List of Fisheries for 2017, 54019-54040 [2016-19346]

Download as PDF sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 157 / Monday, August 15, 2016 / Proposed Rules comments through the peer review process on the proposed rule from scientists with expertise on the biology of chubs or similar species. In particular, specific comments questioned the taxonomic distinctness of the two species. This evidence of substantial disagreement regarding the sufficiency or accuracy of the available data warrants a 6-month extension before the final determination. Currently, the American Fisheries Society (Page et al. 2013, p. 71), which is recognized as the authority in establishing taxonomic status of fish, considers headwater chub and roundtail chub to be separate species. Consequently, in the proposed rule (October 7, 2015; 80 FR 60754) we evaluated headwater and roundtail chubs as separate species. However, commenters raised questions regarding the taxonomic distinctness of the headwater and roundtail chubs, as related to the Gila chub (Gila intermedia). The Gila chub is listed as an endangered species (November 2, 2005; 70 FR 66664). Some scientists knowledgeable about the species contend that the three entities are not separate species, but instead constitute a ‘‘species complex.’’ Since our analysis, new information is available regarding taxonomy and genetic analysis published by Dowling et al. 2015 (entire). In addition, the Arizona Game and Fish Department requested that the American Fisheries Society convene a panel or workshop to address the five following objectives: (1) Determine if the taxonomic classification of the three species remains valid and scientifically defensible given both historical and recent studies and information; (2) If the taxonomic classification is found invalid, determine a defensible taxonomic classification of the chub complex using the best available science; (3) Provide a new set of guidelines or classification key to follow; (4) Publish the findings and recommendations of this panel; and (5) Provide the results to the Southwest Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The American Fisheries Society agreed to commence a Names of Fishes panel to evaluate the most recent literature associated with roundtail chub, headwater chub, and Gila chub taxonomy. The panel met in April 2016, but has not produced a decision report. However, our understanding is that a report is forthcoming in the immediate future. As a result of the comments we received during the comment period, we VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:47 Aug 12, 2016 Jkt 238001 find that there is substantial disagreement among scientists knowledgeable about the species regarding the sufficiency or accuracy of the available data that are relevant to our determination of the proposed regulations. Moreover, the American Fisheries Society’s decision on the taxonomy of the roundtail chub, headwater chub, and Gila chub is expected in the immediate future. In consideration of these scientific disagreements, and with expectation that additional information will resolve the disagreement and that a potential solution is forthcoming, we have determined that a 6-month extension of the final determinations for these rulemakings is warranted. Thus, we hereby extend the final determinations for 6 months in order to solicit information that will help to clarify these issues and to fully analyze this information. As noted in the proposed listing rule (October 7, 2015; 80 FR 60754), section 4(b)(6)(A) of the Act requires that we make final listing determinations within 1 year of the proposed rule, which would be October 7, 2016. However, as previously stated, section 4(b)(6)(B) of the Act authorizes a 6-month extension, which would extend our final decisions to April 7, 2017. Public Comments We will accept written comments and information during this reopened comment period on our proposed regulations for the headwater chub and the lower Colorado River basin DPS of the roundtail chub that was published in the Federal Register on October 7, 2015 (80 FR 60754). We will consider any information and recommendations received during this open comment period. We intend that any final action resulting from these proposals be as accurate as possible and be based on the best available scientific and commercial data. In consideration of the scientific and other comments received regarding the data used to support these proposed regulations, we are particularly interested in new information and data regarding genetics and morphology pertaining to roundtail chub, headwater chub, and Gila chub that would aid in the ongoing taxonomic classification of these species. New information includes data that was not included in the proposed rule and associated documents for the headwater and roundtail chubs because it was not available to the Service or was not completed at the time. If you previously submitted comments or information on the PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 54019 proposed rule, please do not resubmit them. We have incorporated them into the public record, and we will fully consider them in the preparation of our final determinations. Our final determinations will take into consideration all written comments and any additional information we received. You may submit your comments and materials concerning the October 15, 2015, proposed rule (80 FR 60754) by one of the methods listed in ADDRESSES. We request that you send comments only by the methods described in ADDRESSES. If you submit information via https:// www.regulations.gov, your entire submission—including any personal identifying information—will be posted on the Web site. If your submission is made via a hardcopy that includes personal identifying information, you may request at the top of your document that we withhold this information from public review. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. We will post all hardcopy submissions on https://www.regulations.gov. Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting documentation we used in preparing the proposed rule, will be available for public inspection on https://www.regulations.gov, or by appointment, during normal business hours, at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Ecological Service Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). You may obtain copies of the proposed rule on the Internet at https:// www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS–R2–ES–2015–0148. Copies of the proposed rule are also available at https://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/ arizona. Authority The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Dated: August 4, 2016. Matthew Huggler, Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2016–19340 Filed 8–12–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 229 [Docket No. 160219129–6129–01] RIN 0648–BF78 List of Fisheries for 2017 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\15AUP1.SGM 15AUP1 54020 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 157 / Monday, August 15, 2016 / Proposed Rules Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Proposed rule. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) publishes its proposed List of Fisheries (LOF) for 2017, as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The proposed LOF for 2017 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. DATES: Comments must be received by September 14, 2016. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA– NMFS–2016–0045, 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-20160045, 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 Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 EastWest 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 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:47 Aug 12, 2016 Jkt 238001 Region, 206–526–6155; Aleria Jensen, Alaska Region, 907–586–7236; Dawn Golden, Pacific Islands Region, 808– 725–5000. 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). PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 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 fisheryspecific 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 E:\FR\FM\15AUP1.SGM 15AUP1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 157 / Monday, August 15, 2016 / Proposed Rules sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS 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 ‘‘nonserious’’ documented injuries as described later in the List of Species and/or Stocks Incidentally Killed or Injured in the Pacific Ocean and the 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 2017 LOF generally summarizes data from 2009– 2013. 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 and used in the LOF, but in an effort to be consistent with the most recent SARs and across the LOF, NMFS typically restricts the analysis to VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:47 Aug 12, 2016 Jkt 238001 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 evidence of fisheries interaction 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/ PO 00000 Frm 00061 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 54021 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/observer-home/. 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 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 E:\FR\FM\15AUP1.SGM 15AUP1 54022 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 157 / Monday, August 15, 2016 / Proposed Rules 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. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS 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 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 began posting Category III fishery fact sheets online with the LOF for 2016. 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. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:47 Aug 12, 2016 Jkt 238001 How do I register and receive my Marine Mammal Authorization Program (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). PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 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). 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/ E:\FR\FM\15AUP1.SGM 15AUP1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 157 / Monday, August 15, 2016 / Proposed Rules 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. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS Am I required to comply with any marine mammal TRP 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 MMAP, 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:47 Aug 12, 2016 Jkt 238001 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, Protected Resources Division; NMFS, Alaska Region, Protected Resources, P.O. Box 22668, 709 West 9th Street, Juneau, AK 99802, Attn: Aleria Jensen; or NMFS, Pacific Islands Regional Office, Protected Resources Division, 1845 Wasp Blvd., Building 176, Honolulu, HI 96818, Attn: Dawn Golden. Sources of Information Reviewed for the 2017 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 MMAP, reports to the SRGs, conference papers, FMPs, and ESA documents. The LOF for 2017 was based on, among other things, stranding data; fisher self-reports; and SARs, primarily the 2015 SARs, which are based on data from 2009–2013. The final SARs referenced in this LOF include: 2014 (80 FR 50599, August 20, 2015) and 2015 (81 FR 38676, June 14, 2016). The SARs are available at: https:// www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/. PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 54023 Summary of Changes to the LOF for 2017 The following summarizes the proposed changes to the LOF for 2017, including the classification of fisheries, fisheries listed, 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. NMFS proposes two re-classifications of fisheries provided in the LOF for 2017. Additionally, NMFS proposes adding one fishery to the LOF. NMFS proposes changes to the estimated number of vessels/persons and list of species and/or stocks killed or injured in certain fisheries. The classifications and definitions of U.S. commercial fisheries for 2017 are identical to those provided in the LOF for 2016 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 AK miscellaneous finfish handline/hand troll and mechanical jig fishery from Category III to Category II. Category II classification is driven by take of the Western North Pacific stock of humpback whales (see proposed addition of this stock to list of stocks incidentally injured or killed below). Based on the most recent five years of available information, mortality and serious injury of the Western North Pacific stock of humpback whales by this fishery is 6.89% of the PBR of 2.9 (Allen and Angliss, 2016). Mortality and serious injury levels greater than 1% and less than 50% of PBR meet the Category II threshold. Therefore, NMFS proposes to reclassify the AK miscellaneous finfish handline/hand troll and mechanical jig fishery as a Category II fishery. NMFS proposes to elevate the CA spiny lobster fishery from Category III to Category II. Category II classification for this fishery is driven by takes of the CA/ OR/WA offshore stock of bottlenose dolphin. Based on the average annual fishery-related mortality and serious injury of the CA/OR/WA offshore stock of bottlenose dolphin by this fishery is 3.6% of the PBR of 5.5 (Carretta et al., E:\FR\FM\15AUP1.SGM 15AUP1 54024 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 157 / Monday, August 15, 2016 / Proposed Rules 2014). Therefore, NMFS proposes to reclassify the CA spiny lobster fishery as a Category II fishery. NMFS evaluated the 2008 bottlenose dolphin, CA/OR/ WA offshore stock, entanglement during the proposed 2010 LOF process. At that time, the entanglement was characterized as a non-serious injury in the NMFS stranding database, as the animal had been disentangled, and the incident was not included in the 2010 SAR (Carretta et al., 2011). Following NMFS’ 2012 policy on distinguishing serious from non-serious injury, the bottlenose dolphin entanglement was determined to be a serious injury and was included in the 2013 SAR (NMFS, 2012). Number of Vessels/Persons NMFS proposes updates to the estimated number of vessels/persons in the Pacific Ocean (Table 1) as follows: Number of vessels/persons (2016 LOF) Category Fishery I ......................... II ........................ II ........................ III ....................... HI deep-set longline ..................................................................................................... HI shallow-set longline ................................................................................................. American Samoa longline ............................................................................................ American Samoa bottomfish handline ......................................................................... sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS List of Species and/or Stocks Incidentally Killed or Injured in the Pacific Ocean NMFS proposes to add the Hawaii stock of pygmy killer whale and to remove the Hawaii pelagic stock of pantropical spotted dolphin on the list of stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category I Hawaii deep-set longline fishery. A pygmy killer whale was observed dead in this fishery in 2013. No pantropical spotted dolphin mortalities or injuries have been documented in the most recent five years of data. Annual average estimated pygmy killer whale mortality and serious injury from the Hawaii deep-set longline fishery during 2009 to 2013 was 1.1. During the same time frame mortality and serious injury was 0 for pantropcial spotted dolphin (McCracken, 2015). Observer coverage for this fishery from 2009 to 2013 was 20.6, 21.1, 20.3, 20.4, and 20.4 percent, respectively. NMFS proposes to add the Hawaii stock of rough-toothed dolphin and to remove the Hawaii stock of Kogia spp. on the list of stocks killed or injured in the Category II Hawaii shallow-set longline fishery. A rough-toothed dolphin was observed dead in this fishery in 2013. Annual average estimated rough-toothed dolphin mortality and serious injury from the Hawaii shallow-set longline fishery during 2009 to 2013 was 0.2. For the same time frame mortality and serious injury was 0 for Kogia spp. (McCracken, 2015). Observer coverage for this fishery from 2009 to 2013 was 100 percent each year. NMFS proposes to add the Western North Pacific and Central North Pacific stocks of humpback whale and the Northeast Pacific stock of fin whale to the list of stocks killed or injured in the AK miscellaneous finfish handline/ hand troll and mechanical jig fishery. The stranding network documented a humpback whale mortality in 2013 that was assigned to both stocks based on spatial overlap. We also propose to add a ‘‘1’’ to the Western North Pacific stock to indicate it is driving the classification of this fishery. In 2012, the stranding network documented a fin whale mortality. There is no observer coverage in this fishery. NMFS proposes to add the CA/OR/ WA stock of short-finned pilot whale to the list of stocks incidentally killed or injured in the CA thresher shark/ swordfish drift gillnet (≥14 in mesh) fishery. Two short-finned pilot whales were observed dead in this fishery in 2014 (Carretta et al., 2016). Observer coverage for this fishery from 2010 to 2014 was 11.9, 19.5, 18.6, 37.4, and 23.7 percent, respectively. Commercial Fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Addition of Fisheries NMFS propose to add the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic fyke net fishery to the list of Category III fisheries. Fyke nets are defined as a series of wood or metal 135 15 22 17 Number of Vessels/Persons NMFS proposes updates to the estimated number of vessels/persons in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean (Table 2) as follows: Number of vessels/persons (2016 LOF) Fishery I ......................... II ........................ II ........................ II ........................ II ........................ II ........................ II ........................ Mid-Atlantic Gillnet ........................................................................................................ Atlantic Mixed Species Trap/Pot .................................................................................. Chesapeake Bay Inshore Gillnet .................................................................................. Mid-Atlantic Bottom Trawl ............................................................................................ Northeast Drift Gillnet ................................................................................................... VA Pound Net ............................................................................................................... Northeast Bottom Trawl ................................................................................................ 18:47 Aug 12, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 139 20 20 24 hoops covered with netting. These nets are 2.5–5.0 m (8.2–16.4 ft) long. There are usually two wings of netting at the entrance that are attached to upright stakes and give the overall net a ‘‘Yshape.’’ There are one or more funnels inside the net that direct fish to the rear of the net (the ‘‘car’’) where they become trapped. Occasionally, a long leader is used to direct fish to the entrance. Fish are removed by lifting the car out of the water and loosening a rope securing the rear of the car (Stevenson et al., 2004). These nets are generally fished in shallow water, targeting estuarine and coastal species including but not limited to glass eels (elvers), winter flounder, menhaden, croaker, bluefish, river herring, Atlantic croaker, and weakfish (Fullencamp, 2006). These nets are utilized from Maine through Virginia. They are typically set in contact with the bottom, in areas with strong currents (FAO, 2001). Fyke nets are managed by state regulations, and fishing activity is not managed under a federal FMP. There have been no documented interactions between fyke nets and marine mammals; and, given the primarily estuarine nature of these fisheries, we expect a remote likelihood of or no mortalities or serious injuries to occur. Category VerDate Sep<11>2014 Number of vessels/persons (2017 LOF) E:\FR\FM\15AUP1.SGM 4063 3284 272 994 1567 47 3132 15AUP1 Number of vessels/persons (2017 LOF) 3950 3436 248 785 1036 26 2238 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 157 / Monday, August 15, 2016 / Proposed Rules Category II II II II II II II II II II ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ........................ Mid-Atlantic Haul Beach Seine ..................................................................................... Mid-Atlantic Midwater Trawl ......................................................................................... Northeast Anchored Gillnet .......................................................................................... Gulf of Mexico Gillnet ................................................................................................... NC Inshore Gillnet ........................................................................................................ Southeast Atlantic Gillnet ............................................................................................. Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico Stone Crab Trap/Pot ............................... Atlantic Blue Crab Trap/Pot .......................................................................................... NC Long Haul Seine .................................................................................................... NC Roe Mullet Stop Net ............................................................................................... sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS List of Species and/or Stocks Incidentally Killed or Injured in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean NMFS proposes to remove the Western North Atlantic stock of harbor seal from the list of species incidentally killed or injured in the Category I Northeast/Mid-Atlantic American lobster trap/pot fishery. Harbor seals were originally listed as a species killed or injured by this fishery in the 1996 LOF (60 FR 31666; June 16, 1995); however, there have been no documented takes in this fishery within the last five years. Takes of seals in the lobster fishery have not been listed as a source of annual human-caused mortality since the 2005 stock assessment report (Waring et al., 2005). In the 2005 stock assessment reports and prior stock assessment reports going back to 1995, takes were estimated to occur twice a year in mid-coastal Maine fisheries (Gilbert and Wynne, 1985). NMFS proposes to remove Risso’s dolphin, Western North Atlantic stock, and add the Western North Atlantic stocks of harbor seal and gray seal to the list of species incidentally killed or injured in the Category II Mid-Atlantic Midwater trawl fishery. The last Risso’s dolphin take in this fishery was documented in 2008, and no interactions have been documented since (Waring et al., 2015). Risso’s dolphins were originally added as a species incidentally killed or injured in the Mid-Atlantic midwater trawl fishery in the 1996 LOF (60 FR 31666; June 16, 1995), which later became the Atlantic squid, mackerel, butterfish trawl fishery (62 FR 28657; May 27, 1997) until the 2005 LOF when the name was again changed to Mid-Atlantic midwater trawl fishery (69 FR 70094; December 2, 2004). One harbor seal and one gray seal were both observed killed in this fishery in 2010. An expanded bycatch estimate has not been generated for either species. Until the bycatch estimates can be developed, the average annual VerDate Sep<11>2014 Number of vessels/persons (2016 LOF) Fishery 18:47 Aug 12, 2016 Jkt 238001 fishery-related mortality and serious injury for 2009–2013 for both species is calculated at 0.2 animals (1 animal/5 years). Observer coverage for this fishery from 2009–2013 was 25, 41, 21, 7, and 5 percent, respectively. NMFS proposes to add the Canadian East coast stock of minke whale to the list of species incidentally killed or injured in the Category II Northeast midwater trawl fishery. During July 2013, one minke whale was observed dead in a midwater otter trawl on Georges Bank. Due to the small sample size of observed takes, an expanded estimate has not been calculated. Annual average estimated minke whale mortality and serious injury from the Northeast midwater trawl fishery (including pair trawl) during 2009 to 2013 was 0.2. Observer coverage from 2009–2013 was 53, 41, 45, 37, and 42 percent, respectively. NMFS proposes to remove the Canadian East coast stock of minke whale from the list of species incidentally killed or injured in the Category II Northeast bottom trawl fishery. Minke whales were added as a species incidentally killed or injured in this fishery in the 2013 LOF (78 FR 23708; April 22, 2013) due to observed takes occurring in 2004 and 2008; however, there have been no observed takes of minke whales in this fishery since 2008 (Waring et al., 2016). Observer coverage from 2009–2013 was 16, 26, 17, 15 and 17 percent, respectively. NMFS proposes to remove the Western North Atlantic stock of shortfinned pilot whale from the list of species incidentally killed or injured in the Category II Northeast sink gillnet fishery. Short-finned pilot whales were originally listed as a species killed or injured in this fishery in the 2013 LOF (78 FR 23708; April 22, 2013) due to an unknown pilot whale species take recorded in 2010 (Waring et al., 2012). According to the 2015 Stock Assessment Report, pilot whale mortalities are generally observed north of 40° N. latitude in this fishery and, therefore, PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 243 507 995 724 1323 357 1282 8557 372 13 54025 Number of vessels/persons (2017 LOF) 359 382 852 248 2850 273 1384 7714 30 1 should be attributed to the long-finned pilot whale stock (Waring et al., 2016). Observer coverage for this fishery for 2009–2013 was 17, 19, 15, 11 and 18 percent, respectively. NMFS proposes to remove the following stocks from the list of species incidentally killed or injured in the Category I Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico large pelagics longline fishery: Western North Atlantic stock of Atlantic spotted dolphin, Gulf of Mexico stock of Gervais beaked whale, Gulf of Mexico oceanic stock of killer whale, Western North Atlantic stock of Pantropical spotted dolphin, and Gulf of Mexico oceanic stock of sperm whale. There have been no observed mortalities or injuries to these species in the most recent five years of data (Waring et al., 2016). Observer coverage in this fishery in the most recent five year period (2009–2013) has been 10, 8, 9, 7, and 9 percent, respectively. NMFS proposes to add unknown stock (likely Northern migratory coastal or Southern migratory coastal) of bottlenose dolphin to the list of stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category II Chesapeake Bay inshore gillnet fishery based on a 2013 mortality in 9-inch (22.9 cm) stretched mesh gillnet gear (Waring et al., 2016). NMFS proposes to add the Mississippi Sound, Lake Borgne, Bay Boudreau stock of bottlenose dolphin to the list of stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category II Gulf of Mexico menhaden purse seine fishery based on a 2011 observed injury and two-self reported mortalities in 2012 (Waring et al., 2016). NMFS proposes to add the Florida Keys stock of bottlenose dolphin to the list of stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category III Florida spiny lobster trap/pot fishery based on the location and gear description in a 2013 stranding report (Waring et al., 2016). NMFS proposes to add the Barataria Bay stock and the Mississippi Sound, Lake Borgne, Bay Boudreau stock of bottlenose dolphin to the list of stocks incidentally killed or injured in the E:\FR\FM\15AUP1.SGM 15AUP1 54026 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 157 / Monday, August 15, 2016 / Proposed Rules Category III Gulf of Mexico blue crab trap/pot fishery based on documented mortalities in 2011 (Waring et al., 2016). A Barataria Bay stock animal was also disentangled and released alive in 2012. Commercial Fisheries on the High Seas Number of Vessels/Persons NMFS proposes updates to the estimated number of vessels/persons on the High Seas (Table 3) as follows: Number of vessels/persons (2016 LOF) Category Fishery I .................... II ................... II ................... II ................... II ................... II ................... II ................... II ................... II ................... II ................... II ................... II ................... III .................. III .................. III .................. Western Pacific pelagic longline (HI deep-set component) .............................................. Atlantic highly migratory species drift gillnet ..................................................................... South Pacific tuna purse seine ......................................................................................... South Pacific albacore troll longline .................................................................................. South Pacific tuna longline ............................................................................................... Western Pacific pelagic longline (HI shallow-set component) .......................................... Pacific highly migratory species handline/pole and line ................................................... South Pacific albacore troll handline/pole and line ........................................................... Western Pacific pelagic handline/pole and line ................................................................ South Pacific albacore troll troll ........................................................................................ South Pacific tuna troll ...................................................................................................... Western Pacific pelagic troll .............................................................................................. Pacific highly migratory species longline .......................................................................... Pacific highly migratory species purse seine .................................................................... Pacific highly migratory species troll ................................................................................. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS List of Species and/or Stocks Incidentally Killed or Injured on the High Seas NMFS proposes to add the Hawaii stock of pygmy killer whale and to remove the Hawaii pelagic stock of pantropical spotted dolphin on the list of stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category I Western Pacific pelagic longline (HI deep-set component) fishery to be consistent with proposed changes to Table 1 because this fishery is a component of an existing fishery operating within U.S. waters. NMFS proposes to add the Hawaii stock of rough-toothed dolphin and to remove the Hawaii stock of Kogia spp. on the list of stocks killed or injured in the Category II Western Pacific pelagic longline (HI shallow-set component) fishery to be consistent with proposed changes to Table 1 because this fishery is a component of an existing fishery operating within U.S. waters. NMFS proposes to add the CA breeding stock of northern elephant seal to the list of stocks killed or injured in the Category II Western Pacific pelagic longline (HI shallow-set component) fishery based on a 2013 observed serious injury. Annual average estimated northern elephant seal mortality and serious injury from the fishery during 2009 to 2013 was 0.2 (McCracken, 2015). 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:47 Aug 12, 2016 Jkt 238001 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 PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 135 1 39 15 8 15 50 9 5 38 5 21 126 8 243 Number of vessels/persons (2017 LOF) 139 0 38 10 2 20 46 7 2 30 4 17 114 6 187 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 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 E:\FR\FM\15AUP1.SGM 15AUP1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 157 / Monday, August 15, 2016 / Proposed Rules 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 54027 (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 number of vessels/ persons Fishery description Marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured CATEGORY I LONGLINE/SET LINE FISHERIES: HI deep-set longline * ∧ .............................................................. 139 ................... Bottlenose dolphin, HI Pelagic. False killer whale, MHI Insular.1 False killer whale, HI Pelagic.1 False killer whale, NWHI. Pygmy killer whale, HI. Risso’s dolphin, HI. Short-finned pilot whale, HI. Sperm whale, HI. Striped dolphin, HI. GILLNET FISHERIES: CA thresher shark/swordfish drift gillnet (≥14 in mesh) * .......... 18 ..................... Bottlenose dolphin, CA/OR/WA offshore. California sea lion, U.S. 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. Short-finned pilot whale, CA/OR/WA. Sperm Whale, CA/OR/WA.1 CATEGORY II sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS GILLNET FISHERIES: CA halibut/white seabass and other species set gillnet (≤3.5 in mesh). 50 ..................... CA yellowtail, barracuda, and white seabass drift gillnet (mesh size ≥3.5 in and <14 in) 2. 30 ..................... AK Bristol Bay salmon drift gillnet 2 ........................................... 1,862 ................ VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:47 Aug 12, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 California sea lion, U.S. 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. California sea lion, U.S. Long-beaked common dolphin, CA. Short-beaked common dolphin, CA/OR/WA. Beluga whale, Bristol Bay. Gray whale, Eastern North Pacific. Harbor seal, Bering Sea. Northern fur seal, Eastern Pacific. Pacific white-sided dolphin, North Pacific. Spotted seal, AK. Steller sea lion, Western U.S. E:\FR\FM\15AUP1.SGM 15AUP1 54028 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 157 / Monday, August 15, 2016 / Proposed Rules TABLE 1—LIST OF FISHERIES—COMMERCIAL FISHERIES IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN—Continued Estimated number of vessels/ persons AK Bristol Bay salmon set gillnet 2 ............................................ 979 ................... AK Kodiak salmon set gillnet ..................................................... 188 ................... AK Cook Inlet salmon set gillnet ............................................... 736 ................... AK Cook Inlet salmon drift gillnet .............................................. 569 ................... AK Peninsula/Aleutian Islands salmon drift gillnet 2 .................. 162 ................... AK Peninsula/Aleutian Islands salmon set gillnet 2 ................... 113 ................... AK Prince William Sound salmon drift gillnet ............................ 537 ................... AK Southeast salmon drift gillnet .............................................. 474 ................... AK Yakutat salmon set gillnet 2 ................................................. 168 ................... WA Puget Sound Region salmon drift gillnet (includes all inland waters south of U.S.-Canada border and eastward of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line-Treaty Indian fishing is excluded). TRAWL FISHERIES: AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands flatfish trawl ........................... sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS Fishery description 210 ................... 32 ..................... AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands pollock trawl .......................... 102 ................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:47 Aug 12, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured Beluga whale, Bristol Bay. Gray whale, Eastern North Pacific. Harbor seal, Bering Sea. Northern fur seal, Eastern Pacific. Spotted seal, AK. Harbor porpoise, GOA.1 Harbor seal, GOA. Sea otter, Southwest AK. Steller sea lion, Western U.S. Beluga whale, Cook 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. Beluga whale, Cook Inlet. Dall’s porpoise, AK. Harbor porpoise, GOA.1 Harbor seal, GOA. Steller sea lion, Western U.S. Dall’s porpoise, AK. Harbor porpoise, GOA. Harbor seal, GOA. Northern fur seal, Eastern Pacific. Harbor porpoise, Bering Sea. Northern sea otter, Southwest AK. Steller sea lion, Western U.S. Dall’s porpoise, AK. 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 Dall’s porpoise, AK. 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. Gray whale, Eastern North Pacific. Harbor Porpoise, Southeastern AK. Harbor seal, Southeast AK. Humpback whale, Central North Pacific (Southeast AK). Dall’s porpoise, CA/OR/WA. Harbor porpoise, inland WA 1 Harbor seal, WA inland. Bearded seal, AK. 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. Bearded Seal, AK. Dall’s porpoise, AK. Harbor seal, AK. Humpback whale, Central North Pacific. Humpback whale, Western North Pacific. Northern fur seal, Eastern Pacific. Ribbon seal, AK. Ringed seal, AK. E:\FR\FM\15AUP1.SGM 15AUP1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 157 / Monday, August 15, 2016 / Proposed Rules 54029 TABLE 1—LIST OF FISHERIES—COMMERCIAL FISHERIES IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN—Continued Estimated number of vessels/ persons Fishery description AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands rockfish trawl ......................... 17 ..................... POT, RING NET, AND TRAP FISHERIES: CA spot prawn pot ..................................................................... 25 ..................... CA Dungeness crab pot ............................................................ 570 ................... OR Dungeness crab pot ............................................................ 433 ................... WA/OR/CA sablefish pot ........................................................... WA coastal Dungeness crab pot ............................................... 309 ................... 228 ................... LONGLINE/SET LINE FISHERIES: AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Pacific cod longline ............... 45 ..................... HI shallow-set longline * ∧ .......................................................... 20 ..................... American Samoa longline 2 ........................................................ 22 ..................... HI shortline 2 ............................................................................... HOOK-AND-LINE, HANDLINE, AND JIG FISHERIES: AK miscellaneous finfish handline/hand troll and mechanical jig. 9 ....................... 456 ................... Marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured Spotted seal, AK. Steller sea lion, Western U.S.1 Killer whale, ENP AK resident.1 Killer whale, GOA, AI, BS transient.1 Gray whale, Eastern North Pacific. Humpback whale, CA/OR/WA.1 Gray whale, Eastern North Pacific. Humpback whale, CA/OR/WA.1 Gray whale, Eastern North Pacific. Humpback whale, CA/OR/WA.1 Humpback whale, CA/OR/WA.1 Gray whale, Eastern North Pacific. Humpback whale, CA/OR/WA.1 Dall’s Porpoise, AK. Killer whale, GOA, BSAI transient.1 Northern fur seal, Eastern Pacific. Ringed seal, AK. Blainville’s beaked whale, HI. Bottlenose dolphin, HI Pelagic. False killer whale, HI Pelagic.1 Humpback whale, Central North Pacific. Risso’s dolphin, HI. Rough-toothed dolphin, HI. Short-finned pilot whale, HI. Striped dolphin, HI. Bottlenose dolphin, unknown. Cuvier’s beaked whale, unknown. False killer whale, American Samoa. Rough-toothed dolphin, American Samoa. Short-finned pilot whale, unknown. None documented. Fin whale, Northeast Pacific. Humpback whale, Central North Pacific. Humpback whale, Western North Pacific.1 CATEGORY III 1,778 ................ Harbor porpoise, Bering Sea. 54 ..................... 29 ..................... AK roe herring and food/bait herring gillnet .............................. CA set gillnet (mesh size <3.5 in) ............................................. HI inshore gillnet ........................................................................ 920 ................... 296 ................... 36 ..................... WA Grays Harbor salmon drift gillnet (excluding treaty Tribal fishing). WA/OR Mainstem Columbia River eulchon gillnet .................... WA/OR lower Columbia River (includes tributaries) drift gillnet 24 ..................... Steller sea lion, Western U.S. Harbor seal, GOA. Sea otter, South central AK. Steller sea lion, Western U.S. None documented. None documented. Bottlenose dolphin, HI. Spinner dolphin, HI. Harbor seal, OR/WA coast. 15 ..................... 110 ................... WA Willapa Bay drift gillnet ....................................................... sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS GILLNET FISHERIES: AK Kuskokwim, Yukon, Norton Sound, Kotzebue salmon gillnet. AK miscellaneous finfish set gillnet ........................................... AK Prince William Sound salmon set gillnet ............................. 82 ..................... MISCELLANEOUS NET FISHERIES: AK Cook Inlet salmon purse seine ............................................ AK Kodiak salmon purse seine ................................................. AK Southeast salmon purse seine ............................................ AK Metlakatla salmon purse seine ............................................ AK miscellaneous finfish beach seine ....................................... AK miscellaneous finfish purse seine ........................................ AK octopus/squid purse seine ................................................... AK roe herring and food/bait herring beach seine .................... AK roe herring and food/bait herring purse seine ..................... AK salmon beach seine ............................................................. 83 ..................... 376 ................... 315 ................... 10 ..................... 2 ....................... 2 ....................... 0 ....................... 10 ..................... 356 ................... 31 ..................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:47 Aug 12, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 None documented. California sea lion, U.S. Harbor seal, OR/WA coast. Harbor seal, OR/WA coast. Northern elephant seal, CA breeding. Humpback whale, Central North Pacific. Humpback whale, Central North Pacific. None documented in the most recent five years of data. None documented. None documented. None documented. None documented. None documented. None documented. None documented. E:\FR\FM\15AUP1.SGM 15AUP1 54030 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 157 / Monday, August 15, 2016 / Proposed Rules TABLE 1—LIST OF FISHERIES—COMMERCIAL FISHERIES IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN—Continued Estimated number of vessels/ persons Fishery description 42 ..................... 65 ..................... CA squid purse seine ................................................................ 80 ..................... CA tuna purse seine * ............................................................... WA/OR Lower Columbia River salmon seine ........................... WA/OR herring, smelt, squid purse seine or lampara .............. WA salmon purse seine ............................................................ WA salmon reef net ................................................................... HI lift net .................................................................................... HI inshore purse seine .............................................................. HI throw net, cast net ................................................................ HI seine net ............................................................................... DIP NET FISHERIES: CA squid dip net ........................................................................ MARINE AQUACULTURE FISHERIES: CA marine shellfish aquaculture ................................................ CA salmon enhancement rearing pen ....................................... CA white seabass enhancement net pens ................................ HI offshore pen culture .............................................................. WA salmon net pens ................................................................. 10 ..................... 10 ..................... 130 ................... 75 ..................... 11 ..................... 17 ..................... <3 ..................... 23 ..................... 24 ..................... Harbor seal, GOA. Harbor seal, Prince William Sound. None documented. California sea lion, U.S. Harbor seal, CA. Long-beaked common dolphin, CA. Short-beaked common dolphin, CA/OR/WA. None documented. None documented. None documented. None documented. None documented. None documented. None documented. None documented. None documented. 115 ................... None documented. unknown ........... >1 ..................... 13 ..................... 2 ....................... 14 ..................... WA/OR shellfish aquaculture ..................................................... TROLL FISHERIES: WA/OR/CA albacore surface hook and line/troll ....................... CA halibut hook and line/handline ............................................. CA white seabass hook and line/handline ................................ AK salmon troll .......................................................................... 23 ..................... None documented. None documented. California sea lion, U.S. None documented. California sea lion, U.S. Harbor seal, WA inland waters. None documented. American Samoa tuna troll ........................................................ CA/OR/WA salmon troll ............................................................. HI troll ........................................................................................ HI rod and reel ........................................................................... Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands tuna troll ....... Guam tuna troll .......................................................................... LONGLINE/SET LINE FISHERIES: AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands rockfish longline .................... AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Greenland turbot longline ..... AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands sablefish longline .................. AK Gulf of Alaska halibut longline ............................................. AK Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod longline ...................................... AK Gulf of Alaska rockfish longline ........................................... AK Gulf of Alaska sablefish longline ......................................... AK halibut longline/set line (state and Federal waters) ............ AK octopus/squid longline ......................................................... AK state-managed waters longline/setline (including sablefish, rockfish, lingcod, and miscellaneous finfish). WA/OR/CA groundfish, bottomfish longline/set line .................. WA/OR Pacific halibut longline .................................................. CA pelagic longline .................................................................... HI kaka line ................................................................................ HI vertical line ............................................................................ TRAWL FISHERIES: AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Atka mackerel trawl .............. 13 ..................... 4,300 ................ 2,117 ................ 322 ................... 40 ..................... 432 ................... None documented. None documented. None documented. Steller sea lion, Eastern U.S. Steller sea lion, Western U.S. None documented. None documented. Pantropical spotted dolphin, HI. None documented. None documented. None documented. 3 ....................... 4 ....................... 22 ..................... 855 ................... 92 ..................... 25 ..................... 295 ................... 2,197 ................ 3 ....................... 464 ................... None documented. Killer whale, AK resident. None documented. None documented. Steller sea lion, Western U.S. None documented. Sperm whale, North Pacific. None documented in the most recent five years of data. None documented. None documented. 367 ................... 350 ................... 1 ....................... 15 ..................... 3 ....................... Bottlenose dolphin, CA/OR/WA offshore. None documented. None documented in the most recent five years of data. None documented. None documented. 13 ..................... AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Pacific cod trawl .................... sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS AK salmon purse seine (excluding salmon purse seine fisheries listed elsewhere). WA/OR sardine purse seine ...................................................... CA anchovy, mackerel, sardine purse seine ............................. 72 ..................... AK Gulf of Alaska flatfish trawl .................................................. AK Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod trawl ........................................... AK Gulf of Alaska pollock trawl ................................................. 36 ..................... 55 ..................... 67 ..................... AK Gulf of Alaska rockfish trawl ................................................ AK food/bait herring trawl .......................................................... AK miscellaneous finfish otter/beam trawl ................................ 43 ..................... 4 ....................... 282 ................... Ribbon seal, AK. Steller sea lion, Western U.S. Ringed seal, AK. Steller sea lion, Western U.S. Northern elephant seal, North Pacific. Steller sea lion, Western U.S. Dall’s porpoise, AK. Fin whale, Northeast Pacific. Northern elephant seal, North Pacific. Steller sea lion, Western U.S. None documented. None documented. None documented. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:47 Aug 12, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00070 936 ................... Marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured 705 ................... unknown ........... unknown ........... 1,908 ................ Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\15AUP1.SGM 15AUP1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 157 / Monday, August 15, 2016 / Proposed Rules 54031 TABLE 1—LIST OF FISHERIES—COMMERCIAL FISHERIES IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN—Continued Estimated number of vessels/ persons Fishery description Marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured CA sea cucumber trawl ............................................................. WA/OR/CA shrimp trawl ............................................................ WA/OR/CA groundfish trawl ...................................................... 16 ..................... 300 ................... 160–180 ........... POT, RING NET, AND TRAP FISHERIES: AK statewide miscellaneous finfish pot ..................................... AK Aleutian Islands sablefish pot .............................................. AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Pacific cod pot ...................... AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands crab pot ................................. AK Bering Sea sablefish pot ..................................................... AK Gulf of Alaska crab pot ........................................................ AK Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod pot ............................................. AK Southeast Alaska crab pot .................................................. AK Southeast Alaska shrimp pot ............................................... AK shrimp pot, except Southeast .............................................. AK octopus/squid pot ................................................................. AK snail pot ............................................................................... CA/OR coonstripe shrimp pot .................................................... 4 ....................... 4 ....................... 59 ..................... 540 ................... 2 ....................... 381 ................... 128 ................... 41 ..................... 269 ................... 236 ................... 26 ..................... 1 ....................... 36 ..................... CA rock crab pot ........................................................................ 124 ................... CA spiny lobster ........................................................................ sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS AK shrimp otter trawl and beam trawl (statewide and Cook Inlet). AK state-managed waters of Cook Inlet, Kachemak Bay, Prince William Sound, Southeast AK groundfish trawl. CA halibut bottom trawl ............................................................. 194 ................... WA/OR/CA hagfish pot .............................................................. WA/OR shrimp pot/trap ............................................................. WA Puget Sound Dungeness crab pot/trap .............................. HI crab trap ................................................................................ HI fish trap ................................................................................. HI lobster trap ............................................................................ HI shrimp trap ............................................................................ HI crab net ................................................................................. HI Kona crab loop net ............................................................... HOOK-AND-LINE, HANDLINE, AND JIG FISHERIES: AK North Pacific halibut handline/hand troll and mechanical jig AK octopus/squid handline ........................................................ American Samoa bottomfish ..................................................... Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands bottomfish .... Guam bottomfish ....................................................................... HI aku boat, pole, and line ........................................................ HI bottomfish handline ............................................................... HI inshore handline .................................................................... HI pelagic handline .................................................................... WA groundfish, bottomfish jig .................................................... Western Pacific squid jig ........................................................... HARPOON FISHERIES: CA swordfish harpoon ............................................................... POUND NET/WEIR FISHERIES: AK herring spawn on kelp pound net ........................................ AK Southeast herring roe/food/bait pound net .......................... HI bullpen trap ........................................................................... BAIT PENS: WA/OR/CA bait pens ................................................................. DREDGE FISHERIES: Alaska scallop dredge ............................................................... DIVE, HAND/MECHANICAL COLLECTION FISHERIES: AK abalone ................................................................................ 54 ..................... 254 ................... 249 ................... 5 ....................... 9 ....................... <3 ..................... 10 ..................... 4 ....................... 33 ..................... None documented. None documented. None documented. Gray whale, Eastern North Pacific. None documented. None documented. Harbor seal, GOA. Humpback whale, Central North Pacific (Southeast AK). Humpback whale, Central North Pacific (Southeast AK). None documented. None documented. None documented. Gray whale, Eastern North Pacific. Harbor seal, CA. Gray whale, Eastern North Pacific. Harbor seal, CA. Bottlenose dolphin, CA/OR/WA offshore. Humpback whale, CA/OR/WA. Gray whale, Eastern North Pacific. None documented. None documented. None documented. Humpback whale, Central North Pacific. None documented. None documented in recent years. None documented. None documented. None documented. 180 ................... 7 ....................... 17 ..................... 28 ..................... >300 ................. <3 ..................... 578 ................... 357 ................... 534 ................... 679 ................... 0 ....................... None None None None None None None None None None None 6 ....................... None documented. 409 ................... 2 ....................... 3 ....................... None documented. None documented. None documented. 13 ..................... California sea lion, U.S. 108 (5 AK) ........ None documented. 0 ....................... None documented. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:47 Aug 12, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00071 38 ..................... None documented. 2 ....................... None documented. 47 ..................... California sea lion, U.S. Harbor porpoise, unknown. Harbor seal, unknown. Northern elephant seal, CA breeding. Steller sea lion, unknown. None documented. None documented. 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. Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 documented. documented. documented. documented. documented. documented. documented in recent years. documented. documented. documented. documented. E:\FR\FM\15AUP1.SGM 15AUP1 54032 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 157 / Monday, August 15, 2016 / Proposed Rules TABLE 1—LIST OF FISHERIES—COMMERCIAL FISHERIES IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN—Continued Estimated number of vessels/ persons Fishery description AK clam ..................................................................................... AK Dungeness crab ................................................................... AK herring spawn on kelp ......................................................... AK urchin and other fish/shellfish .............................................. HI black coral diving .................................................................. HI fish pond ............................................................................... HI handpick ................................................................................ HI lobster diving ......................................................................... HI spearfishing ........................................................................... WA/CA kelp ............................................................................... WA/OR bait shrimp, clam hand, dive, or mechanical collection OR/CA sea urchin, sea cucumber hand, dive, or mechanical collection. COMMERCIAL PASSENGER FISHING VESSEL (CHARTER BOAT) FISHERIES: AK/WA/OR/CA commercial passenger fishing vessel .............. LIVE FINFISH/SHELLFISH FISHERIES: CA nearshore finfish live trap/hook-and-line ............................. HI aquarium collecting ............................................................... Marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured 130 ................... 2 ....................... 339 ................... 398 ................... <3 ..................... 5 ....................... 46 ..................... 19 ..................... 163 ................... 4 ....................... 201 ................... 10 ..................... None None None None None None None None None None None None documented. documented. documented. documented. documented. documented. documented. documented. documented. documented. documented. documented. >7,000 (2,702 AK). Killer whale, unknown. Steller sea lion, Eastern U.S. Steller sea lion, Western U.S. 93 ..................... 90 ..................... None documented. 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 Estimated number of vessels/ persons Fishery description Marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured CATEGORY I 3,950 ................ Northeast sink gillnet ................................................................. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS GILLNET FISHERIES: Mid-Atlantic gillnet ...................................................................... 4,332 ................ 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. 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. White-sided dolphin, WNA. TRAP/POT FISHERIES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:47 Aug 12, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00072 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\15AUP1.SGM 15AUP1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 157 / Monday, August 15, 2016 / Proposed Rules 54033 TABLE 2—LIST OF FISHERIES—COMMERCIAL FISHERIES IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN, GULF OF MEXICO, AND CARIBBEAN— Continued Fishery description Estimated number of vessels/ persons Northeast/Mid-Atlantic American lobster trap/pot ...................... 10,163 .............. Humpback whale, Gulf of Maine. Minke whale, Canadian east coast. North Atlantic right whale, WNA.1 LONGLINE FISHERIES: Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico large pelagics longline.* 420 ................... Atlantic spotted dolphin, GMX continental and oceanic. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern GMX oceanic. Bottlenose dolphin, WNA offshore. Common dolphin, WNA. Cuvier’s beaked whale, WNA. False killer whale, WNA. Harbor porpoise, GME, BF. 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. 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 Marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured CATEGORY II 248 ................... Gulf of Mexico gillnet 2 ............................................................... 248 ................... NC inshore gillnet ...................................................................... 2,850 ................ Northeast anchored float gillnet 2 ............................................... 852 ................... Northeast drift gillnet 2 ................................................................ Southeast Atlantic gillnet 2 ......................................................... 1,036 ................ 273 ................... Southeastern U.S. Atlantic shark gillnet .................................... 30 ..................... TRAWL FISHERIES: Mid-Atlantic mid-water trawl (including pair trawl) ..................... 382 ................... Mid-Atlantic bottom trawl ........................................................... 785 ................... Northeast mid-water trawl (including pair trawl) ........................ 1,087 ................ Northeast bottom trawl .............................................................. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS GILLNET FISHERIES: Chesapeake Bay inshore gillnet 2 .............................................. 2,238 ................ Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawl .......... 4,950 ................ VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:47 Aug 12, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00073 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Bottlenose dolphin, unknown (Northern migratory coastal or Southern migratory coastal). Bottlenose dolphin, GMX bay, sound, and estuarine. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern GMX coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, Western GMX coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern NC estuarine system.1 Bottlenose dolphin, Southern NC estuarine system.1 Harbor seal, WNA. Humpback whale, Gulf of Maine. White-sided dolphin, WNA. None documented. Bottlenose dolphin, Central FL coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern FL coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, SC/GA coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, Southern migratory coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, unknown (Central FL, Northern FL, SC/ GA coastal, or Southern migratory coastal). North Atlantic right whale, WNA. Gray seal, WNA. Harbor seal, WNA. White-sided dolphin, WNA.1 Bottlenose dolphin, WNA offshore. Common dolphin, WNA.1 Gray seal, WNA. Harbor seal, WNA. Risso’s dolphin, WNA.1 Common dolphin, WNA. Gray seal, WNA. Harbor seal, WNA. Long-finned pilot whale, WNA.1 Minke whale, Canadian East Coast. 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. Risso’s dolphin, WNA. White-sided dolphin, WNA.1 Atlantic spotted dolphin, GMX continental and oceanic. Bottlenose dolphin, Charleston estuarine system. Bottlenose dolphin, Eastern GMX coastal.1 E:\FR\FM\15AUP1.SGM 15AUP1 54034 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 157 / Monday, August 15, 2016 / Proposed Rules TABLE 2—LIST OF FISHERIES—COMMERCIAL FISHERIES IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN, GULF OF MEXICO, AND CARIBBEAN— Continued Estimated number of vessels/ persons Fishery description Marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured Bottlenose dolphin, GMX bay, sound, estuarine.1 Bottlenose dolphin, GMX continental shelf. 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, Gulf of Mexico stone crab trap/ pot 2. 1,384 ................ Atlantic mixed species trap/pot 2 ................................................ 3,436 ................ Atlantic blue crab trap/pot .......................................................... 7,714 ................ PURSE SEINE FISHERIES: Gulf of Mexico menhaden purse seine ..................................... 40–42 ............... Mid-Atlantic menhaden purse seine 2 ........................................ 19 ..................... HAUL/BEACH SEINE FISHERIES: Mid-Atlantic haul/beach seine .................................................... 359 ................... NC long haul seine .................................................................... 30 ..................... STOP NET FISHERIES: NC roe mullet stop net .............................................................. 1 ....................... Bottlenose dolphin, Northern NC estuarine system. Bottlenose dolphin, unknown (Southern migratory coastal or Southern NC estuarine system). POUND NET FISHERIES: VA pound net ............................................................................. 26 ..................... Bottlenose dolphin, Northern migratory coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern NC estuarine system. Bottlenose dolphin, Southern Migratory coastal.1 Bottlenose dolphin, Biscayne Bay 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. Fin whale, WNA. Humpback whale, Gulf of Maine. 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 Bottlenose dolphin, GMX bay, sound, estuarine. Bottlenose dolphin, Mississippi Sound, Lake Borgne, Bay Boudreau. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern GMX coastal.1 Bottlenose dolphin, Western GMX coastal.1 Bottlenose dolphin, Northern Migratory coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, Southern Migratory coastal. Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose dolphin, dolphin, dolphin, dolphin, dolphin, Northern Migratory coastal.1 Northern NC estuarine system 1. Southern Migratory coastal.1 Northern NC estuarine system.1 Southern NC estuarine system. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS CATEGORY III GILLNET FISHERIES: Caribbean gillnet ........................................................................ DE River inshore gillnet ............................................................. Long Island Sound inshore gillnet ............................................. RI, southern MA (to Monomoy Island), and NY Bight (Raritan and Lower NY Bays) inshore gillnet. Southeast Atlantic inshore gillnet .............................................. TRAWL FISHERIES: Atlantic shellfish bottom trawl .................................................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:47 Aug 12, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00074 >991 ................. unknown ........... unknown ........... unknown ........... None None None None unknown ........... Bottlenose dolphin, Northern SC estuarine system. >58 ................... None documented. Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 documented documented documented documented in in in in E:\FR\FM\15AUP1.SGM the the the the most most most most 15AUP1 recent recent recent recent five five five five years years years years of of of of data. data. data. data. Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 157 / Monday, August 15, 2016 / Proposed Rules 54035 TABLE 2—LIST OF FISHERIES—COMMERCIAL FISHERIES IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN, GULF OF MEXICO, AND CARIBBEAN— Continued Fishery description Estimated number of vessels/ persons Gulf of Mexico butterfish trawl ................................................... 2 ....................... Gulf of Mexico mixed species trawl ........................................... GA cannonball jellyfish trawl ..................................................... MARINE AQUACULTURE FISHERIES: Finfish aquaculture .................................................................... Shellfish aquaculture ................................................................. PURSE SEINE FISHERIES: Gulf of Maine Atlantic herring purse seine ................................ 20 ..................... 1 ....................... Bottlenose dolphin, Northern GMX oceanic. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern GMX continental shelf. None documented. Bottlenose dolphin, SC/GA coastal. 48 ..................... unknown ........... Harbor seal, WNA. None documented. >7 ..................... Harbor seal, WNA. Gray seal, WNA. None documented. Bottlenose dolphin, Eastern GMX coastal. Long-finned pilot whale, WNA. Short-finned pilot whale, WNA. Gulf of Maine menhaden purse seine ....................................... FL West Coast sardine purse seine .......................................... U.S. Atlantic tuna purse seine * ................................................ LONGLINE/HOOK-AND-LINE FISHERIES: Northeast/Mid-Atlantic bottom longline/hook-and-line ............... Gulf of Maine, U.S. Mid-Atlantic tuna, shark swordfish hookand-line/harpoon. Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean snapper-grouper and other reef fish bottom longline/hookand-line. Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico shark bottom longline/hook-and-line. Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean pelagic hook-and-line/harpoon. U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico trotline ......................................... TRAP/POT FISHERIES: Caribbean mixed species trap/pot ............................................. Caribbean spiny lobster trap/pot ............................................... FL spiny lobster trap/pot ............................................................ >2 ..................... 10 ..................... 5 ....................... >1,207A ............ 428 ................... >5,000 .............. <125 ................. Marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured None documented. Bottlenose dolphin, WNA offshore. Humpback whale, Gulf of Maine. Bottlenose dolphin, GMX continental shelf. 1,446 ................ Bottlenose dolphin, Eastern GMX coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern GMX continental shelf. None documented. unknown ........... None documented. >501 ................. >197 ................. 1,268 ................ 4,113 ................ Gulf of Mexico mixed species trap/pot ...................................... Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico golden crab trap/ pot. U.S. Mid-Atlantic eel trap/pot ..................................................... STOP SEINE/WEIR/POUND NET/FLOATING TRAP/FYKE NET FISHERIES: Gulf of Maine herring and Atlantic mackerel stop seine/weir .... sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS Gulf of Mexico blue crab trap/pot .............................................. unknown ........... 10 ..................... None documented. None documented. Bottlenose dolphin, Biscayne Bay estuarine Bottlenose dolphin, Central FL coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, Eastern GMX coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, FL Bay estuarine. Bottlenose dolphin, FL Keys. Bottlenose dolphin, Barataria Bay. Bottlenose dolphin, Eastern GMX coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, GMX bay, sound, estuarine. Bottlenose dolphin, Mississippi Sound, Lake Borgne, Bay Boudreau. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern GMX coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, Western GMX coastal. West Indian manatee, FL. None documented. None documented. unknown ........... None documented. >1 ..................... 2,600 ................ unknown ........... Harbor porpoise, GME/BF. Harbor seal, WNA. Minke whale, Canadian east coast. Atlantic white-sided dolphin, WNA. None documented. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern NC estuarine system. 9 ....................... unknown ........... None documented. None documented. unknown ........... unknown ........... >403 ................. unknown ........... unknown ........... unknown ........... 7,000 ................ unknown ........... None None None None None None None None 15 ..................... None documented in the most recent five years of data. U.S. Mid-Atlantic crab stop seine/weir ...................................... U.S. Mid-Atlantic mixed species stop seine/weir/pound net (except the NC roe mullet stop net). RI floating trap ........................................................................... Northeast and Mid-Atlantic fyke net .......................................... DREDGE FISHERIES: Gulf of Maine sea urchin dredge ............................................... Gulf of Maine mussel dredge .................................................... Gulf of Maine, U.S. Mid-Atlantic sea scallop dredge ................ Mid-Atlantic blue crab dredge .................................................... Mid-Atlantic soft-shell clam dredge ........................................... Mid-Atlantic whelk dredge ......................................................... U.S. Mid-Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico oyster dredge ........................ New England and Mid-Atlantic offshore surf clam/quahog dredge. HAUL/BEACH SEINE FISHERIES: Caribbean haul/beach seine ...................................................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:47 Aug 12, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00075 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 documented. documented. documented. documented. documented. documented. documented. documented. E:\FR\FM\15AUP1.SGM 15AUP1 54036 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 157 / Monday, August 15, 2016 / Proposed Rules TABLE 2—LIST OF FISHERIES—COMMERCIAL FISHERIES IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN, GULF OF MEXICO, AND CARIBBEAN— Continued Estimated number of vessels/ persons Fishery description Gulf of Mexico haul/beach seine ............................................... Southeastern U.S. Atlantic haul/beach seine ............................ DIVE, HAND/MECHANICAL COLLECTION FISHERIES: Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean shellfish dive, hand/mechanical collection. Gulf of Maine urchin dive, hand/mechanical collection ............. Gulf of Mexico, Southeast Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, and Caribbean cast net. COMMERCIAL PASSENGER FISHING VESSEL (CHARTER BOAT) FISHERIES: Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean commercial passenger fishing vessel. Marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured unknown ........... 25 ..................... None documented. None documented. 20,000 .............. None documented. unknown ........... unknown ........... None documented. None documented. 4,000 ................ Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose dolphin, dolphin, dolphin, dolphin, dolphin, dolphin, dolphin, dolphin, dolphin, dolphin, dolphin, dolphin, dolphin, dolphin, dolphin, dolphin, dolphin, Biscayne Bay estuarine. Central FL coastal. Choctawhatchee Bay. Eastern GMX coastal. FL Bay. GMX bay, sound, estuarine. Indian River Lagoon estuarine system. Jacksonville estuarine system. Northern FL coastal. Northern GA/Southern SC estuarine. Northern GMX coastal. Northern migratory coastal. Northern NC estuarine. Southern migratory coastal. Southern NC estuarine system. Southern SC/GA coastal. 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 Number of HSFCA permits Fishery description Marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured Category I 86 Western Pacific Pelagic (HI Deep-set component) * ∧ ............ sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS LONGLINE FISHERIES: Atlantic Highly Migratory Species * .......................................... 139 DRIFT GILLNET FISHERIES: Pacific Highly Migratory Species ∧ ........................................... 5 VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:47 Aug 12, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 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. 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. Bottlenose dolphin, HI Pelagic. False killer whale, HI Pelagic. Pygmy killer whale, HI. Risso’s dolphin, HI. Short-finned pilot whale, HI. Sperm whale, HI. Striped dolphin, HI. Long-beaked common 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. E:\FR\FM\15AUP1.SGM 15AUP1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 157 / Monday, August 15, 2016 / Proposed Rules 54037 TABLE 3—LIST OF FISHERIES—COMMERCIAL FISHERIES ON THE HIGH SEAS—Continued Number of HSFCA permits Fishery description Marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured Short-beaked common dolphin, CA/OR/WA. Category II DRIFT GILLNET FISHERIES: Atlantic Highly Migratory Species ............................................ TRAWL FISHERIES: Atlantic Highly Migratory Species ** ........................................ CCAMLR .................................................................................. PURSE SEINE FISHERIES: South Pacific Tuna Fisheries ................................................... Western Pacific Pelagic ........................................................... LONGLINE FISHERIES: CCAMLR .................................................................................. South Pacific Albacore Troll .................................................... South Pacific Tuna Fisheries ** ............................................... Western Pacific Pelagic (HI Shallow-set component) * ∧ ........ 0 Undetermined. 1 0 Undetermined. Antarctic fur seal. 38 3 0 10 2 20 None documented. Undetermined. Undetermined. Blainville’s beaked whale, HI. Bottlenose dolphin, HI Pelagic. False killer whale, HI Pelagic. Humpback whale, Central North Pacific. Northern elephant seal, CA breeding. Risso’s dolphin, HI. Rough-toothed dolphin, HI. Short-beaked common dolphin, CA/OR/WA. Short-finned pilot whale, HI. Striped dolphin, HI. 3 46 7 2 Undetermined. Undetermined. Undetermined. Undetermined. 2 30 4 17 HANDLINE/POLE AND LINE FISHERIES: Atlantic Highly Migratory Species ............................................ Pacific Highly Migratory Species ............................................. South Pacific Albacore Troll .................................................... Western Pacific Pelagic ........................................................... TROLL FISHERIES: Atlantic Highly Migratory Species ............................................ South Pacific Albacore Troll .................................................... South Pacific Tuna Fisheries ** ............................................... Western Pacific Pelagic ........................................................... Undetermined. Undetermined. Undetermined. Undetermined. Undetermined. Undetermined. Category III LONGLINE FISHERIES: Northwest Atlantic Bottom Longline ........................................ Pacific Highly Migratory Species * ∧ ......................................... PURSE SEINE FISHERIES: Pacific Highly Migratory Species * ∧ ......................................... TRAWL FISHERIES: Northwest Atlantic .................................................................... TROLL FISHERIES: Pacific Highly Migratory Species * ........................................... 1 114 None documented. None documented in the most recent 5 years of data. 6 None documented. 1 None documented. 187 None documented. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS 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. ∧ 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 Plan (ALWTRP)—50 CFR 229.32. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:47 Aug 12, 2016 Jkt 238001 Category I: Mid-Atlantic gillnet. Northeast/Mid-Atlantic American lobster trap/pot. Northeast sink gillnet. Category II: PO 00000 Frm 00077 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\15AUP1.SGM 15AUP1 54038 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 157 / Monday, August 15, 2016 / Proposed Rules TABLE 4—FISHERIES AFFECTED BY TAKE REDUCTION TEAMS AND PLANS—Continued Take reduction plans Affected fisheries Bottlenose Dolphin Take Reduction (BDTRP)—50 CFR 229.35. Plan False Killer Whale Take Reduction (FKWTRP)—50 CFR 229.37. Plan Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction Plan (HPTRP)—50 CFR 229.33 (New England) and 229.34 (Mid-Atlantic). Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Plan (PLTRP)—50 CFR 229.36. Pacific Offshore Cetacean Take Reduction Plan (POCTRP)—50 CFR 229.31. Atlantic Trawl Gear Take Reduction Team (ATGTRT). Atlantic blue crab trap/pot. Atlantic mixed species trap/pot. 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.∧ Category I: 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 ∧. Southeastern, U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico stone crab trap/pot ∧. VA pound net. Category I: HI deep-set longline. Category II: HI shallow-set longline. Category I: Mid-Atlantic gillnet. Northeast sink gillnet. Category I: Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico large pelagics longline. Category I: CA thresher shark/swordfish drift gillnet (≥14 in mesh). Category II: 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; ∧ Only applicable to the portion of the fishery operating in the Atlantic Ocean. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS 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 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. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:47 Aug 12, 2016 Jkt 238001 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 nonendangered 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. Fortyfive 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 PO 00000 Frm 00078 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 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 flexibility analysis is not required and has not been prepared. In the event that E:\FR\FM\15AUP1.SGM 15AUP1 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 157 / Monday, August 15, 2016 / Proposed Rules 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 (COI) requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The COI 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). 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 COI. Send comments regarding these reporting burden estimates or any other aspect of the COI, 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 COI subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that COI 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 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’s 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 Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), and no update is needed. If NMFS takes a management action, for example, VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:47 Aug 12, 2016 Jkt 238001 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 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. 2016. Alaska Marine Mammal Stock Assessments, 2015. NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS–AFSC–323. 309 p. Carretta, J.V., K.A. Forney, E. Oleson, K Martien, M.M. Muto, M.S. Lowry, J. Barlow, J. Baker, B. Hanson, D. Lynch, L. Carswell, R.L. Brownell Jr., J. Roobins, D.K. Mattila, K. Ralls and M.C. Hill. 2011. U.S. Pacific Marine Mammal Stock Assessments: 2010. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOAA–TM–NMFS– SWFSC–476. 357 p. Carretta, J.V., E. Oleson, D.W. Weller, A.R. Lang, K.A. Forney, J. Baker, B. Hanson, K Martien, M.M. Muto, A.J. Orr, H. Huber, M.S. Lowry, J. Barlow, D. Lynch, L. Carswell, R.L. Brownell Jr., and D.K. Mattila. 2014. U.S. Pacific Marine Mammal Stock Assessments: 2013. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOAA– TM–NMFS–SWFSC–532. 414 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. 2016. U.S. Pacific Marine Mammal Stock Assessments: 2015. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOAA–TM–NMFS– SWFSC–561. 426 p. Carretta, J.V., M.M. Muto, S. Wilkin, J. Greenman, K. Wilkinson, M. DeAngelis, J. Viezbicke, and J. Jannot. 2016. Sources of human-related injury and mortality for U.S. Pacific west coast marine mammal PO 00000 Frm 00079 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 54039 stocks assessments, 2010–2014. NOAA– TM–NMFS–SWFSC–554. Fishing Gear Types. Fyke nets. Technology Fact Sheets. In: FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department [online]. Rome. Updated 13 September 2001. [Cited 16 March 2016]. https://www.fao.rog/fishery/ geartype/226/en. Fullencamp, L. 2006. Characterization of fisheries operating in State Waters of the Atlantic Ocean from Maine through Florida. Atlantic States Fisheries Marine Commission. Gilbert, J.R. and K. M. Wynne. 1985. Harbor seal populations and fisheries interactions with marine mammals in New England, 1984. Interim Rep., NOAA NA–84–EAC–00070, to NMFS, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, 166 Water St., Woods Hole, MA. 15 p. Jannot, J.E., V. Tuttle, K. Somers, Y-W. Lee, J. McVeigh. 2016. Marine Mammal, Seabird, and Sea Turtle Summary of Observed Interactions, 2002–2014. Fisheries Observation Science, Fishery Resource Analysis and Monitoring Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center. McCracken, M.L. 2014. 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. NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service). 2004. Evaluating bycatch: a national approach to standardized bycatch monitoring programs. U.S. Dep. Commer., NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFSF/ SPO–66, 108 p. On-line version, https:// spo.nmfs.noaa.gov/tm. National Marine Fisheries Service. 2012. National Marine Fisheries Service Policy Directive 02–238. Process for Distinguishing Serious from Non-Serious Injury of Marine Mammals, 4 p. (Available at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ op/pds/documents/02/02-238.pdf). Stevenson, D., L. Chiarella, D. Stephan, R. Reid, K. Wilhelm, J. McCarthy, and M. Pentony. 2004. Characterization of the Fishing Practices and Marine Benthic Ecosystems of the Northeast U.S. Shelf, and an Evaluation of the Potential Effects of Fishing on Essential Fish Habitat. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS– NE–181. Waring, G.T., E. Josephson, C.P. Fairfield and K. Maze-Foley, editors. 2006. U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Marine Mammal Stocks Assessments, 2005. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOAA– NE–194. 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. Waring, G.T., E. Josephson, K. Maze-Foley, and P.E. Rosel, editors. 2016. U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Marine Mammal Stocks Assessments, 2015. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOAA– NE–238. 512 p. E:\FR\FM\15AUP1.SGM 15AUP1 54040 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 157 / Monday, August 15, 2016 / Proposed Rules Dated: August 9, 2016. Paul Doremus, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Operations, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016–19346 Filed 8–12–16; 8:45 am] sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS BILLING CODE 3510–22–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:47 Aug 12, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\15AUP1.SGM 15AUP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 157 (Monday, August 15, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54019-54040]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-19346]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 229

[Docket No. 160219129-6129-01]
RIN 0648-BF78

List of Fisheries for 2017

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

[[Page 54020]]

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) publishes its
proposed List of Fisheries (LOF) for 2017, as required by the Marine
Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The proposed LOF for 2017 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.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 14, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by
NOAA-NMFS-2016-0045, 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-2016-0045,
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 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, 206-526-6155; Aleria Jensen, Alaska Region,
907-586-7236; Dawn Golden, Pacific Islands Region, 808-725-5000.
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

[[Page 54021]]

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 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 2017 LOF generally summarizes data from 2009-2013.
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 and
used in the LOF, 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
evidence of fisheries interaction 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/observer-home/.

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 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

[[Page 54022]]

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 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
began posting Category III fishery fact sheets online with the LOF for
2016.

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 Marine Mammal Authorization Program
(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).
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/

[[Page 54023]]

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.

Am I required to comply with any marine mammal TRP 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 MMAP, 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, Protected Resources
Division;
NMFS, Alaska Region, Protected Resources, P.O. Box 22668, 709 West
9th Street, Juneau, AK 99802, Attn: Aleria Jensen; or
NMFS, Pacific Islands Regional Office, Protected Resources
Division, 1845 Wasp Blvd., Building 176, Honolulu, HI 96818, Attn: Dawn
Golden.

Sources of Information Reviewed for the 2017 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 MMAP, reports to the SRGs, conference papers, FMPs,
and ESA documents.
The LOF for 2017 was based on, among other things, stranding data;
fisher self-reports; and SARs, primarily the 2015 SARs, which are based
on data from 2009-2013. The final SARs referenced in this LOF include:
2014 (80 FR 50599, August 20, 2015) and 2015 (81 FR 38676, June 14,
2016). The SARs are available at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/.

Summary of Changes to the LOF for 2017

The following summarizes the proposed changes to the LOF for 2017,
including the classification of fisheries, fisheries listed, 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. NMFS proposes two re-classifications of fisheries
provided in the LOF for 2017. Additionally, NMFS proposes adding one
fishery to the LOF. NMFS proposes changes to the estimated number of
vessels/persons and list of species and/or stocks killed or injured in
certain fisheries. The classifications and definitions of U.S.
commercial fisheries for 2017 are identical to those provided in the
LOF for 2016 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 AK miscellaneous finfish handline/
hand troll and mechanical jig fishery from Category III to Category II.
Category II classification is driven by take of the Western North
Pacific stock of humpback whales (see proposed addition of this stock
to list of stocks incidentally injured or killed below). Based on the
most recent five years of available information, mortality and serious
injury of the Western North Pacific stock of humpback whales by this
fishery is 6.89% of the PBR of 2.9 (Allen and Angliss, 2016). Mortality
and serious injury levels greater than 1% and less than 50% of PBR meet
the Category II threshold. Therefore, NMFS proposes to reclassify the
AK miscellaneous finfish handline/hand troll and mechanical jig fishery
as a Category II fishery.
NMFS proposes to elevate the CA spiny lobster fishery from Category
III to Category II. Category II classification for this fishery is
driven by takes of the CA/OR/WA offshore stock of bottlenose dolphin.
Based on the average annual fishery-related mortality and serious
injury of the CA/OR/WA offshore stock of bottlenose dolphin by this
fishery is 3.6% of the PBR of 5.5 (Carretta et al.,

[[Page 54024]]

2014). Therefore, NMFS proposes to reclassify the CA spiny lobster
fishery as a Category II fishery. NMFS evaluated the 2008 bottlenose
dolphin, CA/OR/WA offshore stock, entanglement during the proposed 2010
LOF process. At that time, the entanglement was characterized as a non-
serious injury in the NMFS stranding database, as the animal had been
disentangled, and the incident was not included in the 2010 SAR
(Carretta et al., 2011). Following NMFS' 2012 policy on distinguishing
serious from non-serious injury, the bottlenose dolphin entanglement
was determined to be a serious injury and was included in the 2013 SAR
(NMFS, 2012).

Number of Vessels/Persons

NMFS proposes updates to the estimated number of vessels/persons in
the Pacific Ocean (Table 1) as follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of vessels/ Number of vessels/
Category Fishery persons (2016 persons (2017
LOF) LOF)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I...................................... HI deep-set longline............. 135 139
II..................................... HI shallow-set longline.......... 15 20
II..................................... American Samoa longline.......... 22 20
III.................................... American Samoa bottomfish 17 24
handline.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

NMFS proposes to add the Hawaii stock of pygmy killer whale and to
remove the Hawaii pelagic stock of pantropical spotted dolphin on the
list of stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category I Hawaii
deep-set longline fishery. A pygmy killer whale was observed dead in
this fishery in 2013. No pantropical spotted dolphin mortalities or
injuries have been documented in the most recent five years of data.
Annual average estimated pygmy killer whale mortality and serious
injury from the Hawaii deep-set longline fishery during 2009 to 2013
was 1.1. During the same time frame mortality and serious injury was 0
for pantropcial spotted dolphin (McCracken, 2015). Observer coverage
for this fishery from 2009 to 2013 was 20.6, 21.1, 20.3, 20.4, and 20.4
percent, respectively.
NMFS proposes to add the Hawaii stock of rough-toothed dolphin and
to remove the Hawaii stock of Kogia spp. on the list of stocks killed
or injured in the Category II Hawaii shallow-set longline fishery. A
rough-toothed dolphin was observed dead in this fishery in 2013. Annual
average estimated rough-toothed dolphin mortality and serious injury
from the Hawaii shallow-set longline fishery during 2009 to 2013 was
0.2. For the same time frame mortality and serious injury was 0 for
Kogia spp. (McCracken, 2015). Observer coverage for this fishery from
2009 to 2013 was 100 percent each year.
NMFS proposes to add the Western North Pacific and Central North
Pacific stocks of humpback whale and the Northeast Pacific stock of fin
whale to the list of stocks killed or injured in the AK miscellaneous
finfish handline/hand troll and mechanical jig fishery. The stranding
network documented a humpback whale mortality in 2013 that was assigned
to both stocks based on spatial overlap. We also propose to add a
``\1\'' to the Western North Pacific stock to indicate it is driving
the classification of this fishery. In 2012, the stranding network
documented a fin whale mortality. There is no observer coverage in this
fishery.
NMFS proposes to add the CA/OR/WA stock of short-finned pilot whale
to the list of stocks incidentally killed or injured in the CA thresher
shark/swordfish drift gillnet (>=14 in mesh) fishery. Two short-finned
pilot whales were observed dead in this fishery in 2014 (Carretta et
al., 2016). Observer coverage for this fishery from 2010 to 2014 was
11.9, 19.5, 18.6, 37.4, and 23.7 percent, respectively.

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

Addition of Fisheries

NMFS propose to add the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic fyke net fishery
to the list of Category III fisheries. Fyke nets are defined as a
series of wood or metal hoops covered with netting. These nets are 2.5-
5.0 m (8.2-16.4 ft) long. There are usually two wings of netting at the
entrance that are attached to upright stakes and give the overall net a
``Y-shape.'' There are one or more funnels inside the net that direct
fish to the rear of the net (the ``car'') where they become trapped.
Occasionally, a long leader is used to direct fish to the entrance.
Fish are removed by lifting the car out of the water and loosening a
rope securing the rear of the car (Stevenson et al., 2004).
These nets are generally fished in shallow water, targeting
estuarine and coastal species including but not limited to glass eels
(elvers), winter flounder, menhaden, croaker, bluefish, river herring,
Atlantic croaker, and weakfish (Fullencamp, 2006). These nets are
utilized from Maine through Virginia. They are typically set in contact
with the bottom, in areas with strong currents (FAO, 2001). Fyke nets
are managed by state regulations, and fishing activity is not managed
under a federal FMP. There have been no documented interactions between
fyke nets and marine mammals; and, given the primarily estuarine nature
of these fisheries, we expect a remote likelihood of or no mortalities
or serious injuries to occur.

Number of Vessels/Persons

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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of vessels/ Number of vessels/
Category Fishery persons (2016 persons (2017
LOF) LOF)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I...................................... Mid-Atlantic Gillnet............. 4063 3950
II..................................... Atlantic Mixed Species Trap/Pot.. 3284 3436
II..................................... Chesapeake Bay Inshore Gillnet... 272 248
II..................................... Mid-Atlantic Bottom Trawl........ 994 785
II..................................... Northeast Drift Gillnet.......... 1567 1036
II..................................... VA Pound Net..................... 47 26
II..................................... Northeast Bottom Trawl........... 3132 2238

[[Page 54025]]

II..................................... Mid-Atlantic Haul Beach Seine.... 243 359
II..................................... Mid-Atlantic Midwater Trawl...... 507 382
II..................................... Northeast Anchored Gillnet....... 995 852
II..................................... Gulf of Mexico Gillnet........... 724 248
II..................................... NC Inshore Gillnet............... 1323 2850
II..................................... Southeast Atlantic Gillnet....... 357 273
II..................................... Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf 1282 1384
of Mexico Stone Crab Trap/Pot.
II..................................... Atlantic Blue Crab Trap/Pot...... 8557 7714
II..................................... NC Long Haul Seine............... 372 30
II..................................... NC Roe Mullet Stop Net........... 13 1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

NMFS proposes to remove the Western North Atlantic stock of harbor
seal from the list of species incidentally killed or injured in the
Category I Northeast/Mid-Atlantic American lobster trap/pot fishery.
Harbor seals were originally listed as a species killed or injured by
this fishery in the 1996 LOF (60 FR 31666; June 16, 1995); however,
there have been no documented takes in this fishery within the last
five years. Takes of seals in the lobster fishery have not been listed
as a source of annual human-caused mortality since the 2005 stock
assessment report (Waring et al., 2005). In the 2005 stock assessment
reports and prior stock assessment reports going back to 1995, takes
were estimated to occur twice a year in mid-coastal Maine fisheries
(Gilbert and Wynne, 1985).
NMFS proposes to remove Risso's dolphin, Western North Atlantic
stock, and add the Western North Atlantic stocks of harbor seal and
gray seal to the list of species incidentally killed or injured in the
Category II Mid-Atlantic Midwater trawl fishery. The last Risso's
dolphin take in this fishery was documented in 2008, and no
interactions have been documented since (Waring et al., 2015). Risso's
dolphins were originally added as a species incidentally killed or
injured in the Mid-Atlantic midwater trawl fishery in the 1996 LOF (60
FR 31666; June 16, 1995), which later became the Atlantic squid,
mackerel, butterfish trawl fishery (62 FR 28657; May 27, 1997) until
the 2005 LOF when the name was again changed to Mid-Atlantic midwater
trawl fishery (69 FR 70094; December 2, 2004).
One harbor seal and one gray seal were both observed killed in this
fishery in 2010. An expanded bycatch estimate has not been generated
for either species. Until the bycatch estimates can be developed, the
average annual fishery-related mortality and serious injury for 2009-
2013 for both species is calculated at 0.2 animals (1 animal/5 years).
Observer coverage for this fishery from 2009-2013 was 25, 41, 21, 7,
and 5 percent, respectively.
NMFS proposes to add the Canadian East coast stock of minke whale
to the list of species incidentally killed or injured in the Category
II Northeast midwater trawl fishery. During July 2013, one minke whale
was observed dead in a midwater otter trawl on Georges Bank. Due to the
small sample size of observed takes, an expanded estimate has not been
calculated. Annual average estimated minke whale mortality and serious
injury from the Northeast midwater trawl fishery (including pair trawl)
during 2009 to 2013 was 0.2. Observer coverage from 2009-2013 was 53,
41, 45, 37, and 42 percent, respectively.
NMFS proposes to remove the Canadian East coast stock of minke
whale from the list of species incidentally killed or injured in the
Category II Northeast bottom trawl fishery. Minke whales were added as
a species incidentally killed or injured in this fishery in the 2013
LOF (78 FR 23708; April 22, 2013) due to observed takes occurring in
2004 and 2008; however, there have been no observed takes of minke
whales in this fishery since 2008 (Waring et al., 2016). Observer
coverage from 2009-2013 was 16, 26, 17, 15 and 17 percent,
respectively.
NMFS proposes to remove the Western North Atlantic stock of short-
finned pilot whale from the list of species incidentally killed or
injured in the Category II Northeast sink gillnet fishery. Short-finned
pilot whales were originally listed as a species killed or injured in
this fishery in the 2013 LOF (78 FR 23708; April 22, 2013) due to an
unknown pilot whale species take recorded in 2010 (Waring et al.,
2012). According to the 2015 Stock Assessment Report, pilot whale
mortalities are generally observed north of 40[deg] N. latitude in this
fishery and, therefore, should be attributed to the long-finned pilot
whale stock (Waring et al., 2016). Observer coverage for this fishery
for 2009-2013 was 17, 19, 15, 11 and 18 percent, respectively.
NMFS proposes to remove the following stocks from the list of
species incidentally killed or injured in the Category I Atlantic
Ocean, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico large pelagics longline fishery:
Western North Atlantic stock of Atlantic spotted dolphin, Gulf of
Mexico stock of Gervais beaked whale, Gulf of Mexico oceanic stock of
killer whale, Western North Atlantic stock of Pantropical spotted
dolphin, and Gulf of Mexico oceanic stock of sperm whale. There have
been no observed mortalities or injuries to these species in the most
recent five years of data (Waring et al., 2016). Observer coverage in
this fishery in the most recent five year period (2009-2013) has been
10, 8, 9, 7, and 9 percent, respectively.
NMFS proposes to add unknown stock (likely Northern migratory
coastal or Southern migratory coastal) of bottlenose dolphin to the
list of stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category II
Chesapeake Bay inshore gillnet fishery based on a 2013 mortality in 9-
inch (22.9 cm) stretched mesh gillnet gear (Waring et al., 2016).
NMFS proposes to add the Mississippi Sound, Lake Borgne, Bay
Boudreau stock of bottlenose dolphin to the list of stocks incidentally
killed or injured in the Category II Gulf of Mexico menhaden purse
seine fishery based on a 2011 observed injury and two-self reported
mortalities in 2012 (Waring et al., 2016).
NMFS proposes to add the Florida Keys stock of bottlenose dolphin
to the list of stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category
III Florida spiny lobster trap/pot fishery based on the location and
gear description in a 2013 stranding report (Waring et al., 2016).
NMFS proposes to add the Barataria Bay stock and the Mississippi
Sound, Lake Borgne, Bay Boudreau stock of bottlenose dolphin to the
list of stocks incidentally killed or injured in the

[[Page 54026]]

Category III Gulf of Mexico blue crab trap/pot fishery based on
documented mortalities in 2011 (Waring et al., 2016). A Barataria Bay
stock animal was also disentangled and released alive in 2012.

Commercial Fisheries on the High Seas

Number of Vessels/Persons

NMFS proposes updates to the estimated number of vessels/persons on
the High Seas (Table 3) as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Number of vessels/
Category Fishery vessels/persons persons (2017
(2016 LOF) LOF)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I................ Western Pacific 135 139
pelagic
longline (HI
deep-set
component).
II............... Atlantic highly 1 0
migratory
species drift
gillnet.
II............... South Pacific 39 38
tuna purse
seine.
II............... South Pacific 15 10
albacore troll
longline.
II............... South Pacific 8 2
tuna longline.
II............... Western Pacific 15 20
pelagic
longline (HI
shallow-set
component).
II............... Pacific highly 50 46
migratory
species
handline/pole
and line.
II............... South Pacific 9 7
albacore troll
handline/pole
and line.
II............... Western Pacific 5 2
pelagic
handline/pole
and line.
II............... South Pacific 38 30
albacore troll
troll.
II............... South Pacific 5 4
tuna troll.
II............... Western Pacific 21 17
pelagic troll.
III.............. Pacific highly 126 114
migratory
species
longline.
III.............. Pacific highly 8 6
migratory
species purse
seine.
III.............. Pacific highly 243 187
migratory
species troll.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

List of Species and/or Stocks Incidentally Killed or Injured on the
High Seas

NMFS proposes to add the Hawaii stock of pygmy killer whale and to
remove the Hawaii pelagic stock of pantropical spotted dolphin on the
list of stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category I Western
Pacific pelagic longline (HI deep-set component) fishery to be
consistent with proposed changes to Table 1 because this fishery is a
component of an existing fishery operating within U.S. waters.
NMFS proposes to add the Hawaii stock of rough-toothed dolphin and
to remove the Hawaii stock of Kogia spp. on the list of stocks killed
or injured in the Category II Western Pacific pelagic longline (HI
shallow-set component) fishery to be consistent with proposed changes
to Table 1 because this fishery is a component of an existing fishery
operating within U.S. waters.
NMFS proposes to add the CA breeding stock of northern elephant
seal to the list of stocks killed or injured in the Category II Western
Pacific pelagic longline (HI shallow-set component) fishery based on a
2013 observed serious injury. Annual average estimated northern
elephant seal mortality and serious injury from the fishery during 2009
to 2013 was 0.2 (McCracken, 2015).

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 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

[[Page 54027]]

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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marine mammal
Estimated number of species and/or
Fishery description vessels/persons stocks incidentally
killed or injured
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CATEGORY I
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONGLINE/SET LINE FISHERIES:
HI deep-set longline * 139................. Bottlenose dolphin,
[supcaret]. HI Pelagic.
False killer whale,
MHI Insular.\1\
False killer whale,
HI Pelagic.\1\
False killer whale,
NWHI.
Pygmy killer whale,
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,
drift gillnet (>=14 in CA/OR/WA offshore.
mesh) *.
California sea lion,
U.S.
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.
Short-finned pilot
whale, CA/OR/WA.
Sperm Whale, CA/OR/
WA.\1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CATEGORY II
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GILLNET FISHERIES:
CA halibut/white seabass and 50.................. California sea lion,
other species set gillnet U.S.
(>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.
gillnet (mesh size >=3.5 in Long-beaked common
and <14 in) \2\. dolphin, CA.
Short-beaked common
dolphin, CA/OR/WA.
AK Bristol Bay salmon drift 1,862............... Beluga whale,
gillnet \2\. Bristol Bay.
Gray whale, Eastern
North Pacific.
Harbor seal, Bering
Sea.
Northern fur seal,
Eastern Pacific.
Pacific white-sided
dolphin, North
Pacific.
Spotted seal, AK.
Steller sea lion,
Western U.S.

[[Page 54028]]

AK Bristol Bay salmon set 979................. Beluga whale,
gillnet \2\. Bristol Bay.
Gray whale, Eastern
North Pacific.
Harbor seal, Bering
Sea.
Northern fur seal,
Eastern Pacific.
Spotted seal, AK.
AK Kodiak salmon set gillnet 188................. Harbor porpoise,
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 Harbor porpoise,
gillnet \2\. GOA.
Harbor seal, GOA.
Northern fur seal,
Eastern Pacific.
AK Peninsula/Aleutian 113................. Harbor porpoise,
Islands salmon set gillnet Bering 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 salmon 210................. Dall's porpoise, CA/
drift gillnet (includes all OR/WA.
inland waters south of U.S.- Harbor porpoise,
Canada border and eastward inland WA \1\
of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line- Harbor seal, WA
Treaty Indian fishing is inland.
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.
Ribbon seal, AK.
Ringed seal, AK.

[[Page 54029]]

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 * 20.................. Blainville's beaked
[supcaret]. whale, HI.
Bottlenose dolphin,
HI Pelagic.
False killer whale,
HI Pelagic.\1\
Humpback whale,
Central North
Pacific.
Risso's dolphin, HI.
Rough-toothed
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.
HOOK-AND-LINE, HANDLINE, AND
JIG FISHERIES:
AK miscellaneous finfish 456................. Fin whale, Northeast
handline/hand troll and Pacific.
mechanical jig. Humpback whale,
Central North
Pacific.
Humpback whale,
Western North
Pacific.\1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CATEGORY III
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GILLNET FISHERIES:
AK Kuskokwim, Yukon, Norton 1,778............... Harbor porpoise,
Sound, Kotzebue salmon Bering Sea.
gillnet.
AK miscellaneous finfish set 54.................. Steller sea lion,
gillnet. Western U.S.
AK Prince William Sound 29.................. Harbor seal, GOA.
salmon set gillnet. Sea otter, South
central AK.
Steller sea lion,
Western U.S.
AK roe herring and food/bait 920................. None documented.
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 drift 24.................. Harbor seal, OR/WA
gillnet (excluding treaty coast.
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.
drift gillnet. Harbor seal, OR/WA
coast.
WA Willapa Bay drift gillnet 82.................. Harbor seal, OR/WA
coast.
Northern elephant
seal, CA breeding.
MISCELLANEOUS NET FISHERIES:
AK Cook Inlet salmon purse 83.................. Humpback whale,
seine. Central North
Pacific.
AK Kodiak salmon purse seine 376................. Humpback whale,
Central North
Pacific.
AK Southeast salmon purse 315................. None documented in
seine. the 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 seine 0................... None documented.
AK roe herring and food/bait 10.................. None documented.
herring beach seine.
AK roe herring and food/bait 356................. None documented.
herring purse seine.
AK salmon beach seine....... 31.................. None documented.

[[Page 54030]]

AK salmon purse seine 936................. Harbor seal, GOA.
(excluding salmon purse Harbor seal, Prince
seine fisheries listed William Sound.
elsewhere).
WA/OR sardine purse seine... 42.................. None documented.
CA anchovy, mackerel, 65.................. California sea lion,
sardine purse seine. U.S.
Harbor seal, CA.
CA squid purse seine........ 80.................. Long-beaked common
dolphin, CA.
Short-beaked common
dolphin, CA/OR/WA.
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 enhancement 13.................. California sea lion,
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 Northern 40.................. None documented.
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 line 2,197............... None documented in
(state and Federal waters). the most recent
five years 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,
bottomfish longline/set CA/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.
Islands Atka mackerel trawl. Steller sea lion,
Western U.S.
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian 72.................. Ringed seal, AK.
Islands Pacific cod trawl. Steller sea lion,
Western U.S.
AK Gulf of Alaska flatfish 36.................. Northern elephant
trawl. seal, 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.

[[Page 54031]]

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.
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 pot 41.................. Humpback whale,
Central North
Pacific (Southeast
AK).
AK Southeast Alaska shrimp 269................. Humpback whale,
pot. Central 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................. Bottlenose dolphin,
CA/OR/WA offshore.
Humpback whale, CA/
OR/WA.
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 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 Northern 28.................. None documented.
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.

[[Page 54032]]

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.
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 AK)... Killer whale,
passenger fishing vessel. unknown.
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; [caret] 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
Estimated number of species and/or
Fishery description vessels/ persons stocks incidentally
killed or injured
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CATEGORY I
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GILLNET FISHERIES:
Mid-Atlantic gillnet........ 3,950............... 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.
White-sided dolphin,
WNA.
TRAP/POT FISHERIES:

[[Page 54033]]

Northeast/Mid-Atlantic 10,163.............. Humpback whale, Gulf
American lobster trap/pot. 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.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern GMX
oceanic.
Bottlenose dolphin,
WNA offshore.
Common dolphin, WNA.
Cuvier's beaked
whale, WNA.
False killer whale,
WNA.
Harbor porpoise,
GME, BF.
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.
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\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CATEGORY II
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GILLNET FISHERIES:
Chesapeake Bay inshore 248................. Bottlenose dolphin,
gillnet \2\. unknown (Northern
migratory coastal
or Southern
migratory coastal).
Gulf of Mexico gillnet \2\.. 248................. Bottlenose dolphin,
GMX bay, sound, and
estuarine.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern GMX
coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Western GMX
coastal.
NC inshore gillnet.......... 2,850............... Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern NC
estuarine
system.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin,
Southern NC
estuarine
system.\1\
Northeast anchored float 852................. Harbor seal, WNA.
gillnet \2\. Humpback whale, Gulf
of Maine.
White-sided dolphin,
WNA.
Northeast drift gillnet \2\. 1,036............... None documented.
Southeast Atlantic gillnet 273................. 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 trawl 382................. Gray seal, WNA.
(including pair trawl). Harbor seal, WNA.
White-sided dolphin,
WNA.\1\
Mid-Atlantic bottom trawl... 785................. 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............... Common dolphin, WNA.
(including pair trawl). Gray seal, WNA.
Harbor seal, WNA.
Long-finned pilot
whale, WNA.\1\
Minke whale,
Canadian East
Coast.
Northeast bottom trawl...... 2,238............... 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.
Risso's dolphin,
WNA.
White-sided dolphin,
WNA.\1\
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, 4,950............... Atlantic spotted
Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawl. dolphin, GMX
continental and
oceanic.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Charleston
estuarine system.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Eastern GMX
coastal.\1\

[[Page 54034]]

Bottlenose dolphin,
GMX bay, sound,
estuarine.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin,
GMX continental
shelf.
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, 1,384............... Bottlenose dolphin,
Gulf of Mexico stone crab Biscayne Bay
trap/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/ 3,436............... Fin whale, WNA.
pot \2\. Humpback whale, Gulf
of Maine.
Atlantic blue crab trap/pot. 7,714............... 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,
purse seine. GMX bay, sound,
estuarine.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Mississippi Sound,
Lake Borgne, Bay
Boudreau.
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 359................. Bottlenose dolphin,
seine. Northern Migratory
coastal.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern NC
estuarine system
\1\.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Southern Migratory
coastal.\1\
NC long haul seine.......... 30.................. Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern NC
estuarine
system.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin,
Southern NC
estuarine system.
STOP NET FISHERIES:
NC roe mullet stop net...... 1................... Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern NC
estuarine system.
Bottlenose dolphin,
unknown (Southern
migratory coastal
or Southern NC
estuarine system).
POUND NET FISHERIES:
VA pound net................ 26.................. 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
gillnet. the most recent
five years of data.
RI, southern MA (to Monomoy unknown............. None documented in
Island), and NY Bight the most recent
(Raritan and Lower NY Bays) five years of data.
inshore gillnet.
Southeast Atlantic inshore unknown............. Bottlenose dolphin,
gillnet. Northern SC
estuarine system.
TRAWL FISHERIES:
Atlantic shellfish bottom >58................. None documented.
trawl.

[[Page 54035]]

Gulf of Mexico butterfish 2................... Bottlenose dolphin,
trawl. Northern GMX
oceanic.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern GMX
continental shelf.
Gulf of Mexico mixed species 20.................. None documented.
trawl.
GA cannonball jellyfish 1................... Bottlenose dolphin,
trawl. SC/GA coastal.
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 purse >2.................. None documented.
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 >1,207A............. None documented.
bottom longline/hook-and-
line.
Gulf of Maine, U.S. Mid- 428................. Bottlenose dolphin,
Atlantic tuna, shark WNA offshore.
swordfish hook-and-line/ Humpback whale, Gulf
harpoon. of Maine.
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, >5,000.............. Bottlenose dolphin,
Gulf of Mexico, and GMX continental
Caribbean snapper-grouper shelf.
and other reef fish bottom
longline/hook-and-line.
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, <125................ Bottlenose dolphin,
Gulf of Mexico shark bottom Eastern GMX
longline/hook-and-line. coastal.
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 trap/ >501................ None documented.
pot.
Caribbean spiny lobster trap/ >197................ None documented.
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.
Bottlenose dolphin,
FL Keys.
Gulf of Mexico blue crab 4,113............... Bottlenose dolphin,
trap/pot. Barataria Bay.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Eastern GMX
coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin,
GMX bay, sound,
estuarine.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Mississippi Sound,
Lake Borgne, Bay
Boudreau.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern GMX
coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Western GMX
coastal.
West Indian manatee,
FL.
Gulf of Mexico mixed species unknown............. None documented.
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/FYKE NET
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
pound net (except the NC estuarine system.
roe mullet stop net).
RI floating trap............ 9................... None documented.
Northeast and Mid-Atlantic unknown............. None documented.
fyke net.
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 clam unknown............. None documented.
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-Atlantic unknown............. None documented.
offshore surf clam/quahog
dredge.
HAUL/BEACH SEINE FISHERIES:
Caribbean haul/beach seine.. 15.................. None documented in
the most recent
five years of data.

[[Page 54036]]

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.
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 HSFCA and/or stocks
Fishery description 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 139 Bottlenose dolphin,
Deep-set component) * HI Pelagic.
[supcaret].
................. False killer whale,
HI Pelagic.
................. Pygmy killer whale,
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 [supcaret]. 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.

[[Page 54037]]

................. Short-beaked common
dolphin, CA/OR/WA.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category II
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DRIFT GILLNET FISHERIES:
Atlantic Highly Migratory 0 Undetermined.
Species.
TRAWL FISHERIES:
Atlantic Highly Migratory 1 Undetermined.
Species **.
CCAMLR........................ 0 Antarctic fur seal.
PURSE SEINE FISHERIES:
South Pacific Tuna Fisheries.. 38 Undetermined.
Western Pacific Pelagic....... 3 Undetermined.
LONGLINE FISHERIES:
CCAMLR........................ 0 None documented.
South Pacific Albacore Troll.. 10 Undetermined.
South Pacific Tuna Fisheries 2 Undetermined.
**.
Western Pacific Pelagic (HI 20 Blainville's beaked
Shallow-set component) * whale, HI.
[supcaret].
................. Bottlenose dolphin,
HI Pelagic.
................. False killer whale,
HI Pelagic.
................. Humpback whale,
Central North
Pacific.
................. Northern elephant
seal, CA breeding.
................. Risso's dolphin, HI.
................. Rough-toothed
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 46 Undetermined.
Species.
South Pacific Albacore Troll.. 7 Undetermined.
Western Pacific Pelagic....... 2 Undetermined.
TROLL FISHERIES:
Atlantic Highly Migratory 2 Undetermined.
Species.
South Pacific Albacore Troll.. 30 Undetermined.
South Pacific Tuna Fisheries 4 Undetermined.
**.
Western Pacific Pelagic....... 17 Undetermined.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category III
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONGLINE FISHERIES:
Northwest Atlantic Bottom 1 None documented.
Longline.
Pacific Highly Migratory 114 None documented in
Species * [supcaret]. the most recent 5
years of data.
PURSE SEINE FISHERIES:
Pacific Highly Migratory 6 None documented.
Species * [supcaret].
TRAWL FISHERIES:
Northwest Atlantic............ 1 None documented.
TROLL FISHERIES:
Pacific Highly Migratory 187 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.
[supcaret] 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 Category I:
Reduction Plan (ALWTRP)--50 Mid-Atlantic gillnet.
CFR 229.32.
Northeast/Mid-Atlantic American
lobster trap/pot.
Northeast sink gillnet.
Category II:

[[Page 54038]]

Atlantic blue crab trap/pot.
Atlantic mixed species trap/pot.
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.[supcaret]
Bottlenose Dolphin Take Category I:
Reduction Plan (BDTRP)--50 Mid-Atlantic gillnet.
CFR 229.35.
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 [supcaret].
Southeastern, U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of
Mexico stone crab trap/pot
[supcaret].
VA pound net.
False Killer Whale Take Category I:
Reduction Plan (FKWTRP)--50 HI deep-set longline.
CFR 229.37.
Category II:
HI shallow-set longline.
Harbor Porpoise Take Category I:
Reduction Plan (HPTRP)--50 Mid-Atlantic gillnet.
CFR 229.33 (New England) and Northeast sink gillnet.
229.34 (Mid-Atlantic).
Pelagic Longline Take Category I:
Reduction Plan (PLTRP)--50 Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico
CFR 229.36. large pelagics longline.
Pacific Offshore Cetacean Category I:
Take Reduction Plan CA thresher shark/swordfish drift gillnet
(POCTRP)--50 CFR 229.31. (>=14 in mesh).
Atlantic Trawl Gear Take Category II:
Reduction Team (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;
[supcaret] 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 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.
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 flexibility analysis is not required and has not been
prepared. In the event that

[[Page 54039]]

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 (COI)
requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The COI 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). 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 COI. Send comments regarding these
reporting burden estimates or any other aspect of the COI, 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 COI subject to the requirements of the Paperwork
Reduction Act unless that COI 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 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's 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 Finding of No Significant Impact (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 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.

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[[Page 54040]]

Dated: August 9, 2016.
Paul Doremus,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Operations, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-19346 Filed 8-12-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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