Fisheries off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Seabird Avoidance Measures, 53401-53405 [2014-21474]
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 174 / Tuesday, September 9, 2014 / Proposed Rules
change. If this occurs, NMFS Office of
Law Enforcement will publish a notice
in the Federal announcing the change.
PART 648—FISHERIES OF THE
NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES
3. The authority citation for part 648
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
4. In § 648.9, revise paragraph (a) and
paragraph (d) to read as follows:
■
§ 648.9 VMS vendor and unit
requirements.
(a) Approval. The type-approval
requirements for VMS MTUs and
MCSPs for the Greater Atlantic Region
are those as published by the NMFS
Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) in the
Federal Register, and are available upon
request. Both the national type-approval
requirements at 50 CFR subpart Q and
any established regional standards must
be met in order to receive approval for
use in the Greater Atlantic Region. The
NMFS OLE Director shall approve all
MTUs, MCSPs, and bundles including
those operating in the Greater Atlantic
Region.
*
*
*
*
*
(d) Revocations. Revocation
procedures for type-approvals are at 50
CFR 600.1514. In the event of a
revocation, NMFS will provide
information to affected vessel owners as
explained at 50 CFR 600.1516. In these
instances, vessel owners may be eligible
for the reimbursement of the cost of a
new type-approved EMTU should
funding for reimbursement be available.
[FR Doc. 2014–21271 Filed 9–8–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 660
[Docket No. 140214140–4140–01]
RIN 0648–BD92
Fisheries off West Coast States;
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery;
Seabird Avoidance Measures
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule; request for
comments.
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AGENCY:
This proposed rule would
implement a Seabird Avoidance
Program in the Pacific Coast Groundfish
SUMMARY:
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Fishery. The proposed rule was
recommended by the Pacific Fishery
Management Council (Council) in
November 2013 and is specifically
designed to minimize the take of ESAlisted short-tailed albatross (Phoebastria
albatrus). A 2012 U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service Biological Opinion required
NMFS to initiate implementation of
regulations within 2 years mandating
the use of seabird avoidance measures
by vessels greater than or equal to 55
feet length overall (LOA) using bottom
longline gear to harvest groundfish. The
seabird avoidance measures, including
streamer lines that deter birds from
ingesting baited hooks, are modeled
after a similar regulatory program in
effect for the Alaskan groundfish
fishery.
Comments on this proposed rule
must be received on or before October
9, 2014.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
on this document, identified by NOAA–
NMFS–2014–0099, by any of the
following methods:
• Electronic Submission: Submit all
electronic public comments via the
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
www.regulations.gov/
#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-20140099 click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon,
complete the required fields, and enter
or attach your comments.
• Mail: Submit written comments to
William W. Stelle, Jr., Regional
Administrator, West Coast Region,
NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE.,
Seattle, WA 98115–0070; Attn: Steve
Copps.
• Fax: 206–526–6736; Attn: Steve
Copps.
Instructions: Comments sent by any
other method, to any other address or
individual, or received after the end of
the comment period, may not be
considered by NMFS. All comments
received are a part of the public record
and will generally be posted for public
viewing on www.regulations.gov
without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address, etc.),
confidential business information, or
otherwise sensitive information
submitted voluntarily by the sender will
be publicly accessible. NMFS will
accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/
A’’ in the required fields if you wish to
remain anonymous). Attachments to
electronic comments will be accepted in
Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF
file formats only.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steve Copps, 206–526–6158; (fax) 206–
526–6736; steve.copps@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
DATES:
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Background
The purpose of the proposed rule is
to reduce interactions between ESAlisted seabirds and groundfish longline
gear. Many seabirds attack baited hooks
as the longline is being set and become
lethally hooked and drowned. The
proposed rule would amend the
regulations governing the Pacific Coast
Groundfish Fishery (fishery) to require
seabird avoidance measures—
specifically the use of streamer lines
and related provisions similar to those
currently mandated in the Alaskan
groundfish fishery—by vessels 55 ft
LOA or greater in the bottom longline
fishery.
The proposed rule is needed to
minimize takes of endangered shorttailed albatross and comply with a 2012
Biological Opinion (Opinion) issued by
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The
2012 Opinion evaluated the risks of
continued operation of the Pacific Coast
Groundfish Fishery on ESA-listed
seabirds, including short-tailed
albatross. The 2012 Opinion included a
Term and Condition requiring NMFS to
promulgate regulations mandating the
use of streamer lines by certain longline
vessels 55 feet LOA or greater, patterned
on the Alaska streamer line regulations.
Accordingly, for the fishery to be
exempt from ESA section 9 prohibition
regarding the take of a listed species,
NMFS must initiate implementation of
streamer line regulations by November
21, 2014. The 2012 Opinion anticipates
the yearly average take of one shorttailed albatross killed from longline
hooks or trawl cables. As the shorttailed albatross population is
expanding, it is expected to result in
more interactions with the Pacific Coast
Groundfish Fisheries. This action would
implement one of the Terms and
Conditions of the 2012 Opinion and
reduce the risk of exceeding the take
limits of short-tailed albatross contained
in the Opinion, which in turn would
reduce the risk of economic harm to the
fishing industry that could result from
the incidental take limit being exceeded.
The proposed rule would require
streamer lines, sometimes referred to as
tori or bird-scaring lines, to be deployed
as the longline gear is being set. A
streamer line effectively fences off the
longline from seabird interactions. The
streamer line is a line (typically 50fathoms or 90-meters long) that extends
from a high point near the stern of the
vessel to a drogue (usually a buoy with
a weight). As the vessel moves forward
the drogue creates tension in the line
producing a span from the stern where
the streamer line is aloft. The aloft
section includes streamers made of UV
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protected, brightly colored tubing
spaced every 16 feet (5 meters).
Streamers must be heavy enough to
maintain a near-vertical fence in
moderate to high winds. Individual
streamers should extend to the water to
prevent aggressive birds from getting to
the groundline. When deployed in
pairs—one from each side of the stern—
streamer lines create a moving fence
around the sinking groundline reducing
or eliminating bird interactions.
Streamer lines have been effective at
reducing seabird bycatch in fisheries
throughout the world, including
Alaskan fisheries that are similar to
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fisheries.
In addition to this proposed
regulatory action, NMFS has worked in
collaboration with academia, NGOs, the
fishing industry, coastal tribes, and
Washington Sea Grant to develop a
multi-dimensional seabird conservation
initiative for the Pacific Coast
Groundfish Fishery. The initiative
includes research, industry outreach,
and making free streamer lines available
to any Pacific Coast longliner to
encourage voluntary use. The
importance of the initiative was
emphasized in 2011 by the take of a
short-tailed albatross in the groundfish
longline fishery off Oregon.
This proposed rule would amend the
regulations governing the Pacific Coast
groundfish fishery to require seabird
avoidance measures—specifically the
use of streamer lines and related
provisions currently mandated in the
Alaskan groundfish fishery (50 CFR
679.24(e))—by vessels 55 ft LOA or
greater using bottom longline gear
pursuant to the Pacific Coast Groundfish
Fishery Management Plan (FMP). In
sum, the regulation would:
• Require the use of streamer lines in
the commercial longline fishery of the
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery for
non-tribal vessels 55 feet in length or
greater;
• Require vessels to deploy one or
two streamer lines depending on the
type of longline gear being set;
• Require that streamer lines meet
technical specifications and be available
for inspection; and,
• Allow for a rough weather
exemption from using streamer lines for
safety purposes. The threshold for the
rough weather exemption is a Gale
Warning as issued by the National
Weather Service.
The proposed rule is designed to be
consistent with the requirements of the
Opinion and responsive to issues raised
through the public process and
consultation with experts.
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Rough-Weather Exemption
NMFS is proposing a rough-weather
exemption to the streamer line
regulations to address safety-at-sea
concerns. NMFS consulted with the
longline industry and the Council to
identify a weather threshold where the
deployment of streamer lines becomes
hazardous. Based on these
consultations, a National Weather
Service Gale Warning is being proposed
as the most appropriate threshold.
When a Gale Warning is issued by the
National Weather Service, fishermen
would not be required to deploy
streamer lines. This is designed to
maintain safety at sea and effective
reduction of seabird bycatch.
Classification
Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the
MSA, the NMFS Assistant
Administrator has determined that this
proposed rule is consistent with the
Pacific Coast Groundfish FMP, other
provisions of the MSA, and other
applicable law, subject to further
consideration after public comment.
NMFS and the Council prepared a
draft Environmental Assessment (EA)
for this regulation that is available on
the Council’s Web site at https://
www.pcouncil.org/ or available from
NMFS (see ADDRESSES).
The Office of Management and Budget
has determined that this proposed rule
is not significant for purposes of
Executive Order 12866.
The Chief Counsel for Regulation of
the Department of Commerce certified
to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the
Small Business Administration that this
proposed rule, if adopted, would not
have a significant economic impact on
a substantial number of small entities.
As a result, a regulatory flexibility
analysis is not required, and none has
been prepared. The analysis of the Chief
Counsel was as follows:
The proposed action is needed to
minimize takes of endangered shorttailed albatross and comply with the
2012 Opinion issued by the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, as described
previously. This action would
implement one of the Terms and
Conditions of the Opinion and reduce
the risk of exceeding the take limits of
short-tailed albatross, which in turn
would reduce the risk of economic harm
to the fishing industry that could result
from the incidental take limit being
exceeded.
The proposed rule is not expected to
have significant direct or indirect
socioeconomic impacts because cost of
the required streamer lines is currently
being subsidized 100% by NMFS. If this
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subsidy program ends, the cost of the
streamer lines would be negligible at
$300 per pair. The cost is less than 0.1%
of the average affected vessel’s 2013
annual average ex-vessel revenue.
Effective July 14, 2014, a business
involved in finfish harvesting is a small
business if it is independently owned
and operated and not dominant in its
field of operation (including its
affiliates), and if it has combined annual
receipts not in excess of $20.5 million
for all its affiliated operations
worldwide (See 79 FR 33647).
NMFS conducted its analysis for this
action using the new size standard. The
affected entities by this rule are those
vessels 55 ft LOA or larger that
participate in the fishery or may seek to
participate in the fishery. During 2013,
293 vessels used longline gear. Forty of
these vessels were 55 ft LOA or larger
of which 25 vessels participated in the
groundfish fishery. When ranked
according to Pacific Coast ex-vessel
revenues, the top vessel had revenues
far less than $2.0 million and the top 3
vessels averaged $1.3 million in exvessel revenues. Average vessel
revenues for the affected vessels in 2013
are about $408,000. The average annual
per vessel revenue based on Pacific
Coast landings information and other
information is well below $20.5 million;
therefore, all of these vessels are
considered small businesses under the
RFA. Because each affected vessel is a
small business, this proposed rule has
an equal effect on all of these small
entities, and therefore will impact a
substantial number of these small
entities in the same manner. Therefore
this rule will not create disproportionate
costs between small and large vessels/
businesses.
For the reasons above, the Chief
Counsel for Regulation certified that this
rule will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities.
NMFS issued Biological Opinions
under the Endangered Species Act
(ESA) on August 10, 1990, November
26, 1991, August 28, 1992, September
27, 1993, May 14, 1996, and December
15, 1999 pertaining to the effects of the
Groundfish FMP fisheries on Chinook
salmon (Puget Sound, Snake River
spring/summer, Snake River fall, upper
Columbia River spring, lower Columbia
River, upper Willamette River,
Sacramento River winter, Central Valley
spring, California coastal), coho salmon
(Central California coastal, southern
Oregon/northern California coastal),
chum salmon (Hood Canal summer,
Columbia River), sockeye salmon (Snake
River, Ozette Lake), and steelhead
(upper, middle and lower Columbia
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River, Snake River Basin, upper
Willamette River, central California
coast, California Central Valley, south/
central California, northern California,
southern California). These biological
opinions have concluded that
implementation of the FMP is not
expected to jeopardize the continued
existence of any endangered or
threatened species under the
jurisdiction of NMFS, or result in the
destruction or adverse modification of
critical habitat.
NMFS issued a Supplemental
Biological Opinion on March 11, 2006
concluding that neither the higher
observed bycatch of Chinook in the
2005 whiting fishery nor new data
regarding salmon bycatch in the
groundfish bottom trawl fishery
required a reconsideration of its prior
‘‘no jeopardy’’ conclusion. NMFS also
reaffirmed its prior determination that
implementation of the FMP is not likely
to jeopardize the continued existence of
any of the affected ESUs. Lower
Columbia River coho (70 FR 37160, June
28, 2005) and Oregon Coastal coho (73
FR 7816, February 11, 2008) were
recently relisted as threatened under the
ESA. The 1999 biological opinion
concluded that the bycatch of salmonids
in the Pacific whiting fishery were
almost entirely Chinook salmon, with
little or no bycatch of coho, chum,
sockeye, and steelhead.
On December 7, 2012, NMFS
completed a biological opinion
concluding that the groundfish fishery
is not likely to jeopardize non-salmonid
marine species including listed
eulachon, green sturgeon, humpback
whales, Steller sea lions, and
leatherback sea turtles. The opinion also
concluded that the fishery is not likely
to adversely modify critical habitat for
green sturgeon and leatherback sea
turtles. An analysis included in the
same document as the opinion
concluded that the fishery is not likely
to adversely affect green sea turtles,
olive ridley sea turtles, loggerhead sea
turtles, sei whales, North Pacific right
whales, blue whales, fin whales, sperm
whales, Southern Resident killer
whales, Guadalupe fur seals, or the
critical habitat for Steller sea lions.
As Steller sea lions and humpback
whales are also protected under the
Marine Mammal Protection Act
(MMPA), incidental take of these
species from the groundfish fishery
must be addressed under MMPA section
101(a)(5)(E). West coast pot fisheries for
sablefish are considered Category II
fisheries under the MMPA’s List of
Fisheries, indicating occasional
interactions. All other west coast
groundfish fisheries, including the trawl
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fishery, are considered Category III
fisheries under the MMPA, indicating a
remote likelihood of or no known
serious injuries or mortalities to marine
mammals. On February 27, 2012, NMFS
published notice that the incidental
taking of Steller sea lions in the West
Coast groundfish fisheries is addressed
in NMFS’ December 29, 2010 Negligible
Impact Determination (NID) and this
fishery has been added to the list of
fisheries authorized to take Steller sea
lions. 77 FR 11493 (Feb. 27, 2012).
NMFS is currently developing MMPA
authorization for the incidental take of
humpback whales in the fishery.
On November 21, 2012, the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service (FWS) issued a
biological opinion concluding that the
groundfish fishery will not jeopardize
the continued existence of the shorttailed albatross. The 2012 Opinion
evaluated the risks of continued
operation of the Pacific Coast
groundfish fishery on ESA-listed
seabirds, including short-tailed
albatross. The 2012 Opinion included a
Term and Condition requiring NMFS to
promulgate regulations mandating the
use of streamer lines by longline vessels
55 feet LOA or greater, patterned on the
Alaska streamer line regulations.
Accordingly, for the fishery to be
exempt from the ESA section 9
prohibition regarding take of a listed
species, NMFS must initiate
implementation of streamer line
regulations by November 21, 2014. The
2012 Opinion anticipates the yearly
average take of one short-tailed albatross
killed from longline hooks or trawl
cables. As the short-tailed albatross
population is expanding, it is expected
to result in more interactions with the
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fisheries. This
action would implement one of the
Terms and Conditions of the 2012
Opinion and reduce the risk of
exceeding the take limits of short-tailed
albatross, which in turn would reduce
the risk of economic harm to the fishing
industry that could result from the
incidental take limit being exceeded.
The FWS also concurred that the fishery
is not likely to adversely affect the
marbled murrelet, California least tern,
southern sea otter, bull trout, or bull
trout critical habitat.
This proposed rule does not contain
a collection-of-information requirement
subject to review and approval by OMB
under the Paperwork Reduction Act
(PRA).
Public comment is sought on all
aspects of this proposed rule. Send
comments to NMFS, West Coast Region
at the ADDRESSES above.
This proposed rule was developed
after meaningful collaboration, through
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the Council process, with the tribal
representative on the Council. The
proposed regulations have no direct
effect on the tribes.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660
Fisheries.
Dated: September 4, 2014.
Eileen Sobeck,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
For the reasons stated in the
preamble, NMFS proposes to amend 50
CFR part 660 as follows:
PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST
COAST STATES
1. The authority citation for part 660
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 16 U.S. C. 1801 et seq. and 16
U.S. C. 773 et seq.
2. In § 660.11, add paragraph (6)(i)(A)
to the definition of ‘‘Fishing gear’’ and
add the definition for ‘‘Seabird’’ in
alphabetical order to read as follows:
■
§ 660.11
General definitions.
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*
*
*
Fishing gear * * *
(6) * * *
(i) * * *
(A) Snap gear means a type of bottom
longline gear where the hook and
gangion are attached to the groundline
using a mechanical fastener or snap.
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*
*
Seabird means those bird species that
habitually obtain their food from the sea
below the low water mark.
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*
■ 3. In § 660.12, paragraph (a)(15) is
added to read as follows:
§ 660.12
General groundfish prohibitions.
(a) * * *
(15) Fail to comply with the
requirements of the Seabird Avoidance
Program described in § 660.61 when
commercial fishing for groundfish using
bottom longline gear.
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*
*
■ 4. Add § 660.61 to read as follows:
§ 660.61
Seabird Avoidance Program.
This section contains the
requirements of the Seabird Avoidance
Program.
(a) Purpose. The purpose of the
Seabird Avoidance Program is to
minimize interactions between fishing
gear and seabird species, including
short-tailed albatross (Phoebastria
albatrus).
(b) Applicability. The requirements
specified in paragraph (c) of this section
apply to the following fishing vessels:
(1) Vessels greater than or equal to 55
ft (16.8 m) LOA engaged in commercial
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fishing for groundfish with bottom
longline gear as defined in § 660.11
pursuant to the gear switching
provisions of the Limited Entry Trawl
Fishery, Shoreside IFQ Program as
specified in § 660.140(k), or pursuant to
Subparts E or F of this Part, except as
provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this
section.
(2) Exemptions. The requirements
specified in paragraph (c) of this section
do not apply to Pacific Coast treaty
Indian fisheries, as described at
§ 660.50, or to anglers engaged in
recreational fishing for groundfish, as
described in Subpart G of this Part.
(c) Seabird Avoidance Requirements.
(1) General Requirements. The
operator of a vessel described in
660.61(b)(1) must:
(i) Gear onboard. Have onboard the
vessel seabird avoidance gear as
specified in paragraph (c)(2) of this
section;
(ii) Gear inspection. Upon request by
an authorized officer or observer, make
the seabird avoidance gear available for
inspection;
(iii) Gear use. Use seabird avoidance
gear as specified in paragraph (c)(2) of
this section that meets the standards
specified in paragraph (c)(3) of this
section while bottom longline and snap
gears are being deployed.
(iv) Handling of hooked short-tailed
albatross.
(A) Safe release of live short-tailed
albatross. Make every reasonable effort
to ensure short-tailed albatross brought
on board alive are released alive and
that, whenever possible, hooks are
removed without jeopardizing the life of
the bird(s). If the vessel operator
determines, based on personal
judgment, that an injured bird is likely
to die upon release, the vessel operator
is encouraged to seek veterinary care in
port. Final disposition of an injured bird
will be with a Wildlife Rehabilitator. If
needed, phone the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service at 503–231–6179 to
assist in locating a qualified Wildlife
Rehabilitator to care for the short-tailed
albatross.
(B) Dead short-tailed albatross must
be kept as cold as practicable while the
vessel is at sea and frozen as soon as
practicable upon return to port.
Carcasses must be labeled with the
name of vessel, location of hooking in
latitude and longitude, and the number
and color of any leg band if present on
the bird. Leg bands must be left attached
to the bird. Phone the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service at 503–231–6179 to
arrange for the disposition of dead
short-tailed albatross.
(C) All hooked short-tailed albatross
must be reported to U.S. Fish and
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Wildlife Service Law Enforcement by
the vessel operator by phoning 360–
753–7764 (WA); 503–682–6131 (OR); or
916–414–6660 (CA) as soon as
practicable upon the vessel’s return to
port.
(D) If a NMFS-certified fisheries
observer is on board at the time of a
hooking event, the observer shall be
responsible for the disposition of any
captured short-tailed albatross and for
reporting to U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service Law Enforcement. Otherwise,
the vessel operator shall be responsible.
(2) Gear Requirements. The operator
of a vessel identified in paragraph (b)(1)
of this section must comply with the
following gear requirements:
(i) Snap gear. Vessels using snap gear
as defined at § 660.11 must deploy a
minimum of a single streamer line in
accordance with the requirements of
paragraphs (c)(3)(i)–(ii) of this section,
except as provided in paragraph
(c)(2)(iii) of this section.
(ii) Bottom longline. Vessels using
bottom longline gear must deploy
streamer lines in accordance with the
requirements of paragraphs (c)(3)(i) and
(c)(3)(iii) of this section, except as
provided in paragraph (c)(2)(iii) of this
section.
(iii) Weather Safety Exemption.
Vessels are exempted from the
requirements of paragraph (c)(1)(iii) of
this section when a National Weather
Service Gale Warning is in effect. This
exemption applies only during the time
and within the area indicated in the
National Weather Service Gale Warning.
(3) Gear performance and material
standards:
(i) Material standards for all streamer
lines. All streamer lines must:
(A) Have streamers spaced a
maximum of every 16 ft 5 in (5 m);
(B) Have individual streamers that
hang attached to the mainline to 10 in
(0.25 m) above the waterline in the
absence of wind.
(C) Have streamers constructed of
material that is brightly colored, UVprotected plastic tubing or 3⁄8-inch
polyester line or material of an
equivalent density.
(ii) Snap gear streamer standards. For
vessels using snap gear, a streamer line
must:
(A) Be a minimum length of 147 ft 7
in (45 m).
(B) Be deployed so that streamers are
in the air a minimum of 65 ft 7 in (20
m) aft of the stern and within 6 ft 7 in
(2 m) horizontally of the point where
the main groundline enters the water
before the first hook is set.
(iii) Bottom longline streamer line
standards. Vessels using bottom
longline gear but not snap gear must use
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paired streamer lines meeting the
following requirements:
(A) Streamer lines must be a
minimum length of 300 feet (91.4 m);
(B) Streamer lines must be deployed
so that streamers are in the air a
minimum of 131 ft (40m) aft of the stern
for vessels under 100 ft (30.5 m) LOA
and 197 ft (60m) aft of the stern for
vessels 100 ft (30.5 m) or over.
(C) At least one streamer line must be
deployed in accordance with paragraph
(c)(3)(iii)(B) before the first hook is set
and a second streamer line must be
deployed within 90 seconds thereafter.
(D) For vessels deploying bottom
longline gear from the stern, the
streamer lines must be deployed from
the stern, one on each side of the main
groundline.
(E) For vessels deploying bottom
longline gear from the side, the streamer
lines must be deployed from the stern,
one over the main groundline and the
other on one side of the main
groundline.
■ 5. In § 660.140, paragraph (k)(1)(iv) is
revised to read as follows:
§ 660.140
Shorebased IFQ Program.
*
*
*
*
*
(k) * * *
(1) * * *
(iv) The vessel must comply with
prohibitions applicable to limited entry
fixed gear fishery as specified at
§ 660.212, gear restrictions applicable to
limited entry fixed gear as specified in
§§ 660.219 and 660.230(b), and
management measures specified in
§ 660.230(d), including restrictions on
the fixed gear allowed onboard, its
usage, and applicable fixed gear
groundfish conservation area
restrictions, except that the vessel will
not be subject to limited entry fixed gear
trip limits when fishing in the
Shorebased IFQ Program. Vessels using
bottom longline and snap gears as
defined at § 660.11 are subject to the
requirements of the Seabird Avoidance
Program described in § 660.61.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 6. In § 660.230, paragraph (b)(5) is
added to read as follows:
§ 660.230 Fixed gear fishery-management
measures.
*
*
*
*
*
(b) * * *
(5) Vessels fishing with bottom
longline and snap gears as defined at
§ 660.11 are subject to the requirements
of the Seabird Avoidance Program
described in § 660.61.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 7. In § 660.330, paragraph (b)(2)(i) is
revised to read as follows:
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§ 660.330 Open access fisherymanagement measures.
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(b) * * *
(2) * * *
VerDate Mar<15>2010
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(i) Fixed gear (longline, trap or pot, set
net and stationary hook-and-line gear,
including commercial vertical hookand-line gear) must be attended at least
once every 7 days. Vessels fishing with
bottom longline and snap gears as
PO 00000
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defined at § 660.11 are subject to the
requirements of the Seabird Avoidance
Program described in § 660.61.
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[FR Doc. 2014–21474 Filed 9–8–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 174 (Tuesday, September 9, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53401-53405]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-21474]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 660
[Docket No. 140214140-4140-01]
RIN 0648-BD92
Fisheries off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish
Fishery; Seabird Avoidance Measures
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This proposed rule would implement a Seabird Avoidance Program
in the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery. The proposed rule was
recommended by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) in
November 2013 and is specifically designed to minimize the take of ESA-
listed short-tailed albatross (Phoebastria albatrus). A 2012 U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service Biological Opinion required NMFS to initiate
implementation of regulations within 2 years mandating the use of
seabird avoidance measures by vessels greater than or equal to 55 feet
length overall (LOA) using bottom longline gear to harvest groundfish.
The seabird avoidance measures, including streamer lines that deter
birds from ingesting baited hooks, are modeled after a similar
regulatory program in effect for the Alaskan groundfish fishery.
DATES: Comments on this proposed rule must be received on or before
October 9, 2014.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by
NOAA-NMFS-2014-0099, by any of the following methods:
Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2014-0099 click the
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or
attach your comments.
Mail: Submit written comments to William W. Stelle, Jr.,
Regional Administrator, West Coast Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way
NE., Seattle, WA 98115-0070; Attn: Steve Copps.
Fax: 206-526-6736; Attn: Steve Copps.
Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period,
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain
anonymous). Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in
Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Copps, 206-526-6158; (fax) 206-
526-6736; steve.copps@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The purpose of the proposed rule is to reduce interactions between
ESA-listed seabirds and groundfish longline gear. Many seabirds attack
baited hooks as the longline is being set and become lethally hooked
and drowned. The proposed rule would amend the regulations governing
the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery (fishery) to require seabird
avoidance measures--specifically the use of streamer lines and related
provisions similar to those currently mandated in the Alaskan
groundfish fishery--by vessels 55 ft LOA or greater in the bottom
longline fishery.
The proposed rule is needed to minimize takes of endangered short-
tailed albatross and comply with a 2012 Biological Opinion (Opinion)
issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The 2012 Opinion
evaluated the risks of continued operation of the Pacific Coast
Groundfish Fishery on ESA-listed seabirds, including short-tailed
albatross. The 2012 Opinion included a Term and Condition requiring
NMFS to promulgate regulations mandating the use of streamer lines by
certain longline vessels 55 feet LOA or greater, patterned on the
Alaska streamer line regulations. Accordingly, for the fishery to be
exempt from ESA section 9 prohibition regarding the take of a listed
species, NMFS must initiate implementation of streamer line regulations
by November 21, 2014. The 2012 Opinion anticipates the yearly average
take of one short-tailed albatross killed from longline hooks or trawl
cables. As the short-tailed albatross population is expanding, it is
expected to result in more interactions with the Pacific Coast
Groundfish Fisheries. This action would implement one of the Terms and
Conditions of the 2012 Opinion and reduce the risk of exceeding the
take limits of short-tailed albatross contained in the Opinion, which
in turn would reduce the risk of economic harm to the fishing industry
that could result from the incidental take limit being exceeded.
The proposed rule would require streamer lines, sometimes referred
to as tori or bird-scaring lines, to be deployed as the longline gear
is being set. A streamer line effectively fences off the longline from
seabird interactions. The streamer line is a line (typically 50-fathoms
or 90-meters long) that extends from a high point near the stern of the
vessel to a drogue (usually a buoy with a weight). As the vessel moves
forward the drogue creates tension in the line producing a span from
the stern where the streamer line is aloft. The aloft section includes
streamers made of UV
[[Page 53402]]
protected, brightly colored tubing spaced every 16 feet (5 meters).
Streamers must be heavy enough to maintain a near-vertical fence in
moderate to high winds. Individual streamers should extend to the water
to prevent aggressive birds from getting to the groundline. When
deployed in pairs--one from each side of the stern--streamer lines
create a moving fence around the sinking groundline reducing or
eliminating bird interactions. Streamer lines have been effective at
reducing seabird bycatch in fisheries throughout the world, including
Alaskan fisheries that are similar to Pacific Coast Groundfish
Fisheries.
In addition to this proposed regulatory action, NMFS has worked in
collaboration with academia, NGOs, the fishing industry, coastal
tribes, and Washington Sea Grant to develop a multi-dimensional seabird
conservation initiative for the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery. The
initiative includes research, industry outreach, and making free
streamer lines available to any Pacific Coast longliner to encourage
voluntary use. The importance of the initiative was emphasized in 2011
by the take of a short-tailed albatross in the groundfish longline
fishery off Oregon.
This proposed rule would amend the regulations governing the
Pacific Coast groundfish fishery to require seabird avoidance
measures--specifically the use of streamer lines and related provisions
currently mandated in the Alaskan groundfish fishery (50 CFR
679.24(e))--by vessels 55 ft LOA or greater using bottom longline gear
pursuant to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP).
In sum, the regulation would:
Require the use of streamer lines in the commercial
longline fishery of the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery for non-tribal
vessels 55 feet in length or greater;
Require vessels to deploy one or two streamer lines
depending on the type of longline gear being set;
Require that streamer lines meet technical specifications
and be available for inspection; and,
Allow for a rough weather exemption from using streamer
lines for safety purposes. The threshold for the rough weather
exemption is a Gale Warning as issued by the National Weather Service.
The proposed rule is designed to be consistent with the
requirements of the Opinion and responsive to issues raised through the
public process and consultation with experts.
Rough-Weather Exemption
NMFS is proposing a rough-weather exemption to the streamer line
regulations to address safety-at-sea concerns. NMFS consulted with the
longline industry and the Council to identify a weather threshold where
the deployment of streamer lines becomes hazardous. Based on these
consultations, a National Weather Service Gale Warning is being
proposed as the most appropriate threshold. When a Gale Warning is
issued by the National Weather Service, fishermen would not be required
to deploy streamer lines. This is designed to maintain safety at sea
and effective reduction of seabird bycatch.
Classification
Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the MSA, the NMFS Assistant
Administrator has determined that this proposed rule is consistent with
the Pacific Coast Groundfish FMP, other provisions of the MSA, and
other applicable law, subject to further consideration after public
comment.
NMFS and the Council prepared a draft Environmental Assessment (EA)
for this regulation that is available on the Council's Web site at
https://www.pcouncil.org/ or available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES).
The Office of Management and Budget has determined that this
proposed rule is not significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866.
The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business
Administration that this proposed rule, if adopted, would not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
As a result, a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required, and
none has been prepared. The analysis of the Chief Counsel was as
follows:
The proposed action is needed to minimize takes of endangered
short-tailed albatross and comply with the 2012 Opinion issued by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as described previously. This action
would implement one of the Terms and Conditions of the Opinion and
reduce the risk of exceeding the take limits of short-tailed albatross,
which in turn would reduce the risk of economic harm to the fishing
industry that could result from the incidental take limit being
exceeded.
The proposed rule is not expected to have significant direct or
indirect socioeconomic impacts because cost of the required streamer
lines is currently being subsidized 100% by NMFS. If this subsidy
program ends, the cost of the streamer lines would be negligible at
$300 per pair. The cost is less than 0.1% of the average affected
vessel's 2013 annual average ex-vessel revenue.
Effective July 14, 2014, a business involved in finfish harvesting
is a small business if it is independently owned and operated and not
dominant in its field of operation (including its affiliates), and if
it has combined annual receipts not in excess of $20.5 million for all
its affiliated operations worldwide (See 79 FR 33647).
NMFS conducted its analysis for this action using the new size
standard. The affected entities by this rule are those vessels 55 ft
LOA or larger that participate in the fishery or may seek to
participate in the fishery. During 2013, 293 vessels used longline
gear. Forty of these vessels were 55 ft LOA or larger of which 25
vessels participated in the groundfish fishery. When ranked according
to Pacific Coast ex-vessel revenues, the top vessel had revenues far
less than $2.0 million and the top 3 vessels averaged $1.3 million in
ex-vessel revenues. Average vessel revenues for the affected vessels in
2013 are about $408,000. The average annual per vessel revenue based on
Pacific Coast landings information and other information is well below
$20.5 million; therefore, all of these vessels are considered small
businesses under the RFA. Because each affected vessel is a small
business, this proposed rule has an equal effect on all of these small
entities, and therefore will impact a substantial number of these small
entities in the same manner. Therefore this rule will not create
disproportionate costs between small and large vessels/businesses.
For the reasons above, the Chief Counsel for Regulation certified
that this rule will not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities.
NMFS issued Biological Opinions under the Endangered Species Act
(ESA) on August 10, 1990, November 26, 1991, August 28, 1992, September
27, 1993, May 14, 1996, and December 15, 1999 pertaining to the effects
of the Groundfish FMP fisheries on Chinook salmon (Puget Sound, Snake
River spring/summer, Snake River fall, upper Columbia River spring,
lower Columbia River, upper Willamette River, Sacramento River winter,
Central Valley spring, California coastal), coho salmon (Central
California coastal, southern Oregon/northern California coastal), chum
salmon (Hood Canal summer, Columbia River), sockeye salmon (Snake
River, Ozette Lake), and steelhead (upper, middle and lower Columbia
[[Page 53403]]
River, Snake River Basin, upper Willamette River, central California
coast, California Central Valley, south/central California, northern
California, southern California). These biological opinions have
concluded that implementation of the FMP is not expected to jeopardize
the continued existence of any endangered or threatened species under
the jurisdiction of NMFS, or result in the destruction or adverse
modification of critical habitat.
NMFS issued a Supplemental Biological Opinion on March 11, 2006
concluding that neither the higher observed bycatch of Chinook in the
2005 whiting fishery nor new data regarding salmon bycatch in the
groundfish bottom trawl fishery required a reconsideration of its prior
``no jeopardy'' conclusion. NMFS also reaffirmed its prior
determination that implementation of the FMP is not likely to
jeopardize the continued existence of any of the affected ESUs. Lower
Columbia River coho (70 FR 37160, June 28, 2005) and Oregon Coastal
coho (73 FR 7816, February 11, 2008) were recently relisted as
threatened under the ESA. The 1999 biological opinion concluded that
the bycatch of salmonids in the Pacific whiting fishery were almost
entirely Chinook salmon, with little or no bycatch of coho, chum,
sockeye, and steelhead.
On December 7, 2012, NMFS completed a biological opinion concluding
that the groundfish fishery is not likely to jeopardize non-salmonid
marine species including listed eulachon, green sturgeon, humpback
whales, Steller sea lions, and leatherback sea turtles. The opinion
also concluded that the fishery is not likely to adversely modify
critical habitat for green sturgeon and leatherback sea turtles. An
analysis included in the same document as the opinion concluded that
the fishery is not likely to adversely affect green sea turtles, olive
ridley sea turtles, loggerhead sea turtles, sei whales, North Pacific
right whales, blue whales, fin whales, sperm whales, Southern Resident
killer whales, Guadalupe fur seals, or the critical habitat for Steller
sea lions.
As Steller sea lions and humpback whales are also protected under
the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), incidental take of these
species from the groundfish fishery must be addressed under MMPA
section 101(a)(5)(E). West coast pot fisheries for sablefish are
considered Category II fisheries under the MMPA's List of Fisheries,
indicating occasional interactions. All other west coast groundfish
fisheries, including the trawl fishery, are considered Category III
fisheries under the MMPA, indicating a remote likelihood of or no known
serious injuries or mortalities to marine mammals. On February 27,
2012, NMFS published notice that the incidental taking of Steller sea
lions in the West Coast groundfish fisheries is addressed in NMFS'
December 29, 2010 Negligible Impact Determination (NID) and this
fishery has been added to the list of fisheries authorized to take
Steller sea lions. 77 FR 11493 (Feb. 27, 2012). NMFS is currently
developing MMPA authorization for the incidental take of humpback
whales in the fishery.
On November 21, 2012, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
issued a biological opinion concluding that the groundfish fishery will
not jeopardize the continued existence of the short-tailed albatross.
The 2012 Opinion evaluated the risks of continued operation of the
Pacific Coast groundfish fishery on ESA-listed seabirds, including
short-tailed albatross. The 2012 Opinion included a Term and Condition
requiring NMFS to promulgate regulations mandating the use of streamer
lines by longline vessels 55 feet LOA or greater, patterned on the
Alaska streamer line regulations. Accordingly, for the fishery to be
exempt from the ESA section 9 prohibition regarding take of a listed
species, NMFS must initiate implementation of streamer line regulations
by November 21, 2014. The 2012 Opinion anticipates the yearly average
take of one short-tailed albatross killed from longline hooks or trawl
cables. As the short-tailed albatross population is expanding, it is
expected to result in more interactions with the Pacific Coast
Groundfish Fisheries. This action would implement one of the Terms and
Conditions of the 2012 Opinion and reduce the risk of exceeding the
take limits of short-tailed albatross, which in turn would reduce the
risk of economic harm to the fishing industry that could result from
the incidental take limit being exceeded. The FWS also concurred that
the fishery is not likely to adversely affect the marbled murrelet,
California least tern, southern sea otter, bull trout, or bull trout
critical habitat.
This proposed rule does not contain a collection-of-information
requirement subject to review and approval by OMB under the Paperwork
Reduction Act (PRA).
Public comment is sought on all aspects of this proposed rule. Send
comments to NMFS, West Coast Region at the ADDRESSES above.
This proposed rule was developed after meaningful collaboration,
through the Council process, with the tribal representative on the
Council. The proposed regulations have no direct effect on the tribes.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660
Fisheries.
Dated: September 4, 2014.
Eileen Sobeck,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
For the reasons stated in the preamble, NMFS proposes to amend 50
CFR part 660 as follows:
PART 660--FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES
0
1. The authority citation for part 660 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 16 U.S. C. 1801 et seq. and 16 U.S. C. 773 et seq.
0
2. In Sec. 660.11, add paragraph (6)(i)(A) to the definition of
``Fishing gear'' and add the definition for ``Seabird'' in alphabetical
order to read as follows:
Sec. 660.11 General definitions.
* * * * *
Fishing gear * * *
(6) * * *
(i) * * *
(A) Snap gear means a type of bottom longline gear where the hook
and gangion are attached to the groundline using a mechanical fastener
or snap.
* * * * *
Seabird means those bird species that habitually obtain their food
from the sea below the low water mark.
* * * * *
0
3. In Sec. 660.12, paragraph (a)(15) is added to read as follows:
Sec. 660.12 General groundfish prohibitions.
(a) * * *
(15) Fail to comply with the requirements of the Seabird Avoidance
Program described in Sec. 660.61 when commercial fishing for
groundfish using bottom longline gear.
* * * * *
0
4. Add Sec. 660.61 to read as follows:
Sec. 660.61 Seabird Avoidance Program.
This section contains the requirements of the Seabird Avoidance
Program.
(a) Purpose. The purpose of the Seabird Avoidance Program is to
minimize interactions between fishing gear and seabird species,
including short-tailed albatross (Phoebastria albatrus).
(b) Applicability. The requirements specified in paragraph (c) of
this section apply to the following fishing vessels:
(1) Vessels greater than or equal to 55 ft (16.8 m) LOA engaged in
commercial
[[Page 53404]]
fishing for groundfish with bottom longline gear as defined in Sec.
660.11 pursuant to the gear switching provisions of the Limited Entry
Trawl Fishery, Shoreside IFQ Program as specified in Sec. 660.140(k),
or pursuant to Subparts E or F of this Part, except as provided in
paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
(2) Exemptions. The requirements specified in paragraph (c) of this
section do not apply to Pacific Coast treaty Indian fisheries, as
described at Sec. 660.50, or to anglers engaged in recreational
fishing for groundfish, as described in Subpart G of this Part.
(c) Seabird Avoidance Requirements.
(1) General Requirements. The operator of a vessel described in
660.61(b)(1) must:
(i) Gear onboard. Have onboard the vessel seabird avoidance gear as
specified in paragraph (c)(2) of this section;
(ii) Gear inspection. Upon request by an authorized officer or
observer, make the seabird avoidance gear available for inspection;
(iii) Gear use. Use seabird avoidance gear as specified in
paragraph (c)(2) of this section that meets the standards specified in
paragraph (c)(3) of this section while bottom longline and snap gears
are being deployed.
(iv) Handling of hooked short-tailed albatross.
(A) Safe release of live short-tailed albatross. Make every
reasonable effort to ensure short-tailed albatross brought on board
alive are released alive and that, whenever possible, hooks are removed
without jeopardizing the life of the bird(s). If the vessel operator
determines, based on personal judgment, that an injured bird is likely
to die upon release, the vessel operator is encouraged to seek
veterinary care in port. Final disposition of an injured bird will be
with a Wildlife Rehabilitator. If needed, phone the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service at 503-231-6179 to assist in locating a qualified
Wildlife Rehabilitator to care for the short-tailed albatross.
(B) Dead short-tailed albatross must be kept as cold as practicable
while the vessel is at sea and frozen as soon as practicable upon
return to port. Carcasses must be labeled with the name of vessel,
location of hooking in latitude and longitude, and the number and color
of any leg band if present on the bird. Leg bands must be left attached
to the bird. Phone the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 503-231-6179
to arrange for the disposition of dead short-tailed albatross.
(C) All hooked short-tailed albatross must be reported to U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service Law Enforcement by the vessel operator by phoning
360-753-7764 (WA); 503-682-6131 (OR); or 916-414-6660 (CA) as soon as
practicable upon the vessel's return to port.
(D) If a NMFS-certified fisheries observer is on board at the time
of a hooking event, the observer shall be responsible for the
disposition of any captured short-tailed albatross and for reporting to
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Law Enforcement. Otherwise, the vessel
operator shall be responsible.
(2) Gear Requirements. The operator of a vessel identified in
paragraph (b)(1) of this section must comply with the following gear
requirements:
(i) Snap gear. Vessels using snap gear as defined at Sec. 660.11
must deploy a minimum of a single streamer line in accordance with the
requirements of paragraphs (c)(3)(i)-(ii) of this section, except as
provided in paragraph (c)(2)(iii) of this section.
(ii) Bottom longline. Vessels using bottom longline gear must
deploy streamer lines in accordance with the requirements of paragraphs
(c)(3)(i) and (c)(3)(iii) of this section, except as provided in
paragraph (c)(2)(iii) of this section.
(iii) Weather Safety Exemption. Vessels are exempted from the
requirements of paragraph (c)(1)(iii) of this section when a National
Weather Service Gale Warning is in effect. This exemption applies only
during the time and within the area indicated in the National Weather
Service Gale Warning.
(3) Gear performance and material standards:
(i) Material standards for all streamer lines. All streamer lines
must:
(A) Have streamers spaced a maximum of every 16 ft 5 in (5 m);
(B) Have individual streamers that hang attached to the mainline to
10 in (0.25 m) above the waterline in the absence of wind.
(C) Have streamers constructed of material that is brightly
colored, UV-protected plastic tubing or \3/8\-inch polyester line or
material of an equivalent density.
(ii) Snap gear streamer standards. For vessels using snap gear, a
streamer line must:
(A) Be a minimum length of 147 ft 7 in (45 m).
(B) Be deployed so that streamers are in the air a minimum of 65 ft
7 in (20 m) aft of the stern and within 6 ft 7 in (2 m) horizontally of
the point where the main groundline enters the water before the first
hook is set.
(iii) Bottom longline streamer line standards. Vessels using bottom
longline gear but not snap gear must use paired streamer lines meeting
the following requirements:
(A) Streamer lines must be a minimum length of 300 feet (91.4 m);
(B) Streamer lines must be deployed so that streamers are in the
air a minimum of 131 ft (40m) aft of the stern for vessels under 100 ft
(30.5 m) LOA and 197 ft (60m) aft of the stern for vessels 100 ft (30.5
m) or over.
(C) At least one streamer line must be deployed in accordance with
paragraph (c)(3)(iii)(B) before the first hook is set and a second
streamer line must be deployed within 90 seconds thereafter.
(D) For vessels deploying bottom longline gear from the stern, the
streamer lines must be deployed from the stern, one on each side of the
main groundline.
(E) For vessels deploying bottom longline gear from the side, the
streamer lines must be deployed from the stern, one over the main
groundline and the other on one side of the main groundline.
0
5. In Sec. 660.140, paragraph (k)(1)(iv) is revised to read as
follows:
Sec. 660.140 Shorebased IFQ Program.
* * * * *
(k) * * *
(1) * * *
(iv) The vessel must comply with prohibitions applicable to limited
entry fixed gear fishery as specified at Sec. 660.212, gear
restrictions applicable to limited entry fixed gear as specified in
Sec. Sec. 660.219 and 660.230(b), and management measures specified in
Sec. 660.230(d), including restrictions on the fixed gear allowed
onboard, its usage, and applicable fixed gear groundfish conservation
area restrictions, except that the vessel will not be subject to
limited entry fixed gear trip limits when fishing in the Shorebased IFQ
Program. Vessels using bottom longline and snap gears as defined at
Sec. 660.11 are subject to the requirements of the Seabird Avoidance
Program described in Sec. 660.61.
* * * * *
0
6. In Sec. 660.230, paragraph (b)(5) is added to read as follows:
Sec. 660.230 Fixed gear fishery-management measures.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(5) Vessels fishing with bottom longline and snap gears as defined
at Sec. 660.11 are subject to the requirements of the Seabird
Avoidance Program described in Sec. 660.61.
* * * * *
0
7. In Sec. 660.330, paragraph (b)(2)(i) is revised to read as follows:
[[Page 53405]]
Sec. 660.330 Open access fishery-management measures.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(2) * * *
(i) Fixed gear (longline, trap or pot, set net and stationary hook-
and-line gear, including commercial vertical hook-and-line gear) must
be attended at least once every 7 days. Vessels fishing with bottom
longline and snap gears as defined at Sec. 660.11 are subject to the
requirements of the Seabird Avoidance Program described in Sec.
660.61.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2014-21474 Filed 9-8-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P