Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Monkfish; Framework Adjustment 9, 40838-40844 [2016-14888]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 121 (Thursday, June 23, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40838-40844]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-14888]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[150306232-6491-01]
RIN 0648-BE96


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Monkfish; Framework 
Adjustment 9

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are proposing to approve and implement regulations 
submitted by the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management 
Councils in Framework Adjustment 9 to the Monkfish Fishery Management 
Plan. This action is necessary to better achieve the goals and 
objectives of the management plan and achieve optimum yield. The 
proposed action is intended to enhance the operational and economic 
efficiency of existing management measures and increase monkfish 
landings.

DATES: Public comments must be received by July 8, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by 
NOAA-NMFS-2015-0045, by either of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to 
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2015-0045, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to John K. Bullard, Regional 
Administrator, National Marine Fisheries Service, 55 Great Republic 
Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2276. Mark the outside of the envelope: 
``Comments on Monkfish Framework 9.''
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous). Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in 
Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only.
    New England Fishery Management Council staff prepared an 
environmental assessment (EA) for Monkfish Framework Adjustment 9 that 
describes the proposed action and other considered alternatives. The EA 
provides a thorough analysis of the biological, economic, and social 
impacts of the proposed measures and other considered alternatives, a 
preliminary Regulatory Impact Review, and economic analysis. Copies of 
the Framework 9 EA are available on request from Thomas A. Nies, 
Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water 
Street, Newburyport, MA 01950. This document is also available from the 
following internet addresses: https://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/ or https://www.nefmc.org.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Allison Murphy, Fishery Policy 
Analyst, (978) 281-9122.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The monkfish fishery is jointly managed under the Monkfish Fishery 
Management Plan (FMP) by the New England and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery 
Management Councils. The fishery extends from Maine to North Carolina 
from the coast out to the end of the continental shelf. The Councils 
manage the fishery as two management units, with the Northern Fishery 
Management Area (NFMA) covering the Gulf of Maine (GOM) and northern 
part of Georges Bank (GB), and the Southern Fishery Management Area 
(SFMA) extending from the southern flank of GB through Southern New 
England (SNE) and into the Mid-Atlantic (MA) Bight to North Carolina.
    Monkfish are often caught while fishing for Northeast (NE) 
multispecies, particularly in the NFMA. This has resulted in two 
closely related fisheries as a majority of monkfish vessels operating 
in the NFMA are issued both monkfish and NE multispecies permits. 
Because this action proposes to modify some requirements for NE 
multispecies sector vessels, it is also considered Framework Adjustment 
54 to the NE Multispecies FMP.
    The monkfish fishery is primarily managed by landing limits and a 
yearly allocation of monkfish days-at-sea (DAS) calculated to enable 
vessels participating in the fishery to catch, but not exceed, the 
target total allowable landings (TAL) and the annual catch target (ACT, 
the TAL plus an estimate of expected discards) in each management area. 
Both the ACT and the TAL are calculated to maximize yield in the 
fishery over the long term. Based on a yearly evaluation of the 
monkfish fishery, the Councils may revise existing management measures 
through the framework provisions of the FMP, including DAS allocations 
and landing limits, to better achieve the goals and objectives of the 
FMP and achieve optimum yield (OY), as required by the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Amendment 5 (76 FR 30265; May 
25, 2011) defined OY as fully harvesting the ACT.
    We completed an operational stock assessment in May 2013 to update 
the state of the monkfish stocks and provide projections to assist with 
setting future catch levels. The 2013 assessment update revised 
existing biological reference points, including a substantial reduction 
in the overfishing level, and concluded that the two monkfish stocks 
are neither overfished nor subject to overfishing.
    The monkfish fishery has failed to fully harvest the available ACT 
each year since 2011, particularly in the NFMA where the under-harvest 
has been more substantial. As a result, the fishery has not been 
achieving OY in either area in recent years. The Councils developed 
Framework 9 to enhance the operational efficiency of existing 
management measures in an effort to better achieve OY.

Proposed Measures

1. Monkfish Possession Limits in the NFMA

    This action would revise monkfish possession limits specified in 50 
CFR 648.94 to help increase monkfish landings and better achieve the 
ACT caught in the NFMA. Specifically, this

[[Page 40839]]

measure would eliminate the monkfish possession limit for monkfish 
Category C and D permitted vessels (referred to as Category C and D 
vessels in this section) fishing under both a NE multispecies and 
monkfish day-at-sea (DAS) in the NFMA.
    Possession limits differ based on the type of DAS being used by a 
vessel. Table 1 includes a summary of the current monkfish tail weight 
possession limits for a vessel fishing under the various DAS available 
in the NFMA. We are proposing to add another tier to the possession 
limit system without changing the existing possession limits for a 
vessel fishing on a NE multispecies DAS or a monkfish DAS. We propose 
to allow a Category C or D vessel that is fishing under both a NE 
multispecies and a monkfish DAS in the NFMA to retain an unlimited 
amount of monkfish (Table 1).

  Table 1--Proposed and Existing Monkfish Tail Weight Possession Limits for Monkfish Category C and D Permitted
                                      Vessels Fishing on a DAS in the NFMA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Category C possession   Category D possession
                                               DAS type                    limit                   limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Existing Measures..................  NE Multispecies A DAS only.  600 lb (272.16 kg)....  500 lb (226.80 kg).
                                     Monkfish DAS only..........  1,250 lb (566.99 kg)..  600 lb (272.16 kg).
Proposed Measure...................  NE Multispecies A and        Unlimited.............  Unlimited.
                                      Monkfish DAS.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Tail weight x 2.91 = whole weight.

    As is currently the case, a Category C or D vessel would still be 
required to declare a trip at the dock under a NE multispecies A DAS 
with the option to declare a monkfish-DAS while at sea, and then 
declare a monkfish DAS while at sea in order or to be exempt from the 
monkfish possession limits. Alternately, a Category C or D vessel would 
be required to declare a concurrent NE Multispecies A DAS and a 
monkfish DAS at the dock prior to starting a trip in order or to be 
exempt from the monkfish possession limits. Under existing regulations, 
however, a Category C or D vessel cannot begin a trip under a monkfish-
only DAS and add a NE Multispecies A DAS while at sea in order or to be 
exempt from the monkfish possession limit. A provision to allow this 
and provide this flexibility is also considered in this proposed rule 
and discussed in detail below. Without this change, a Category C or D 
vessel that does not declare a trip under a NE multispecies A DAS and a 
monkfish DAS (or option to declare a monkfish DAS while at sea) at the 
dock prior to starting a trip would not be exempt from the monkfish 
possession limits under this action. In such cases, the existing 
monkfish possession limits for Category C and D vessels fishing only 
under a NE multispecies DAS or a monkfish DAS would remain the same, as 
outlined in Table 1.

2. NE Multispecies DAS Declaration Requirements

    This action would revise NE multispecies DAS declaration 
requirements to help increase operational flexibility and potentially 
increase monkfish landings in the NFMA. Functionally, this would allow 
a Monkfish Category C and D vessel enrolled in a NE multispecies sector 
(referred to as a Category C and D sector vessel in this section) 
fishing in the NFMA to declare a NE multispecies A DAS while at sea, 
through the vessel monitoring system (VMS), when certain conditions 
apply.
    We propose to allow a Category C and D sector vessel fishing on 
either a NE multispecies non-DAS sector trip or a monkfish-only DAS 
exclusively in the NFMA to declare a NE multispecies A DAS while at 
sea. Currently, a Category C or D sector vessel that is not declared 
into the monkfish fishery, but is declared into the NE multispecies 
fishery on a non-DAS sector trip, is limited to an incidental 
possession limit for monkfish. In the NFMA, which overlaps with the GOM 
and GB Regulated Mesh Areas (RMAs), the incidental monkfish possession 
limit is up to 5 percent of total weight of fish on board.
    This measure would also increase flexibility by allowing a vessel 
to fish in a larger geographic area. Currently, any Category C or D 
vessel must use its monkfish-only DAS exclusively in a monkfish 
exempted fishery. An exempted fishery is an area and season 
demonstrated to have minimal bycatch of NE multispecies when using a 
specific type of gear. The only monkfish exempted fishery that overlaps 
with the NFMA is in the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank Dogfish and Monkfish 
Gillnet Exemption Area, as described in Sec.  648.80(a)(13). Allowing a 
vessel to declare a NE multispecies DAS while at sea would allow that 
vessel to fish outside of these specified areas and retain NE 
multispecies for the remainder of the trip.
    Under this proposed measure, monkfish possession limits would 
increase from the incidental monkfish possession limit to the monkfish 
possession limits for Category C and D sector vessels fishing on a NE 
multispecies A DAS in the NFMA, as summarized in Table 2. We are also 
proposing to allow a Category C or D sector vessel fishing exclusively 
in the GOM/GB Dogfish and Monkfish Gillnet Exemption Area to change its 
VMS declaration from a monkfish-only DAS to a combined monkfish and NE 
multispecies A DAS while at sea. Under this proposed measure, monkfish 
possession limits for Category C and D sector vessels would become 
unlimited, as described in Table 2, should we also approve changes to 
the possession limits described above.

   Table 2--Proposed and Existing Monkfish Tail Weight Possession Limits for Monkfish Category C and D Sector
                                      Vessels Fishing on a DAS in the NFMA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Category C possession   Category D possession
                                               DAS type                    limit                   limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Existing Measures..................  No DAS.....................  up to 5 percent of      up to 5 percent of
                                                                   total weight of fish    total weight of fish
                                                                   on board.               on board.
                                     NE Multispecies A DAS only.  600 lb (272.16 kg)....  500 lb (226.80 kg).
                                     Monkfish DAS only..........  1,250 lb (566.99 kg)..  600 lb (272.16 kg).
Proposed Measure...................  NE Multispecies A and        Unlimited.............  Unlimited.
                                      Monkfish DAS.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 40840]]

    While we are proposing this measure as recommended by the Councils, 
we have some concerns. First, our analyses suggest that the necessary 
implementation costs may not exceed the benefits to the fishery. This 
measure will require VMS software modifications to allow vessels the 
ability to declare a NE multispecies A DAS while at sea. We expect this 
VMS change to cost roughly $100,000, based on other, recent VMS 
software changes we have implemented. The cost associated with VMS 
changes is primarily because 4 approved vendors for the Greater 
Atlantic Region will all be required to update their software onboard 
vessels using their VMS equipment. This cost is borne solely by the 
Agency. The EA for Framework 9 identified only a small percent (1.6 
percent) of vessels that approached applicable trip limits for non-DAS 
sector trips and monkfish-only trips. In addition, the Framework 9 EA 
indicates that few trips would have yielded additional monkfish 
landings in recent fishing years had the proposed NE multispecies DAS 
at-sea declaration change been in place. Based on this information, 
this measure may do little to help the fishery achieve optimum yield. 
We are interested in public comment on the cost, effectiveness, and 
utility of this proposed measure. We intend to further evaluate the 
potential cost/benefit of providing this at-sea declaration 
flexibility, as well as public comment, when considering the 
approvability of this measure.
    Proposing to allow Category C and D sector vessels fishing on a 
monkfish-only DAS in the NFMA to declare a NE multispecies A DAS while 
at sea may not provide as many benefits as first anticipated. As 
described above, only the GOM/GB Dogfish and Monkfish Gillnet Exemption 
overlaps with the NFMA. This exempted fishery is open from July 1 
through September 14, annually, for a vessel using gillnet gear in the 
waters of Cape Cod Bay and off southern Maine. Given that the majority 
of the fleet in the NFMA fishes with trawl gear and cannot take 
advantage of monkfish-only DAS because they are excluded from this 
exempted fishery, we are concerned that only a small number of vessels 
that use gillnet gear would benefit from this flexibility.
    Second, allowing a vessel to declare a NE multispecies A DAS after 
starting a trip on a monkfish-only DAS could potentially circumvent 
existing NE multispecies pre-trip notification requirements for 
deploying industry-funded at-sea monitors. We believed, at the time the 
Council took final action, that limiting the declaration change to 
sector vessels would mitigate these concerns. Since Council final 
action, we have continued to discuss the nuances of this potential 
provision with Regional Office NE multispecies and Northeast Fisheries 
Science Center, Fishery Sampling Branch staff. We remain concerned that 
the ability to switch from a monkfish-only DAS to a NE multispecies A 
DAS would allow vessels to bypass sector monitoring and reporting 
requirements.
    A potential remedy to this loophole is an alternative that would 
require a vessel to comply with existing pre-trip notification 
requirements at Sec.  648.11(k) and be subject to sector-funded at-sea 
monitoring to be able to change declarations at-sea. In addition, we 
could also require a vessel to submit a sector trip-start hail, 
described at Sec.  648.10(k)(1)(iii), so that we can identify trips 
that may use this declaration flexibility.
    We recognize that this potential solution may be somewhat less 
flexible than what was intended by the Councils and was not explicitly 
contemplated or discussed by the Councils. However, if not imposed, the 
proposed measures, as recommended, would allow vessels to circumvent 
sector-related reporting requirements, and inclusion of these measures 
pursuant to the authority provided to the Secretary of Commerce in 
section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act may therefore be necessary 
to implement this portion of Framework 9 consistently with the Act. 
Adding NE multispecies monitoring requirements on these trips could 
complicate the Northeast Fisheries Observer Program and At-Sea 
Monitoring Program sea-day schedule assignments, coverage 
accomplishments, and future coverage needs. Further, fewer fishermen 
may use the flexibility option if they are at risk of being assigned an 
at-sea monitor, which industry has to pay for. We are soliciting 
specific comment from the Councils and the public on both the at-sea 
declaration flexibility as recommended by the Councils and this 
potential solution.
    If this remedy solution is approved, the pre-trip notification 
system (PTNS) must be modified to accept monkfish-only trips. 
Currently, PTNS will only accept trips declared into the NE 
multispecies (i.e., non-DAS sector trips and A DAS trips) and Squid, 
Mackerel, and Butterfish fisheries. Monkfish-only trips would need to 
be added to the system and assigned a selection protocol. We are unsure 
about the associated costs for such a change.
    Finally, we have some enforcement concerns with the proposal to 
allow Category C and D sector vessels fishing on a monkfish-only DAS in 
the NFMA to declare a NE multispecies A DAS while at sea. Currently, a 
Category C or D sector vessel fishing on a monkfish-only DAS in an 
exempted fishery is required to discard all NE multispecies. Similarly, 
a Category C or D sector vessel fishing on a NE multispecies A DAS or 
on a non-DAS sector trip is currently required to retain all legal-
sized groundfish. Should this measure be approved, a Category C or D 
sector vessel would begin a trip discarding all NE multispecies, and 
then be required to retain all legal-sized NE multispecies, once the 
vessel declares a NE multispecies DAS. This may introduce confusion 
about discarding and catch reporting requirements for the industry and 
complicates the enforceability of this measure. To help provide 
clarity, pursuant to the authority provided to the Secretary of 
Commerce in sector 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, we could revise 
the sector discard and operations plan prohibitions at Sec.  
648.14(k)(14)(iv) and (viii) and the sector monitoring requirements at 
Sec.  648.87(b)(1)(v)(A) to make clear that there would be different 
discard requirements before and after a vessel declares a NE 
multispecies DAS. We are also soliciting specific comment from the 
Councils and the public on clarifying the discard requirements.
    It should be noted that we may need to delay effectiveness of this 
measure, should it be approved. Modifications to VMS would likely take 
months to complete and we are uncertain how long the necessary PTNS 
changes may take to implement.

3. Minimum Mesh Size Requirements in the SFMA

    We are proposing to revise minimum mesh size requirements at Sec.  
648.80(b) and (c) and Sec.  648.91(c)(1)(iii) to increase operational 
flexibility. The changes would allow vessels to target both monkfish 
and dogfish while on the same trip. Currently, the following 
restrictions apply in the SFMA:
     A category C or D vessel fishing on a combined monkfish 
and NE multispecies A DAS in the SFMA must fish with gillnets no 
smaller than 10-inches (25.4-cm) diamond mesh;
     Any monkfish-permitted vessel fishing in the SNE Dogfish 
Gillnet Exemption Area may retain dogfish and incidental limits of 
other species (excluding monkfish) allowed in the SNE Exemption Area; 
and
     Any monkfish-permitted vessel fishing in the SNE Monkfish 
and Skate Gillnet Exemption Area may retain monkfish and skate up to a 
specified limit and incidental limits of other

[[Page 40841]]

species (excluding dogfish) allowed in the SNE Regulated Mesh Area 
(RMA).
    The proposed measure would modify a vessel's minimum gillnet mesh 
size requirements when fishing on a monkfish DAS using roundfish (also 
called stand-up) gillnets in the SFMA. It would also modify the minimum 
gillnet mesh size requirements in a smaller portion of the SFMA 
referred to as the Mid-Atlantic Exemption Area. Finally, this measure 
changes possession limit requirements in the SNE Dogfish Gillnet 
Exemption Area and dogfish in the SNE Monkfish and Skate Gillnet 
Exemption Area so that a vessel may retain both monkfish and dogfish. 
Please see Figure 1 for a display of these areas.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP23JN16.030

    We are proposing to allow a Category C or D vessel fishing under 
both a NE multispecies and a monkfish DAS in the SFMA to use 6.5-inch 
(16.5-cm) roundfish gillnets. We are also proposing to allow any 
monkfish-permitted vessel fishing on a monkfish-only DAS in the Mid-
Atlantic Exemption Area to use 5-inch (12.7-cm) roundfish gillnets in 
the Mid-Atlantic Exemption Area. Finally, we are proposing to allow a 
monkfish-permitted vessel fishing on a monkfish-only DAS in either the 
SNE Dogfish Gillnet Exemption Area or the SNE Monkfish and Skate 
Gillnet Exemption Area to retain both monkfish and dogfish on the same 
trip when declared into either area. This measure would also limit a 
vessel to using 50 roundfish gillnets in the SNE Dogfish and the Mid-
Atlantic Exemption Areas. Table 3 summarizes the proposed measures 
(highlighted in bold) and also includes existing seasonal, gear, and 
DAS requirements.

            Table 3--Summary of Proposed (Bold) and Other Existing Requirements in the Monkfish SFMA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    NE multispecies       SNE Dogfish      SNE Monkfish and
                                    DAS anywhere in    Gillnet exemption     Skate Gillnet       Mid-Atlantic
                                       the SFMA              area           exemption area      exemption area
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum gillnet mesh............  6.5 inches (16.51   6 inches (15.24     10 inches (25.4     5 inches (12.7 cm)
                                   cm) for standup     cm) for standup     cm) for all nets.   for standup nets.
                                   nets.               nets.
DAS.............................  NE multispecies     Monkfish..........  Monkfish..........  Monkfish.
                                   and monkfish.
Season..........................  Year-round........  May 1-October 31..  Year-round........  Year-round.
Gear Limits.....................  All Trip gillnet    Category A/B: 160   Category A/B: 160   Category A/B: 160
                                   vessels:            gillnets.           gillnets.           gillnets
                                   Unlimited.         Category C/D: 150   Category C/D: 150   Category C/D: 150
                                  Day gillnet vessel   gillnets.           gillnets.           gillnets
                                   in the GB RMA: 50  Roundfish gillnet                       Roundfish gillnet
                                   gillnets.           limit: 50                               limit: 50
                                  Day gillnet vessel   gillnets.                               gillnets.
                                   in the SNE RMA:
                                   75 gillnets.
                                  Day gillnet vessel
                                   in the MA RMA: 75
                                   gillnets.
Regulatory change to possess      No................  Yes...............  Yes...............  Yes.
 both Monkfish and Dogfish.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 40842]]

    A vessel taking advantage of these smaller minimum mesh sizer 
requirements must still comply with all other requirements of fishing 
in the SFMA or in the Exemption Areas. Existing monkfish possession 
limits for vessels issued a limited access monkfish permit and fishing 
in the SFMA would remain the same.

4. Corrections and Clarifications to Existing Regulations

    This proposed rule would correct a number of inadvertent errors, 
omissions, and ambiguities in existing regulations in order to ensure 
consistency with, and accurately reflect the intent of, previous 
actions under the FMP, or to more effectively administer and enforce 
existing and proposed provisions pursuant to the authority provided to 
the Secretary of Commerce in section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act. The following proposed measures are listed in the order in which 
they appear in the regulations.
    In Sec.  648.10, paragraphs (b)(3), (g)(1), (g)(3), and 
(g)(3)(ii)(A) would be revised to enhance readability and more clearly 
state the regulatory requirements.
    In Sec.  648.92, paragraph (b)(1)(i) would be revised to enhance 
readability and more clearly state the regulatory requirements. A 
reference to the DAS requirements in the SFMA and adjustment for gear 
conflicts would also be removed, as these references are unnecessary. 
The reference to DAS requirement in the SFMA in Sec.  648.92(b)(1)(ii) 
is not needed because that referenced section further explains how the 
overall DAS allocation may be used. The reference to adjustment for 
gear conflicts in Sec.  648.96(b)(3) states that the Councils may 
develop recommendations to address gear conflicts. This reference is 
unnecessary because those measures would be captured in the regulations 
and appropriately cross-referenced.
    In Sec.  648.94, paragraph (b)(3)(i) would be revised to enhance 
readability and more clearly state the regulatory requirements. A 
reference to Category F permits would also be deleted for clarity 
because it may cause confusion with regard to the possession limits for 
Category F permits. Possession limit requirements for Category F 
permits are more clearly outlined in Sec.  648.95.

Classification

    Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the 
NMFS Assistant Administrator has made a preliminary determination that 
this proposed rule is consistent with the Monkfish and NE Multispecies 
FMPs, Framework 9, provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other 
applicable law, subject to further consideration after public comment.
    This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    The Chief Counsel for Regulation, Department of Commerce, certified 
to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration 
(SBA) that this proposed rule, if adopted, would not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The Council 
prepared an analysis of the potential economic impacts of this action, 
which is included in the draft EA for this action (see ADDRESSES to 
obtain a copy of the EA) and supplemented by information contained in 
the preamble of this proposed rule. The SBA defines a small business in 
the commercial harvesting sector as a firm with receipts (gross 
revenues) of up to $5.5 million for shellfish businesses and $20.5 
million for finfish businesses. There are 397 distinct ownership 
entities based on calendar year 2014 permits, the most complete full-
year data available for the Council's analysis, that are directly 
regulated by this action. Of those 397 entities, 381 entities are 
categorized as small and 16 entities are categorized as large per the 
SBA guidelines.
    This proposed rule is not expected to place small entities at a 
competitive disadvantage to large entities. All of the large entities 
impacted by the proposed action are primarily engaged in shellfish 
fishing. These large entities may not benefit to the same degree as 
small entities because the majority of small entities are primarily 
engaged in finfish fishing. The proposed rule would liberalize trip 
limits, increase operational flexibility, and relax minimum mesh size 
requirements, directly benefiting fishermen that are primarily engaged 
in finfish fishing. In terms of profitability, both small and large 
entities should benefit from increased operational flexibility from the 
proposed action, though these benefits are likely to be marginal.
    There is no reason to believe small entities will be negatively 
affected in any way by the proposed measures identified in this rule's 
preamble. Overall, the net impact on profits from each proposed measure 
is expected to be slightly positive to neutral because these measures 
relieve restrictions. Therefore, this action is not expected to have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
    As a result, an initial regulatory flexibility analysis is not 
required and none has been prepared.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 648

    Fisheries, Fishing, Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

    Dated: June 20, 2016.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 648 is 
proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 648--FISHERIES OF THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES

0
1. The authority citation for part 648 continues to read as follows:

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

0
2. In Sec.  648.10, revise paragraphs (b)(3), (e)(5)(ii), (g)(1), and 
(g)(3) to read as follows:


Sec.  648.10  VMS and DAS requirements for vessel owners/operators.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (3) A vessel issued a limited access monkfish, Occasional scallop, 
or Combination permit, whose owner elects to provide the notifications 
required by this section using VMS, unless otherwise authorized or 
required by the Regional Administrator under paragraph (d) of this 
section;
* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (5) * * *
    (ii) Notification that the vessel is not under the DAS program, the 
Access Area Program, the LAGC IFQ or NGOM scallop fishery, or any other 
fishery requiring the operation of VMS, must be received by NMFS prior 
to the vessel leaving port. A vessel may not change its status after 
the vessel leaves port or before it returns to port on any fishing 
trip, unless
    (A) The vessel is a scallop vessel and is exempted, as specified in 
paragraph (f) of this section, or
    (B) Unless the vessel is a NE multispecies sector vessel with a 
Monkfish Category C or D permit declaring a NE multispecies DAS while 
at sea, as specified in paragraph (g)(3)(ii) of this section.
* * * * *
    (g) * * *
    (1) The owner or authorized representative of a vessel that is 
required to or elects to use VMS, as specified in paragraph (b) of this 
section, must notify the Regional Administrator of the vessel's 
intended fishing activity by entering the appropriate VMS code prior to 
leaving port at the start of each fishing trip except:

[[Page 40843]]

    (i) If notified by letter, pursuant to paragraph (e)(1)(iv) of this 
section, or
    (ii) The vessel is a scallop vessel and is exempted, as specified 
in paragraph (f) of this section.
* * * * *
    (3) A vessel operator cannot change any aspect of a vessel's VMS 
activity code outside of port, except as follows:
    (i) An operator of a NE multispecies vessel is authorized to change 
the category of NE multispecies DAS used (i.e., flip its DAS), as 
provided at Sec.  648.85(b), or change the area declared to be fished 
so that the vessel may fish both inside and outside of the Eastern 
U.S./Canada Area on the same trip, as provided at Sec.  
648.85(a)(3)(ii)(A).
    (ii) An operator of a vessel issued both a limited access NE 
multispecies permit and a limited access monkfish Category C or D 
permit is authorized to change the vessel's DAS declaration under the 
following circumstances:
    (A) From a NE multispecies Category A DAS to a trip also using a 
monkfish DAS, as provided at Sec.  648.92(b)(1)(iii)(A);
    (B) From a NE multispecies sector non-DAS trip to a NE multispecies 
sector trip using a NE multispecies Category A DAS when fishing in the 
monkfish Northern Fishery Management Area (NFMA), if that vessel is 
participating in a sector; or
    (C) From a trip under a monkfish-only DAS to a trip under both a 
monkfish and a NE multispecies Category A DAS when fishing in the 
monkfish NFMA, if that vessel is participating in a sector.
* * * * *
0
3. In Sec.  648.14, revise paragraph (m)(2)(i) to read as follows:


Sec.  648.14  Prohibitions.

* * * * *
    (m)
    (2) * * *
    (i) Fish with or use nets with mesh size smaller than the minimum 
mesh size specified in Sec.  648.91(c) while fishing under a monkfish 
DAS, except as authorized by Sec.  648.91(c)(1)(iii).
* * * * *
0
4. In Sec.  648.80, revise paragraphs (b)(2)(iv), (b)(6)(i)(A), 
(b)(7)(i)(A)-(B), the introductory text to paragraph (c)(2)(v), and 
(c)(5) to read as follows:


Sec.  648.80  NE Multispecies regulated mesh areas and restrictions on 
gear and methods of fishing.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (iv) Gillnet vessels. For Day and Trip gillnet vessels, the minimum 
mesh size for any sink gillnet not stowed and not available for 
immediate use as defined in Sec.  648.2, when fishing under a DAS in 
the NE multispecies DAS program or on a sector trip in the SNE 
Regulated Mesh Area, is 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) throughout the entire net. 
This restriction does not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 
3 ft (0.9 m) x 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), to vessels fishing 
with gillnet gear under a monkfish-only DAS in the SNE Dogfish Gillnet 
Exemption Area in accordance with the provisions specified under 
paragraph (b)(7)(i)(A) of this section; to vessels fishing with gillnet 
gear under a monkfish-only DAS in the Mid-Atlantic Exemption Area in 
accordance with the provisions specified under paragraph (c)(5)(ii) of 
this section; or to vessels that have not been issued a NE multispecies 
permit and that are fishing exclusively in state waters. Day gillnet 
vessels must also abide by the tagging requirements in paragraph 
(a)(3)(iv)(C) of this section.
* * * * *
    (6) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (A) A vessel fishing under the SNE Monkfish and Skate Gillnet 
Exemption may only fish for, possess on board, or land monkfish as 
specified in Sec.  648.94(b), spiny dogfish up to the amount specified 
in Sec.  648.235, and other incidentally caught species up to the 
amounts specified in paragraph (b)(3) of this section.
* * * * *
    (7) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (A) A vessel fishing under the SNE Dogfish Gillnet Exemption may 
only fish for, possess on board, or land dogfish and the bycatch 
species and amounts specified in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, 
unless fishing under a monkfish DAS. A vessel fishing under this 
exemption while on a monkfish-only DAS may also fish for, possess on 
board, and land monkfish up to the amount specified in Sec.  648.94.
    (B) All gillnets must have a minimum mesh size of 6-inch (15.2-cm) 
diamond mesh throughout the net. A vessel fishing under this exemption 
while on a monkfish-only DAS may not fish with, possess, haul, or 
deploy more than 50 roundfish gillnets, as defined in Sec.  648.2.
* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (v) Gillnet vessels. For Day and Trip gillnet vessels, the minimum 
mesh size for any sink gillnet, not stowed and not available for 
immediate use as defined in Sec.  648.2, when fishing under a DAS in 
the NE multispecies DAS program or on a sector trip in the MA Regulated 
Mesh Area, is 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) throughout the entire net. This 
restriction does not apply to nets or pieces of nets smaller than 3 ft 
(0.9 m) x 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)), to vessels fishing with 
gillnet gear under a monkfish-only DAS in the Mid-Atlantic Exemption 
Area in accordance with the provisions specified under paragraph 
(c)(5)(ii) of this section, or to vessels that have not been issued a 
NE multispecies permit and that are fishing exclusively in state 
waters.
* * * * *
    (5) MA Exemption Area. (i) The MA Exemption Area is that area that 
lies west of the SNE Exemption Area defined in paragraph (b)(10) of 
this section.
    (ii) Monkfish/Spiny Dogfish Exempted Gillnet Fishery. A vessel 
fishing on a monkfish-only DAS may fish with, use, or possess gillnets 
in the MA Exemption Area with a mesh size smaller than the minimum size 
specified in paragraphs (b)(2)(iv) or (c)(2)(v) of this section, 
provided the vessel complies with the following requirements:
    (A) Number of nets. Notwithstanding the provisions specified in 
paragraphs (c)(2)(v)(A) and (B) of this section and Sec.  648.92(b)(8), 
a vessel fishing on a monkfish-only DAS within the MA Exemption Area 
may not fish with, possess, haul, or deploy more than 50 roundfish 
gillnets, as defined in Sec.  648.2.
    (B) Minimum mesh size. The minimum mesh size for any roundfish 
gillnet not stowed and available for immediate use by a vessel fishing 
on a monkfish-only DAS within the MA Exemption Area is 5 inches (12.7 
cm) throughout the entire net.
    (C) Possession limits. A vessel fishing on a monkfish-only DAS 
within the MA Exemption Area may fish for, possess on board, or land 
monkfish up to the amount specified in Sec.  648.94, spiny dogfish up 
to the amount specified in Sec.  648.235, and other incidentally caught 
species up to the amounts specified in paragraph (b)(3) of this 
section.
* * * * *
0
5. In Sec.  648.91, revise paragraph (c)(1)(iii) to read as follows:


Sec.  648.91  Monkfish regulated mesh areas and restrictions on gear 
and methods of fishing.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (iii) Gillnets while on a monkfish DAS. The minimum mesh size for 
any gillnets used by a vessel fishing under a monkfish DAS is 10-inch 
(25.4-cm) diamond mesh, unless:
    (A) The owner or operator of a limited access NE multispecies 
vessel fishing under a NE multispecies category A DAS with gillnet gear 
in the NFMA

[[Page 40844]]

changes the vessel's DAS declaration to a monkfish DAS through the 
vessel's VMS unit during the course of the trip in accordance with the 
provisions specified under Sec.  648.92(b)(1)(iii);
    (B) A vessel issued a Category C or D limited access monkfish 
permit is fishing under both a monkfish and NE multispecies Category A 
DAS in the SFMA using roundfish gillnets, as defined at Sec.  648.2, 
with 6.5-inch (16.5-cm) diamond mesh;
    (C) A vessel issued a limited access monkfish permit is fishing on 
a monkfish-only DAS in the Mid-Atlantic Exemption Area using roundfish 
gillnets with a minimum mesh size of 5 inches (12.7 cm) in accordance 
with the provisions specified under Sec.  648.80(c)(5); or
    (D) A vessel issued a limited access monkfish permit is fishing on 
a monkfish-only DAS in the Southern New England Dogfish Exemption Area 
using roundfish gillnets with a minimum mesh size of 6 inches (15.2 cm) 
in accordance with the provisions specified under Sec.  648.80(b)(7).
* * * * *
0
6. In Sec.  648.92, revise paragraph (b)(1)(i) to read as follows:


Sec.  648.92  Effort-control program for monkfish limited access 
vessels.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (i) General provision. Each vessel issued a limited access monkfish 
permit shall be allocated 46 monkfish DAS each fishing year, which must 
be used in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph (b), unless 
the permit is enrolled in the Offshore Fishery Program in the SFMA, as 
specified in paragraph (b)(1)(iv) of this section. The annual 
allocation of monkfish DAS to each limited access monkfish permit shall 
be reduced by the amount calculated in paragraph (b)(1)(v) of this 
section for the research DAS set-aside. Unless otherwise specified in 
paragraph (b)(2) of this section or under this subpart F, a vessel 
issued a limited access NE multispecies or limited access sea scallop 
permit that is also issued a limited access monkfish permit must use a 
NE multispecies or sea scallop DAS concurrently with each monkfish DAS 
utilized.
* * * * *
0
7. In Sec.  648.94, revise paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(3)(i) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  648.94  Monkfish possession and landing restrictions.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) Vessels fishing under the monkfish DAS program in the NFMA--
    (i) Category A vessels. A limited access monkfish Category A vessel 
that fishes exclusively in the NFMA under a monkfish DAS may land up to 
1,250 lb (567 kg) tail weight or 3,638 lb (1,650 kg) whole weight of 
monkfish per DAS (or any prorated combination of tail weight and whole 
weight based on the conversion factor for tail weight to whole weight 
of 2.91). For every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of tail only weight landed, the 
vessel may land up to 1.91 lb (0.87 kg) of monkfish heads only, as 
described in paragraph (a) of this section.
    (ii) Category B vessels. A limited access monkfish Category B 
vessel that fishes exclusively in the NFMA under a monkfish DAS may 
land up to 600 lb (272 kg) tail weight or 1,746 lb (792 kg) whole 
weight of monkfish per DAS (or any prorated combination of tail weight 
and whole weight based on the conversion factor for tail weight to 
whole weight of 2.91). For every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of tail only weight 
landed, the vessel may land up to 1.91 lb (0.87 kg) of monkfish heads 
only, as described in paragraph (a) of this section.
    (iii) Category C vessels. A limited access monkfish Category C 
vessel that fishes exclusively in the NFMA under a monkfish-only DAS 
may land up to 1,250 lb (567 kg) tail weight or 3,638 lb (1,650 kg) 
whole weight of monkfish per DAS (or any prorated combination of tail 
weight and whole weight based on the conversion factor for tail weight 
to whole weight of 2.91). A limited access monkfish Category C vessel 
that fishes exclusively in the NFMA under both a monkfish and NE 
multispecies DAS may possess and land an unlimited amount of monkfish. 
For every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of tail only weight landed, the vessel may 
land up to 1.91 lb (0.87 kg) of monkfish heads only, as described in 
paragraph (a) of this section.
    (iv) Category D vessels. A limited access monkfish Category D 
vessel that fishes exclusively in the NFMA under a monkfish-only DAS 
may land up to 600 lb (272 kg) tail weight or 1,746 lb (792 kg) whole 
weight of monkfish per DAS (or any prorated combination of tail weight 
and whole weight based on the conversion factor for tail weight to 
whole weight of 2.91). A limited access monkfish Category D vessel that 
fishes exclusively in the NFMA under both a monkfish and NE 
multispecies DAS may possess and land an unlimited amount of monkfish. 
For every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of tail only weight landed, the vessel may 
land up to 1.91 lb (0.87 kg) of monkfish heads only, as described in 
paragraph (a) of this section.
* * * * *
    (3) * * *
    (i) NFMA. Unless otherwise specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this 
section, a vessel issued a limited access monkfish Category C permit 
that fishes under a NE multispecies DAS, and not a monkfish DAS, 
exclusively in the NFMA may land up to 600 lb (272 kg) tail weight or 
1,746 lb (792 kg) whole weight of monkfish per DAS (or any prorated 
combination of tail weight and whole weight based on the conversion 
factor for tail weight to whole weight of 2.91). A vessel issued a 
limited access monkfish Category D permit that fishes under a NE 
multispecies DAS, and not a monkfish DAS, exclusively in the NFMA may 
land up to 500 lb (227 kg) tail weight or 1,455 lb (660 kg) whole 
weight of monkfish per DAS (or any prorated combination of tail weight 
and whole weight based on the conversion factor for tail weight to 
whole weight of 2.91). A vessel issued a limited access monkfish 
Category C, D, or F permit participating in the NE Multispecies Regular 
B DAS program, as specified under Sec.  648.85(b)(6), is also subject 
to the incidental landing limit specified in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of 
this section on such trips.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2016-14888 Filed 6-22-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P