List of Fisheries for 2016, 58427-58448 [2015-24638]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 188 (Tuesday, September 29, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58427-58448]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24638]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 229

[Docket No. 150306230-5230-01]
RIN 0648-BE88


List of Fisheries for 2016

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

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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

SUMMARY: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) publishes its 
proposed List of Fisheries (LOF) for 2016, as required by the Marine 
Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The proposed LOF for 2016 reflects new 
information on interactions between commercial fisheries and marine 
mammals. NMFS must classify each commercial fishery on the LOF into one 
of three categories under the MMPA based upon the level of mortality 
and serious injury of marine mammals that occurs incidental to each 
fishery. The classification of a fishery on the LOF determines whether 
participants in that fishery are subject to certain provisions of the 
MMPA, such as registration, observer coverage, and take reduction plan 
(TRP) requirements. In addition, NMFS begins publishing online fact 
sheets for Category III fisheries.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 29, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by 
NOAA-NMFS-2015-0055, by either of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal
    1. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2015-0055,
    2. Click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields
    3. Enter or attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to Chief, Marine Mammal and 
Sea Turtle

[[Page 58428]]

Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-
West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
    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).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa White, Office of Protected 
Resources, 301-427-8494; Allison Rosner, Greater Atlantic Region, 978-
281-9328; Jessica Powell, Southeast Region, 727-824-5312; Elizabeth 
Petras, West Coast Region (CA), 206-526-6155; Brent Norberg, West Coast 
Region (WA/OR), 206-526-6550; Bridget Mansfield, Alaska Region, 907-
586-7642; Nancy Young, Pacific Islands Region, 808-725-5156. 
Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the hearing 
impaired may call the Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-
8339 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday, 
excluding Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

What is the list of fisheries?

    Section 118 of the MMPA requires NMFS to place all U.S. commercial 
fisheries into one of three categories based on the level of incidental 
mortality and serious injury of marine mammals occurring in each 
fishery (16 U.S.C. 1387(c)(1)). The classification of a fishery on the 
LOF determines whether participants in that fishery may be required to 
comply with certain provisions of the MMPA, such as registration, 
observer coverage, and take reduction plan requirements. NMFS must 
reexamine the LOF annually, considering new information in the Marine 
Mammal Stock Assessment Reports (SARs) and other relevant sources, and 
publish in the Federal Register any necessary changes to the LOF after 
notice and opportunity for public comment (16 U.S.C. 1387 (c)(1)(C)).

How does NMFS determine in which category a fishery is placed?

    The definitions for the fishery classification criteria can be 
found in the implementing regulations for section 118 of the MMPA (50 
CFR 229.2). The criteria are also summarized here.

Fishery Classification Criteria

    The fishery classification criteria consist of a two-tiered, stock-
specific approach that first addresses the total impact of all 
fisheries on each marine mammal stock and then addresses the impact of 
individual fisheries on each stock. This approach is based on 
consideration of the rate, in numbers of animals per year, of 
incidental mortalities and serious injuries of marine mammals due to 
commercial fishing operations relative to the potential biological 
removal (PBR) level for each marine mammal stock. The MMPA (16 U.S.C. 
1362 (20)) defines the PBR level as the maximum number of animals, not 
including natural mortalities, that may be removed from a marine mammal 
stock while allowing that stock to reach or maintain its optimum 
sustainable population. This definition can also be found in the 
implementing regulations for section 118 of the MMPA (50 CFR 229.2).
    Tier 1: Tier 1 considers the cumulative fishery mortality and 
serious injury for a particular stock. If the total annual mortality 
and serious injury of a marine mammal stock, across all fisheries, is 
less than or equal to 10 percent of the PBR level of the stock, all 
fisheries interacting with the stock will be placed in Category III 
(unless those fisheries interact with other stock(s) in which total 
annual mortality and serious injury is greater than 10 percent of PBR). 
Otherwise, these fisheries are subject to the next tier (Tier 2) of 
analysis to determine their classification.
    Tier 2: Tier 2 considers fishery-specific mortality and serious 
injury for a particular stock.
    Category I: Annual mortality and serious injury of a stock in a 
given fishery is greater than or equal to 50 percent of the PBR level 
(i.e., frequent incidental mortality and serious injury of marine 
mammals).
    Category II: Annual mortality and serious injury of a stock in a 
given fishery is greater than 1 percent and less than 50 percent of the 
PBR level (i.e., occasional incidental mortality and serious injury of 
marine mammals).
    Category III: Annual mortality and serious injury of a stock in a 
given fishery is less than or equal to 1 percent of the PBR level 
(i.e., a remote likelihood of or no known incidental mortality and 
serious injury of marine mammals).
    Additional details regarding how the categories were determined are 
provided in the preamble to the final rule implementing section 118 of 
the MMPA (60 FR 45086, August 30, 1995).
    Because fisheries are classified on a per-stock basis, a fishery 
may qualify as one Category for one marine mammal stock and another 
Category for a different marine mammal stock. A fishery is typically 
classified on the LOF at its highest level of classification (e.g., a 
fishery qualifying for Category III for one marine mammal stock and for 
Category II for another marine mammal stock will be listed under 
Category II). Stocks driving a fishery's classification are denoted 
with a superscript ``1'' in Tables 1 and 2.

Other Criteria That May Be Considered

    The tier analysis requires a minimum amount of data, and NMFS does 
not have sufficient data to perform a tier analysis on certain 
fisheries. Therefore, NMFS has classified certain fisheries by analogy 
to other Category I or II fisheries that use similar fishing techniques 
or gear that are known to cause mortality or serious injury of marine 
mammals, or according to factors discussed in the final LOF for 1996 
(60 FR 67063, December 28, 1995) and listed in the regulatory 
definition of a Category II fishery: ``In the absence of reliable 
information indicating the frequency of incidental mortality and 
serious injury of marine mammals by a commercial fishery, NMFS will 
determine whether the incidental mortality or serious injury is 
`frequent,' `occasional,' or `remote' by evaluating other factors such 
as fishing techniques, gear used, methods used to deter marine mammals, 
target species, seasons and areas fished, qualitative data from 
logbooks or fisher reports, stranding data, and the species and 
distribution of marine mammals in the area, or at the discretion of the 
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries'' (50 CFR 229.2).
    Further, eligible commercial fisheries not specifically identified 
on the LOF are deemed to be Category II fisheries until the next LOF is 
published (50 CFR 229.2).

How does NMFS determine which species or stocks are included as 
incidentally killed or injured in a fishery?

    The LOF includes a list of marine mammal species and/or stocks 
incidentally killed or injured in each commercial fishery. The list of 
species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured includes 
``serious'' and ``non-serious'' documented injuries as described later 
in the List of Species and/or Stocks Incidentally Killed or Injured in 
the Pacific Ocean and the

[[Page 58429]]

Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean sections. To determine 
which species or stocks are included as incidentally killed or injured 
in a fishery, NMFS annually reviews the information presented in the 
current SARs and injury determination reports. The SARs are based upon 
the best available scientific information and provide the most current 
and inclusive information on each stock's PBR level and level of 
interaction with commercial fishing operations. The best available 
scientific information used in the SARs reviewed for the 2016 LOF 
generally summarizes data from 2008-2012. NMFS also reviews other 
sources of new information, including injury determination reports, 
bycatch estimation reports, observer data, logbook data, stranding 
data, disentanglement network data, fisher self-reports (i.e. MMPA 
reports), and anecdotal reports from that time period. In some cases, 
more recent information may be available, but in an effort to be 
consistent with the most recent SARs and across the LOF, NMFS typically 
restricts the analysis to data within the five-year time period 
summarized in the current SAR.
    For fisheries with observer coverage, species or stocks are 
generally removed from the list of marine mammal species and/or stocks 
incidentally killed or injured if no interactions are documented in the 
five-year timeframe summarized in that year's LOF. For fisheries with 
no observer coverage and for observed fisheries with evidence 
indicating that undocumented interactions may be occurring (e.g., 
fishery has low observer coverage and stranding network data include 
fisheries that cannot be attributed to a specific fishery) species and 
stocks may be retained for longer than five years. For these fisheries, 
NMFS will review the other sources of information listed above and use 
its discretion to decide when it is appropriate to remove a species or 
stock.

Where does NMFS obtain information on the level of observer coverage in 
a fishery on the LOF?

    The best available information on the level of observer coverage 
and the spatial and temporal distribution of observed marine mammal 
interactions is presented in the SARs. Data obtained from the observer 
program and observer coverage levels are important tools in estimating 
the level of marine mammal mortality and serious injury in commercial 
fishing operations. Starting with the 2005 SARs, each SAR includes an 
appendix with detailed descriptions of each Category I and II fishery 
on the LOF, including the observer coverage in those fisheries. The 
SARs generally do not provide detailed information on observer coverage 
in Category III fisheries because, under the MMPA, Category III 
fisheries are generally not required to accommodate observers aboard 
vessels due to the remote likelihood of mortality and serious injury of 
marine mammals. Fishery information presented in the SARs' appendices 
and other resources referenced during the tier analysis may include: 
Level of observer coverage, target species, levels of fishing effort, 
spatial and temporal distribution of fishing effort, characteristics of 
fishing gear and operations, management and regulations, and 
interactions with marine mammals. Copies of the SARs are available on 
the NMFS Office of Protected Resources Web site at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/. Information on observer coverage levels in 
Category I, II, and III fisheries can be found in the fishery fact 
sheets on the NMFS Office of Protected Resources' Web site: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/interactions/fisheries/lof.html. Additional 
information on observer programs in commercial fisheries can be found 
on the NMFS National Observer Program's Web site: https://www.st.nmfs.gov/st4/nop/.

How do I find out if a specific fishery is in Category I, II, or III?

    This rule includes three tables that list all U.S. commercial 
fisheries by LOF Category. Table 1 lists all of the commercial 
fisheries in the Pacific Ocean (including Alaska); Table 2 lists all of 
the commercial fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and 
Caribbean; and Table 3 lists all U.S.-authorized commercial fisheries 
on the high seas. A fourth table, Table 4, lists all commercial 
fisheries managed under applicable take reduction plans (TRPs) or take 
reduction teams (TRTs).

Are high seas fisheries included on the LOF?

    Beginning with the 2009 LOF, NMFS includes high seas fisheries in 
Table 3 of the LOF, along with the number of valid High Seas Fishing 
Compliance Act (HSFCA) permits in each fishery. As of 2004, NMFS issues 
HSFCA permits only for high seas fisheries analyzed in accordance with 
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Endangered Species 
Act (ESA). The authorized high seas fisheries are broad in scope and 
encompass multiple specific fisheries identified by gear type. For the 
purposes of the LOF, the high seas fisheries are subdivided based on 
gear type (e.g., trawl, longline, purse seine, gillnet, troll, etc.) to 
provide more detail on composition of effort within these fisheries. 
Many fisheries operate in both U.S. waters and on the high seas, 
creating some overlap between the fisheries listed in Tables 1 and 2 
and those in Table 3. In these cases, the high seas component of the 
fishery is not considered a separate fishery, but an extension of a 
fishery operating within U.S. waters (listed in Table 1 or 2). NMFS 
designates those fisheries in Tables 1, 2, and 3 by a ``*'' after the 
fishery's name. The number of HSFCA permits listed in Table 3 for the 
high seas components of these fisheries operating in U.S. waters does 
not necessarily represent additional effort that is not accounted for 
in Tables 1 and 2. Many vessels/participants holding HSFCA permits also 
fish within U.S. waters and are included in the number of vessels and 
participants operating within those fisheries in Tables 1 and 2.
    HSFCA permits are valid for five years, during which time Fishery 
management plans (FMPs) can change. Therefore, some vessels/
participants may possess valid HSFCA permits without the ability to 
fish under the permit because it was issued for a gear type that is no 
longer authorized under the most current FMP. For this reason, the 
number of HSFCA permits displayed in Table 3 is likely higher than the 
actual U.S. fishing effort on the high seas. For more information on 
how NMFS classifies high seas fisheries on the LOF, see the preamble 
text in the final 2009 LOF (73 FR 73032; December 1, 2008). Additional 
information about HSFCA permits can be found at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ia/permits/highseas.html.

Where can I find specific information on fisheries listed on the LOF?

    Starting with the 2010 LOF, NMFS developed summary documents, or 
fishery fact sheets, for each Category I and II fishery on the LOF. 
These fishery fact sheets provide the full history of each Category I 
and II fishery, including: When the fishery was added to the LOF, the 
basis for the fishery's initial classification, classification changes 
to the fishery, changes to the list of species and/or stocks 
incidentally killed or injured in the fishery, fishery gear and methods 
used, observer coverage levels, fishery management and regulation, and 
applicable TRPs or TRTs, if any. These fishery fact sheets are updated 
after each final LOF and can be found under ``How Do I Find Out if a 
Specific Fishery is in Category I, II, or III?'' on the NMFS Office of 
Protected Resources' Web site: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/interactions/fisheries/lof.html, linked to

[[Page 58430]]

the ``List of Fisheries by Year'' table. NMFS is developing similar 
fishery fact sheets for each Category III fishery on the LOF. However, 
due to the large number of Category III fisheries on the LOF and the 
lack of accessible and detailed information on many of these fisheries, 
the development of these fishery fact sheets is taking significant time 
to complete. NMFS will begin posting Category III fishery fact sheets 
online with the proposed 2016 LOF.

Am I required to register under the MMPA?

    Owners of vessels or gear engaging in a Category I or II fishery 
are required under the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1387(c)(2)), as described in 50 
CFR 229.4, to register with NMFS and obtain a marine mammal 
authorization to lawfully take non-endangered and non-threatened marine 
mammals incidental to commercial fishing operations. Owners of vessels 
or gear engaged in a Category III fishery are not required to register 
with NMFS or obtain a marine mammal authorization.

How do I register and receive my MMAP authorization certificate?

    NMFS has integrated the MMPA registration process, implemented 
through the Marine Mammal Authorization Program (MMAP), with existing 
state and Federal fishery license, registration, or permit systems for 
Category I and II fisheries on the LOF. Participants in these fisheries 
are automatically registered under the MMAP and are not required to 
submit registration or renewal materials. In the Pacific Islands, West 
Coast, and Alaska regions, NMFS will issue vessel or gear owners an 
authorization certificate via U.S. mail or with their state or Federal 
license or permit at the time of issuance or renewal. In the Greater 
Atlantic Region, NMFS will issue vessel or gear owners an authorization 
certificate via U.S. mail automatically at the beginning of each 
calendar year. Certificates may also be obtained by visiting the 
Greater Atlantic Regional Office Web site (https://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/Protected/mmp/mmap/). In the 
Southeast Region, NMFS will issue vessel or gear owners notification of 
registry and vessel or gear owners may receive their authorization 
certificate by contacting the Southeast Regional Office at 727-209-5952 
or by visiting the Southeast Regional Office Web site (https://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/protected_resources/marine_mammal_authorization_program/) and following the instructions 
for printing the certificate.
    The authorization certificate, or a copy, must be on board the 
vessel while it is operating in a Category I or II fishery, or for non-
vessel fisheries, in the possession of the person in charge of the 
fishing operation (50 CFR 229.4(e)). Although efforts are made to limit 
the issuance of authorization certificates to only those vessel or gear 
owners that participate in Category I or II fisheries, not all state 
and Federal license or permit systems distinguish between fisheries as 
classified by the LOF. Therefore, some vessel or gear owners in 
Category III fisheries may receive authorization certificates even 
though they are not required for Category III fisheries. Individuals 
fishing in Category I and II fisheries for which no state or Federal 
license or permit is required must register with NMFS by contacting 
their appropriate Regional Office (see ADDRESSES).

How do I renew my registration under the MMAP?

    In Alaska regional and Greater Atlantic regional fisheries, 
registrations of vessel or gear owners are automatically renewed and 
participants should receive an authorization certificate by January 1 
of each new year. In Pacific Islands regional fisheries, vessel or gear 
owners receive an authorization certificate by January 1 for state 
fisheries and with their permit renewal for federal fisheries. In West 
Coast regional fisheries, vessel or gear owners receive authorization 
with each renewed state fishing license, the timing of which varies 
based on target species. Vessel or gear owners who participate in 
fisheries in these regions and have not received authorization 
certificates by January 1 or with renewed fishing licenses must contact 
the appropriate NMFS Regional Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT).
    In Southeast regional fisheries, vessel or gear owners' 
registrations are automatically renewed and participants will receive a 
letter in the mail by January 1 instructing them to contact the 
Southeast Regional Office to have an authorization certificate mailed 
to them or to visit the Southeast Regional Office Web site (https://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/protected_resources/marine_mammal_authorization_program/) to print their own certificate.

Am I required to submit reports when I kill or injure a marine mammal 
during the course of commercial fishing operations?

    In accordance with the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1387(e)) and 50 CFR 229.6, 
any vessel owner or operator, or gear owner or operator (in the case of 
non-vessel fisheries), participating in a fishery listed on the LOF 
must report to NMFS all incidental mortalities and injuries of marine 
mammals that occur during commercial fishing operations, regardless of 
the category in which the fishery is placed (I, II, or III) within 48 
hours of the end of the fishing trip or, in the case of non-vessel 
fisheries, fishing activity. ``Injury'' is defined in 50 CFR 229.2 as a 
wound or other physical harm. In addition, any animal that ingests 
fishing gear or any animal that is released with fishing gear 
entangling, trailing, or perforating any part of the body is considered 
injured, regardless of the presence of any wound or other evidence of 
injury, and must be reported.
    Mortality/injury reporting forms and instructions for submitting 
forms to NMFS can be found at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/interactions/mmap/#form or by contacting the appropriate Regional 
office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION). Forms may be submitted via any of 
the following means: (1) Online using the electronic form, (2) emailed 
as an attachment to nmfs.mireport@noaa.gov, (3) faxed to the NMFS 
Office of Protected Resources at 301-713-0376, or (4) mailed to the 
NMFS Office of Protected Resources (mailing address is provided on the 
postage-paid form that can be printed from the Web address listed 
above). Reporting requirements and procedures can be found in 50 CFR 
229.6.

Am I required to take an observer aboard my vessel?

    Individuals participating in a Category I or II fishery are 
required to accommodate an observer aboard their vessel(s) upon request 
from NMFS. MMPA section 118 states that the Secretary is not required 
to place an observer on a vessel if the facilities for quartering an 
observer or performing observer functions are so inadequate or unsafe 
that the health or safety of the observer or the safe operation of the 
vessel would be jeopardized; thereby authorizing the exemption of 
vessels too small to accommodate an observer from this requirement. 
However, U.S. Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, or Gulf of Mexico large 
pelagics longline vessels operating in special areas designated by the 
Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Plan implementing regulations (50 CFR 
229.36(d)) will not be exempted from observer requirements, regardless 
of their size. Observer requirements can be found in 50 CFR 229.7.

[[Page 58431]]

Am I required to comply with any marine mammal take reduction plan 
regulations?

    Table 4 in this rule provides a list of fisheries affected by TRPs 
and TRTs. TRP regulations can be found at 50 CFR 229.30 through 229.37. 
A description of each TRT and copies of each TRP can be found at: 
https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/interactions/trt/teams.html. It is the 
responsibility of fishery participants to comply with applicable take 
reduction regulations.

Where can I find more information about the LOF and the MMAP?

    Information regarding the LOF and the Marine Mammal Authorization 
Program, including: registration procedures and forms; current and past 
LOFs; descriptions of each Category I and II fishery, and some Category 
III fisheries; observer requirements; and marine mammal mortality/
injury reporting forms and submittal procedures; may be obtained at: 
https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/interactions/fisheries/lof.html, or from 
any NMFS Regional Office at the addresses listed below:
    NMFS, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic 
Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298, Attn: Allison Rosner;
    NMFS, Southeast Region, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 
33701, Attn: Jessica Powell;
    NMFS, West Coast Region, Seattle Office, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., 
Seattle, WA 98115, Attn: Elizabeth Petras or Brent Norberg, Protected 
Resources Division;
    NMFS, Alaska Region, Protected Resources, P.O. Box 22668, 709 West 
9th Street, Juneau, AK 99802, Attn: Bridget Mansfield; or
    NMFS, Pacific Islands Regional Office, Protected Resources 
Division, 1845 Wasp Blvd., Building 176, Honolulu, HI 96818, Attn: 
Nancy Young.

Sources of Information Reviewed for the 2016 LOF

    NMFS reviewed the marine mammal incidental mortality and serious 
injury information presented in the SARs for all fisheries to determine 
whether changes in fishery classification are warranted. The SARs are 
based on the best scientific information available at the time of 
preparation, including the level of mortality and serious injury of 
marine mammals that occurs incidental to commercial fishery operations 
and the PBR levels of marine mammal stocks. The information contained 
in the SARs is reviewed by regional Scientific Review Groups (SRGs) 
representing Alaska, the Pacific (including Hawaii), and the U.S. 
Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean. The SRGs were created by the 
MMPA to review the science that informs the SARs, and to advise NMFS on 
marine mammal population status, trends, and stock structure, 
uncertainties in the science, research needs, and other issues.
    NMFS also reviewed other sources of new information, including 
marine mammal stranding data, observer program data, fisher self-
reports through the Marine Mammal Authorization Program, reports to the 
SRGs, conference papers, FMPs, and ESA documents.
    The LOF for 2016 was based on, among other things, stranding data; 
fisher self-reports; and SARs, primarily the 2014 SARs, which are 
generally based on data from 2008-2012. The final SARs referenced in 
this LOF include: 2013 (79 FR 49053, August 19, 2014) and 2014 (80 FR 
50599, August 20, 2015). The SARs are available at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/.

Summary of Changes to the LOF for 2016

    The following summarizes proposed changes to the LOF for 2016, 
including the fisheries listed in the LOF, the estimated number of 
vessels/persons in a particular fishery, and the species and/or stocks 
that are incidentally killed or injured in a particular fishery. The 
proposed LOF for 2016 proposes three re-classifications of the 
fisheries provided in the LOF for 2015. NMFS proposes changes to the 
list of species and/or stocks killed or injured in certain fisheries 
and the estimated number of vessels/persons in certain fisheries, as 
well as certain administrative changes. Additionally, NMFS proposes 
adding two Category III fisheries to the LOF and removing six fisheries 
from the LOF. Most Category III fisheries on the LOF have never been 
described in the LOF. While detailed information describing each 
fishery in the LOF is included within the SARs, a Fishery Management 
Plan, or a TRP, or by state agencies, general descriptive information 
is important to include in the LOF for improved clarity. NMFS is 
developing Category III fishery fact sheets that will be available 
online at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/interactions/fisheries/lof.html. 
NMFS is requesting public comment on fact sheet content. The 
classifications and definitions of U.S. commercial fisheries for 2016 
are identical to those provided in the LOF for 2015 with the proposed 
changes discussed below. State and regional abbreviations used in the 
following paragraphs include: AK (Alaska), BSAI (Bering Sea and 
Aleutian Islands), CA (California), DE (Delaware), FL (Florida), GMX 
(Gulf of Mexico), HI (Hawaii), MA (Massachusetts), ME (Maine), NC 
(North Carolina), NY (New York), OR (Oregon), RI (Rhode Island), SC 
(South Carolina), VA (Virginia), WA (Washington), and WNA (Western 
North Atlantic).

Commercial Fisheries in the Pacific Ocean

Classification of Fisheries

    NMFS proposes to reclassify the Category III Alaska Bering Sea/
Aleutian Island Pacific Cod Longline Fishery as Category II. Category 
II classification for this fishery is driven by a 2012 take of Gulf of 
Alaska, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands transient stock of killer whales. 
Based on the most recent five years of available information, annual 
mortality and serious injury of the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea/Aleutian 
Islands transient stock of killer whales across all fisheries is 1 per 
year, which is 17 percent of the PBR of 5.87. Mortality and serious 
injury of this stock by this fishery is 0.2 per year, which is 3.41 
percent of the PBR of 5.87 (Helker et al., 2015). Mortality and serious 
injury levels greater than 1 percent and less than 50 percent of PBR 
meet the Category II threshold. Therefore, NMFS proposes to reclassify 
the Alaska Bering Sea/Aleutian Island Pacific Cod Longline Fishery as a 
Category II fishery.
    NMFS proposes to reclassify the Category II Alaska Kodiak Salmon 
Purse Seine Fishery as Category III. No mortalities or serious injuries 
to marine mammal stocks by this fishery have been documented during the 
most recent five years of available information. Therefore, NMFS 
proposes to reclassify the Alaska Kodiak Salmon Purse Seine Fishery as 
a Category III fishery.
    NMFS proposes to reclassify the Category II Alaska Cook Inlet 
Salmon Purse Seine Fishery as Category III. No mortalities or serious 
injuries to marine mammal stocks by this fishery have been documented 
during the most recent five years of available information. Therefore, 
NMFS proposes to reclassify the Alaska Cook Inlet Salmon Purse Seine 
Fishery as a Category III fishery.

Addition of Fisheries

    NMFS proposes to add the CA sea cucumber trawl fishery to the LOF 
as Category III. NMFS reviewed the recently published Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act List of Authorized Fisheries 
and Gear (79 FR 76914, December 23, 2014)

[[Page 58432]]

and spoke with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDF&W) 
and determined that this fishery was not included in the MMPA LOF. This 
is one of two gear types authorized by the state of California to 
commercially harvest sea cucumber. Most of the effort with trawls 
occurs in southern California. NMFS proposes to list this fishery as 
Category III analogous to the WA/OR/CA shrimp trawl fishery because the 
fisheries use similar fishing techniques, habitat, and gear. There were 
16 permits issued for this fishery in 2013.
    NMFS proposes to add the WA/OR Mainstem Columbia River eulachon 
gillnet fishery to the LOF as Category III. NMFS spoke with the 
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDF&W) and Oregon 
Department of Fish and Wildlife (OD&W) and determined this fishery was 
not previously on the LOF. Eulachon smelt were historically harvested 
in target fisheries in the Columbia River. As a result of the eulachon 
listing under the Endangered Species Act in 2010 commercial harvest was 
prohibited. The commercial fishery using dip net gear was closed in 
2011 through 2013. In 2014 and 2015 a small-scale, research-based 
commercial eulachon fishery using gillnet gear was re-established to 
collect biological and catch per unit effort data. NMFS proposes to 
list this as Category III by analogy to other gillnet fisheries because 
the fisheries use similar fishing techniques, habitat, and gear. There 
are currently 15 participants in this fishery.

Removal of Fisheries

    NMFS proposes to remove the Category III WA/OR herring, smelt, 
shad, sturgeon, bottom fish, mullet, perch, rockfish gillnet fishery 
from the LOF. NMFS spoke with WDF&W and ODF&W and was advised that 
gillnet is not legal for any ocean fishing off of Washington or Oregon.
    NMFS proposes to remove the Category III WA/OR smelt, herring dip 
net fishery from the LOF. Harvesting smelt and herring off Oregon is 
allowed but this gear type is not utilized. Herring harvest off 
Washington is closed. Smelt can be harvested off Washington using dip 
net gear; however, there are currently no participants in the fishery.

Fishery Name and Organizational Changes and Clarification

    NMFS proposes to rename the Category III ``WA (all species) beach 
seine or drag seine'' as the ``WA/OR Lower Columbia River salmon 
seine'' fishery. Drag seine is not an authorized gear in Oregon. While 
authorized in Washington, it is not active. In 2014, a pilot commercial 
seine fishery was implemented in the mainstem Columbia River downstream 
of Bonneville Dam. The pilot fishery was conducted to address research-
related questions regarding use of this gear type in a new commercial 
fishery. A total of 10 fishers using seine gear (4 purse seine and 6 
beach seine) were permitted for the 2014 pilot fishery.
    NMFS proposes to split three fisheries from the Category III ``AK 
North Pacific halibut, AK bottom fish, WA/OR/CA albacore, groundfish, 
bottom fish, CA halibut non-salmonid troll'' fishery and rename them 
as: ``WA/OR/CA albacore surface hook and line/troll'' fishery, ``CA 
halibut hook and line/handline'' fishery, and ``CA White seabass hook 
and line/handline'' fishery and remove the remaining fisheries in the 
group. The WA/OR/CA albacore surface hook and line/troll fishery uses 
surface hook and line and/or troll gear and is managed under the 
Fishery Management Plan (FMP) of U.S. West Coast Fisheries for Highly 
Migratory Species. There is effort in this fishery along the entire 
coast and landings can be made in any of the three states. The number 
of vessels making landing in 2013 was 705. The CA halibut hook and 
line/handline fishery is managed by the CDF&W and is one of three gear 
types authorized by the state of California to commercially harvest CA 
halibut (along with gillnet and trawl). It is a not restrictive fishery 
and no special permits are required. Most landings occur in the San 
Francisco Bay area. The CA white seabass hook and line/handline fishery 
is managed by the CDF&W and is one of two gear types authorized by the 
state of California to commercially harvest CA white seabass (along 
with gillnets). There are no special permits required in this fishery. 
Most effort occurs in Southern California.
    NMFS proposes to combine the Category III ``CA anchovy, mackerel, 
sardine purse seine'' and ``WA/OR sardine purse seine'' fisheries and 
name it the ``CA/OR/WA anchovy, mackerel, sardine purse seine'' 
fishery. These species are managed under the Coastal Pelagic Species 
FMP developed by the Pacific Fishery Management Council and can be 
harvested along the entire coast.
    NMFS proposes to rename the Category III ``WA/OR salmon net pens'' 
fishery as the ``WA salmon net pen'' fishery. There are no commercial 
non-tribal salmon net pens in Oregon.
    NMFS proposes to rename (by revising, separating, and combining) 
the Category III ``WA/OR sea urchin, other clam, octopus, oyster, sea 
cucumber, scallop, ghost shrimp, dive, hand/mechanical collection'' and 
``CA sea urchin'' fisheries to become the ``WA/OR bait shrimp, clam 
hand, dive or mechanical collection'' and ``OR/CA sea urchin, sea 
cucumber dive, hand/mechanical collection'' fisheries. Some of the 
target species listed in the ``WA/OR sea urchin, other clam, octopus, 
oyster, sea cucumber, scallop, ghost shrimp, dive, hand/mechanical 
collection'' have changed, have been prohibited, or are no longer 
active so the new name reflects target species in the WA/OR fishery. 
NMFS is proposing to combine the OR and CA components of the sea urchin 
and sea cucumber dive, hand/mechanical collections because these 
fisheries are functionally equivalent.
    NMFS proposes to rename the Category III ``WA shellfish 
aquaculture'' fishery as the ``WA/OR shellfish aquaculture'' fishery. 
There are a number of shellfish being raised in aquaculture facilities 
in Oregon and the fisheries are functionally equivalent. There are 23 
companies engaged in shellfish aquaculture in Washington and Oregon.

Number of Vessels/Persons

    NMFS proposes to update the estimated number of vessels/persons in 
the Pacific Ocean (Table 1) as follows. Fisheries are labeled with 
their name on the proposed 2016 LOF:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Number of       Number of
                                                                                     vessels/        vessels/
                  Category                                 Fishery                    persons         persons
                                                                                    (Final 2015   (Proposed 2016
                                                                                       LOF)            LOF)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I..........................................  HI deep-set longline...............             128             135
I..........................................  CA thresher shark/swordfish drift                19              18
                                              gillnet (>=14 in mesh).
II.........................................  CA spot prawn trap.................              28              25

[[Page 58433]]

 
II.........................................  HI shallow-set longline............              18              15
II.........................................  American Samoa longline............              25              22
II.........................................  HI shortline.......................               6               9
III........................................  CA set gillnet (mesh size <3.5 in).             304             296
III........................................  HI inshore gillnet.................              42              36
III........................................  WA/OR Lower Columbia River salmon               235              10
                                              seine.
III........................................  HI lift net........................              21              17
III........................................  HI throw net, cast net.............              20              23
III........................................  HI seine net.......................              21              24
III........................................  American Samoa tuna troll..........               7              13
III........................................  HI troll...........................           1,755           2,117
III........................................  HI rod and reel....................             221             322
III........................................  HI kaka line.......................              24              15
III........................................  HI vertical line...................               6               3
III........................................  CA halibut bottom trawl............              53              47
III........................................  CA/OR coonstripe shrimp pot........              10              36
III........................................  CA rock crab pot...................             150             124
III........................................  CA spiny lobster...................             198             194
III........................................  HI crab trap.......................               7               5
III........................................  HI fish trap.......................               5               9
III........................................  HI shrimp trap.....................               6              10
III........................................  HI Kona crab loop net..............              35              33
III........................................  American Samoa bottomfish handline.              14              17
III........................................  HI bottomfish handline.............             578             496
III........................................  HI inshore handline................             376             357
III........................................  HI pelagic handline................             484             534
III........................................  CA swordfish harpoon...............              30               6
III........................................  HI bullpen trap....................              <3               3
III........................................  HI handpick........................              58              46
III........................................  HI lobster diving..................              23              19
III........................................  HI spearfishing....................             159             163
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

List of Species and/or Stocks Incidentally Killed or Injured in the 
Pacific Ocean

    NMFS proposes to add the southwest Alaska stock of northern sea 
otters to the list of species and/or stocks killed or injured in the 
Category II Alaska Peninsula/Aleutian Islands salmon set gillnet 
fishery. In 2014 a sea otter pup was documented injured by this 
fishery. The animal was rescued and rehabbed. This is the first 
reported take of northern sea otters in this fishery.
    NMFS proposes to add the U.S. stock of California sea lions, 
unknown stock of harbor porpoise, unknown stock of harbor seals, 
California breeding stock of northern elephant seals, unknown stock of 
Steller sea lions to the species and/or stocks incidentally killed or 
injured by the Category III CA halibut bottom trawl fishery.
    NMFS proposes to add the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands stock of 
false killer whales to the list of species and/or stocks killed or 
injured in the Category I Hawaii deep-set longline fishery. The Draft 
2014 SAR indicates an average annual mortality and serious injury level 
of 0.4 per year from 2008-2012, which is 15.4 percent of the PBR of 2.6 
(Carretta et al., 2015).
    NMFS proposes to remove the Palmyra Atoll stock of false killer 
whales from the list of species and/or stocks killed or injured in the 
Category I Hawaii deep-set longline fishery. The mortality and serious 
injury estimate in the fishery for 2008-2012 is zero (McCracken, 2014).
    NMFS proposes to add notation ``\1\'' to indicate that the Main 
Hawaiian Islands (MHI) insular stock of false killer whales, along with 
the HI pelagic stock of false killer whales, is also driving the Hawaii 
deep-set longline fishery's Category I classification. The tier 
analysis is as follows: Tier 1: Data from the Draft 2014 SAR (2008-
2012) indicate that total fishery-related mortality and serious injury 
of this stock is 300 percent of PBR (0.9/0.3) and because this exceeds 
10 percent of the stock's PBR, we proceed to Tier 2. Tier 2: The Hawaii 
deep-set longline fishery's five-year average mortality and serious 
injury of this stock from 2008-2012 is 300 percent of the stock's PBR 
(0.9/0.3) (Carretta et al., 2015). This exceeds 50 percent of the 
stock's PBR level, and a Category I classification is warranted. We 
note that the False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan (77 FR 71260, 
November 29, 2012) was not in effect during the time period for which 
bycatch is estimated and reported here (2008-2012). Based on 
preliminary bycatch estimates for 2013, observer data for 2014, and a 
revision to the stock boundary that will be included in the draft 2015 
SAR that reduces the spatial overlap between the stock and the fishery, 
we anticipate future impacts to the stock as discussed in the recent 
MMPA 101(a)(5)(E) permit (79 FR 62105, October 16, 2014) and supporting 
Negligible Impact Determination.
    NMFS proposes to add the Gulf of Alaska, BSAI transient stock of 
killer whales to the list of species and/or stocks killed or injured in 
the proposed Category II Alaska BSAI Pacific cod longline fishery. A 
killer whale was injured by this fishery in 2012 (Helker et. al., 
2015). NMFS proposes to add notation ``\1\'' to indicate that this 
stock is driving the fishery's classification (see tier analysis in 
Classification of Fisheries section above).
    NMFS proposes to remove notation ``\1\'' from the Central North 
Pacific stock of humpback whales under the proposed Category III 
fisheries: Alaska Cook Inlet salmon purse seine and Alaska Kodiak 
salmon purse seine. No mortalities or serious injuries of this stock by 
these fisheries have been

[[Page 58434]]

documented during the most recent five years of available information.

Commercial Fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and 
Caribbean

Fishery Name and Organizational Changes and Clarification

    NMFS proposes to rename and change the geographic scope of the 
Category III ``U.S. Mid-Atlantic offshore surf clam/quahog dredge'' 
fishery. This fishery is proposed to be the ``New England and Mid-
Atlantic offshore surf clam/quahog dredge'' fishery. The proposed 
fishery definition will include all offshore quahog and surf clam 
dredges operating from the Canada-Maine border through Cape Hatteras, 
to better reflect the full distribution of this fishery as detailed in 
the Surf Clam and Ocean Quahog FMP developed by the Mid-Atlantic 
Fisheries Management Council. This updated definition will also include 
quahog non-hydraulic dredges targeting mahogany quahog in Maine state 
waters, which are managed by the state of Maine. Based on similarity to 
the current Mid-Atlantic offshore surf clam/quahog dredge fishery and 
other Category III shellfish dredge fisheries (Gulf of Maine, U.S. Mid-
Atlantic sea scallop dredge and Gulf of Maine mussel dredge), we 
propose to maintain the Category III designation with this geographic 
expansion and name change.

Number of Vessels/Persons

    NMFS updates the estimated number of vessels/persons in the 
Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean (Table 2) as follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Number of
                                                                                     Number of       vessels/
                  Category                                 Fishery                   vessels/         persons
                                                                                  persons (Final  (Proposed 2016
                                                                                     2015 LOF)         LOF)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I..........................................  Mid-Atlantic gillnet...............           5,509           4,063
I..........................................  Northeast sink gillnet.............           4,375           4,332
I..........................................  Northeast/Mid-Atlantic American              11,693          10,163
                                              lobster trap/pot.
II.........................................  Chesapeake Bay inshore gillnet.....           1,126             272
II.........................................  Northeast anchored float gillnet...             421             995
II.........................................  Northeast drift gillnet............             311           1,567
II.........................................  Mid-Atlantic mid-water trawl                    322             507
                                              (including pair trawl).
II.........................................  Mid-Atlantic bottom trawl..........             631             994
II.........................................  Northeast mid-water trawl..........           1,103           1,087
II.........................................  Northeast bottom trawl.............           2,987           3,132
II.........................................  Atlantic mixed-species trap pot....           3,467           3,284
II.........................................  Mid-Atlantic menhaden purse seine..               5              19
II.........................................  Mid-Atlantic haul/beach seine......             565             243
II.........................................  Virginia pound net.................              67              47
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

List of Species and/or Stocks Incidentally Killed or Injured in the 
Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean

    NMFS proposes to add the Gulf of Maine/Bay of Fundy stock of harbor 
porpoise and the Gulf of Mexico stock of pygmy sperm whale to the list 
of marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured 
in the Category I Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico large 
pelagics longline fishery. One harbor porpoise was observed killed by 
this fishery in 2013 in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (Garrison and Stokes, 
2014). This is the first recorded harbor porpoise caught in this 
fishery; therefore, average annual mortality and injury estimates have 
not yet been calculated. One pygmy sperm whale was observed injured by 
this fishery in 2013 (Garrison and Stokes, 2014).
    NMFS proposes to add the Western North Atlantic stock of Risso's 
dolphin to the list of marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally 
killed or injured in the Category II Northeast bottom trawl fishery. 
One Risso's dolphin from the Western North Atlantic stock was observed 
injured by this fishery in 2010 (Waring, et. al., 2015).
    NMFS proposes to add the central Georgia estuarine system stock of 
bottlenose dolphin to the list of marine mammal species and/or stocks 
incidentally killed or injured in the Category II Atlantic blue crab 
trap/pot fishery. One bottlenose dolphin from the central Georgia 
estuarine system stock was observed injured by this fishery in 2011 
(Waring, et. al., 2015).
    NMFS proposes to remove the Western North Atlantic stocks of 
Risso's dolphin and white-sided dolphin from the list of marine mammal 
species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category I 
Mid-Atlantic gillnet fishery. The last documented takes of these 
species were in 2007. There have not been any observed takes of these 
species in this fishery in the most recent five-year period analyzed 
for this LOF. During 2008-2012, the estimated observer coverage was 3, 
3, 4, 2, and 2 percent respectively.
    NMFS proposes to remove the Western North Atlantic stocks of common 
dolphin, long-finned pilot whale, and short-finned pilot whale from the 
list of marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed or 
injured in the Category II Mid-Atlantic mid-water trawl fishery. There 
have not been any observed takes of these species in this fishery in 
the most recent five-year period analyzed for this LOF. During 2008-
2012, the estimated observer coverage (measured in trips) was 4, 13.2, 
25, 41, and 21 percent respectively. Observer coverage for 2010-2012 
includes both observers and at-sea monitors.
    NMFS proposes to remove the Western North Atlantic stocks of white-
sided dolphin, long-finned pilot whale, and short-finned pilot whale 
from the list of marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally 
killed or injured in the Category II Mid-Atlantic bottom trawl fishery. 
There have not been any observed takes of these species in this fishery 
in the most recent five-year period analyzed for this LOF. During the 
years 2008-2012, estimated observer coverage (measured in trips) for 
each year was as follows: Targeting mixed groundfish species: 3, 5, 5, 
7, and 5 percent respectively; targeting Loligo squid between: 2, 7, 8, 
11, and 4 percent respectively; and domestic trips targeting Atlantic 
mackerel fishery: 0, 8, 11, 8, and 20 percent respectively.
    NMFS proposes to remove the Western North Atlantic stocks of white-
sided dolphin and short-finned pilot whale from the list of marine 
mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed

[[Page 58435]]

or injured in the Category II Northeast mid-water trawl fishery. There 
have not been any observed takes of these species in this fishery in 
the most recent five-year period analyzed for this LOF. During 2008-
2012, the estimated observer coverage (trips) was 19.92, 42, 53, 41, 
and 45 percent respectively.
    NMFS proposes to remove the Western North Atlantic stock of short-
finned pilot whale from the list of marine mammal species and/or stock 
incidentally killed or injured in the Category II Northeast bottom 
trawl fishery. There have not been any observed takes of this species 
in this fishery in the most recent five-year period analyzed for this 
LOF. During 2008-2012, the estimated observer coverage (measured in 
trips) was 8, 9, 16, 26, and 17 percent respectively. Observer coverage 
for 2010-2012 includes both observers and at-sea monitors.

Commercial Fisheries on the High Seas

Removal of Fisheries

    NMFS proposes to remove the following Category II high seas 
fisheries from the List of Fisheries: (1) Western Pacific Pelagic 
Trawl, (2) Pacific Highly Migratory Species Liners, not elsewhere 
included (NEI), (3) South Pacific Albacore Troll Liners (NEI), and (4) 
Western Pacific Pelagic Liners (NEI). These fisheries categories are no 
longer authorized under the HSFCA.

Number of Vessels/Persons

    NMFS proposes to update the estimated number of HSFCA permits in 
multiple high seas fisheries for multiple gear types (Table 3). The 
proposed updated numbers of HSFCA permits reflect the current number of 
permits in the NMFS National Permit System database, with the exception 
of the Western Pacific Pelagic HI deep-set and shallow-set component 
longline fisheries. The HSFCA permit does not distinguish between deep 
and shallow-set; therefore, the estimated number of participants from 
Table 1 for only these fisheries is used. NMFS proposes to update the 
estimated number of HSFCA permits as follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Number of       Number of
                                                                                  HSFCA  permits  HSFCA  permits
                 Category                                  Fishery                  (Final 2015   (Proposed 2016
                                                                                       LOF)            LOF)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I.........................................  Atlantic Highly Migratory Species                 83              86
                                             Longline.
I.........................................  Western Pacific Pelagic (HI Deep-set             128             135
                                             component).
I.........................................  Pacific Highly Migratory Species                   4               5
                                             Drift Gillnet.
II........................................  South Pacific Tuna Fisheries Purse                38              39
                                             Seine.
II........................................  South Pacific Albacore Troll                      13              15
                                             Longline.
II........................................  Western Pacific Pelagic (HI Shallow-              18              15
                                             set component).
II........................................  Atlantic Highly Migratory Species                  2               3
                                             Handline/Pole and Line.
II........................................  Pacific Highly Migratory Species                  41              50
                                             Handline/Pole and Line.
II........................................  South Pacific Albacore Troll                       8               9
                                             Handline/Pole and Line.
II........................................  Western Pacific Pelagic Handline/                  3               5
                                             Pole and Line.
II........................................  South Pacific Albacore Troll........              35              38
II........................................  South Pacific Tuna Fisheries Troll..               3               5
II........................................  Western Pacific Pelagic Troll.......              19              21
III.......................................  Pacific Highly Migratory Species                 100             126
                                             Longline.
III.......................................  Pacific Highly Migratory Species                 253             243
                                             Troll.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

List of Fisheries

    The following tables set forth the list of U.S. commercial 
fisheries according to their classification under section 118 of the 
MMPA. Table 1 lists commercial fisheries in the Pacific Ocean 
(including Alaska); Table 2 lists commercial fisheries in the Atlantic 
Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean; Table 3 lists commercial 
fisheries on the high seas; and Table 4 lists fisheries affected by 
TRPs or TRTs.
    In Tables 1 and 2, the estimated number of vessels or persons 
participating in fisheries operating within U.S. waters is expressed in 
terms of the number of active participants in the fishery, when 
possible. If this information is not available, the estimated number of 
vessels or persons licensed for a particular fishery is provided. If no 
recent information is available on the number of participants, vessels, 
or persons licensed in a fishery, then the number from the most recent 
LOF is used for the estimated number of vessels or persons in the 
fishery. NMFS acknowledges that, in some cases, these estimates may be 
inflations of actual effort. For example, the State of Hawaii does not 
issue fishery-specific licenses, and the number of participants 
reported in the LOF represents the number of commercial marine license 
holders who reported using a particular fishing gear type/method at 
least once in a given year, without considering how many times the gear 
was used. For these fisheries, effort by a single participant is 
counted the same whether the fisher used the gear only once or every 
day. In the Mid-Atlantic and New England fisheries, the numbers 
represent the potential effort for each fishery, given the multiple 
gear types for which several state permits may allow. Changes made to 
Mid-Atlantic and New England fishery participants will not affect 
observer coverage or bycatch estimates, as observer coverage and 
bycatch estimates are based on vessel trip reports and landings data. 
Tables 1 and 2 serve to provide a description of the fishery's 
potential effort (state and Federal). If NMFS is able to extract more 
accurate information on the gear types used by state permit holders in 
the future, the numbers will be updated to reflect this change. For 
additional information on fishing effort in fisheries found on Table 1 
or 2, contact the relevant regional office (contact information 
included above in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).
    For high seas fisheries, Table 3 lists the number of valid HSFCA 
permits currently held. Although this likely overestimates the number 
of active participants in many of these fisheries, the number of valid 
HSFCA permits is the most reliable data on the potential effort in high 
seas fisheries at this time. As noted previously in this rule, the 
number of HSFCA permits listed in Table 3 for the high seas components 
of fisheries that also operate within U.S. waters does not necessarily 
represent additional effort that is not accounted for in Tables 1 and 
2. Many vessels holding HSFCA permits also fish within U.S. waters and 
are included in the

[[Page 58436]]

number of vessels and participants operating within those fisheries in 
Tables 1 and 2.
    Tables 1, 2, and 3 also list the marine mammal species and/or 
stocks incidentally killed or injured (seriously or non-seriously) in 
each fishery based on SARs, injury determination reports, bycatch 
estimation reports, observer data, logbook data, stranding data, 
disentanglement network data, fisher self-reports (i.e. MMPA reports), 
and anecdotal reports. The best available scientific information 
included in these reports is based on data through 2012. This list 
includes all species and/or stocks known to be killed or injured in a 
given fishery but also includes species and/or stocks for which there 
are anecdotal records of a mortality or injury. Additionally, species 
identified by logbook entries, stranding data, or fishermen self-
reports (i.e., MMPA reports) may not be verified. In Tables 1 and 2, 
NMFS has designated those species/stocks driving a fishery's 
classification (i.e., the fishery is classified based on mortalities 
and serious injuries of a marine mammal stock that are greater than or 
equal to 50 percent [Category I], or greater than 1 percent and less 
than 50 percent [Category II], of a stock's PBR) by a ``\1\'' after the 
stock's name.
    In Tables 1 and 2, there are several fisheries classified as 
Category II that have no recent documented mortalities or serious 
injuries of marine mammals, or fisheries that did not result in a 
mortality or serious injury rate greater than 1 percent of a stock's 
PBR level based on known interactions. NMFS has classified these 
fisheries by analogy to other Category I or II fisheries that use 
similar fishing techniques or gear that are known to cause mortality or 
serious injury of marine mammals, as discussed in the final LOF for 
1996 (60 FR 67063, December 28, 1995), and according to factors listed 
in the definition of a ``Category II fishery'' in 50 CFR 229.2 (i.e., 
fishing techniques, gear types, methods used to deter marine mammals, 
target species, seasons and areas fished, qualitative data from 
logbooks or fisher reports, stranding data, and the species and 
distribution of marine mammals in the area). NMFS has designated those 
fisheries listed by analogy in Tables 1 and 2 by a ``\2\'' after the 
fishery's name.
    There are several fisheries in Tables 1, 2, and 3 in which a 
portion of the fishing vessels cross the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) 
boundary and therefore operate both within U.S. waters and on the high 
seas. These fisheries, though listed separately between Table 1 or 2 
and Table 3, are considered the same fisheries on either side of the 
EEZ boundary. NMFS has designated those fisheries in each table by a 
``*'' after the fishery's name.

  Table 1--List of Fisheries--Commercial Fisheries in the Pacific Ocean
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Estimated     Marine mammal species
                                    number of         and/or stocks
      Fishery description           vessels/     incidentally  killed or
                                     persons             injured
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               CATEGORY I
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONGLINE/SET LINE FISHERIES:
    HI deep-set longline *                  135  Bottlenose dolphin, HI
     [caret].                                     Pelagic.
                                 ..............  False killer whale, MHI
                                                  Insular.\1\
                                 ..............  False killer whale, HI
                                                  Pelagic.\1\
                                 ..............  False killer whale,
                                                  NWHI.
                                 ..............  Pantropical spotted
                                                  dolphin, HI.
                                 ..............  Risso's dolphin, HI.
                                 ..............  Short-finned pilot
                                                  whale, HI.
                                 ..............  Sperm whale, HI.
                                 ..............  Striped dolphin, HI.
GILLNET FISHERIES:
    CA thresher shark/swordfish              18  Bottlenose dolphin, CA/
     drift gillnet (>=14 in                       OR/WA offshore.
     mesh) *.
                                 ..............  California sea lion,
                                                  Humpback whale, CA/OR/
                                                  WA.
                                 ..............  Long-beaked common
                                                  dolphin, CA.
                                 ..............  Minke whale, CA/OR/WA.
                                 ..............  Northern elephant seal,
                                                  CA breeding.
                                 ..............  Northern right-whale
                                                  dolphin, CA/OR/WA.
                                 ..............  Pacific white-sided
                                                  dolphin, CA/OR/WA.
                                 ..............  Risso's dolphin, CA/OR/
                                                  WA.
                                 ..............  Short-beaked common
                                                  dolphin, CA/OR/WA.
                                 ..............  Sperm Whale, CA/OR/
                                                  WA.\1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               CATEGORY II
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GILLNET FISHERIES:
    CA halibut/white seabass                 50  California sea lion,
     and other species set                        U.S.
     gillnet (>3.5 in mesh).
                                 ..............  Harbor seal, CA.
                                 ..............  Humpback whale, CA/OR/
                                                  WA.\1\
                                 ..............  Long-beaked common
                                                  dolphin, CA.
                                 ..............  Northern elephant seal,
                                                  CA breeding.
                                 ..............  Sea otter, CA.
                                 ..............  Short-beaked common
                                                  dolphin, CA/OR/WA.
    CA yellowtail, barracuda,                30  California sea lion,
     and white seabass drift                      U.S. Long-beaked
     gillnet (mesh size >=3.5                     common dolphin, CA.
     in and <14 in) \ 2\.
                                 ..............  Short-beaked common
                                                  dolphin, CA/OR/WA.
    AK Bristol Bay salmon drift           1,862  Beluga whale, Bristol
     gillnet \2\.                                 Bay.
                                 ..............  Gray whale, Eastern
                                                  North Pacific.
                                 ..............  Harbor seal, Bering
                                                  Sea.
                                 ..............  Northern fur seal,
                                                  Eastern Pacific.

[[Page 58437]]

 
                                 ..............  Pacific white-sided
                                                  dolphin, North
                                                  Pacific.
                                 ..............  Spotted seal, AK.
                                 ..............  Steller sea lion,
                                                  Western U.S.
    AK Bristol Bay salmon set               979  Beluga whale, Bristol
     gillnet \2\.                                 Bay.
                                 ..............  Gray whale, Eastern
                                                  North Pacific.
                                 ..............  Harbor seal, Bering
                                                  Sea.
                                 ..............  Northern fur seal,
                                                  Eastern Pacific.
                                 ..............  Spotted seal, AK.
    AK Kodiak salmon set                    188  Harbor porpoise,
     gillnet.                                     GOA.\1\
                                 ..............  Harbor seal, GOA.
                                 ..............  Sea otter, Southwest
                                                  AK.
                                 ..............  Steller sea lion,
                                                  Western U.S.
    AK Cook Inlet salmon set                736  Beluga whale, Cook
     gillnet.                                     Inlet.
                                 ..............  Dall's porpoise, AK.
                                 ..............  Harbor porpoise, GOA.
                                 ..............  Harbor seal, GOA.
                                 ..............  Humpback whale, Central
                                                  North Pacific.\1\
                                 ..............  Sea otter, South
                                                  Central AK.
                                 ..............  Steller sea lion,
                                                  Western U.S.
    AK Cook Inlet salmon drift              569  Beluga whale, Cook
     gillnet.                                     Inlet.
                                 ..............  Dall's porpoise, AK.
                                 ..............  Harbor porpoise,
                                                  GOA.\1\
                                 ..............  Harbor seal, GOA.
                                 ..............  Steller sea lion,
                                                  Western U.S.
    AK Peninsula/Aleutian                   162  Dall's porpoise, AK.
     Islands salmon drift
     gillnet \2\.
                                 ..............  Harbor porpoise, GOA.
                                 ..............  Harbor seal, GOA.
                                 ..............  Northern fur seal,
                                                  Eastern Pacific.
    AK Peninsula/Aleutian                   113  Harbor porpoise, Bering
     Islands salmon set gillnet                   Sea.
     \2\.
                                 ..............  Northern sea otter,
                                                  Southwest AK.
                                 ..............  Steller sea lion,
                                                  Western U.S.
    AK Prince William Sound                 537  Dall's porpoise, AK
     salmon drift gillnet.                        Harbor porpoise,
                                                  GOA.\1\ Harbor seal,
                                                  GOA. Northern fur
                                                  seal, Eastern Pacific.
                                                  Pacific white-sided
                                                  dolphin, North
                                                  Pacific. Sea otter,
                                                  South Central AK.
                                                  Steller sea lion,
                                                  Western U.S.\1\
    AK Southeast salmon drift               474  Dall's porpoise, AK.
     gillnet.
                                 ..............  Harbor porpoise,
                                                  Southeast AK.
                                 ..............  Harbor seal, Southeast
                                                  AK.
                                 ..............  Humpback whale, Central
                                                  North Pacific.\1\
                                 ..............  Pacific white-sided
                                                  dolphin, North
                                                  Pacific.
                                 ..............  Steller sea lion,
                                                  Eastern U.S.
    AK Yakutat salmon set                   168  Gray whale, Eastern
     gillnet \2\.                                 North Pacific.
                                 ..............  Harbor Porpoise,
                                                  Southeastern AK.
                                 ..............  Harbor seal, Southeast
                                                  AK.
                                 ..............  Humpback whale, Central
                                                  North Pacific
                                                  (Southeast AK).
    WA Puget Sound Region                   210  Dall's porpoise, CA/OR/
     salmon drift gillnet                         WA. Harbor porpoise,
     (includes all inland                         inland WA.\1\ Harbor
     waters south of US-Canada                    seal, WA inland.
     border and eastward of the
     Bonilla-Tatoosh line-
     Treaty Indian fishing is
     excluded).
TRAWL FISHERIES:
    AK Bering Sea, Aleutian                  32  Bearded seal, AK.
     Islands flatfish trawl.
                                 ..............  Gray whale, Eastern
                                                  North Pacific.
                                 ..............  Harbor porpoise, Bering
                                                  Sea.
                                 ..............  Harbor seal, Bering
                                                  Sea.
                                 ..............  Humpback whale, Western
                                                  North Pacific.\1\
                                 ..............  Killer whale, AK
                                                  resident.\1\
                                 ..............  Killer whale, GOA, AI,
                                                  BS transient.\1\
                                 ..............  Northern fur seal,
                                                  Eastern Pacific.
                                 ..............  Ringed seal, AK.
                                 ..............  Ribbon seal, AK.
                                 ..............  Spotted seal, AK.
                                 ..............  Steller sea lion,
                                                  Western U.S.\1\
                                 ..............  Walrus, AK.
    AK Bering Sea, Aleutian                 102  Bearded Seal, AK.
     Islands pollock trawl.
                                 ..............  Dall's porpoise, AK.
                                 ..............  Harbor seal, AK.
                                 ..............  Humpback whale, Central
                                                  North Pacific.
                                 ..............  Humpback whale, Western
                                                  North Pacific.
                                 ..............  Northern fur seal,
                                                  Eastern Pacific.

[[Page 58438]]

 
                                 ..............  Ribbon seal, AK.
                                 ..............  Ringed seal, AK.
                                 ..............  Spotted seal, AK.
                                 ..............  Steller sea lion,
                                                  Western U.S.\1\
    AK Bering Sea, Aleutian                  17  Killer whale, ENP AK
     Islands rockfish trawl.                      resident.\1\ Killer
                                                  whale, GOA, AI, BS
                                                  transient.\1\
POT, RING NET, AND TRAP
 FISHERIES:
    CA spot prawn pot..........              25  Gray whale, Eastern
                                                  North Pacific.
                                 ..............  Humpback whale, CA/OR/
                                                  WA.\1\
    CA Dungeness crab pot......             570  Gray whale, Eastern
                                                  North Pacific.
                                 ..............  Humpback whale, CA/OR/
                                                  WA.\1\
    OR Dungeness crab pot......             433  Gray whale, Eastern
                                                  North Pacific.
                                 ..............  Humpback whale, CA/OR/
                                                  WA.\1\
    WA/OR/CA sablefish pot.....             309  Humpback whale, CA/OR/
                                                  WA.\1\
    WA coastal Dungeness crab               228  Gray whale, Eastern
     pot.                                         North Pacific.
                                 ..............  Humpback whale, CA/OR/
                                                  WA.\1\
LONGLINE/SET LINE FISHERIES:
    AK Bering Sea, Aleutian                  45  Dall's Porpoise, AK
     Islands Pacific cod                          Killer whale, GOA,
     longline.                                    BSAI transient.\1\
                                                  Northern fur seal,
                                                  Eastern Pacific.
                                                  Ringed seal, AK.
    HI shallow-set longline *..              15  Blainville's beaked
                                                  whale, HI.
                                 ..............  Bottlenose dolphin, HI
                                                  Pelagic.
                                 ..............  False killer whale, HI
                                                  Pelagic.\1\
                                 ..............  Humpback whale, Central
                                                  North Pacific.
                                 ..............  Kogia spp. whale (Pygmy
                                                  or dwarf sperm whale),
                                                  HI.
                                 ..............  Risso's dolphin, HI.
                                 ..............  Short-finned pilot
                                                  whale, HI.
                                 ..............  Striped dolphin, HI.
    American Samoa longline.\2\              22  Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  unknown.
                                 ..............  Cuvier's beaked whale,
                                                  unknown.
                                 ..............  False killer whale,
                                                  American Samoa.
                                 ..............  Rough-toothed dolphin,
                                                  American Samoa.
                                 ..............  Short-finned pilot
                                                  whale, unknown.
    HI shortline \2\...........               9  None documented.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              CATEGORY III
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GILLNET FISHERIES:.
    AK Kuskokwim, Yukon, Norton           1,778  Harbor porpoise, Bering
     Sound, Kotzebue salmon                       Sea.
     gillnet.
    AK miscellaneous finfish                 54  Steller sea lion,
     set gillnet.                                 Western U.S.
    AK Prince William Sound                  29  Harbor seal, GOA. Sea
     salmon set gillnet.                          otter, South Central
                                                  AK Steller sea lion,
                                                  Western U.S.
    AK roe herring and food/                920  None documented.
     bait herring gillnet.
    CA set gillnet (mesh size               296  None documented.
     <3.5 in).
    HI inshore gillnet.........              36  Bottlenose dolphin, HI.
                                 ..............  Spinner dolphin, HI.
    WA Grays Harbor salmon                   24  Harbor seal, OR/WA
     drift gillnet (excluding                     coast.
     treaty Tribal fishing).
    WA/OR Mainstem Columbia                  15  None documented.
     River eulchon gillnet.
    WA/OR lower Columbia River              110  California sea lion,
     (includes tributaries)                       U.S. Harbor seal, OR/
     drift gillnet.                               WA coast.
    WA Willapa Bay drift                     82  Harbor seal, OR/WA
     gillnet.                                     coast.
                                 ..............  Northern elephant seal,
                                                  CA breeding.
MISCELLANEOUS NET FISHERIES:.
    AK Cook Inlet salmon purse               83  Humpback whale, Central
     seine.                                       North Pacific.
    AK Kodiak salmon purse                  376  Humpback whale, Central
     seine.                                       North Pacific.
    AK Southeast salmon purse               315  None documented in the
     seine.                                       most recent five years
                                                  of data.
    AK Metlakatla salmon purse               10  None documented.
     seine.
    AK miscellaneous finfish                  2  None documented.
     beach seine.
    AK miscellaneous finfish                  2  None documented.
     purse seine.
    AK octopus/squid purse                    0  None documented.
     seine.
    AK roe herring and food/                 10  None documented.
     bait herring beach seine.
    AK roe herring and food/                356  None documented.
     bait herring purse seine.
    AK salmon beach seine......              31  None documented.
    AK salmon purse seine                   936  Harbor seal, GOA Harbor
     (excluding salmon purse                      seal, Prince William
     seine fisheries listed                       Sound.
     elsewhere).
    CA/OR/WA anchovy, mackerel,             107  California sea lion,
     sardine seine.                               U.S. Harbor seal, CA.
    CA squid purse seine.......              80  Long-beaked common
                                                  dolphin, CA.
                                 ..............  Short-beaked common
                                                  dolphin, CA/OR/WA.

[[Page 58439]]

 
    CA tuna purse seine *......              10  None documented.
    WA/OR Lower Columbia River               10  None documented.
     salmon seine.
    WA/OR herring, smelt, squid             130  None documented.
     purse seine or lampara.
    WA salmon purse seine......              75  None documented.
    WA salmon reef net.........              11  None documented.
    HI lift net................              17  None documented.
    HI inshore purse seine.....              <3  None documented.
    HI throw net, cast net.....              23  None documented.
    HI seine net...............              24  None documented..
DIP NET FISHERIES:.
    CA squid dip net...........             115  None documented..
MARINE AQUACULTURE FISHERIES:.
    CA marine shellfish                 unknown  None documented.
     aquaculture.
    CA salmon enhancement                    >1  None documented.
     rearing pen.
    CA white seabass                         13  California sea lion,
     enhancement net pens.                        U.S.
    HI offshore pen culture....               2  None documented.
    WA salmon net pens.........              14  California sea lion,
                                                  U.S.
                                 ..............  Harbor seal, WA inland
                                                  waters.
    WA/OR shellfish aquaculture              23  None documented..
TROLL FISHERIES:.
    WA/OR/CA albacore surface               705  None documented.
     hook and line/troll.
    CA halibut hook and line/           unknown  None documented.
     handline.
    CA white seabass hook and           unknown  None documented.
     line/handline.
    AK salmon troll............           1,908  Steller sea lion,
                                                  Eastern U.S.
                                 ..............  Steller sea lion,
                                                  Western U.S.
    American Samoa tuna troll..              13  None documented.
    CA/OR/WA salmon troll......           4,300  None documented.
    HI troll...................           2,117  Pantropical spotted
                                                  dolphin, HI.
    HI rod and reel............             322  None documented.
    Commonwealth of the                      40  None documented.
     Northern Mariana Islands
     tuna troll.
    Guam tuna troll............             432  None documented..
LONGLINE/SET LINE FISHERIES:.
    AK Bering Sea, Aleutian                   3  None documented.
     Islands rockfish longline.
    AK Bering Sea, Aleutian                   4  Killer whale, AK
     Islands Greenland turbot                     resident.
     longline.
    AK Bering Sea, Aleutian                  22  None documented.
     Islands sablefish longline.
    AK Gulf of Alaska halibut               855  None documented.
     longline.
    AK Gulf of Alaska Pacific                92  Steller sea lion,
     cod longline.                                Western U.S.
    AK Gulf of Alaska rockfish               25  None documented.
     longline.
    AK Gulf of Alaska sablefish             295  Sperm whale, North
     longline.                                    Pacific.
    AK halibut longline/set               2,197  None documented in the
     line (state and Federal                      most recent five years
     waters).                                     of data.
    AK octopus/squid longline..               3  None documented.
    AK state-managed waters                 464  None documented.
     longline/setline
     (including sablefish,
     rockfish, lingcod, and
     miscellaneous finfish).
    WA/OR/CA groundfish,                    367  Bottlenose dolphin, CA/
     bottomfish longline/set                      OR/WA offshore.
     line.
    WA/OR Pacific halibut                   350  None documented.
     longline.
    CA pelagic longline........               1  None documented in the
                                                  most recent five years
                                                  of data.
    HI kaka line...............              15  None documented.
    HI vertical line...........               3  None documented..
TRAWL FISHERIES:.
    AK Bering Sea, Aleutian                  13  Ribbon seal, AK Steller
     Islands Atka mackerel                        sea lion, Western U.S.
     trawl.
    AK Bering Sea, Aleutian                  72  Ringed seal, AK Steller
     Islands Pacific cod trawl.                   sea lion, Western U.S.
    AK Gulf of Alaska flatfish               36  Northern elephant seal,
     trawl.                                       North Pacific.
    AK Gulf of Alaska Pacific                55  Steller sea lion,
     cod trawl.                                   Western U.S.
    AK Gulf of Alaska pollock                67  Dall's porpoise, AK.
     trawl.
                                 ..............  Fin whale, Northeast
                                                  Pacific.
                                 ..............  Northern elephant seal,
                                                  North Pacific.
                                 ..............  Steller sea lion,
                                                  Western U.S.
    AK Gulf of Alaska rockfish               43  None documented.
     trawl.
    AK food/bait herring trawl.               4  None documented.
    AK miscellaneous finfish                282  None documented.
     otter/beam trawl.
    AK shrimp otter trawl and                38  None documented.
     beam trawl (statewide and
     Cook Inlet).
    AK state-managed waters of                2  None documented.
     Cook Inlet, Kachemak Bay,
     Prince William Sound,
     Southeast AK groundfish
     trawl.
    CA halibut bottom trawl....              47  California sea lion,
                                                  U.S.
                                 ..............  Harbor porpoise,
                                                  unknown.
                                 ..............  Harbor seal, unknown.
                                 ..............  Northern elephant seal,
                                                  CA breeding.
                                 ..............  Steller sea lion,
                                                  unknown.

[[Page 58440]]

 
    CA sea cucumber trawl......              16  None documented.
    WA/OR/CA shrimp trawl......             300  None documented.
    WA/OR/CA groundfish trawl..         160-180  California sea lion,
                                                  U.S.
                                 ..............  Dall's porpoise, CA/OR/
                                                  WA.
                                 ..............  Harbor seal, OR/WA
                                                  coast.
                                 ..............  Northern fur seal,
                                                  Eastern Pacific.
                                 ..............  Pacific white-sided
                                                  dolphin, CA/OR/WA
                                                  Steller sea lion,
                                                  Eastern U.S..
POT, RING NET, AND TRAP
 FISHERIES:.
    AK statewide miscellaneous                4  None documented.
     finfish pot.
    AK Aleutian Islands                       4  None documented.
     sablefish pot.
    AK Bering Sea, Aleutian                  59  None documented.
     Islands Pacific cod pot.
    AK Bering Sea, Aleutian                 540  Gray whale, Eastern
     Islands crab pot.                            North Pacific.
    AK Bering Sea sablefish pot               2  None documented.
    AK Gulf of Alaska crab pot.             381  None documented.
    AK Gulf of Alaska Pacific               128  Harbor seal, GOA.
     cod pot.
    AK Southeast Alaska crab                 41  Humpback whale, Central
     pot.                                         North Pacific
                                                  (Southeast AK).
    AK Southeast Alaska shrimp              269  Humpback whale, Central
     pot.                                         North Pacific
                                                  (Southeast AK).
    AK shrimp pot, except                   236  None documented.
     Southeast.
    AK octopus/squid pot.......              26  None documented.
    AK snail pot...............               1  None documented.
    CA/OR coonstripe shrimp pot              36  Gray whale, Eastern
                                                  North Pacific.
                                 ..............  Harbor seal, CA.
    CA rock crab pot...........             124  Gray whale, Eastern
                                                  North Pacific.
                                 ..............  Harbor seal, CA.
    CA spiny lobster...........             194  Gray whale, Eastern
                                                  North Pacific.
    WA/OR/CA hagfish pot.......              54  None documented.
    WA/OR shrimp pot/trap......             254  None documented.
    WA Puget Sound Dungeness                249  None documented.
     crab pot/trap.
    HI crab trap...............               5  Humpback whale, Central
                                                  North Pacific.
    HI fish trap...............               9  None documented.
    HI lobster trap............              <3  None documented in
                                                  recent years.
    HI shrimp trap.............              10  None documented.
    HI crab net................               4  None documented.
    HI Kona crab loop net......              33  None documented..
HOOK-AND-LINE, HANDLINE, AND
 JIG FISHERIES:.
    AK miscellaneous finfish                456  None documented.
     handline/hand troll and
     mechanical jig.
    AK North Pacific halibut                180  None documented.
     handline/hand troll and
     mechanical jig.
    AK octopus/squid handline..               7  None documented.
    American Samoa bottomfish..              17  None documented.
    Commonwealth of the                      28  None documented.
     Northern Mariana Islands
     bottomfish.
    Guam bottomfish............            >300  None documented.
    HI aku boat, pole, and line              <3  None documented.
    HI bottomfish handline.....             578  None documented in
                                                  recent years.
    HI inshore handline........             357  None documented.
    HI pelagic handline........             534  None documented.
    WA groundfish, bottomfish               679  None documented.
     jig.
    Western Pacific squid jig..               0  None documented..
HARPOON FISHERIES:.
    CA swordfish harpoon.......               6  None documented..
POUND NET/WEIR FISHERIES:.
    AK herring spawn on kelp                409  None documented.
     pound net.
    AK Southeast herring roe/                 2  None documented.
     food/bait pound net.
    HI bullpen trap............               3  None documented..
BAIT PENS:.
    WA/OR/CA bait pens.........              13  California sea lion,
                                                  U.S..
DREDGE FISHERIES:.
    Alaska scallop dredge......      108 (5 AK)  None documented..
DIVE, HAND/MECHANICAL
 COLLECTION FISHERIES:.
    AK abalone.................               0  None documented.
    AK clam....................             130  None documented.
    AK Dungeness crab..........               2  None documented.
    AK herring spawn on kelp...             339  None documented.
    AK urchin and other fish/               398  None documented.
     shellfish.
    HI black coral diving......              <3  None documented.
    HI fish pond...............               5  None documented.

[[Page 58441]]

 
    HI handpick................              46  None documented.
    HI lobster diving..........              19  None documented.
    HI spearfishing............             163  None documented.
    WA/CA kelp.................               4  None documented.
    WA/OR bait shrimp, clam                 201  None documented.
     hand, dive, or mechanical
     collection.
    OR/CA sea urchin, sea                    10  None documented.
     cucumber hand, dive, or
     mechanical collection.
COMMERCIAL PASSENGER FISHING
 VESSEL (CHARTER BOAT)
 FISHERIES:
    AK/WA/OR/CA commercial        >7,000 (2,702  Killer whale, unknown
     passenger fishing vessel.              AK)   Steller sea lion,
                                                  Eastern U.S. Steller
                                                  sea lion, Western U.S.
LIVE FINFISH/SHELLFISH
 FISHERIES:
    CA nearshore finfish live                93  None documented.
     trap/hook-and-line.
    HI aquarium collecting.....              90  None documented.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
List of Abbreviations and Symbols Used in Table 1: AI--Aleutian Islands;
  AK--Alaska; BS--Bering Sea; CA--California; ENP--Eastern North
  Pacific; GOA--Gulf of Alaska; HI--Hawaii; MHI--Main Hawaiian Islands;
  OR--Oregon; WA--Washington; \1\ Fishery classified based on
  mortalities and serious injuries of this stock, which are greater than
  or equal to 50 percent (Category I) or greater than 1 percent and less
  than 50 percent (Category II) of the stock's PBR; \2\ Fishery
  classified by analogy; * Fishery has an associated high seas component
  listed in Table 3; the list of marine mammal species and/or stocks
  killed or injured in this fishery is identical to the list of species
  and/or stocks killed or injured in high seas component of the fishery,
  minus species and/or stocks that have geographic ranges exclusively on
  the high seas. The species and/or stocks are found, and the fishery
  remains the same, on both sides of the EEZ boundary. Therefore, the
  EEZ components of these fisheries pose the same risk to marine mammals
  as the components operating on the high seas.


 Table 2--List of Fisheries--Commercial Fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean,
                      Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Marine mammal species
                                 Estimated # of       and/or stocks
      Fishery description           vessels/      incidentally killed or
                                     persons             injured
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               CATEGORY I
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GILLNET FISHERIES:
    Mid-Atlantic gillnet.......           4,063  Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Northern Migratory
                                                  coastal.\1\
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Southern Migratory
                                                  coastal.\1\
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Northern NC estuarine
                                                  system.\1\
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Southern NC estuarine
                                                  system.\1\
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin, WNA
                                                  offshore.
                                                 Common dolphin, WNA.
                                                 Gray seal, WNA.
                                                 Harbor porpoise, GME/
                                                  BF.
                                                 Harbor seal, WNA.
                                                 Harp seal, WNA.
                                                 Humpback whale, Gulf of
                                                  Maine.
                                                 Minke whale, Canadian
                                                  east coast.
                                                 Risso's dolphin, WNA.
                                                 White-sided dolphin,
                                                  WNA.
    Northeast sink gillnet.....           4,332  Bottlenose dolphin, WNA
                                                  offshore.
                                                 Common dolphin, WNA.
                                                 Fin whale, WNA.
                                                 Gray seal, WNA.
                                                 Harbor porpoise, GME/
                                                  BF.\1\
                                                 Harbor seal, WNA.
                                                 Harp seal, WNA.
                                                 Hooded seal, WNA.
                                                 Humpback whale, Gulf of
                                                  Maine.
                                                 Long-finned pilot
                                                  whale, WNA.
                                                 Minke whale, Canadian
                                                  east coast.
                                                 North Atlantic right
                                                  whale, WNA.
                                                 Risso's dolphin, WNA.
                                                 Short-finned pilot
                                                  whale, WNA.
                                                 White-sided dolphin,
                                                  WNA.
TRAP/POT FISHERIES:
    Northeast/Mid-Atlantic               10,163  Harbor seal, WNA.
     American lobster trap/pot.
                                                 Humpback whale, Gulf of
                                                  Maine.
                                                 Minke whale, Canadian
                                                  east coast.
                                                 North Atlantic right
                                                  whale, WNA.\1\
LONGLINE FISHERIES:
    Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean,              420  Atlantic spotted
     Gulf of Mexico large                         dolphin, GMX
     pelagics longline *.                         continental and
                                                  oceanic.

[[Page 58442]]

 
                                                 Atlantic spotted
                                                  dolphin, WNA.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Northern GMX oceanic.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin, WNA
                                                  offshore.
                                                 Common dolphin, WNA.
                                                 Cuvier's beaked whale,
                                                  WNA.
                                                 False killer whale,
                                                  WNA.
                                                 Gervais beaked whale,
                                                  GMX.
                                                 Harbor porpoise, GME,
                                                  BF.
                                                 Killer whale, GMX
                                                  oceanic.
                                                 Kogia spp. (Pygmy or
                                                  dwarf sperm whale),
                                                  WNA.
                                                 Long-finned pilot
                                                  whale, WNA.\1\
                                                 Mesoplodon beaked
                                                  whale, WNA.
                                                 Minke whale, Canadian
                                                  East coast.
                                                 Pantropical spotted
                                                  dolphin, Northern GMX.
                                                 Pantropical spotted
                                                  dolphin, WNA.
                                                 Pygmy sperm whale, GMX.
                                                 Risso's dolphin,
                                                  Northern GMX.
                                                 Risso's dolphin, WNA.
                                                 Short-finned pilot
                                                  whale, Northern GMX.
                                                 Short-finned pilot
                                                  whale, WNA.\1\
                                                 Sperm whale, GMX
                                                  oceanic.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               CATEGORY II
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GILLNET FISHERIES:
    Chesapeake Bay inshore                  272  None documented in the
     gillnet \2\.                                 most recent five years
                                                  of data.
    Gulf of Mexico gillnet \2\.             724  Bottlenose dolphin, GMX
                                                  bay, sound, and
                                                  estuarine.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Northern GMX coastal.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Western GMX coastal
    NC inshore gillnet.........           1,323  Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Northern NC estuarine
                                                  system.\1\
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Southern NC estuarine
                                                  system.\1\
    Northeast anchored float                995  Harbor seal, WNA.
     gillnet \2\.
                                                 Humpback whale, Gulf of
                                                  Maine.
                                                 White-sided dolphin,
                                                  WNA.
    Northeast drift gillnet \2\           1,567  None documented.
    Southeast Atlantic gillnet              357  Bottlenose dolphin,
     \2\.                                         Central FL coastal.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Northern FL coastal.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin, SC/
                                                  GA coastal.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Southern migratory
                                                  coastal
    Southeastern U.S. Atlantic               30  Bottlenose dolphin,
     shark gillnet.                               unknown (Central FL,
                                                  Northern FL, SC/GA
                                                  coastal, or Southern
                                                  migratory coastal).
                                                 North Atlantic right
                                                  whale, WNA.
TRAWL FISHERIES
    Mid-Atlantic mid-water                  507  Risso's dolphin, WNA.
     trawl (including pair
     trawl).
                                                 White-sided dolphin,
                                                  WNA.\1\
    Mid-Atlantic bottom trawl..             994  Bottlenose dolphin, WNA
                                                  offshore.
                                                 Common dolphin, WNA.\1\
                                                 Gray seal, WNA.
                                                 Harbor seal, WNA.
                                                 Risso's dolphin,
                                                  WNA.\1\
    Northeast mid-water trawl             1,087  Gray seal, WNA.
     (including pair trawl).
                                                 Harbor seal, WNA.
                                                 Long-finned pilot
                                                  whale, WNA.\1\
                                                 Common dolphin, WNA.
    Northeast bottom trawl.....           3,132  Bottlenose dolphin, WNA
                                                  offshore.
                                                 Common dolphin, WNA.
                                                 Gray seal, WNA.
                                                 Harbor porpoise, GME/
                                                  BF.
                                                 Harbor seal, WNA.
                                                 Harp seal, WNA.
                                                 Long-finned pilot
                                                  whale, WNA.
                                                 Minke whale, Canadian
                                                  East Coast.
                                                 Risso's dolphin, WNA.
                                                 White-sided dolphin,
                                                  WNA.\1\
    Southeastern U.S. Atlantic,           4,950  Atlantic spotted
     Gulf of Mexico shrimp                        dolphin, GMX
     trawl.                                       continental and
                                                  oceanic.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Charleston estuarine
                                                  system.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Eastern GMX
                                                  coastal.\1\
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin, GMX
                                                  bay, sound,
                                                  estuarine.\1\
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin, GMX
                                                  continental shelf.

[[Page 58443]]

 
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Northern GMX coastal.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin, SC/
                                                  GA coastal.\1\
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Southern migratory
                                                  coastal.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Western GMX
                                                  coastal.\1\
                                                 West Indian manatee,
                                                  Florida.
TRAP/POT FISHERIES:
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic,               1,282  Bottlenose dolphin,
 Gulf of Mexico stone crab trap/                  Biscayne Bay
 pot \2\.                                         estuarine.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Central FL coastal.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Eastern GMX coastal.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin, FL
                                                  Bay.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin, GMX
                                                  bay, sound, estuarine
                                                  (FL west coast
                                                  portion).
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Indian River Lagoon
                                                  estuarine system.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Jacksonville estuarine
                                                  system.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Northern GMX coastal
    Atlantic mixed species trap/          3,284  Fin whale, WNA.
     pot \2\.
                                                 Humpback whale, Gulf of
                                                  Maine.
Atlantic blue crab trap/pot....           8,557  Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Central FL coastal.\1\
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Central GA estuarine
                                                  system.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Charleston estuarine
                                                  system.\1\
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Indian River Lagoon
                                                  estuarine system.\1\
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Jacksonville estuarine
                                                  system.\1\
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Northern FL
                                                  coastal.\1\
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Northern GA/Southern
                                                  SC estuarine
                                                  system.\1\
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Northern Migratory
                                                  coastal.\1\
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Northern NC estuarine
                                                  system.\1\
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Northern SC estuarine
                                                  system.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin, SC/
                                                  GA coastal.\1\
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Southern GA estuarine
                                                  system.\1\
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Southern Migratory
                                                  coastal.\1\
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Southern NC estuarine
                                                  system.\1\
                                                 West Indian manatee,
                                                  FL.\1\
PURSE SEINE FISHERIES:
    Gulf of Mexico menhaden               40-42  Bottlenose dolphin, GMX
     purse seine.                                 bay, sound, estuarine.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Northern GMX
                                                  coastal.\1\
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Western GMX
                                                  coastal.\1\
    Mid-Atlantic menhaden purse              19  Bottlenose dolphin,
     seine \2\.                                   Northern Migratory
                                                  coastal.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Southern Migratory
                                                  coastal.
HAUL/BEACH SEINE FISHERIES:
    Mid-Atlantic haul/beach                 243  Bottlenose dolphin,
     seine.                                       Northern Migratory
                                                  coastal.\1\
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Northern NC estuarine
                                                  system.\1\
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Southern Migratory
                                                  coastal.\1\
    NC long haul seine.........             372  Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Northern NC estuarine
                                                  system.\1\
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Southern NC estuarine
                                                  system.
STOP NET FISHERIES:
    NC roe mullet stop net.....              13  Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Northern NC estuarine
                                                  system.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  unknown (Southern
                                                  migratory coastal or
                                                  Southern NC estuarine
                                                  system).
POUND NET FISHERIES:
    VA pound net...............              47  Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Northern migratory
                                                  coastal.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Northern NC estuarine
                                                  system.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Southern Migratory
                                                  coastal.\1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              CATEGORY III
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GILLNET FISHERIES:
    Caribbean gillnet..........            >991  None documented in the
                                                  most recent five years
                                                  of data.
    DE River inshore gillnet...         Unknown  None documented in the
                                                  most recent five years
                                                  of data.
    Long Island Sound inshore           Unknown  None documented in the
     gillnet.                                     most recent five years
                                                  of data.
    RI, southern MA (to Monomoy         Unknown  None documented in the
     Island), and NY Bight                        most recent five years
     (Raritan and Lower NY                        of data.
     Bays) inshore gillnet.
    Southeast Atlantic inshore          Unknown  Bottlenose dolphin,
     gillnet.                                     Northern SC estuarine
                                                  system.
TRAWL FISHERIES:
    Atlantic shellfish bottom               >58  None documented.
     trawl.
    Gulf of Mexico butterfish                 2  Bottlenose dolphin,
     trawl.                                       Northern GMX oceanic.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Northern GMX
                                                  continental shelf.
    Gulf of Mexico mixed                     20  None documented.
     species trawl.
    GA cannonball jellyfish                   1  Bottlenose dolphin, SC/
     trawl.                                       GA coastal.

[[Page 58444]]

 
MARINE AQUACULTURE FISHERIES:
    Finfish aquaculture........              48  Harbor seal, WNA.
    Shellfish aquaculture......         unknown  None documented.
PURSE SEINE FISHERIES:
    Gulf of Maine Atlantic                   >7  Harbor seal, WNA.
     herring purse seine.
                                                 Gray seal, WNA.
    Gulf of Maine menhaden                   >2  None documented.
     purse seine.
    FL West Coast sardine purse              10  Bottlenose dolphin,
     seine.                                       Eastern GMX coastal.
    U.S. Atlantic tuna purse                  5  Long-finned pilot
     seine *.                                     whale, WNA.
                                                 Short-finned pilot
                                                  whale, WNA.
LONGLINE/HOOK-AND-LINE
 FISHERIES:
    Northeast/Mid-Atlantic               >1,207  None documented.
     bottom longline/hook-and-
     line.
    Gulf of Maine, U.S. Mid-                428  Bottlenose dolphin, WNA
     Atlantic tuna, shark                         offshore.
     swordfish hook-and-line/
     harpoon.
                                                 Humpback whale, Gulf of
                                                  Maine.
    Southeastern U.S. Atlantic,          >5,000  Bottlenose dolphin, GMX
     Gulf of Mexico, and                          continental shelf.
     Caribbean snapper-grouper
     and other reef fish bottom
     longline/hook-and-line.
    Southeastern U.S. Atlantic,            <125  Bottlenose dolphin,
     Gulf of Mexico shark                         Eastern GMX coastal.
     bottom longline/hook-and-
     line.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Northern GMX
                                                  continental shelf.
    Southeastern U.S. Atlantic,           1,446  None documented.
     Gulf of Mexico, and
     Caribbean pelagic hook-and-
     line/harpoon.
    U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of              Unknown  None documented.
     Mexico trotline.
TRAP/POT FISHERIES
    Caribbean mixed species                >501  None documented.
     trap/pot.
    Caribbean spiny lobster                >197  None documented.
     trap/pot.
    FL spiny lobster trap/pot..           1,268  Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Biscayne Bay estuarine
                                                  Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Central FL coastal.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Eastern GMX coastal.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin, FL
                                                  Bay estuarine.
    Gulf of Mexico blue crab              4,113  Bottlenose dolphin,
     trap/pot.                                    Eastern GMX coastal.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin, GMX
                                                  bay, sound, estuarine.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Northern GMX coastal.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Western GMX coastal.
                                                 West Indian manatee,
                                                  FL.
    Gulf of Mexico mixed                unknown  None documented.
     species trap/pot.
    Southeastern U.S. Atlantic,              10  None documented.
     Gulf of Mexico golden crab
     trap/pot.
    U.S. Mid-Atlantic eel trap/         Unknown  None documented.
     pot.
STOP SEINE/WEIR/POUND NET/
 FLOATING TRAP FISHERIES:
    Gulf of Maine herring and                >1  Harbor porpoise, GME/
     Atlantic mackerel stop                       BF.
     seine/weir.
                                                 Harbor seal, WNA.
                                                 Minke whale, Canadian
                                                  east coast.
                                                 Atlantic white-sided
                                                  dolphin, WNA.
    U.S. Mid-Atlantic crab stop           2,600  None documented.
     seine/weir.
    U.S. Mid-Atlantic mixed             Unknown  Bottlenose dolphin,
     species stop seine/weir/                     Northern NC estuarine
     pound net (except the NC                     system.
     roe mullet stop net).
    RI floating trap...........               9  None documented.
DREDGE FISHERIES:
    Gulf of Maine sea urchin            Unknown  None documented.
     dredge.
    Gulf of Maine mussel dredge         Unknown  None documented.
    Gulf of Maine, U.S. Mid-               >403  None documented.
     Atlantic sea scallop
     dredge.
    Mid-Atlantic blue crab              Unknown  None documented.
     dredge.
    Mid-Atlantic soft-shell             Unknown  None documented.
     clam dredge.
    Mid-Atlantic whelk dredge..         Unknown  None documented.
    U.S. Mid-Atlantic/Gulf of             7,000  None documented.
     Mexico oyster dredge.
    New England and Mid-                Unknown  None documented.
     Atlantic offshore surf
     clam/quahog dredge.
HAUL/BEACH SEINE FISHERIES:
    Caribbean haul/beach seine.              15  None documented in the
                                                  most recent five years
                                                  of data.
    Gulf of Mexico haul/beach           unknown  None documented.
     seine.
    Southeastern U.S. Atlantic               25  None documented.
     haul/beach seine.
DIVE, HAND/MECHANICAL
 COLLECTION FISHERIES:
    Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of              20,000  None documented.
     Mexico, Caribbean
     shellfish dive, hand/
     mechanical collection.
    Gulf of Maine urchin dive,          Unknown  None documented.
     hand/mechanical collection.

[[Page 58445]]

 
    Gulf of Mexico, Southeast           Unknown  None documented.
     Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic,
     and Caribbean cast net.
COMMERCIAL PASSENGER FISHING
 VESSEL (CHARTER BOAT)
 FISHERIES:
    Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of               4,000  Bottlenose dolphin,
     Mexico, Caribbean                            Biscayne Bay
     commercial passenger                         estuarine.
     fishing vessel.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Central FL coastal.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Choctawhatchee Bay.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Eastern GMX coastal.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin, FL
                                                  Bay.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin, GMX
                                                  bay, sound, estuarine.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Indian River Lagoon
                                                  estuarine system.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Jacksonville estuarine
                                                  system.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Northern FL coastal.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Northern GA/Southern
                                                  SC estuarine.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Northern GMX coastal.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Northern migratory
                                                  coastal.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Northern NC estuarine.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Southern migratory
                                                  coastal.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Southern NC estuarine
                                                  system.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Southern SC/GA
                                                  coastal.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Western GMX coastal.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
List of Abbreviations and Symbols Used in Table 2: DE--Delaware; FL--
  Florida; GA--Georgia; GME/BF--Gulf of Maine/Bay of Fundy; GMX--Gulf of
  Mexico; MA--Massachusetts; NC--North Carolina; NY--New York; RI--Rhode
  Island; SC--South Carolina; VA--Virginia; WNA--Western North Atlantic;
\1\ Fishery classified based on mortalities and serious injuries of this
  stock, which are greater than or equal to 50 percent (Category I) or
  greater than 1 percent and less than 50 percent (Category II) of the
  stock's PBR;
\2\ Fishery classified by analogy;
* Fishery has an associated high seas component listed in Table 3.


    Table 3--List of Fisheries--Commercial Fisheries on the High Seas
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Marine mammal species
                                    Number of         and/or stocks
      Fishery description         HSFCA permits   incidentally killed or
                                                         injured
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Category I
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONGLINE FISHERIES:
    Atlantic Highly Migratory                86  Atlantic spotted
     Species *.                                   dolphin, WNA.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin,
                                                  Northern GMX oceanic.
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin, WNA
                                                  offshore.
                                                 Common dolphin, WNA.
                                                 Cuvier's beaked whale,
                                                  WNA.
                                                 False killer whale,
                                                  WNA.
                                                 Killer whale, GMX
                                                  oceanic.
                                                 Kogia spp. whale (Pygmy
                                                  or dwarf sperm whale),
                                                  WNA.
                                                 Long-finned pilot
                                                  whale, WNA.
                                                 Mesoplodon beaked
                                                  whale, WNA.
                                                 Minke whale, Canadian
                                                  East coast.
                                                 Pantropical spotted
                                                  dolphin, WNA.
                                                 Risso's dolphin, GMX.
                                                 Risso's dolphin, WNA.
                                                 Short-finned pilot
                                                  whale, WNA.
    Western Pacific Pelagic (HI             135  Bottlenose dolphin, HI
     Deep-set component) *                        Pelagic.
     [caret].
                                                 False killer whale, HI
                                                  Pelagic.
                                                 Pantropical spotted
                                                  dolphin, HI.
                                                 Risso's dolphin, HI.
                                                 Short-finned pilot
                                                  whale, HI.
                                                 Sperm whale, HI.
                                                 Striped dolphin, HI
DRIFT GILLNET FISHERIES:
    Pacific Highly Migratory                  5  Long-beaked common
     Species * [caret].                           dolphin, CA.
                                                 Humpback whale, CA/OR/
                                                  WA.
                                                 Northern right-whale
                                                  dolphin, CA/OR/WA.
                                                 Pacific white-sided
                                                  dolphin, CA/OR/WA.
                                                 Risso's dolphin, CA/OR/
                                                  WA.
                                                 Short-beaked common
                                                  dolphin, CA/OR/WA.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 58446]]

 
                               Category II
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DRIFT GILLNET FISHERIES:
    Atlantic Highly Migratory                 1  Undetermined.
     Species.
TRAWL FISHERIES:
    Atlantic Highly Migratory                 1  Undetermined.
     Species **.
    CCAMLR.....................               0  Antarctic fur seal.
PURSE SEINE FISHERIES:
    South Pacific Tuna                       39  Undetermined.
     Fisheries.
    Western Pacific Pelagic....               3  Undetermined.
LONGLINE FISHERIES:
    CCAMLR.....................               0  None documented.
    South Pacific Albacore                   15  Undetermined.
     Troll.
    South Pacific Tuna                        8  Undetermined.
     Fisheries **.
    Western Pacific Pelagic (HI              15  Blainville's beaked
     Shallow-set component) *                     whale, HI.
     [caret].
                                                 Bottlenose dolphin, HI
                                                  Pelagic.
                                                 False killer whale, HI
                                                  Pelagic.
                                                 Humpback whale, Central
                                                  North Pacific.
                                                 Kogia spp. whale (Pygmy
                                                  or dwarf sperm whale),
                                                  HI.
                                                 Risso's dolphin, HI.
                                                 Short-beaked common
                                                  dolphin, CA/OR/WA.
                                                 Short-finned pilot
                                                  whale, HI.
                                                 Striped dolphin, HI
HANDLINE/POLE AND LINE
 FISHERIES:
    Atlantic Highly Migratory                 3  Undetermined.
     Species.
    Pacific Highly Migratory                 50  Undetermined.
     Species.
    South Pacific Albacore                    9  Undetermined.
     Troll.
    Western Pacific Pelagic....               5  Undetermined.
TROLL FISHERIES:
    Atlantic Highly Migratory                 2  Undetermined.
     Species.
    South Pacific Albacore                   38  Undetermined.
     Troll.
    South Pacific Tuna                        5  Undetermined.
     Fisheries **.
    Western Pacific Pelagic....              21  Undetermined.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Category III
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONGLINE FISHERIES:
    Northwest Atlantic Bottom                 1  None documented.
     Longline.
    Pacific Highly Migratory                126  None documented in the
     Species *.                                   most recent 5 years of
                                                  data.
PURSE SEINE FISHERIES
    Pacific Highly Migratory                  8  None documented.
     Species * [caret].
TRAWL FISHERIES:
    Northwest Atlantic.........               1  None documented.
TROLL FISHERIES:
    Pacific Highly Migratory                243  None documented.
     Species *.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
List of Terms, Abbreviations, and Symbols Used in Table 3: CA--
  California; GMX--Gulf of Mexico; HI--Hawaii; OR--Oregon; WA--
  Washington; WNA--Western North Atlantic.
* Fishery is an extension/component of an existing fishery operating
  within U.S. waters listed in Table 1 or 2. The number of permits
  listed in Table 3 represents only the number of permits for the high
  seas component of the fishery.
** These gear types are not authorized under the Pacific HMS FMP (2004),
  the Atlantic HMS FMP (2006), or without a South Pacific Tuna Treaty
  license (in the case of the South Pacific Tuna fisheries). Because
  HSFCA permits are valid for five years, permits obtained in past years
  exist in the HSFCA permit database for gear types that are now
  unauthorized. Therefore, while HSFCA permits exist for these gear
  types, it does not represent effort. In order to land fish species,
  fishers must be using an authorized gear type. Once these permits for
  unauthorized gear types expire, the permit-holder will be required to
  obtain a permit for an authorized gear type.
[caret] The list of marine mammal species and/or stocks killed or
  injured in this fishery is identical to the list of marine mammal
  species and/or stocks killed or injured in U.S. waters component of
  the fishery, minus species and/or stocks that have geographic ranges
  exclusively in coastal waters, because the marine mammal species and/
  or stocks are also found on the high seas and the fishery remains the
  same on both sides of the EEZ boundary. Therefore, the high seas
  components of these fisheries pose the same risk to marine mammals as
  the components of these fisheries operating in U.S. waters.


      Table 4--Fisheries Affected by Take Reduction Teams and Plans
------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Take reduction plans                  Affected fisheries
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction      Category I
 Plan (ALWTRP)--50 CFR 229.32.
                                         Mid-Atlantic gillnet.
                                         Northeast/Mid-Atlantic American
                                          lobster trap/pot.
                                         Northeast sink gillnet.
                                         Category II
                                         Atlantic blue crab trap/pot.
                                         Atlantic mixed species trap/
                                          pot.

[[Page 58447]]

 
                                         Northeast anchored float
                                          gillnet.
                                         Northeast drift gillnet.
                                         Southeast Atlantic gillnet.
                                         Southeastern U.S. Atlantic
                                          shark gillnet.*
                                         Southeastern, U.S. Atlantic,
                                          Gulf of Mexico stone crab trap/
                                          pot.[caret]
Bottlenose Dolphin Take Reduction Plan   Category I
 (BDTRP)--50 CFR 229.35.
                                         Mid-Atlantic gillnet.
                                         Category II
                                         Atlantic blue crab trap/pot.
                                         Chesapeake Bay inshore gillnet
                                          fishery.
                                         Mid-Atlantic haul/beach seine.
                                         Mid-Atlantic menhaden purse
                                          seine.
                                         NC inshore gillnet.
                                         NC long haul seine.
                                         NC roe mullet stop net.
                                         Southeast Atlantic gillnet.
                                         Southeastern U.S. Atlantic
                                          shark gillnet.
                                         Southeastern U.S. Atlantic,
                                          Gulf of Mexico shrimp
                                          trawl.[caret]
                                         Southeastern, U.S. Atlantic,
                                          Gulf of Mexico stone crab trap/
                                          pot.[caret]
                                         VA pound net.
False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan   Category I
 (FKWTRP)--50 CFR 229.37.
                                         HI deep-set longline.
                                         Category II
                                         HI shallow-set longline.
Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction Plan      Category I
 (HPTRP)--50 CFR 229.33 (New England)
 and 229.34 (Mid-Atlantic).
                                         Mid-Atlantic gillnet.
                                         Northeast sink gillnet.
Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Plan     Category I
 (PLTRP)--50 CFR 229.36.
                                         Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, Gulf
                                          of Mexico large pelagics
                                          longline.
Pacific Offshore Cetacean Take           Category I
 Reduction Plan (POCTRP)--50 CFR 229.31.
                                         CA thresher shark/swordfish
                                          drift gillnet (>=14 in mesh).
Atlantic Trawl Gear Take Reduction Team  Category II
 (ATGTRT).
                                         Mid-Atlantic bottom trawl.
                                         Mid-Atlantic mid-water trawl
                                          (including pair trawl).
                                         Northeast bottom trawl.
                                         Northeast mid-water trawl
                                          (including pair trawl).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Only applicable to the portion of the fishery operating in U.S.
  waters; [caret]Only applicable to the portion of the fishery operating
  in the Atlantic Ocean.

Classification

    The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce has 
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration (SBA) that this rule would not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. On June 12, 
2014, the Small Business Administration (SBA) issued a final rule 
revising the small business size standards for several industries 
effective July 14, 2014 (79 FR 33647). The rule increased the size 
standard for Finfish Fishing from $19.0 to $20.5 million, Shellfish 
Fishing from $5.0 to $5.5 million, and Other Marine Fishing from $7.0 
to $7.5 million. NMFS has reviewed the analyses prepared for this 
action in light of the new size standards. Under the former, lower size 
standards, all entities subject to this action were considered small 
entities, thus they all would continue to be considered small under the 
new standards. The factual basis leading to the certification is set 
forth below.
    Under existing regulations, all individuals participating in 
Category I or II fisheries must register under the MMPA and obtain an 
Authorization Certificate. The Authorization Certificate authorizes the 
taking of non-endangered and non-threatened marine mammals incidental 
to commercial fishing operations. Additionally, individuals may be 
subject to a TRP and requested to carry an observer. NMFS has estimated 
that up to approximately 58,500 fishing vessels, most with annual 
revenues below the SBA's small entity thresholds, may operate in 
Category I or II fisheries. As fishing vessels operating in Category I 
or II fisheries, they are required to register with NMFS. Forty-five 
fishing vessels are new to Category II as a result of this proposed 
rule. The MMPA registration process is integrated with existing state 
and Federal licensing, permitting, and registration programs. 
Therefore, individuals who have a state or Federal fishing permit or 
landing license, or who are authorized through another related state or 
Federal fishery registration program, are currently not required to 
register separately under the MMPA or pay the $25 registration fee. 
Therefore, this proposed rule would not impose any direct costs on 
small entities. Record keeping and reporting costs associated with this 
rulemaking are minimal and would not have a significant impact on a 
substantial number of small entities.
    If a vessel is requested to carry an observer, vessels will not 
incur any direct economic costs associated with carrying that observer. 
In addition, section 118 of the MMPA states that an observer is not 
required to be placed on a vessel if the facilities for quartering an 
observer or performing observer functions are inadequate or unsafe, 
thereby exempting vessels too small to accommodate an observer from 
this requirement. As a result of this certification, an initial 
regulatory

[[Page 58448]]

flexibility analysis is not required and has not been prepared. In the 
event that reclassification of a fishery to Category I or II results in 
a TRP, economic analyses of the effects of that TRP would be summarized 
in subsequent rulemaking actions.
    This proposed rule contains collection-of-information requirements 
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The collection of information 
for the registration of individuals under the MMPA has been approved by 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB control number 
0648-0293 (0.15 hours per report for new registrants and 0.09 hours per 
report for renewals). The requirement for reporting marine mammal 
mortalities or injuries has been approved by OMB under OMB control 
number 0648-0292 (0.15 hours per report). These estimates include the 
time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, 
gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing 
the collection of information. Send comments regarding these reporting 
burden estimates or any other aspect of the collections of information, 
including suggestions for reducing burden, to NMFS and OMB (see 
ADDRESSES and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).
    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required 
to respond to nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to 
comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of 
the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information 
displays a currently valid OMB control number.
    This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for 
the purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    An environmental assessment (EA) was prepared under the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in 1995 and 2005. The 1995 EA examined 
the effects of regulations implementing section 118 of the 1994 
Amendments of the MMPA on the affected environment. The 2005 EA 
analyzed the environmental impacts of continuing the existing scheme 
(as described in the 1995 EA) for classifying fisheries on the LOF. The 
1995 EA and the 2005 EA concluded that implementation of MMPA section 
118 regulations would not have a significant impact on the human 
environment. NMFS reviewed the 2005 EA in 2009. NMFS concluded that 
because there were no changes to the process used to develop the LOF 
and implement section 118 of the MMPA, there was no need to update the 
2005 EA. This rule would not change NMFS' current process for 
classifying fisheries on the LOF; therefore, this rule is not expected 
to change the analysis or conclusion of the 2005 EA and FONSI, and no 
update is needed. If NMFS takes a management action, for example, 
through the development of a TRP, NMFS would first prepare an 
environmental document, as required under NEPA, specific to that 
action.
    This proposed rule would not affect species listed as threatened or 
endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) or their associated 
critical habitat. The impacts of numerous fisheries have been analyzed 
in various biological opinions, and this rule will not affect the 
conclusions of those opinions. The classification of fisheries on the 
LOF is not considered to be a management action that would adversely 
affect threatened or endangered species. If NMFS takes a management 
action, for example, through the development of a TRP, NMFS would 
consult under ESA section 7 on that action.
    This proposed rule would have no adverse impacts on marine mammals 
and may have a positive impact on marine mammals by improving knowledge 
of marine mammals and the fisheries interacting with marine mammals 
through information collected from observer programs, stranding and 
sighting data, or take reduction teams.
    This proposed rule would not affect the land or water uses or 
natural resources of the coastal zone, as specified under section 307 
of the Coastal Zone Management Act.

References

Allen, B.M. and R.P. Angliss, editors. 2015. Alaska Marine Mammal 
Stock Assessments, 2014. NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-AFSC-301. 270 p.
Carretta, J.V., E. Oleson, D.W. Weller, A.R. Lang, K.A. Forney, J. 
Baker, B. Hanson, K Martien, M.M. Muto, M.S. Lowry, J. Barlow, D. 
Lynch, L. Carswell, R.L. Brownell Jr., D.K. Mattila, and M.C. Hill. 
2015. U.S. Pacific Marine Mammal Stock Assessments: 2014. NOAA 
Technical Memorandum NOAA-TM-NMFS-SWFSC-549. 78 p.
Garrison, L.P. and Stokes, L. 2014. Estimated Bycatch of Marine 
Mammals and Sea Turtles in U.S. Atlantic Pelagic Longline Fleet 
During 2013. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOAA-NMFS-SEFSC-667: 6lp.
McCracken, M.L. Assessment of Incidental Interactions with Marine 
Mammals in the Hawaii Deep and Shallow Set Fisheries from 2008 
through 2012. NMFS Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, PIFSC 
Internal Report IR-14-006. 1 p. + Excel spreadsheet.
Waring, G.T., E. Josephson, K. Maze-Foley, and P.E. Rosel, editors. 
2015. U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Marine Mammal Stocks 
Assessments, 2014. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOAA-NE-231. 355 p.

    Dated: September 17, 2015.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-24638 Filed 9-28-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P