Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Revision of Bycatch Reduction Device Testing Manual, 95056-95059 [2016-31067]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 248 (Tuesday, December 27, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 95056-95059]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-31067]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 160815740-6740-01]
RIN 0648-BG28-X


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Revision of Bycatch Reduction 
Device Testing Manual

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the framework procedures for adjusting 
management measures of the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp 
Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf FMP), NMFS makes administrative 
revisions to the Bycatch Reduction Device Testing Manual (BRD Manual). 
The BRD Manual contains procedures for the testing and certification of 
BRDs for use in shrimp trawls in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in 
the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) and South Atlantic. The changes to the BRD 
Manual remove outdated or obsolete data collection forms previously 
appended to the BRD Manual, and revise the text to make several 
procedural steps outlined in the BRD Manual clearer and easier to 
understand. The purpose of these revisions is to increase understanding 
of the BRD certification protocols.

DATES: This final rule is effective January 26, 2017.

ADDRESSES: For the complete BRD Manual, contact the Southeast Regional 
Office, Sustainable Fisheries Division at 727-824-5305, or download the 
BRD Manual from the Southeast Regional Office Web site at https://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_fisheries/shrimp/brd/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Gerhart, NMFS Southeast Regional 
Office, telephone: 727-824-5305, email: susan.gerhart@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The shrimp fishery in the Gulf EEZ is 
managed under the Gulf FMP. The Gulf FMP was prepared by the Gulf of 
Mexico Fishery Management Council (Gulf Council) and is implemented by 
NMFS under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 
and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by regulations at 50 CFR part 
622.
    The shrimp fishery in the South Atlantic EEZ is managed under the 
FMP for the Shrimp Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (South Atlantic 
FMP). The South Atlantic FMP was prepared by the South Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council (South Atlantic Council) and is implemented by NMFS 
under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act by regulations at 50 
CFR part 622.
    On September 29, 2016, NMFS published a proposed rule for the 
revisions to the BRD Manual and requested public comment (81 FR 66912). 
The proposed rule outlines the rationale for the action contained in 
this final rule. A summary of the BRD Manual revisions implemented by 
this final rule is provided below.
    The BRD Manual contains procedures for the testing and 
certification process of BRDs required for use in shrimp trawls in the 
Gulf and South Atlantic EEZs. NMFS has revised some text and 
instructions in the BRD Manual to make the manual clearer and easier to 
understand. Over time, the various data collection forms used by NMFS 
have been revised or discarded, making many of the forms included in 
the appendices to BRD Manual obsolete. NMFS has removed the applicable 
forms and revised the text within the BRD Manual to remove references 
to those forms. In addition, this final rule revises the instructions 
to state the required information that an applicant must submit for the 
testing and certification process. This information was previously on 
the now obsolete forms. Last, NMFS has revised the BRD Manual to use 
consistent terms.
    The changes to the BRD Manual were presented to the Gulf and South 
Atlantic Councils for their consideration and no substantive comments 
were received from either Council regarding these administrative 
changes.
    These changes to management measures do not add to or change any 
existing Federal regulations. Therefore, no codified text is associated 
with these changes to management measures.

Comments and Responses

    No comments were received on either the BRD Manual or the proposed 
rule.

Classification

    The Regional Administrator for the NMFS Southeast Region has 
determined that this final rule is consistent with the Gulf and South 
Atlantic FMPs, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable laws.
    This final rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    The Magnuson-Stevens Act provides the statutory basis for this 
rule. No duplicative, overlapping, or conflicting Federal rules have 
been identified. In addition, no new reporting, record-keeping, or 
other compliance requirements are introduced by this final rule.
    The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce 
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration during the proposed rule stage that this rule would not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. The factual basis for this determination was published in the 
proposed rule and is not repeated here. No comments were received 
regarding the certification and NMFS has not received any new 
information that would affect its determination. As a result, a final 
regulatory flexibility analysis is not required and none was prepared.

0
The BRD Manual published as an appendix to a final rule published in 
the Federal Register on February 13, 2008 (73 FR 8219, February 13, 
2008), is revised to read as follows.


[[Page 95057]]


    Note:  The following appendix will publish in the Federal 
Register but will not appear in the Code of Federal Regulations. See 
the contacts under ADDRESSES to obtain the complete BRD Manual.

Appendix--Bycatch Reduction Device Testing Manual

Definitions

    Bycatch reduction criterion is the standard by which a BRD 
candidate will be evaluated. To be certified for use by the shrimp 
fishery in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off the southeastern 
United States (North Carolina through Texas), the BRD candidate must 
demonstrate a successful reduction of total finfish bycatch by at 
least 30 percent by weight.
    Bycatch reduction device (BRD) is any gear or trawl modification 
designed to allow finfish to escape from a shrimp trawl.
    BRD candidate is a bycatch reduction device to be tested for 
certification for use in the commercial shrimp fishery of 
southeastern United States.
    Certified BRD is a BRD that has been tested according to the 
procedure outlined herein and has been determined by the RA as 
having met the bycatch reduction criterion.
    Control trawl means a trawl that is not equipped with a BRD 
during a test.
    Experimental trawl means the trawl that is equipped with the BRD 
candidate during a test.
    Evaluation and oversight personnel means scientists, observers, 
and other technical personnel who, by reason of their occupation or 
scientific expertise or training, are approved by the RA as 
qualified to evaluate and review the application and testing 
process.
    Gear Test Authorization (GTA) means a document signed by the RA 
that specifically exempts a person/vessel from Federal regulations 
requiring the use of BRDs in Federal waters. This GTA must be issued 
prior to conducting any tests on BRD candidates in Federal waters.
    Net/side bias means when the net(s) being fished on one side of 
the vessel demonstrate a different catch rate (fishing efficiency) 
than the net(s) being fished on the other side of the vessel during 
paired-net tests.
    Observer means a person on the list maintained by the RA of 
individuals qualified to supervise and monitor a BRD certification 
test.
    Paired-net test means a tow during certification trials where a 
control net and an experimental net are fished simultaneously, and 
the catches and catch rates between the nets are compared.
    Provisional Certification Criterion means a secondary benchmark 
that would allow a BRD candidate to be used for a time-limited 
period in the southeastern shrimp fishery. To meet the criterion, 
the BRD candidate must demonstrate a successful reduction of total 
finfish bycatch by at least 25 percent by weight.
    Provisionally certified BRD means a BRD that has been tested 
according to the procedure outlined herein and has been determined 
by the RA as having met the provisional certification criterion. A 
BRD meeting the provisional certification criterion would be 
certified by the RA for a period of 2 years.
    Regional Administrator (RA) means the Southeast Regional 
Administrator, National Marine Fisheries Service.
    Required measurements refers to the quantification of gear 
characteristics such as the dimensions and configuration of the 
trawl, the BRD candidate, the doors, or the location of the BRD in 
relation to other parts of the trawl gear that are used to assess 
the performance of the BRD candidate.
    Sample size means the number of successful tows.
    Shrimp trawler means any vessel that is equipped with one or 
more trawl nets where the on-board or landed catch of shrimp is more 
than 1 percent, by weight, of all fish comprising its on-board or 
landed catch.
    Successful tow means that the control and experimental trawl 
were fished in accordance with the requirements set forth herein and 
the terms and conditions of the Letter of Authorization, and there 
is no indication problematic events occurred during the tow that 
would impact or influence the fishing efficiency (catch) of one or 
both nets.
    Tow time means the total time (hours and minutes) an individual 
trawl was fished (i.e., the time interval beginning when the winch 
is locked after deploying the net overboard, and ending when 
retrieval of the net is initiated).
    Trawl means a net and associated gear and rigging used to catch 
shrimp. The terms trawl and net are used interchangeably throughout 
this manual, although in most instances, ``trawl'' is used to 
reflect the entire fishing rig (e.g., doors, tickler chain, net, 
turtle excluder device, etc.), whereas a ``net'' is used to reflect 
a component of that fishing rig.
    Try net means a separate net pulled for brief periods by a 
shrimp trawler to test for shrimp concentrations or determine 
fishing conditions (e.g., presence of absence of bottom debris, 
jellyfish, bycatch, and seagrasses).
    Tuning a net means adjusting the trawl and its components to 
minimize or eliminate any net/side bias that exists between the two 
nets that will be used as the control and experimental trawls during 
the certification test.

I. Introduction

    This Bycatch Reduction Device Testing Manual (BRD Manual) 
establishes a standardized process for evaluating whether bycatch 
reduction device (BRD) candidates meet the established bycatch 
reduction criterion. BRDs that meet the criterion can be certified 
for use in the EEZ by the southeastern shrimp fishery. Requirements 
for BRDs used in shrimp trawls in the Gulf of Mexico and South 
Atlantic can be found in 50 CFR part 622.
    The requirement to use BRDs in state waters varies by state. 
Persons wishing to conduct BRD candidate tests exclusively in state 
waters do not need to apply to the National Marine Fisheries Service 
(NOAA Fisheries) for authorization to conduct these tests but should 
contact the appropriate state officials for authorizations. However, 
for NOAA Fisheries to certify a BRD candidate for use in Federal 
waters, tests conducted in state waters must meet the criteria for 
the operations plan and data collection procedures established in 
this manual.

II. BRD Candidate Tests

A. Application

    Persons interested in evaluating the effectiveness of a BRD 
candidate to reduce finfish from a shrimp trawl must apply for, 
receive, and have on board the approved vessel(s) during the test, a 
Gear Test Authorization (GTA) from the NOAA Fisheries Southeast 
Regional Office Regional Administrator (RA). To receive a GTA, the 
applicant must submit the following documentation to the RA: (1) 
Name, address, and contact information of the applicant; (2) a list 
of vessels to be used during the sampling program, including the 
vessels' U.S. Coast Guard documentation numbers or state 
registration numbers; (3) name, address, and contact information of 
the vessel owners and/or vessel operators; (4) a brief statement of 
the purpose and goal of the activity for which the GTA is requested; 
(5) an operations plan (see Section C below) describing the scope, 
duration, dates, and location of the test, and methods that will be 
used to conduct the test; (6) an 8.5 inch x 11 inch (21.6 cm x 27.9 
cm) diagram drawn to scale of the BRD candidate design; (7) an 8.5 
inch x 11 inch (21.6 cm x 27.9 cm) diagram drawn to scale of the BRD 
in the shrimp trawl; and (8) a description of the mechanism by which 
the BRD candidate is expected to exclude finfish.
    An applicant requesting an GTA to test an unapproved turtle 
excluder device (TED) as a BRD (including modifications to a 
certified TED where the modifications would make the configuration 
of the TED illegal) must first apply for and obtain from the RA an 
experimental TED authorization pursuant to 50 CFR 223.207(e)(2). 
Applicants should contact the Protected Resources Division of NOAA 
Fisheries Southeast Regional Office for further information. The GTA 
applicant must include a copy of that authorization with the 
application.
    Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant along 
with a letter from the RA indicating what actions the applicant may 
take to make the application complete.
    There is no cost to the applicant for the RA's administrative 
expenses such as reviewing applications, issuing GTA, evaluating 
test results, or certifying BRDs. However, all other costs 
associated with the actual testing activities are the responsibility 
of the applicant, or any associated sponsor.
    If an application for a GTA is denied, the RA will provide a 
letter of explanation to the applicant, together with relevant 
recommendations to address the deficiencies that resulted in the 
denial.

B. Allowable Activities

    Issuance of a GTA to test a BRD candidate in the South Atlantic 
or Gulf of Mexico allows the applicant to remove or disable the 
existing certified BRD in one outboard net (to create a control 
net), and to place the BRD candidate in another outboard net in lieu 
of a certified BRD (to create an experimental net). All other trawls 
under tow during the

[[Page 95058]]

test must have a certified BRD, unless these nets are specifically 
exempted in the GTA. All nets under tow during the test must have an 
approved TED unless operating under an authorization issued pursuant 
to 50 CFR 223.207(e)(2), whereby the test is being conducted on an 
experimental TED. The GTA, and experimental TED authorization if 
applicable, must be on board the vessel(s) while the test is being 
conducted. The term of the GTA will be 60 days; should circumstances 
require a longer test period, the applicant may request a 60-day 
extension.

C. Operations Plan

    An operations plan should be submitted with the application 
describing a method to compare the catches of shrimp and fish in a 
control net (net without a BRD candidate installed) to the catches 
of the same species in an experimental net (a net configured 
identically to the control net but also equipped with the BRD 
candidate).
    The applicant may choose to conduct a pre-certification test of 
a prototype BRD candidate. A pre-certification test would be 
conducted when the intent is to assess the preliminary effectiveness 
of a prototype BRD candidate under field conditions, and to make 
modifications to the prototype BRD candidate during the field test. 
For pre-certification testing, the operations plan must include only 
a description of the scope, duration, dates, and location of the 
test, along with a description of methods that will be used to 
conduct the test. No observer is required for a pre-certification 
test, but the applicant may choose to use an observer to maintain a 
written record of the test. The applicant will maintain a written 
record for both the control and experimental net during each tow. 
Mandatory data collection is limited to the weight of the shrimp 
catch and the weight of the total finfish catch in each test net 
during each tow. Although not required, the applicant may wish to 
incorporate some or all the certification test requirements listed 
below.
    For a BRD candidate to be considered for certification, the 
operations plan must be more detailed and address the following 
topics:
     The primary assumption in assessing the bycatch 
reduction effectiveness of a BRD candidate during paired net tests 
is that the inclusion of the BRD candidate in the experimental net 
is the only factor causing a difference in catch from the control 
net. Therefore, the nets to be used in the tests must be calibrated 
(tuned) to minimize, to the extent practicable, any net/side bias in 
catch efficiency prior to beginning a test series, and tuned again 
after any gear modification or change. Additional information on 
tuning shrimp trawls to minimize bias is available from NOAA 
Fisheries, Harvesting Technology Branch, Mississippi Laboratories, 
Pascagoula Facility, 3209 Frederic Street, Pascagoula, MS 39567; 
phone 601-762-4591.
     A standard tow time for a proposed evaluation should be 
defined. Tow times must be representative of the tow times used by 
commercial shrimp trawlers. The applicant should indicate what 
alternatives will be considered should the proposed tow time need 
adjustment once the test begins.
     A minimum sample size of 30 successful tows using a 
specific BRD candidate design is required for the statistical 
analysis described in Section F. No alterations of the BRD candidate 
design are allowed during a specific test series. If the BRD 
candidate design is altered, a new test series must be started. If a 
gear change (i.e., changing nets, doors, or rigging) is required, 
the nets should be tuned again before proceeding with further tests 
to complete the 30-tow series. Minor repairs to the gear (e.g., 
sewing holes in the webbing; replacing a broken tickler chain with a 
new one of the same configuration) are not considered a ``gear 
change.''
     For tests conducted on twin-rig vessels (one net on the 
port side and one net on the starboard side), biases that might 
result from the use of a try net should be minimized. Total fishing 
times for a try net must be a consistent percentage of the total tow 
time during each tow made in the test.
     To incorporate any potential net/side bias that remains 
after the tuning tows (e.g., the effect of a try net), or to 
accommodate for bias that develops between the control and 
experimental nets during the test, the operations plan should 
outline a timetable ensuring that an equal number of successful tows 
are made with the BRD candidate employed in both the port and 
starboard nets.
     Mandatory data to be collected during a test includes: 
(1) Detailed vessel and gear specifications and (2) pertinent 
information concerning the location, duration, and catch from 
individual tows as set forth in forms available from the Science and 
Research Director (SRD) of the Southeast Fisheries Science Center. 
Applicants should contact the NOAA Fisheries, Galveston Laboratory, 
4700 Avenue U, Galveston, TX 77551; phone 409-766-3500.
     Following each paired tow, the catches from the control 
and experimental nets must be examined separately. This requires 
that the catch from each net be kept separate from each other, as 
well as from the catch taken in other nets fished during that tow. 
Mandatory data collections include recording the weight of the total 
catch of each test net (control and experimental nets), and the 
weight of the total shrimp catch (i.e., brown, white, pink, rock, or 
other shrimp by species) in each test net.
     To determine the total finfish catch in each test net, 
two procedures may be used under different conditions. If the total 
catch in a net does not fill one standard 1-bushel (ca. 10 gal or 30 
L) polyethylene shrimp basket (ca. 70 lb [31.8 kg] of catch), but 
the tow is otherwise considered successful, data must be collected 
on the entire catch of the net, and recorded as a ``select'' sample, 
indicating that the values represent the total catch of the 
particular net. If the catch in a net exceeds 70 lb (31.8 kg), a 
well-mixed sample consisting of one standard 1-bushel [ca. 10 gal] 
(30 L) polyethylene shrimp basket must be taken from the total catch 
of the net. The total weight of the sample must be recorded, as well 
as the weight (and number as applicable) of finfish in aggregate.
     The forms available from the SRD include record keeping 
opportunities for additional species; collection of this information 
is optional for certification evaluation purposes. However, 
applicants testing BRD candidates are encouraged to collect 
additional information that may be pertinent to addressing bycatch 
issues in their respective regions. For example, in the western Gulf 
of Mexico applicants are especially encouraged to collect 
information on the bycatch of juvenile red snapper. Such data 
collection would follow the same procedure as sampling the total 
finfish catch.
    The operations plan should address what the applicant will do 
should it become necessary to deviate from the primary procedures 
outlined in the operations plan. The plan should describe in detail 
what will be done to continue the test in a reasonable manner that 
is consistent with the primary procedures. For example, it may 
become necessary to alter the pre-selected tow time to adapt to 
local fishing conditions to successfully complete the test. Prior to 
issuing a GTA, the RA may consult with evaluation personnel to 
review the acceptability of these proposed alterations.

D. Observer Requirement

    It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that a 
qualified observer is on board the vessel during the certification 
tests. Observers may include employees or individuals acting on 
behalf of NOAA Fisheries, state fishery management agencies, 
universities, or private industry. Any change in information or 
testing circumstances, such as replacement of the observer, must be 
reported to the RA within 30 days. Under 50 CFR 600.746, when any 
fishing vessel is required to carry an observer as part of a 
mandatory observer program under the Magnuson Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801, et seq.), the owner 
or operator of the vessel must comply with guidelines, regulations, 
and conditions to ensure their vessel is adequate and safe to carry 
an observer, and to allow normal observer functions to collect 
information as described in this Manual. A vessel owner is deemed to 
meet this requirement if the vessel displays one of the following: 
(1) A current Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Examination decal, 
issued within the last 2 years, that certifies compliance with 
regulations found in 33 CFR, chapter I, and 46 CFR, chapter I; (2) a 
certificate of compliance issued pursuant to 46 CFR 28.710; or (3) a 
valid certificate of inspection pursuant to 46 U.S.C. 3311. The 
observer has the right to check for major safety items, and if those 
items are absent or unserviceable, the observer may choose not to 
sail with the vessel until those deficiencies are corrected.

E. Reports

    A report on the BRD candidate test results must be submitted by 
the applicant or associated sponsor before the RA will consider the 
BRD for certification. The report must contain a comprehensive 
description of the test, copies of all completed data forms used 
during the test, and photographs, drawings, and similar material 
describing the BRD. The report must include a description and 
explanation of any unanticipated deviations from the operations plan 
that

[[Page 95059]]

occurred during the test. These deviations must be described in 
sufficient detail to allow evaluation and oversight personnel 
selected by NOAA Fisheries to determine if the tests were continued 
in a reasonable manner consistent with the approved operations plan 
procedures. Applicants must provide information on the cost of 
materials, labor, and installation of the BRD candidate. In 
addition, any unique or special circumstances of the tests, such as 
special operational characteristics or fishing techniques, which 
enhance the BRD's performance, should be described and documented as 
appropriate.

F. Certification

    The RA will determine whether the required reports and 
supporting materials are sufficient to evaluate the BRD candidate's 
effectiveness. The determination of sufficiency would be based on 
whether the applicant adhered to the prescribed testing procedure or 
provided adequate justification for any deviations from the 
procedure during the test. If the RA determines that the data are 
sufficient for evaluation, the BRD candidate will be evaluated to 
determine if it meets the bycatch reduction criterion. In making a 
decision, the RA may consult with evaluation and oversight 
personnel. Based on the data submitted for review, the RA will 
determine the effectiveness of the BRD candidate, using appropriate 
statistical procedures such as Bayesian analyses, to determine if 
the BRD candidate meets the following conditions:
    (1) There is at least a 50-percent probability that the true 
reduction rate of the BRD candidate meets the bycatch reduction 
criterion (i.e., the BRD candidate demonstrates a best point 
estimate [sample mean] that meets the certification criterion); and
    (2) There is no more than a 10-percent probability that the true 
reduction rate of the BRD candidate is more than 5 percentage points 
less than the bycatch reduction criterion.
    To be certified for use in the fishery, the BRD candidate will 
have to satisfy both conditions. The first condition ensures that 
the observed reduction rate of the BRD candidate has an acceptable 
level of certainty that it meets the bycatch reduction criterion. 
The second condition ensures the BRD candidate demonstrates a 
reasonable degree of certainty the observed reduction rate 
represents the true reduction rate of the BRD candidate. This 
determination ensures the operational use of the BRD candidate in 
the shrimp fishery will, on average, provide a level of bycatch 
reduction that meets the established bycatch reduction criterion. 
Interested parties may obtain details regarding the hypothesis 
testing procedure to be used by contacting NOAA Fisheries, 
Harvesting Technology Branch, Mississippi Laboratories, Pascagoula 
Facility, 3209 Frederic Street, Pascagoula, MS 39567; phone 228-762-
4591. Following a favorable determination of the certification 
analysis, the RA will certify the BRD (with any appropriate 
conditions as indicated by test results) and publish the notice of 
certification in the Federal Register.
    In addition, based on the data provided, if the BRD candidate 
does not meet the bycatch reduction certification criterion in 
accordance with the conditions outlined above, the RA may 
provisionally certify a BRD candidate based on the following 
condition:
    There is at least a 50-percent probability that the true 
reduction rate of the BRD candidate is no more than 5 percentage 
points less than the bycatch reduction criterion (i.e., the BRD 
candidate demonstrates a best point estimate [sample mean] within 5 
percentage points of the certification criterion).
    A provisional certification will be effective for 2 years from 
the date of publication of a notice in the Federal Register 
announcing this provisional certification. This time period will 
allow additional wide-scale industry evaluation of the BRD 
candidate, during which additional effort would be made to improve 
the efficiency of the BRD to meet the certification criterion.

III. BRDs Not Certified and Resubmission Procedures

    The RA will advise the applicant, in writing, if a BRD is not 
certified. This notification will explain why the BRD was not 
certified and what the applicant may do to either modify the BRD or 
the testing procedures to improve the chances of having the BRD 
certified in the future. If certification was denied because of 
insufficient information, the RA will explain what information is 
lacking. The applicant must provide the additional information 
within 60 days from receipt of such notification. If the RA 
subsequently certifies the BRD, the RA will announce the 
certification in the Federal Register.

IV. Decertification of BRDs

    The RA will decertify a BRD whenever NOAA Fisheries determines a 
BRD no longer satisfies the bycatch reduction criterion. Before 
determining whether to decertify a BRD, the RA will notify the 
appropriate Fishery Management Council(s) in writing, and the public 
will be provided an opportunity to comment on any proposed 
decertification through a publication of a proposed rule in the 
Federal Register with a comment period of not less than 15 days. The 
RA will consider any comments from the affected Council(s) and 
public, and if the RA elects to proceed with decertification of the 
BRD, the RA will publish a final rule in the Federal Register, which 
would remove the BRD from the certified list of BRDs.

V. Interactions With Sea Turtles

    The following section is provided for informational purposes. 
Sea turtles are listed under the Endangered Species Act as either 
endangered or threatened. The following procedures apply to 
incidental take of sea turtles under 50 CFR 223.206(d)(1):
    Any sea turtles taken incidentally during the course of fishing 
or scientific research activities must be handled with due care to 
prevent injury to live specimens, observed for activity, and 
returned to the water according to the following procedures:
    (A) Sea turtles that are actively moving or determined to be 
dead (as described in paragraph (B)(4) below) must be released over 
the stern of the boat. In addition, they must be released only when 
fishing or scientific collection gear is not in use, when the engine 
gears are in neutral position, and in areas where they are unlikely 
to be recaptured or injured by vessels.
    (B) Resuscitation must be attempted on sea turtles that are 
comatose or inactive by:
    (1) Placing the turtle on its bottom shell (plastron) so that 
the turtle is right side up and elevating its hindquarters at least 
6 inches (15.2 cm) for a period of 4 to 24 hours. The amount of 
elevation depends on the size of the turtle; greater elevations are 
needed for larger turtles. Periodically, rock the turtle gently left 
to right and right to left by holding the outer edge of the shell 
(carapace) and lifting one side about 3 inches (7.6 cm) then 
alternate to the other side. Gently touch the eye and pinch the tail 
(reflex test) periodically to see if there is a response.
    (2) Sea turtles being resuscitated must be shaded and kept damp 
or moist but under no circumstance be placed into a container 
holding water. A water-soaked towel placed over the head, carapace, 
and flippers is the most effective method in keeping a turtle moist.
    (3) Sea turtles that revive and become active must be released 
over the stern of the boat only when fishing or scientific 
collection gear is not in use, when the engine gears are in neutral 
position, and in areas where they are unlikely to be recaptured or 
injured by vessels. Sea turtles that fail to respond to the reflex 
test or fail to move within 4 hours (up to 24, if possible) must be 
returned to the water in the same manner as that for actively moving 
turtles.
    (4) A turtle is determined to be dead if the muscles are stiff 
(rigor mortis) and/or the flesh has begun to rot; otherwise, the 
turtle is determined to be comatose or inactive and resuscitation 
attempts are necessary.
    Any sea turtle so taken must not be consumed, sold, landed, 
offloaded, transshipped, or kept below deck.


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

    Dated: December 19, 2016.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-31067 Filed 12-23-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P