC and 
would potentially reduce hammerhead shark landings in years of high 
landings. The blacknose shark quota in the Atlantic would be reduced, 
while the Gulf of Mexico blacknose TAC would be insufficient to allow 
for commercial or recreational harvest due to discards in other 
fisheries. Recreational management measures would affect fishermen who 
catch hammerhead sharks since the increased size limit would result in 
more hammerhead sharks having to be released under this alternative 
suite. In addition, the lack of quota linkages would allow fishermen to 
fully harvest all of the quotas. While this alternative suite might 
have more beneficial direct economic impacts than preferred Alternative 
Suite A6, the ecological impacts would be adverse and would not achieve 
the objectives and needs for this rulemaking.

1. Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks

    Under Alternative Suite A3, NMFS would remove hammerhead sharks 
from the non-sandbar LCS quota and establish a separate hammerhead 
shark quota for the three species of large hammerhead sharks 
(scalloped, smooth, and great hammerhead sharks), similar to 
Alternative Suites A2 and A6. In contrast to Alternative Suites A2 and 
A6, however, the hammerhead shark quota under Alternative Suite A3 
would not be split between the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico regions; 
rather, there would be one hammerhead shark quota across both regions. 
Although this difference could create some administrative difficulties, 
it is unlikely to alter the economic impacts from Alternative Suites A2 
or A6's minor adverse economic impacts. Alternative Suites A2 and A6 
would split the quota between the two regions based on historical 
landings; therefore, even though there would be one hammerhead shark 
quota under Alternative Suite A3, a similar breakdown of landings would 
likely occur.

2. Large Coastal Sharks

    Non-sandbar LCS management measures under Alternative Suite A3 are 
identical to those under Alternative Suites A2 and A6. See the Large 
Coastal Shark section of Alternative Suite A6 for more details on 
impacts.

3. Gulf of Mexico Blacktip Sharks

    Alternative Suite A3 would create a separate Gulf of Mexico 
blacktip shark TAC and commercial quota, by increasing the TAC 
calculated in Alternative Suites A2 and A6 by 30 percent, which is 
based on the current landings percentage of Gulf of Mexico blacktip 
sharks. This increase would result in a commercial quota of 380.6 mt dw 
(839,090 lb dw), which is a 48 percent increase from average Gulf of 
Mexico blacktip shark landings from 2008-2011 (256.6 mt dw; 565,700 lb 
dw). This increase would increase average ex-vessel revenues across the 
fleet by $339,467 when compared to current revenues.
    From 2008 through 2011, approximately 15 vessels with directed 
shark permits had blacktip shark landings, while approximately 2 
vessels with incidental shark permits had blacktip shark landings in 
the Gulf of Mexico region. Spread amongst the directed and incidental 
shark permit holders that landed blacktip shark, the average shark 
permit holder could potentially land up to $19,969 in additional annual 
revenue from Gulf of Mexico blacktip sharks.

4. Blacknose Sharks

    The blacknose shark management measures under Alternative Suite A3 
are identical to those under Alternative Suites A2 and A6 for the 
Atlantic region. However, there are differences for the Gulf of Mexico 
region. Given that the TAC under Alternative Suite A3 would be 11,900 
sharks, there would be no TAC available for commercial and recreational 
harvest of blacknose sharks in the Gulf of Mexico region. We would then 
work with the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council to reduce the 
mortality of blacknose sharks in the Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawl 
fishery to attain the TAC of 11,900 sharks, and to establish bycatch 
reduction methods, as appropriate, to reduce mortality in the shrimp 
trawl and reef fish fisheries. Currently, the average annual gross 
revenues for blacknose shark landings for the entire commercial fishery 
in the Gulf of Mexico region are $5,645, but would be reduced to $0 
under this alternative. Under Alternative Suite A3, lost revenues would 
lead to moderate direct adverse economic impacts for the 8 directed 
shark and the 2 incidental shark permit holders that land blacknose 
sharks in the Gulf of Mexico.

5. Non-Blacknose Small Coastal Sharks

    Alternative Suite A3 would keep the non-blacknose SCS management 
group as status quo with one regional quota of 221.6 mt dw (488,539 lb 
dw). There would be neutral economic impacts to shark permit holders.

6. Quota Linkages

    Under Alternative Suite A3, no quota linkages would be implemented. 
All shark management groups would open and close independently of each 
other. Quota linkages can lead to closures of shark management groups 
whether their quotas are fully harvested or if landings indicate linked 
quotas are within 80 percent of being fully harvested. If each 
management group opens and closes independently, each quota would have 
a higher likelihood of being filled, allowing for full realization of 
potential revenues. Thus, the lack of quota linkages under this 
alternative suite could lead to beneficial economic impacts in the 
short-term, but adverse economic impacts in the long-term if 
overfishing is allowed to continue.

7. Recreational Measures

    Alternative Suite A3 would increase the minimum recreational size 
for all hammerhead sharks (great, smooth, and scalloped hammerhead 
sharks) to 78 inches fork length, and increase outreach to recreational 
anglers concerning identification of all shark, including prohibited 
species. Therefore, this alternative would likely result in minor 
adverse economic impacts for charter/headboat operators and tournaments 
that target hammerhead sharks because of the reduced incentive to 
recreationally fish for these species. Increasing the recreational size 
limit for hammerhead sharks would ensure that only larger or ``trophy'' 
sized sharks would be landed.

D. Alternative Suite A4

    Alternative Suite A4 would establish new species management groups 
by regions, adjust LCS and SCS quotas, link appropriate quotas, and 
establish a species-specific recreational shark quota. Overall, 
Alternative Suite A4 would likely have direct short- and long-term 
minor, adverse economic impacts. These impacts would mostly affect 
fishermen catching blacknose sharks. The blacknose shark quota in the 
Atlantic region would be reduced, while in the Gulf of Mexico region, 
there would be no TAC available for commercial and recreational harvest 
of

[[Page 40343]]

blacknose sharks given the blacknose shark mortality in non-HMS 
fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico. Recreational management measures would 
affect fishermen who retain sharks because we would implement a 
species-specific quota for the recreational fishery. Neutral economic 
impacts are expected for recreational and commercial fishermen 
targeting scalloped hammerhead sharks, aggregated LCS and non-blacknose 
SCS. While this alternative suite might have minor adverse economic 
impacts, there is the potential for more adverse economic impacts if 
quotas are exceeded in the future. Although this alternative suite 
would allow for the highest Gulf of Mexico blacktip shark commercial 
quota, it is based on base model projections, which the NMFS scientists 
who participated in the stock assessment felt had a high degree of 
uncertainty, and, because these projections were developed outside of 
the standard SEDAR process and were not peer reviewed, they could not 
conclude with certainty that such a high level of catch would not 
result in overfishing. In addition to the uncertainty in the model, the 
blacktip shark quota proposed under this alternative suite could lead 
to increased bycatch of other species due to increased fishing effort. 
For all of these reasons, and because of the potential for additional 
adverse socioeconomic impacts if quotas are exceeded, we do not prefer 
this alternative suite at this time.

1. Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks

    Alternative Suite A4 would use the scalloped hammerhead shark TAC 
established in Hayes et al. (2009) to create separate Atlantic and Gulf 
of Mexico quotas applicable to only scalloped hammerhead sharks rather 
than all three large hammerhead sharks as considered under Alternative 
Suites A2, A3, and A6. The quotas in both regions are higher than 
current landings (see Chapter 2 of the FEIS for landings information). 
Therefore, we expect neutral economic impacts. Great and smooth 
hammerhead sharks could continue to be landed at current levels under 
the aggregated LCS quota.

2. Large Coastal Sharks

    Alternative Suite A4 would establish new aggregated LCS quotas in 
the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico regions using a similar methodology to 
that outlined in Alternative Suites A2 and A6, except for one 
difference. While Alternative Suite A6 would calculate each species' 
contribution to total non-sandbar LCS landings using average annual 
landings between 2008 and 2011, Alternative Suite A4 would instead 
calculate each species' contribution to total non-sandbar LCS landings 
using the year with the highest annual landings for the management 
group between 2008 and 2011 for each species. The year with the highest 
non-sandbar LCS landings in the Atlantic was 2008 and the highest in 
the Gulf of Mexico was 2011. This deviation in method does not 
substantially change the quotas; therefore, economic impacts are 
unchanged from Alternative Suites A2 and A6.

3. Gulf of Mexico Blacktip Sharks

    Alternative Suite A4 would establish a separate Gulf of Mexico 
blacktip shark quota of 1,992.6 mt dw based upon projections produced 
by SEFSC stock assessment scientists. The quota of 1,992.6 mt dw is 
more than five times the current Gulf of Mexico non-sandbar LCS quota. 
Ex-vessel revenue resulting from this blacktip shark quota could 
increase by up to $4,426,331 in the Gulf of Mexico region. Spread 
amongst the 17 directed and incidental shark permit holders that landed 
blacktip sharks, the average shark permit holder could potentially land 
up to $260,372 in additional annual revenue from Gulf of Mexico 
blacktip sharks. However, it is unlikely that this value would be 
realized. The Gulf of Mexico blacktip shark quota would be linked to 
the Gulf of Mexico aggregated LCS and scalloped hammerhead shark 
quotas. All three of these management groups would close when landings 
of any of them reached, or was expected to reach, 80 percent of the 
respective quota. Either the aggregated or scalloped hammerhead quota 
would likely be filled before the larger blacktip shark quota was 
filled. Regardless, the increased blacktip shark quota would allow for 
increased fishing opportunities and positive impacts to small entities.

4. Blacknose Sharks

    Under Alternative Suite A4, the mortality of blacknose sharks in 
the Atlantic region would be limited to the TAC recommended by the 
SEDAR stock assessment of 7,300 blacknose sharks. All of the economic 
impacts resulting for the Atlantic region from this portion of the 
alternative suite are the same as those analyzed in Alternative Suites 
A2 and A6.
    For the Gulf of Mexico region, we would establish a TAC of 9,792 
blacknose sharks. As described in Alternative Suite A3, there would be 
no TAC available for commercial and recreational harvest of blacknose 
sharks in the Gulf of Mexico region given the blacknose shark mortality 
in non-HMS fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico. We would also work with the 
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council to reduce bycatch mortality 
of blacknose sharks in the shrimp trawl and reef fish fisheries. The 
average annual gross revenues for blacknose shark landings for the 
commercial fishery are $5,645, but would be reduced to $0 under this 
alternative. Under Alternative Suite A4, it is anticipated that there 
would be moderate adverse economic impacts. In the short-term lost 
revenues would be moderate for the 5 directed shark and the 2 
incidental shark permit holders that land blacknose sharks in the Gulf 
of Mexico region. Over the long-term, the adverse economic impact would 
be moderate, as the other management measures could be implemented to 
reduce the discards of blacknose sharks.

5. Non-Blacknose Small Coastal Sharks

    Under Alternative Suite A4, we would establish regional quotas for 
non-blacknose SCS by dividing the current quota in half. This 
alternative would cause significant adverse economic impacts for shark 
fishermen in the Atlantic region. Alternative Suite A4 would restrict 
fishing of non-blacknose in the Atlantic to 244,269.5 lb dw and 
potentially reduce current annual revenue by $164,109. In the Gulf of 
Mexico region, this alternative would cause beneficial economic impacts 
for the non-blacknose SCS fishery as the quota would be larger than 
their average landings. This larger quota could potentially increase 
gross revenues by $257,928. However, this alternative suite would cause 
adverse impacts on blacknose sharks since current fishing and bycatch 
levels of blacknose sharks could increase. Since Alternative Suite A4 
would not reduce blacknose shark mortality in the Gulf of Mexico region 
and decrease the Atlantic non-blacknose SCS fishing levels, we do not 
prefer this alternative at this time.

6. Quota Linkages

    Quota linkages under Alternative Suite A4 are nearly identical to 
those under Alternative Suite A2, except that instead of linking the 
hammerhead quotas to the aggregated LCS quota in the Atlantic and Gulf 
of Mexico regions, the scalloped hammerhead quota would be linked 
instead. This deviation should not change the expected economic 
impacts. In addition, we would link the Atlantic blacknose and non-
blacknose SCS quotas, and Gulf of Mexico blacknose shark and non-
blacknose SCS quotas, and allow inseason quota transfer between the 
non-blacknose SCS regions. The quota linkages proposed

[[Page 40344]]

under Alternative Suite A4 would be expected to have moderate adverse 
economic impacts.

7. Recreational Measures

    Under Alternative Suite A4, we would establish species-specific 
recreational shark quotas. This alternative would cause short-term 
neutral economic impacts for recreational fishermen as it would 
restrict landings to current levels. In the long-term, this alternative 
could have minor adverse socioeconomic impacts if the species-specific 
recreational shark quotas are exceeded and we implement additional 
management measures. This would have a greater effect on tournaments 
and charter vessels that target sharks.

E. Alternative Suite A5

    Alternative Suite A5 would close all commercial and recreational 
shark fisheries. Alternative Suite A5 would likely have significant 
adverse economic impacts because recreational and commercial shark 
fishing in the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean would be 
prohibited. Because other alternatives would meet the objectives of 
this Amendment with less significant adverse socioeconomic impacts, 
NMFS does not prefer this alternative suite at this time.

1. Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks

    Currently, scalloped hammerhead sharks provide fishery-wide revenue 
of $72,404 (as discussed under Alternative Suite A1), which would be 
lost under this alternative suite. Consequently, the scalloped 
hammerhead shark portion of Alternative Suite A5 would be expected to 
only have moderate adverse direct economic impacts.

2. Large Coastal Sharks

    Closure of the LCS fishery would have significant adverse direct 
economic impacts. Many fishermen rely on the LCS fishery for a large 
portion of annual earnings. A closure of the fishery would 
significantly impact the livelihoods of these fishermen. Currently, 
commercial landings of non-sandbar LCS generate annual revenues of 
$1,745,071 (as discussed under Alternative Suite A1), which would be 
lost under this alternative suite.

3. Gulf of Mexico Blacktip Sharks

    Currently, Gulf of Mexico blacktip sharks provide fishery-wide 
revenue of $625,487 (as discussed under Alternative Suite A1), which 
would be lost under this alternative suite and the annual revenue of 
the approximately 17 direct and incidental shark permit holders that 
had blacktip shark landings would be reduced by $36,793 per permit 
holder. Consequently, the Gulf of Mexico blacktip shark portion of 
Alternative Suite A5 would be expected to have significant adverse 
economic impacts.

4. Blacknose Sharks

    Alternative Suite A5 would close the entire blacknose shark 
management group, prohibiting the landing of any blacknose sharks. This 
alternative would have significant, adverse, economic impacts on 
fishermen with directed and incidental shark permits that fish for 
blacknose: The 25 directed shark permit holders, and the 3 incidental 
shark permit holders that had blacknose shark landings during 2008 
through 2011. The result would be a loss of average annual gross 
revenues of $52,941 from blacknose shark landings. While this 
alternative could reduce blacknose mortality below the commercial 
allowance required to rebuild blacknose shark stocks, it would also 
drastically reduce non-blacknose SCS landings, and have the largest 
social and economic impacts of all the alternatives considered. This 
action would require fishermen to leave the closed shark fisheries 
altogether.

5. Non-Blacknose Small Coastal Sharks

    Alternative Suite A5 would close the entire SCS commercial shark 
fishery, prohibiting the landing of any SCS, including finetooth, 
Atlantic sharpnose, and bonnethead. This alternative would have 
significant, adverse, socioeconomic impacts on fishermen with directed 
and incidental shark permits that fish for non-blacknose SCS, the 41 
directed shark permit holders, and the 13 incidental shark permit 
holders that had non-blacknose SCS landings since Amendment 3 was 
implemented in 2010. The result would be a loss of average annual gross 
revenues of $548,345 from non-blacknose SCS landings. This action would 
require fishermen to leave the closed shark fisheries altogether.

6. Quota Linkages

    Alternative Suite A5 would close all federally managed Atlantic 
recreational and commercial shark fisheries, obviating the need for 
quota linkages. The quota linkages portion of Alternative Suite A5 
would likely result in no additional economic impacts on small 
entities.

7. Recreational Measures

    Alternative Suite A5 would have direct significant adverse 
socioeconomic impacts because it would prohibit the retention of all 
sharks for recreational anglers. This would have a significant effect 
on tournaments and charter vessels that target sharks. Thus, NMFS does 
not prefer this alternative suite at this time.

F. Alternative Suite A6

    Alternative Suite A6, the preferred alternative, will establish new 
species management groups by regions, adjust LCS and SCS quotas, link 
appropriate quotas, and increase the shark minimum recreational size to 
78 inches fork length for great, scalloped, and smooth hammerhead 
sharks. When taken as a whole, Alternative Suite A6 would likely have 
direct short- and long-term minor adverse economic impacts. These 
impacts would mostly affect fishermen targeting scalloped hammerhead 
and blacknose sharks because the quotas would constrain fishing in 
years of higher than average landings. These fishermen are likely to 
adapt to the new regulations by fishing in other fisheries, or change 
their fishing habitats. Recreational management measures will increase 
the size limit and cause fishermen to catch and release more hammerhead 
sharks. Neutral economic impacts are expected for fishermen targeting 
the aggregated LCS and non-blacknose SCS management groups since the 
preferred quotas are based on the average landings for each species. 
Furthermore, quota linkages would affect the economic impacts based on 
the fishing rate of each linked shark quota, and recreational measures 
would likely have beneficial economic impacts in the long-term. When we 
compare the economic impacts of Alternative Suite A6 to the other 
alternative suites, this alternative suite would cause fewer impacts 
overall to fishermen. For this reason and the ecological reasons 
previously discussed, we prefer this alternative suite at this time.

1. Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks

    Under Alternative Suite A6, NMFS will establish an Atlantic and a 
Gulf of Mexico hammerhead shark quota (including great, scalloped, and 
smooth hammerhead sharks) using the methodology outlined in Chapter 2 
of the FEIS. When comparing average landings of hammerhead sharks from 
2008-2011 to the preferred quotas revenue in the Gulf of Mexico region 
would be increased by $2,005 and increase in the Atlantic region by 
$1,719. However, because hammerhead sharks are currently counted 
against the regional non-sandbar LCS quotas, which are much higher than 
the preferred regional hammerhead shark quotas, the opportunities to 
land hammerhead

[[Page 40345]]

sharks would be reduced in years of higher than average landings. 
Therefore, there would be minimal impact on the annual revenues of 
individual vessels actively involved in the fishery most years, but 
minor adverse impacts in years of higher than average landings.

2. Large Coastal Sharks

    Alternative Suite A6 will establish new, separate quotas for 
hammerhead sharks (great, scalloped, and smooth) and Gulf of Mexico 
blacktip sharks, necessitating removal of these species from the non-
sandbar LCS management group (which will then be renamed ``aggregated 
LCS'' in both the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico regions). The aggregated 
LCS quota will be based on average annual landings of the remaining 
species (see Chapter 2 in the FEIS for annual landings of remaining 
species); therefore, those species composing the aggregated LCS 
management group would not experience a change in fishing pressure and 
landings would be capped at recent levels. For these reasons, economic 
impacts to small entities resulting from this portion of Alternative 
Suite A6 are expected to be neutral.

3. Gulf of Mexico Blacktip Sharks

    This alternative suite's blacktip shark action, to set the 
commercial quota according to recent average landings, is likely to 
result in neutral economic impacts to small entities. As discussed in 
Chapter 1 of the FEIS, based on the SEDAR 29 Gulf of Mexico blacktip 
shark stock assessment, we have determined that the Gulf of Mexico 
blacktip shark stock is not overfished and not experiencing 
overfishing. These results indicate the Gulf of Mexico blacktip shark 
stock can sustain current fishing levels and should not result in any 
additional impacts to small entities.

4. Blacknose Sharks

    Under Alternative Suite A6, we will separate blacknose sharks into 
the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico regions as suggested in the SEDAR 21 
stock assessment (NMFS 2011). These alternatives will decrease the 
blacknose shark landings in each region. Average annual gross revenues 
for the blacknose shark landings for the Atlantic region would increase 
from $54,113 under the No Action alternative to $54,854 under 
Alternative Suite A6. We anticipate that these directed and incidental 
shark permit holders would experience minor adverse economic impacts as 
blacknose sharks are not the targeted shark species for SCS fishermen. 
Average annual gross revenues for the blacknose shark landings for the 
Gulf of Mexico region would decrease from $5,645 under the No Action 
alternative to $5,641 under Alternative Suite A6. We anticipate that 
these directed and incidental shark permit holders would experience 
neutral economic impacts since the new Gulf of Mexico blacknose shark 
quota is consistent with current landings. In the short-term, lost 
revenues would be moderate for the 20 directed shark permit and 1 
incidental shark permit holders that land blacknose sharks in the 
Atlantic region, and the 5 directed shark and the 2 incidental shark 
permits that land blacknose sharks in the Gulf of Mexico region.

5. Non-Blacknose Small Coastal Sharks

    Alternative Suite A6 will establish regional quotas for non-
blacknose SCS based on the landings since Amendment 3 was implemented 
in 2010 (NMFS 2010). In the Atlantic region, an average of 
approximately 35 vessels with directed shark permits had non-blacknose 
shark landings, while approximately 9 vessels with incidental shark 
permits had non-blacknose SCS landings. In the Gulf of Mexico region, 
an average of approximately 5 vessels with directed shark permits had 
non-blacknose shark landings, while approximately 2 vessels with 
incidental shark permits had non-blacknose SCS landings since Amendment 
3 was implemented in 2010. Under the Alternative Suite A6, there would 
be neutral economic impacts to directed and incidental shark permit 
holders as the average annual gross revenues from non-blacknose SCS 
landings would be the same as the status quo in the short- and long- 
term. Fishermen would be expected to operate in the same manner as the 
status quo in the short-term. However, this alternative suite could 
have minor negative economic impacts on fishermen if fishing effort 
increases for non-blacknose SCS. The fishery has never filled the 
entire quota established for the fishery in 2010, but that could change 
with a smaller regional quota and if fishermen are displaced from other 
fisheries.

6. Quota Linkages

    The quota linkages preferred under this alternative suite could 
have short- and long-term moderate adverse economic impacts. Quota 
linkages are explicitly designed to concurrently close multiple shark 
management groups, regardless of whether all the linked quotas are 
filled. This provides protection against incidental capture for species 
for which the quota has been reached, but it could also preclude 
fishermen from harvesting the entirety of each of the linked quotas. A 
quantitative analysis of the economic impact is not possible without 
comparing the rates of hammerhead shark, blacktip shark, and aggregated 
LCS catch, and without knowing the extent to which fishermen can avoid 
hammerhead sharks. However, a qualitative analysis can provide insight 
on the possibility of adverse socioeconomic impacts. Under Alternative 
Suite A6, both the Atlantic hammerhead shark and Atlantic aggregated 
LCS management groups will close when landings of either reaches or is 
expected to reach 80 percent of the quota, and in the Gulf of Mexico 
region, the hammerhead shark and Gulf of Mexico aggregated LCS 
management groups will close when landings of either one reaches or is 
expected to reach 80 percent of its quota. If the entire aggregated LCS 
quota has not been harvested, the fishery would not realize the full 
level of revenues possible under the established quota. However, given 
that the hammerhead shark quotas for the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico 
regions are larger than average landings of hammerhead sharks in each 
region by a little more than 2,000 lb and that the Atlantic and Gulf of 
Mexico aggregated LCS quotas are not changing from average landings, we 
do not expect either quota to reach or be projected to reach 80 percent 
significantly faster than the other quota in either region as a result 
of this alternative suite. Additionally, unlike Alternative Suite A2, 
the Gulf of Mexico blacktip shark quota will not be linked to the 
hammerhead shark and aggregated LCS quotas under Alternative Suite A6. 
This will allow Gulf of Mexico fishermen to continue to fish for 
blacktip sharks following the closures of the hammerhead and LCS 
quotas. We will also have the ability to transfer hammerhead shark 
quota between regions to allow for the greatest opportunity to harvest 
the aggregated LCS quotas while not exceeding the combined regional 
quotas for hammerhead sharks, which may help to further minimize the 
likelihood of adverse socioeconomic impacts. The blacknose shark and 
non-blacknose SCS socioeconomic impacts would be the same as the LCS 
since there would be similar scenarios with the quota linkage by 
species and region. In addition, we would allow inseason quota 
transfers between non-blacknose SCS regions. This would have minor 
beneficial economic impacts for the fishery as the non-blacknose SCS 
quota would not be the limiting factor. Consequently, the quota 
linkages proposed under this Alternative Suite could have moderate

[[Page 40346]]

adverse economic impacts in some years with high landings, but are 
expected to have neutral impacts most years.

7. Recreational Measures

    Alternative Suite A6 will increase the current recreational size 
limit for hammerhead shark species to 78 inches fork length, and 
provide additional outreach to recreational anglers regarding 
identification of all sharks, including prohibited shark species. 
Implementation of these management measures would result in minor 
alterations to the way tournaments and charter vessels operate, and 
minimal reductions in opportunity and demand for recreational shark 
fishing, which could create some minor adverse economic impacts in the 
short-term. However, these measures would help the hammerhead stocks 
rebuild, reduce accidental harvest of prohibited species, and possibly 
increase recreational fishing opportunities in the future.

Small Entity Compliance Guide

    Section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness 
Act of 1996 states that, for each rule or group of related rules for 
which an agency is required to prepare a FRFA, the agency shall publish 
one or more guides to assist small entities in complying with the rule, 
and shall designate such publications as ``small entity compliance 
guides.'' The agency shall explain the actions a small entity is 
required to take to comply with a rule or group of rules. Copies of 
this final rule and the compliance guide are available upon request 
from us (see ADDRESSES). Copies of the compliance guide will be 
available from the Highly Migratory Species Management Division Web 
site at https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 635

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

    Dated: June 27, 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.
    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 635 is amended 
as follows:

PART 635--ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES

0
1. The authority citation for part 635 continues to read as follows:

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

0
2. In Sec.  635.2:
0
a. Add in alphabetical order the definitions of ``Atlantic Aggregated 
LCS,'' ``FL (fork length),'' ``Gulf of Mexico Aggregated LCS,'' and 
``Hammerhead Shark(s)'';
0
b. Remove the definitions of ``Non-ridgeback large coastal shark'' and 
``Non-sandbar LCS'';
0
c. Add in alphabetical order the definition of ``Research LCS''; and
0
d. Remove the definition of ``Ridgeback large coastal shark''.
    The additions read as follows:


Sec.  635.2  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Atlantic Aggregated LCS means one of the following species, or 
parts thereof, as listed in Table 1 of Appendix A of this part: 
Atlantic blacktip, bull, lemon, nurse, silky, spinner, and tiger.
* * * * *
    FL (fork length) means the straight line measurement along the 
length of the fish from the tip of the upper jaw to the fork of the 
tail.
* * * * *
    Gulf of Mexico Aggregated LCS means one of the following species, 
or parts thereof, as listed in Table 1 of appendix A of this part: 
bull, lemon, nurse, silky, spinner, and tiger.
* * * * *
    Hammerhead Shark(s) means great, scalloped, and smooth hammerhead 
shark species, or parts thereof, as listed in Table 1 in Appendix A of 
this part.
* * * * *
    Research LCS means one of the species, or part thereof, listed 
under heading A of Table 1 in Appendix A of this part, other than 
sandbar sharks.
* * * * *
0
3. In Sec.  635.5, paragraph (c)(1) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  635.5  Recordkeeping and reporting.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (1) Bluefin tuna. The owner of a vessel permitted, or required to 
be permitted, in the Atlantic HMS Angling or Atlantic HMS Charter/
Headboat category must report all BFT caught under the Angling category 
quota designated at Sec.  635.27(a) through the NMFS automated catch 
reporting system within 24 hours of the landing. Such reports may be 
made by calling a phone number designated by NMFS or submitting the 
required information electronically in the method designated by NMFS.
* * * * *

0
4. In Sec.  635.20, paragraphs (a) and (e)(2) are revised, and 
paragraph (e)(4) is added to read as follows:


Sec.  635.20  Size limits.

    (a) General. The CFL will be the sole criterion for determining the 
size and/or size class of whole (head on) Atlantic tunas.
* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (2) All sharks, except those specified at Sec.  635.20(e)(4), 
landed under the recreational retention limits specified at Sec.  
635.22(c)(2) must be at least 54 inches (137 cm) FL.
* * * * *
    (4) All hammerhead sharks landed under the recreational retention 
limits specified at Sec.  635.22(c)(2) must be at least 78 inches 
(198.1 cm) FL.
* * * * *

0
5. In Sec.  635.21, remove the introductory text and revise paragraph 
(c)(5)(iii)(C) introductory text to read as follows:


Sec.  635.21  Gear operation and deployment restrictions.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (5) * * *
    (iii) * * *
    (C) Hook size, type, and bait. Vessels fishing outside of the 
Northeast Distant gear restricted area, as defined at Sec.  635.2, that 
have pelagic longline gear on board, and that have been issued, or are 
required to have, a limited access swordfish, shark, or tuna longline 
category permit for use in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean 
Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, are limited, at all times, to possessing on 
board and/or using only whole finfish and/or squid bait, and the 
following types and sizes of fishing hooks:
* * * * *

0
6. In Sec.  635.22, paragraph (c)(2) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  635.22  Recreational retention limits.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (2) Only one shark from the following list may be retained per 
vessel per trip, subject to the size limits described in Sec.  
635.20(e)(2) and (4): Atlantic blacktip, Gulf of Mexico blacktip, bull, 
great hammerhead, scalloped hammerhead, smooth hammerhead, lemon, 
nurse, spinner, tiger, blue, common thresher, oceanic whitetip, 
porbeagle, shortfin mako, Atlantic sharpnose, finetooth, Atlantic 
blacknose, Gulf of Mexico blacknose, and bonnethead.
* * * * *

[[Page 40347]]


0
7. In Sec.  635.24, revise paragraphs (a)(2), (a)(3), and (a)(4)(ii) 
and remove and reserve paragraph (a)(7).
    The revisions read as follows:


Sec.  635.24  Commercial retention limits for sharks, swordfish, and 
BAYS tunas.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (2) A person who owns or operates a vessel that has been issued a 
directed LAP for sharks and does not have a valid shark research 
permit, or a person who owns or operates a vessel that has been issued 
a directed LAP for sharks and that has been issued a shark research 
permit but does not have a NMFS-approved observer on board, may retain, 
possess, or land no more than 36 LCS other than sandbar sharks per 
vessel per trip if the respective LCS management group(s) is open per 
Sec. Sec.  635.27 and 635.28. Such persons may not retain, possess, or 
land sandbar sharks.
    (3) A person who owns or operates a vessel that has been issued an 
incidental LAP for sharks and does not have a valid shark research 
permit, or a person who owns or operates a vessel that has been issued 
an incidental LAP for sharks and that has been issued a valid shark 
research permit but does not have a NMFS-approved observer on board, 
may retain, possess, or land no more than 3 LCS other than sandbar 
sharks per vessel per trip if the respective LCS management group(s) is 
open per Sec. Sec.  635.27 and 635.28. Such persons may not retain, 
possess, or land sandbar sharks.
    (4) * * *
    (ii) A person who owns or operates a vessel that has been issued a 
directed shark LAP may retain, possess, or land blacknose and non-
blacknose SCS if the respective blacknose and non-blacknose SCS 
management group is open per Sec. Sec.  635.27 and 635.28.
* * * * *

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


Sec.  635.27  Quotas.

* * * * *
    (b) Sharks--(1) Commercial quotas. The commercial quotas for sharks 
specified in this section apply to all sharks harvested from the 
management unit, regardless of where harvested. The base quotas listed 
below may be adjusted per paragraph (b)(2) of this section. Sharks 
taken and landed commercially from state waters, even by fishermen 
without Federal shark permits, must be counted against the commercial 
quota. Any sharks landed commercially as ``unclassified'' will be 
counted against the appropriate quota based on the species composition 
calculated from data collected by observers on non-research trips and/
or dealer data. No prohibited sharks, including parts or pieces of 
prohibited sharks, which are listed under heading D of Table 1 of 
Appendix A to this part, may be retained except as authorized under 
Sec.  635.32. For the purposes of this section, the boundary between 
the Gulf of Mexico region and the Atlantic region is defined as a line 
beginning on the east coast of Florida at the mainland at 25[deg]20.4' 
N. lat, proceeding due east. Any water and land to the south and west 
of that boundary is considered, for the purposes of quota monitoring 
and setting of quotas, to be within the Gulf of Mexico region. Any 
water and land to the north and east of that boundary, for the purposes 
of quota monitoring and setting of quotas, is considered to be within 
the Atlantic region.
    (i) Sandbar sharks. The base annual commercial quota for sandbar 
sharks is 116.6 mt dw. This quota, as adjusted per paragraph (b)(2) of 
this section, is available only to the owners of commercial shark 
vessels that have been issued a valid shark research permit and that 
have a NMFS-approved observer onboard.
    (ii) Atlantic aggregated LCS. The base annual commercial quota for 
Atlantic aggregated LCS is 168.9 mt dw. The commercial quota for the 
Atlantic aggregated LCS, as adjusted per paragraph (b)(2) of this 
section, applies only to those species of sharks that were caught in 
the Atlantic region, as defined in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
    (iii) Gulf of Mexico aggregated LCS. The base annual commercial 
quota for Gulf of Mexico aggregated LCS is 157.5 mt dw. The commercial 
quota for the Gulf of Mexico aggregated LCS, as adjusted per paragraph 
(b)(2), applies only to those species of sharks that were caught in the 
Gulf of Mexico region, as defined in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
    (iv) Research LCS. The base annual commercial quota for Research 
LCS is 50 mt dw. This quota, as adjusted per paragraph (b)(2) of this 
section, is available only to the owners of commercial shark vessels 
that have been issued a valid shark research permit and that have a 
NMFS-approved observer onboard.
    (v) Hammerhead sharks. The base annual commercial quota for 
hammerhead sharks is 52.4 mt dw. This quota is split between the 
regions defined in paragraph (b)(1) of this section as follows: 
Atlantic region receives 51.7% of the base quota, except as adjusted 
per paragraph (b)(2) of this section; Gulf of Mexico region receives 
48.3% of the base quota, except as adjusted per paragraph (b)(2) of 
this section. The commercial quota for Atlantic hammerhead sharks 
applies only to those species of sharks that were caught in the 
Atlantic region, as defined in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. The 
commercial quota for Gulf of Mexico hammerhead sharks applies only to 
those species of sharks that were caught in the Gulf of Mexico region, 
as defined in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
    (vi) Gulf of Mexico blacktip sharks. The base annual commercial 
quota for Gulf of Mexico blacktip sharks is 256.6 mt dw. The commercial 
quota for Gulf of Mexico blacktip sharks, as adjusted per paragraph 
(b)(2) of this section, applies only to those species of sharks that 
were caught in the Gulf of Mexico region, as defined in paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section.
    (vii) Non-blacknose small coastal sharks. The base annual 
commercial quota for non-blacknose small coastal sharks across all 
regions is 221.6 mt dw. This quota is split between the regions defined 
in paragraph (b)(1) of this section as follows: the Atlantic region 
receives 79.5% of the base quota, except as adjusted per paragraph 
(b)(2) of this section; the Gulf of Mexico region receives 20.5% of the 
base quota, except as adjusted per paragraph (b)(2) of this section. 
The commercial quota for Atlantic non-blacknose SCS applies only to 
those species of sharks that were caught in the Atlantic region, as 
defined in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. The commercial quota for 
Gulf of Mexico non-blacknose SCS applies only to those species of 
sharks that were caught in the Gulf of Mexico region, as defined in 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
    (viii) Atlantic blacknose sharks. The base annual commercial quota 
for Atlantic blacknose sharks is 18.0 mt dw. The commercial quota for 
Atlantic blacknose sharks, as adjusted per paragraph (b)(2) of this 
section, applies only to those species of sharks that were caught in 
the Atlantic region, as defined in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
    (ix) Gulf of Mexico blacknose sharks. The base annual commercial 
quota for Gulf of Mexico blacknose sharks is 2.0 mt dw. The commercial 
quota for Gulf of Mexico blacknose sharks, as adjusted per paragraph 
(b)(2) of this section, applies only to those species of sharks that 
were caught in the Gulf of Mexico region, as defined in paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section.
    (x) Pelagic sharks. The base annual commercial quotas for pelagic 
sharks are 273.0 mt dw for blue sharks, 1.7 mt dw for porbeagle sharks, 
and 488.0 mt dw for pelagic sharks other than blue sharks or porbeagle 
sharks.

[[Page 40348]]

    (2) Annual and inseason adjustments of commercial quotas. NMFS will 
publish in the Federal Register any annual or inseason adjustments to 
the base annual commercial quotas. The base annual quota will not be 
available, and the fishery will not open, until any adjustments are 
published in the Federal Register and effective. Within a fishing year 
or at the start of a fishing year, NMFS may transfer quotas between 
regions of the same species or management group, as appropriate, based 
on the criteria in paragraph (b)(2)(iii) of this section.
    (i) Annual overharvest adjustments. Except as noted in this 
paragraph, if any of the available commercial base or adjusted quotas 
as described in this section is exceeded in any fishing year, NMFS will 
deduct an amount equivalent to the overharvest(s) from the base quota 
the following fishing year or, depending on the level of 
overharvest(s), NMFS may deduct from the base quota an amount 
equivalent to the overharvest(s) spread over a number of subsequent 
fishing years to a maximum of five years. If the blue shark quota is 
exceeded, NMFS will reduce the annual commercial quota for pelagic 
sharks by the amount that the blue shark quota is exceeded prior to the 
start of the next fishing year or, depending on the level of 
overharvest(s), deduct an amount equivalent to the overharvest(s) 
spread over a number of subsequent fishing years to a maximum of five 
years.
    (ii) Annual underharvest adjustments. If any of the annual base or 
adjusted quotas as described in this section is not harvested, NMFS may 
adjust the annual base quota depending on the status of the stock or 
management group. If a species or a specific species within a 
management group is declared to be overfished, to have overfishing 
occurring, or to have an unknown status, NMFS may not adjust the 
following fishing year's base quota for any underharvest, and the 
following fishing year's quota will be equal to the base annual quota. 
If the species or all species in a management group is not declared to 
be overfished, to have overfishing occurring, or to have an unknown 
status, NMFS may increase the following year's base annual quota by an 
equivalent amount of the underharvest up to 50 percent above the base 
annual quota. Except as noted in (b)(2)(iii) of this section, 
underharvests are not transferable between regions, species, and/or 
management groups.
    (iii) Determination criteria for inseason and annual quota 
transfers between regions. Inseason and/or annual quota transfers of 
regional quotas between regions may be conducted only for species or 
management groups where the species are the same between regions and 
the quota is split between regions for management purposes and not as a 
result of a stock assessment. Before making any inseason or annual 
quota transfer between regions, NMFS will consider the following 
criteria and other relevant factors:
    (A) The usefulness of information obtained from catches in the 
particular management group for biological sampling and monitoring of 
the status of the respective shark species and/or management group;
    (B) The catches of the particular species and/or management group 
quota to date and the likelihood of closure of that segment of the 
fishery if no adjustment is made;
    (C) The projected ability of the vessels fishing under the 
particular species and/or management group quota to harvest the 
additional amount of corresponding quota before the end of the fishing 
year;
    (D) Effects of the adjustment on the status of all shark species;
    (E) Effects of the adjustment on accomplishing the objectives of 
the fishery management plan;
    (F) Variations in seasonal distribution, abundance, or migration 
patterns of the appropriate shark species and/or management group;
    (G) Effects of catch rates in one area precluding vessels in 
another area from having a reasonable opportunity to harvest a portion 
of the quota; and/or
    (H) Review of dealer reports, daily landing trends, and the 
availability of the respective shark species and/or management group on 
the fishing grounds.
    (3) Opening commercial fishing season criteria. NMFS will file with 
the Office of the Federal Register for publication notification of the 
opening dates of the shark fishery for each species and management 
group. Before making any decisions, NMFS would consider the following 
criteria and other relevant factors in establishing the opening dates:
    (i) The available annual quotas for the current fishing season for 
the different species/management groups based on any over- and/or 
underharvests experienced during the previous commercial shark fishing 
seasons;
    (ii) Estimated season length based on available quota(s) and 
average weekly catch rates of different species and/or management group 
from the previous years;
    (iii) Length of the season for the different species and/or 
management group in the previous years and whether fishermen were able 
to participate in the fishery in those years;
    (iv) Variations in seasonal distribution, abundance, or migratory 
patterns of the different species/management groups based on scientific 
and fishery information;
    (v) Effects of catch rates in one part of a region precluding 
vessels in another part of that region from having a reasonable 
opportunity to harvest a portion of the different species and/or 
management quotas;
    (vi) Effects of the adjustment on accomplishing the objectives of 
the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and its amendments; and/or,
    (vii) Effects of a delayed opening with regard to fishing 
opportunities in other fisheries.
    (4) Public display and non-specific research quotas. All sharks 
collected under the authority of a display permit or EFP, subject to 
restrictions at Sec.  635.32, will be counted against the following:
    (i) The base annual quota for persons who collect LCS other than 
sandbar, SCS, pelagic sharks, blue sharks, porbeagle sharks, or 
prohibited species under a display permit or EFP is 57.2 mt ww (41.2 mt 
dw).
    (ii) The base annual quota for persons who collect sandbar sharks 
under a display permit is 1.4 mt ww (1.0 mt dw) and under an EFP is 1.4 
mt ww (1.0 mt dw).
    (iii) No persons may collect dusky sharks under a display permit. 
Collection of dusky sharks for research under EFPs and/or SRPs may be 
considered on a case-by-case basis and any associated mortality would 
be deducted from the shark research and display quota.
* * * * *

0
9. In Sec.  635.28, the section heading and paragraph (b) are revised 
to read as follows:


Sec.  635.28  Fishery closures.

* * * * *
    (b) Sharks--(1) Non-linked quotas: The commercial fishery for a 
species or management group that is not linked to another species or 
management group will open as specified at Sec.  635.27(b). Except as 
noted in (b)(4) of this section, when NMFS calculates that the landings 
for the shark species management group, as specified in Sec.  
635.27(b)(1), has reached or is projected to reach 80 percent of the 
available quota as specified in Sec.  635.27(b)(1), NMFS will file for 
publication with the Office of the Federal Register a notice of closure 
for that shark species, shark management group, and/or region that will 
be

[[Page 40349]]

effective no fewer than 5 days from date of filing. From the effective 
date and time of the closure until NMFS announces, via the publication 
of a notice in the Federal Register, that additional quota is available 
and the season is reopened, the fisheries for the shark species or 
management group are closed, even across fishing years.
    (2) Linked Quotas: As specified in paragraph (b)(3) of this 
section, the quotas of some shark species and/or management groups are 
linked to the quotas of other shark species and/or management groups. 
The commercial fishery for all linked species and or management groups 
will open as specified at Sec.  635.27(b). When NMFS calculates that 
the landings for any species and/or management group of a linked group 
has reached or is projected to reach 80 percent of the available quota 
as specified in Sec.  635.27(b)(1), NMFS will file for publication with 
the Office of the Federal Register a notice of closure for all of the 
species and/or management groups in a linked group that will be 
effective no fewer than 5 days from date of filing. From the effective 
date and time of the closure until NMFS announces, via the publication 
of a notice in the Federal Register, that additional quota is available 
and the season is reopened, the fishery for all linked species and/or 
management groups is closed, even across fishing years.
    (3) The quotas of the following species and/or management groups 
are linked:
    (i) Atlantic hammerhead sharks and Atlantic aggregated LCS;
    (ii) Gulf of Mexico hammerhead sharks and Gulf of Mexico aggregated 
LCS;
    (iii) Atlantic blacknose and Atlantic non-blacknose SCS; and,
    (iv) Gulf of Mexico blacknose and Gulf of Mexico non-blacknose SCS.
    (4) NMFS may close the Gulf of Mexico blacktip shark management 
group before landings reach, or are expected to reach, 80 percent of 
the quota. Before taking any inseason action, NMFS will consider the 
following criteria and other relevant factors:
    (i) Estimated Gulf of Mexico blacktip shark season length based on 
available quota and average weekly catch rates during the current 
fishing year and from previous years;
    (ii) Variations in seasonal distribution, abundance, or migratory 
patterns of blacktip sharks, hammerhead sharks, and aggregated LCS 
based on scientific and fishery information;
    (iii) Effects of the adjustment on accomplishing the objectives of 
the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and its amendments;
    (iv) The amount of remaining shark quota in the relevant area or 
region, to date, based on dealer or other reports; and/or,
    (v) The catch rates of the relevant shark species/management 
groups, to date, based on dealer or other reports.
    (5) When the fishery for a shark species and/or management group is 
closed, a fishing vessel, issued a Federal Atlantic commercial shark 
permit pursuant to Sec.  635.4, may not possess or sell a shark of that 
species and/or management group, except under the conditions specified 
in Sec.  635.22(a) and (c) or if the vessel possesses a valid shark 
research permit under Sec.  635.32, a NMFS-approved observer is 
onboard, and the sandbar and/or Research LCS fishery is open. A shark 
dealer, issued a permit pursuant to Sec.  635.4, may not purchase or 
receive a shark of that species and/or management group from a vessel 
issued a Federal Atlantic commercial shark permit, except that a 
permitted shark dealer or processor may possess sharks that were 
harvested, off-loaded, and sold, traded, or bartered, prior to the 
effective date of the closure and were held in storage. Under a closure 
for a shark management group, a shark dealer, issued a permit pursuant 
to Sec.  635.4 may, in accordance with State regulations, purchase or 
receive a shark of that species or management group if the sharks were 
harvested, off-loaded, and sold, traded, or bartered from a vessel that 
fishes only in State waters and that has not been issued a Federal 
Atlantic commercial shark permit, HMS Angling permit, or HMS Charter/
Headboat permit pursuant to Sec.  635.4. Additionally, under a closure 
for a shark species and/or management group, a shark dealer, issued a 
permit pursuant to Sec.  635.4, may purchase or receive a shark of that 
species group if the sandbar and/or Research LCS fishery is open and 
the sharks were harvested, off-loaded, and sold, traded, or bartered 
from a vessel issued a valid shark research permit (per Sec.  635.32) 
that had a NMFS-approved observer on board during the trip sharks were 
collected.
* * * * *

0
10. In Sec.  635.31, paragraphs (c)(1) and (4) are revised to read as 
follows:


Sec.  635.31  Restrictions on sale and purchase.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (1) Persons who own or operate a vessel that possesses a shark from 
the management unit may sell such shark only if the vessel has a valid 
commercial shark permit issued under this part. Persons may possess and 
sell a shark only when the fishery for that species, management group, 
and/or region has not been closed, as specified in Sec.  635.28(b).
* * * * *
    (4) Only dealers who have a valid shark dealer permit and who have 
submitted reports to NMFS according to reporting requirements of Sec.  
635.5(b)(1)(ii) may first receive a shark from an owner or operator of 
a vessel that has, or is required to have, a valid federal Atlantic 
commercial shark permit issued under this part. Dealers may purchase a 
shark only from an owner or operator of a vessel who has a valid 
commercial shark permit issued under this part, except that dealers may 
purchase a shark from an owner or operator of a vessel who does not 
have a commercial permit for shark if that vessel fishes exclusively in 
state waters. Dealers may purchase a sandbar shark only from an owner 
or operator of a vessel who has a valid shark research permit and who 
had a NMFS-approved observer onboard the vessel for the trip in which 
the sandbar shark was collected. Dealers may purchase a shark from an 
owner or operator of fishing vessel who has a valid commercial shark 
permit issued under this part only when the fishery for that species, 
management group, and/or region has not been closed, as specified in 
Sec.  635.28(b).
* * * * *

0
11. In Sec.  635.71, paragraphs (d)(3) and (4) are revised to read as 
follows:


Sec.  635.71  Prohibitions

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (3) Retain, possess, or land a shark of a species or management 
group when the fishery for that species, management group, and/or 
region is closed, as specified in Sec.  635.28(b).
    (4) Sell or purchase a shark of a species or management group when 
the fishery for that species, management group, and/or region is 
closed, as specified in Sec.  635.28(b).
* * * * *

0
12. In Appendix A to Part 635, Sections A, B, and D of Table 1 are 
revised to read as follows:

Appendix A to Part 635--Species Tables

Table 1 of Appendix A to Part 635--Oceanic Sharks
A. Large Coastal Sharks
    Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico blacktip, Carcharhinus limbatus
    Bull, Carcharhinus leucas
    Great hammerhead, Sphyrna mokarran
    Lemon, Negaprion brevirostris

[[Page 40350]]

    Nurse, Ginglymostoma cirratum
    Sandbar, Carcharhinus plumbeus
    Scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini
    Silky, Carcharhinus falciformis
    Smooth hammerhead, Sphyrna zygaena
    Spinner, Carcharhinus brevipinna
    Tiger, Galeocerdo cuvier
B. Small Coastal Sharks
    Atlantic sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
    Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico blacknose, Carcharhinus acronotus
    Bonnethead, Sphyrna tiburo
    Finetooth, Carcharhinus isodon
* * * * *
D. Prohibited Sharks
    Atlantic angel, Squatina dumeril
    Basking, Cetorhinus maximus
    Bigeye sand tiger, Odontaspis noronhai
    Bigeye sixgill, Hexanchus nakamurai
    Bigeye thresher, Alopias superciliosus
    Bignose, Carcharhinus altimus
    Caribbean reef, Carcharhinus perezii
    Caribbean sharpnose, Rhizoprionodon porosus
    Dusky, Carcharhinus obscurus
    Galapagos, Carcharhinus galapagensis
    Longfin mako, Isurus paucus
    Narrowtooth, Carcharhinus brachyurus
    Night, Carcharhinus signatus
    Sand tiger, Carcharias taurus
    Sevengill, Heptranchias perlo
    Sixgill, Hexanchus griseus
    Smalltail, Carcharhinus porosus
    Whale, Rhincodon typus
    White, Carcharodon carcharias
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2013-15875 Filed 7-2-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P