Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Monkfish; Framework Adjustment 9, 58859-58866 [2016-20483]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 166 (Friday, August 26, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58859-58866]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-20483]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 150306232-6736-02]
RIN 0648-BE96


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

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

[[Page 58860]]


ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are partially approving Framework Adjustment 9 to the 
Monkfish Fishery Management Plan. This action is necessary to better 
achieve the goals and objectives of the management plan and achieve 
optimum yield. It is intended to increase monkfish landings by 
enhancing the operational and economic efficiency of existing 
management measures.

DATES: This rule is effective August 26, 2016.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The monkfish fishery is jointly managed by the New England and the 
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils under the Monkfish Fishery 
Management Plan (FMP). The fishery extends from Maine to North Carolina 
from the coast out to the end of the continental shelf. The Councils 
manage the fishery as two management units, with the Northern Fishery 
Management Area (NFMA) covering the Gulf of Maine and northern part of 
Georges Bank (GB), and the Southern Fishery Management Area (SFMA) 
extending from the southern flank of GB through Southern New England 
(SNE) and into the Mid-Atlantic (MA) Bight to North Carolina.
    The monkfish fishery has not fully harvested the available annual 
catch target since fishing year 2011, particularly in the NFMA where 
the under-harvest has been more substantial. As a result, the fishery 
has not been achieving optimum yield in either area. The Councils 
developed Framework 9 to enhance the operational efficiency of existing 
management measures in an effort to better achieve optimum yield. 
Because this action modifies some requirements for Northeast (NE) 
multispecies sector vessels, it is also considered Framework Adjustment 
54 to the NE Multispecies FMP.
    On June 23, 2016, we published a rule (81 FR 40838) proposing the 
measures included in Framework 9, and solicited comment through July 8, 
2016. The Councils took final action on Framework 9 during summer 2015 
and formally submitted it to us in February 2016. The proposed rule 
included three measures. This rule approves two measures and 
disapproves one measure. For more information on these measures, and 
the rationale for approval or disapproval, please refer to Approved 
Measures and Disapproved Measures below.

                                    Table 1--Status of Measures in This Rule
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Status                                    Measure                          Area affected
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Approved................................  Monkfish Possession Limits...............  NFMA.
Approved................................  Minimum Mesh Requirements and Possession   SFMA.
                                           Restrictions.
Disapproved.............................  Northeast Multispecies Days-at-sea         NMFA.
                                           Declaration Flexibility.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Approved Measures

1. Monkfish Possession Limits in the NFMA

    This rule eliminates the monkfish possession limit for monkfish 
Category C and D permitted vessels (referred to as Category C and D 
vessels in this section) fishing under both a NE multispecies and 
monkfish day-at-sea (DAS) in the NFMA. This measure is designed to help 
increase monkfish landings and better achieve the annual catch target 
caught in the NFMA.
    Possession limits differ based on the type of DAS being used by a 
vessel. By eliminating the trip limit for a vessel fishing under both a 
NE multispecies and monkfish DAS, we are adding another tier to the 
possession limit system without changing the existing possession limits 
for a vessel fishing on a NE multispecies DAS or a monkfish DAS. A 
Category C or D vessel that is fishing under both a NE multispecies and 
a monkfish DAS in the NFMA may now retain an unlimited amount of 
monkfish. Table 2 includes a summary of the existing and new monkfish 
tail weight possession limits for a vessel fishing under the various 
DAS available in the NFMA.

Table 2--Existing and New Monkfish Tail Weight Possession Limits for Monkfish Category C and D permitted Vessels
                                          Fishing on a DAS in the NFMA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               DAS Type                Category C               Category D
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Existing Measures....................  NE Multispecies A only.  600 lb (272.16 kg).....  500 lb (226.80 kg).
                                       Monkfish only..........  1,250 lb (566.99 kg)...  600 lb (272.16 kg).
New Measure..........................  NE Multispecies A and    Unlimited..............  Unlimited.
                                        Monkfish.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Tail weight x 2.91 = whole weight.

    A Category C or D vessel is still required to declare a trip at the 
dock under a NE multispecies A DAS with the option to declare a 
monkfish DAS while at sea, but can then declare a monkfish DAS while at 
sea in order or to be exempt from the monkfish possession limits. 
Alternately, a Category C or D vessel can declare a concurrent NE 
Multispecies A DAS and a monkfish DAS at the dock prior to starting a 
trip in order or to be exempt from the monkfish possession limits.

2. Minimum Mesh Size Requirements and Possession Limits in the SFMA

    We are revising minimum mesh size and possession restrictions in 
different parts of SFMA (see Figure 1) to increase operational 
flexibility.

[[Page 58861]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR26AU16.032

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

[[Page 58862]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR26AU16.033

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

Disapproved Measure

NE Multispecies DAS Declaration Flexibility Measure

    We are disapproving the Framework 9 measure that would have allowed 
a Monkfish Category C and D vessel enrolled in a NE multispecies 
sector, fishing exclusively in the NFMA under either a NE multispecies 
non-DAS sector trip or a monkfish-only DAS, to declare a NE 
multispecies A DAS while at sea through the vessel monitoring system 
(VMS). We are disapproving this measure because it is inconsistent with 
National Standards 5 and 7 and the NE Multispecies FMP. Specifically, 
our disapproval is based on this measure's limited utility for fishery 
participants, poor cost-to-benefit ratio, enforcement concerns, and 
inconsistency with the NE multispecies FMP at-sea monitoring program. A 
full description of our rationale is provided below.
    This measure was intended to help increase operational flexibility 
and potentially increase monkfish landings in the NFMA. However, as 
proposed by the Councils, it would create a loophole that would allow a 
vessel to circumvent existing groundfish sector at-sea monitoring 
requirements, which would be inconsistent with the NE Multispecies FMP. 
We have determined that the measure itself and the proposed remedy to 
the monitoring loophole described in the proposed rule are not 
consistent with National Standards 5 and 7 of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act because administrative costs 
and burdens are not offset by meaningful benefits to the industry.
    We raised several concerns with this measure in the proposed rule 
(see 81 FR 40838, 40839) and noted that we intended to further evaluate 
the potential cost/benefit of providing this at-sea declaration 
flexibility, as well as review comments, when considering the 
approvability of this measure. We specifically requested comments on 
this measure and our concerns in the proposed rule and received two 
comments generally supporting this measure from industry members. These 
comments provided no specific feedback on the monitoring loophole, 
justifications for the cost/benefits, or our request to address 
concerns related to approvability. In addition, we had extensive 
conversations about this measure with the New England Council during 
the regulatory deeming process. The New England Council did not comment 
in support of the measure, nor did the New England Council address the 
multiple concerns we raised.
    We are disapproving this DAS flexibility measure for the following 
reasons:
    1. Allowing a vessel to declare a NE multispecies A DAS after 
starting a trip on a monkfish-only DAS is inconsistent with the NE 
Multispecies FMP. This measure would have allowed a groundfish sector 
vessel to circumvent existing NE multispecies pre-trip notification 
requirements for deploying industry-funded at-sea monitors. Monitoring 
is a fundamental requirement of the NE multispecies sector system 
because it allows the sectors and NMFS to adequately monitor the 
catching and discards made by participating vessels.

[[Page 58863]]

    2. It is inconsistent with National Standards 5 and 7 of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act. If approved, the costs of this measure and 
potential remedies to the monitoring loophole far outweigh any 
potential benefits to the industry. This measure would have required 
VMS changes that were estimated by the agency to cost approximately 
$100,000 based on comparisons of other similar programmatic changes 
that required VMS vendors to reprogram for additional declaration 
codes. Other database changes in the pre-trip notification system and 
to accommodate bycatch moderating would also have been needed to 
address the loophole created in the NE multispecies monitoring program. 
These changes are not reflected in the $100,000 VMS change estimate.
    Further, this measure would not have provided as many benefits as 
first anticipated. Framework 9 estimated that only a small percent (1.6 
percent) of vessels approached applicable trip limits for non-DAS 
sector trips and monkfish-only trips in recent fishing years, 
indicating that few vessels would realize a benefit from this measure. 
During its development, this measure underwent several iterative 
changes wherein the universe of vessels that could potentially use the 
provision was reduced. Many of these changes were designed to address 
the concern raised in the proposed rule. Presently, sector vessels may 
only use monkfish-only DAS in an exempted fishery. The only exempted 
fishery that overlaps with the NFMA is in the Gulf of Maine/Georges 
Bank Dogfish and Monkfish Gillnet Exemption Area, as described in Sec.  
648.80(a)(13). Given that the majority of the fleet in the NFMA fishes 
with trawl gear and cannot take advantage of this opportunity because 
they are excluded from this exempted fishery, we were concerned that 
only a small number of vessels that use gillnet gear would benefit from 
this flexibility. In fact, additional agency analysis indicates that, 
in the last three years, only three vessels took four trips that would 
have been eligible to use the monkfish-only flexibility. These four 
trips resulted in landings worth approximately $12,000. National 
Standard 5 and 7 require that management measures consider efficiency 
in the utilization of fishery resources and minimize costs and avoid 
unnecessary duplication. Given this limited benefit and the costs 
associated with this DAS declaration flexibility, we have determined 
that this measure is inconsistent with National Standards 5 and 7.
    In addition, we also raised concern in the proposed rule that 
allowing this measure would create enforcement concerns with regulatory 
discard requirements. A vessel declared out of the NE multispecies 
fishery and fishing in an exempted fishery is prohibited from retaining 
NE multispecies (must discard all groundfish); whereas a vessel fishing 
under a NE multispecies DAS is required to retain all legal size NE 
multispecies. If we had approved this measure, a vessel would have 
begun a trip discarding all NE multispecies, only to then be required 
to retain all legal-sized NE multispecies after declaring a NE 
multispecies DAS. There would be no way to monitor these discard 
requirements unless each trip making use of this provision was 
monitored.

Corrections and Clarifications to Existing Regulations

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

Comments and Responses

    Our proposed rule solicited comments for 15 days through July 8, 
2016. We received nine comments from fishing industry members. A 
summary of the comments and our responses is provided below.
    Comment 1: Six letters supported eliminating the trip limit for 
Category C and D vessels fishing under both a NE multispecies and 
monkfish DAS in the NFMA. One stated that this measure was needed to 
help more fully harvest the quota. Another stated that this measure 
will help increase efficiency, decrease discards, and will promote the 
conservation of other stocks by promoting harvest of monkfish.
    Response: We agree and are approving this measure. The Councils 
specifically designed this measure to ``increase monkfish landings to 
more fully utilize the annual catch target in the NFMA.'' The Councils 
were also optimistic that this measure could benefit other fisheries by 
noting that it ``could provide additional fishing revenue for 
groundfish vessels to help offset expected fishing revenue reductions 
associated with reduced groundfish quotas in NFMA in the near future . 
. .'' While we cannot be certain that this measure will decrease 
discards, we recognize the potential benefit and encourage the Council 
to continue developing measures that reduce discards and discard 
mortality, as required by National Standard 9.
    Comment 2: Three letters opposed removing the trip limit for 
Category C and D vessels fishing under both a NE multispecies and 
monkfish DAS in the NFMA. These letters based this recommendation on 
overall questions about the stock assessment and uncertainty about 
growth rates, stock definition, and stock distribution.
    Response: The Northeast Fisheries Science Center is in the process 
of completing a monkfish operational assessment update. This assessment 
process has raised questions about the validity of monkfish aging 
information included in previous stock assessments. These important 
issues could change the results of the ongoing or future assessments. 
The Councils will need to evaluate these future results, set catch 
advice, and adjust management measure taking this new information into 
account. Still, the best available scientific information indicates 
that the monkfish stock is not overfished, nor subject to overfishing. 
Further, the fishery has been under-harvested the

[[Page 58864]]

past several years. We believe that eliminating the trip limit for 
Category C and D vessels fishing under both a NE multispecies and 
monkfish DAS in the NFMA is warranted and presents little to no risk to 
the northern stock. Moreover, should this measure increase catch to 
levels above the annual catch target, the FMP has accountability 
measures designed to prevent recurring overages.
    Comment 3: Three letters supported revising minimum mesh size and 
possession requirements in the SFMA, two of which also noted support 
for the 50-net limit in certain exemption areas. These letters noted 
that these changes help align the regulations with historic practices 
of the fishery. Two letters also spoke to timing: One letter requested 
the regulations be approved by October when dogfish become available, 
while the other requested that these administrative changes be made as 
soon as possible.
    Response: We are approving the suite of SFMA mesh and possession 
measures, sharing the Council's rationale that this measure ``increases 
operational flexibility of monkfish operations by allowing vessels to 
target both monkfish and dogfish using different gear types when on a 
monkfish DAS.'' Monkfish are not overfished, nor subject to 
overfishing, and removing these administrative burdens to better align 
current regulations with historic practices will help the fishery 
better achieve optimum yield. To expedite the effective date of these 
measures, we are waiving the 30-day delay in effectiveness because this 
rule relieves restrictions. For more information on this waiver, please 
refer to the Classification section below.
    Comment 4: Two letters generally supported the measure that would 
have allowed a Monkfish Category C and D vessel enrolled in a NE 
multispecies sector fishing exclusively in the NFMA under either a NE 
multispecies non-DAS sector trip or a monkfish-only DAS to declare a NE 
multispecies A DAS while at sea.
    Response: As discussed above, we have disapproved this measure. We 
raised several concerns with the measure, noting that we would evaluate 
available data on potential use, the costs of implementation, and any 
public comments when considering the approvability of the measure. 
These two comments were very general and provided no additional 
information to address our noted concerns including the monitoring 
loophole, cost/benefits, or our request to address concerns related to 
approvability or justification in support of the measure. As discussed 
in Disapproved Measure, we have determined that this measure is 
inconsistent with the NE Multispecies FMP and National Standards 5 and 
7, and have disapproved it.

Classification

    The Administrator, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, determined that 
Framework 9 is necessary for the conservation and management of the 
monkfish fishery and that it is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act and other applicable laws.
    Because this rule relieves a restriction by increasing the trip 
limit in the NMFA and liberalizing gear and possession restrictions in 
the SFMA, it is not subject to the 30-day delayed effectiveness 
provision of the Administrative Procedure Act pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
553(d)(1). The Councils developed these measures to increase monkfish 
landings and associated fishing revenue to more effectively achieve 
optimum yield in the fishery. Accordingly, delaying this action for 30-
days is contrary to the public interest, because it would unnecessarily 
delay the industry's ability to take advantage of increased 
opportunities to catch and land monkfish and benefit from the 
associated economic benefits of higher monkfish landings. Further, 
since this rule imposes no further restrictions on the monkfish fishery 
that would alter existing fishing practices or require affected 
entities to acquire additional equipment, there is no need to delay 
implementation of this action to provide affected entities sufficient 
time to prepare or comply with the measures of this rule. Thus, there 
is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive the delay in 
effectiveness for this action.
    This rule has been determined to be not significant for purposes of 
Executive Order 12866.
    On December 29, 2015, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) 
issued a final rule establishing a small business size standard of $11 
million in annual gross receipts for all businesses primarily engaged 
in the commercial fishing industry (NAICS 11411) for Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (RFA) compliance purposes only (80 FR 81194, December 
29, 2015). The $11 million standard became effective on July 1, 2016, 
and is to be used in place of the U.S. Small Business Administration's 
(SBA) current standards of $20.5 million, $5.5 million, and $7.5 
million for the finfish (NAICS 114111), shellfish (NAICS 114112), and 
other marine fishing (NAICS 114119) sectors of the U.S. commercial 
fishing industry in all NMFS rules subject to the RFA after July 1, 
2016. Id. at 81194.
    Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act, and prior to July 1, 
2016, a certification was developed for this regulatory action using 
SBA's former size standards. NMFS has reviewed the analyses prepared 
for this regulatory action in light of the new size standard. Under the 
SBA's size standards, 16 shellfish businesses were determined not to be 
small. The new standard could result in a few more commercial shellfish 
businesses being considered small. In addition, the new standard could 
result in fewer commercial finfish businesses being considered small. 
Previously, all finfish businesses (206 businesses) were classified as 
small businesses. Based on analysis in the environmental assessment, we 
do not expect any of these finfish businesses to be classified as large 
under the new size standards. However, NMFS has determined that the new 
size standard does not affect its decision to certify this regulatory 
action. The action results in minimal, potentially slightly positive 
impacts on all regulated entities regardless of size.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 648

    Fisheries, Fishing, Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

    Dated: August 22, 2016.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.

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

PART 648--FISHERIES OF THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES

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

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

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


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

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (3) A vessel issued a limited access monkfish, Occasional scallop, 
or Combination permit, whose owner elects to provide the notifications 
required by this section using VMS, unless otherwise authorized or 
required by the Regional Administrator under paragraph (d) of this 
section;
* * * * *
    (g) * * *
    (1) The owner or authorized representative of a vessel that is 
required to or elects to use VMS, as

[[Page 58865]]

specified in paragraph (b) of this section, must notify the Regional 
Administrator of the vessel's intended fishing activity by entering the 
appropriate VMS code prior to leaving port at the start of each fishing 
trip except:
    (i) If notified by letter, pursuant to paragraph (e)(1)(iv) of this 
section, or
    (ii) The vessel is a scallop vessel and is exempted, as specified 
in paragraph (f) of this section.
* * * * *
    (3) A vessel operator cannot change any aspect of a vessel's VMS 
activity code outside of port, except as follows:
    (i) An operator of a NE multispecies vessel is authorized to change 
the category of NE multispecies DAS used (i.e., flip its DAS), as 
provided at Sec.  648.85(b), or change the area declared to be fished 
so that the vessel may fish both inside and outside of the Eastern 
U.S./Canada Area on the same trip, as provided at Sec.  
648.85(a)(3)(ii)(A).
    (ii) An operator of a vessel issued both a NE multispecies permit 
and a monkfish permit are authorized to change their DAS declaration 
from a NE multispecies Category A DAS to a monkfish DAS, while 
remaining subject to the to the NE multispecies DAS usage requirements 
under Sec.  648.92(b)(1)(i), during the course of a trip, as provided 
at Sec.  648.92(b)(1)(iii)(A).
* * * * *

0
3. In Sec.  648.14, revise paragraph (m)(2)(i) to read as follows:


Sec.  648.14  Prohibitions.

* * * * *
    (m) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (i) Fish with or use nets with mesh size smaller than the minimum 
mesh size specified in Sec.  648.91(c) while fishing under a monkfish 
DAS, except as authorized by Sec.  648.91(c)(1)(iii).
* * * * *

0
4. In Sec.  648.80,:
0
a. Revise the introductory text to paragraph (b)(2)(iv);
0
b. Revise paragraphs (b)(6)(i)(A), (b)(7)(i)(A) and (B);
0
c. Revise the introductory text to paragraph (c)(2)(v); and
0
d. Revise paragraph (c)(5).
    The revisions read as follows:


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

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

0
5. In Sec.  648.91, revise paragraph (c)(1)(iii) to read as follows:


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

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

[[Page 58866]]

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

0
6. In Sec.  648.92, revise paragraph (b)(1)(i) to read as follows:


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

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

0
7. In Sec.  648.94, revise paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(3)(i) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  648.94  Monkfish possession and landing restrictions.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) Vessels fishing under the monkfish DAS program in the NFMA-- 
(i) Category A vessels. A limited access monkfish Category A vessel 
that fishes exclusively in the NFMA under a monkfish DAS may land up to 
1,250 lb (567 kg) tail weight or 3,638 lb (1,650 kg) whole weight of 
monkfish per DAS (or any prorated combination of tail weight and whole 
weight based on the conversion factor for tail weight to whole weight 
of 2.91). For every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of tail only weight landed, the 
vessel may land up to 1.91 lb (0.87 kg) of monkfish heads only, as 
described in paragraph (a) of this section.
    (ii) Category B vessels. A limited access monkfish Category B 
vessel that fishes exclusively in the NFMA under a monkfish DAS may 
land up to 600 lb (272 kg) tail weight or 1,746 lb (792 kg) whole 
weight of monkfish per DAS (or any prorated combination of tail weight 
and whole weight based on the conversion factor for tail weight to 
whole weight of 2.91). For every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of tail only weight 
landed, the vessel may land up to 1.91 lb (0.87 kg) of monkfish heads 
only, as described in paragraph (a) of this section.
    (iii) Category C vessels. A limited access monkfish Category C 
vessel that fishes exclusively in the NFMA under a monkfish-only DAS 
may land up to 1,250 lb (567 kg) tail weight or 3,638 lb (1,650 kg) 
whole weight of monkfish per DAS (or any prorated combination of tail 
weight and whole weight based on the conversion factor for tail weight 
to whole weight of 2.91). A limited access monkfish Category C vessel 
that fishes exclusively in the NFMA under both a monkfish and NE 
multispecies DAS may possess and land an unlimited amount of monkfish. 
For every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of tail only weight landed, the vessel may 
land up to 1.91 lb (0.87 kg) of monkfish heads only, as described in 
paragraph (a) of this section.
    (iv) Category D vessels. A limited access monkfish Category D 
vessel that fishes exclusively in the NFMA under a monkfish-only DAS 
may land up to 600 lb (272 kg) tail weight or 1,746 lb (792 kg) whole 
weight of monkfish per DAS (or any prorated combination of tail weight 
and whole weight based on the conversion factor for tail weight to 
whole weight of 2.91). A limited access monkfish Category D vessel that 
fishes exclusively in the NFMA under both a monkfish and NE 
multispecies DAS may possess and land an unlimited amount of monkfish. 
For every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of tail only weight landed, the vessel may 
land up to 1.91 lb (0.87 kg) of monkfish heads only, as described in 
paragraph (a) of this section.
* * * * *
    (3) * * *
    (i) NFMA. Unless otherwise specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this 
section, a vessel issued a limited access monkfish Category C permit 
that fishes under a NE multispecies DAS, and not a monkfish DAS, 
exclusively in the NFMA may land up to 600 lb (272 kg) tail weight or 
1,746 lb (792 kg) whole weight of monkfish per DAS (or any prorated 
combination of tail weight and whole weight based on the conversion 
factor for tail weight to whole weight of 2.91). A vessel issued a 
limited access monkfish Category D permit that fishes under a NE 
multispecies DAS, and not a monkfish DAS, exclusively in the NFMA may 
land up to 500 lb (227 kg) tail weight or 1,455 lb (660 kg) whole 
weight of monkfish per DAS (or any prorated combination of tail weight 
and whole weight based on the conversion factor for tail weight to 
whole weight of 2.91). A vessel issued a limited access monkfish 
Category C, D, or F permit participating in the NE Multispecies Regular 
B DAS program, as specified under Sec.  648.85(b)(6), is also subject 
to the incidental landing limit specified in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of 
this section on such trips.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2016-20483 Filed 8-25-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P