Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Regulatory Amendment 6 to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, 43733-43737 [2017-19927]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 180 (Tuesday, September 19, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43733-43737]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-19927]



[[Page 43733]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 170510477-7477-01]
RIN 0648-BG88


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Regulatory Amendment 6 to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan of 
Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS proposes to implement the measures described in 
Regulatory Amendment 6 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish 
Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI)(FMP), as 
prepared and submitted by the Caribbean Fishery Management Council 
(Council). This proposed rule would revise the method used to trigger 
the application of accountability measures (AM) for Council-managed 
reef fish species or species groups in the Puerto Rico exclusive 
economic zone (EEZ). The purpose of this proposed rule is to increase 
the likelihood that optimum yield (OY) is achieved on a continuing 
basis and to minimize, to the extent practicable, adverse socio-
economic effects of AM-based closures.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before October 19, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the proposed rule identified by 
``NOAA-NMFS-2017-0074'' by either of the following methods:
     Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-
NMFS-2017-0074, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required 
fields, and enter or attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to Sarah Stephenson, 
Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, 
FL 33701.
    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).
    Electronic copies of Regulatory Amendment 6, which includes an 
environmental assessment, a Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) analysis, 
and a regulatory impact review, may be obtained from the Southeast 
Regional Office Web site at https://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/caribbean/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Stephenson, telephone: 727-824-
5305; email: sarah.stephenson@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the U.S. Caribbean EEZ, the reef fish 
fishery is managed under the FMP. The FMP was prepared by the Council 
and is implemented through regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the 
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.).

Background

    The current AMs in the Puerto Rico EEZ, applicable to Council-
managed reef fish species or species groups, require NMFS to reduce the 
length of the Federal fishing season in the fishing year following a 
determination that landings for a species or species group exceeded the 
applicable sector annual catch limit (ACL). As specified in the FMP, 
the landings determination is based on the applicable 3-year landings 
average. However, if NMFS determines the ACL for a particular species 
or species group was exceeded because of enhanced data collection and 
monitoring efforts, instead of an increase in total catch, NMFS will 
not reduce the length of the fishing season the following fishing year. 
The current AM-based closure is triggered and applied when the sector 
ACL is exceeded, even if the total ACL (i.e., combined commercial and 
recreational ACLs) for a species or species group was not exceeded. For 
all Council-managed reef fish species or species groups, the total ACL 
equals the annual estimate of OY and is set at a level that is 
considered to be sustainable for the species or species group. 
Therefore, the application of the current AM for Puerto Rico reef fish 
could translate into lost yield from the affected species or species 
group (if the sector ACL is exceeded, but the total ACL is not), 
potentially resulting in negative socio-economic impacts.
    Sector-specific data are not available for other federally managed 
species in the Puerto Rico EEZ (e.g., queen conch, spiny lobster) or 
for other federally managed species or species groups in the U.S. 
Caribbean EEZ, so those species and species groups are not included in 
Regulatory Amendment 6. Therefore, Regulatory Amendment 6 and this 
proposed rule apply only to federally-managed reef fish species and 
species groups in the Puerto Rico EEZ.

Management Measure Contained in This Proposed Rule

    This proposed rule would revise the trigger for implementing AM-
based fishing season reductions, for all reef fish species or species 
groups managed by the Council in the Puerto Rico EEZ. Specifically, an 
AM-based closure would be triggered only when both the applicable 
sector (recreational or commercial) ACL and the total ACL for a species 
or species group is exceeded. If both the sector ACL and the total ACL 
are exceeded, the AM would be applied to the sector or sectors that 
experienced the overage. The duration of any implemented AM-based 
closure would continue to be based on the extent to which the 
applicable sector ACL was exceeded and would be calculated and applied 
using the current practices and methods. However, consistent with the 
current regulations, if NMFS determines that either of the applicable 
ACLs was exceeded because of enhanced data collection and monitoring 
efforts, instead of an increase in catch, NMFS will not reduce the 
length of the fishing season. For example, if NMFS determines that the 
applicable sector ACL exceedance for a species or species group is not 
attributable to enhanced data collection and monitoring efforts, but 
that the total ACL exceedance is attributable to enhanced data 
collection and monitoring efforts, NMFS will not reduce the length of 
the sector's fishing season for the applicable species or species group 
the following fishing year.
    This proposed rule to implement Regulatory Amendment 6 is expected 
to increase the likelihood that OY is achieved on a continuing basis 
and to minimize adverse socio-economic effects from the implementation 
of AMs, while still helping to ensure that AM-based closures constrain 
harvest to the total ACL and prevent overfishing. Under the current AM 
regulations, fishing season reductions have been applied in Puerto Rico 
when a specific fishing sector has exceeded its sector

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ACL even when the total ACL (equivalent to an annual estimate of OY) 
for the species or species group was not reached. As described in 
Regulatory Amendment 6, assuming each sector harvests at a similar rate 
from year to year, the current AM-based fishing season reductions 
increase the likelihood that the total ACL for a species or species 
group will not be achieved in the year the closure is applied. 
Modifying the AM trigger for a fishing season reduction from an overage 
of the sector ACL to an overage of both the sector and the total ACL 
increases the likelihood that OY for a species or species group will be 
achieved on a continuing basis. Additionally, the proposed revision to 
the AM would result in the AM being triggered less frequently and 
thereby result in fewer fishing season reductions. A reduced number of 
fishing season reductions for a sector would be expected to result in 
increased socio-economic benefits to the applicable sector and the 
associated fishing communities. NMFS notes that the method for 
calculating the landings determination using the 3-year landings 
average for a species or species group will not change through this 
proposed rule.
    NMFS notes that in the codified text for this proposed rule, 
amendatory instruction 2 would revise the entire Sec.  622.12. While 
the proposed rule only affects management in Puerto Rico Federal 
waters, the section as a whole is revised as a result of the proposed 
action to more clearly and distinctly describe the AMs and ACLs 
throughout the U.S. Caribbean EEZ. The proposed rule would also revise 
some regulatory citations within Sec.  622.12 and Sec.  622.491 to 
reflect changes made to the regulatory text as a result of this 
proposed rule.

Classification

    Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the 
NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that this proposed rule is 
consistent with the FMP, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable 
law, subject to further consideration after public comment.
    This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce 
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration (SBA) that this proposed rule, if adopted, would not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. The factual basis for this certification is as follows.
    A description of this proposed rule, why it is being considered, 
and the objectives of this proposed rule are contained in the preamble. 
In summary, this action revises how AMs are triggered for the reef fish 
fishery in the Puerto Rico EEZ, to increase the likelihood that OY is 
achieved on a continuing basis and to minimize, to the extent 
practicable, adverse socio-economic effects of AM-based closures in 
accordance with the National Standards set forth in the Magnuson-
Stevens Act. The Magnuson-Stevens Act provides the statutory basis for 
this proposed rule.
    This proposed rule would directly affect recreational and 
commercial fishing for reef fish managed by the Caribbean Fishery 
Management Council in Federal waters of the U.S. Caribbean off Puerto 
Rico. Anglers (recreational fishers), whether fishing from for-hire, 
private or leased vessels, are not considered small entities as that 
term is defined in 5 U.S.C. 601(6). Therefore, estimates of the number 
of anglers directly affected by the rule and the impacts on them are 
not provided here.
    NMFS estimates there are 795 commercial fishing businesses in 
Puerto Rico and the average annual dockside revenue of these businesses 
is $10,000 each. For RFA purposes, NMFS has established a small 
business size standard for businesses, including their affiliates, 
whose primary industry is commercial fishing (see 50 CFR 200.2). A 
business primarily involved in commercial fishing (NAICS 11411) is 
classified as a small business if it is independently owned and 
operated, is not dominant in its field of operation (including its 
affiliates), and its combined annual receipts are not in excess of $11 
million for all of its affiliated operations worldwide. Based on the 
average annual revenue for the 795 commercial fishing businesses, it is 
concluded that all of Puerto Rico's commercial fishing businesses are 
small. It is unknown how many of these small businesses harvest reef 
fish in Federal waters; however, it is possible that all 795 of these 
businesses may be directly affected by the proposed rule.
    This action would revise the trigger for implementing AMs for 
Council-managed reef fish species and species groups in the Puerto Rico 
EEZ. Currently, if commercial landings of a federally managed reef fish 
species or species group exceed the commercial ACL for that species or 
species group, the length of the following year's Federal fishing 
season for that species or species group is reduced by the amount 
necessary to ensure commercial landings do not again exceed the 
commercial ACL, even if the total ACL (the combined commercial and 
recreational sector ACLs) is not exceeded by combined recreational and 
commercial landings. That occurred in 2016, for example, when the 
commercial season for Snapper Unit 2 in Puerto Rico was reduced by 36 
days because commercial landings of Snapper Unit 2 had exceeded the 
pertinent commercial ACL, even though combined commercial and 
recreational landings of Snapper Unit 2 were less than the total ACL 
(81 FR 34283, May 31, 2016).
    This action would benefit small commercial fishing businesses by 
reducing the potential adverse economic impact, if any, caused by a 
reduction in the length of the Federal commercial season required by 
the current AM. The action changes the trigger for the AMs, potentially 
reducing the number of AM-based reductions in length of the Federal 
commercial fishing season, and benefitting those who are negatively 
affected by such reductions. The actual adverse impact caused by a 
reduction in the length of a Federal commercial fishing season, is 
dependent on the extent to which commercial fishing for a species or 
species group occurs in Federal waters and on the ability of a 
commercial fishing business to change intensity of effort in 
anticipation of a possible reduced season in Federal waters; commercial 
businesses that fish for species in federal waters and are not able to 
change their behavior in anticipation of Federal commercial fishing 
season reductions are most impacted by the fishing season reductions 
and could see the most benefit from changing the AM trigger and 
reducing the potential for an AM-based fishing season reduction. 
However, NMFS is unable to provide estimates of the baseline adverse 
economic impact of shortened fishing seasons caused by the current AM 
without making assumptions as to the magnitudes of those factors.
    However, NMFS estimates that if the 2016 commercial season for 
Snapper Unit 2 had not closed early and if all additional landings of 
Snapper Unit 2 were from the commercial sector and from Federal waters, 
each small business could have landed an additional 28 lb (12.7 kg) of 
Snapper Unit 2, which would equate to an additional dockside value of 
$143 per business that year. For a small commercial fishing business 
that has average annual dockside revenue of $10,000, that maximum 
benefit would represent a 1.43 percent increase in annual revenue. 
Therefore, it is concluded that the rule would not have

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a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
under the RFA, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq; however, small businesses are 
encouraged to comment on this conclusion.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 622

    Accountability measures, Annual catch limits, Caribbean, Fisheries, 
Fishing, Puerto Rico.

    Dated: September 14, 2017.
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 622 is 
proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 622--FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF MEXICO, AND SOUTH 
ATLANTIC

0
1. The authority citation for part 622 continues to read as follows:

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

0
2. Revise Sec.  622.12 to read as follows:


Sec.  622.12   Annual catch limits (ACLs) and accountability measures 
(AMs) for Caribbean island management areas/Caribbean EEZ.

    (a) Puerto Rico management area. See Appendix E of this part for 
specification of the Puerto Rico management area.
    (1) Queen conch. See Sec.  622.491 regarding seasonal and area 
closure provisions and ACL closure provisions applicable to queen 
conch.
    (i) Commercial ACL. For the EEZ only, 0 lb (0 kg), round weight.
    (ii) Recreational ACL. For the EEZ only, 0 lb (0 kg), round weight.
    (2) Reef fish. Landings will be evaluated relative to the 
applicable ACL based on a moving multi-year average of landings, as 
described in the FMP. With the exceptions of goliath grouper, Nassau 
grouper, midnight parrotfish, blue parrotfish, and rainbow parrotfish, 
ACLs are based on the combined Caribbean EEZ and territorial landings 
for the Puerto Rico management area. As described in the FMP, for each 
species or species group in this paragraph, any fishing season 
reduction required under (a)(2)(i) or (ii) will be applied from 
September 30 backward, toward the beginning of the fishing year. If the 
length of the required fishing season reduction exceeds the time period 
of January 1 through September 30, any additional fishing season 
reduction will be applied from October 1 forward, toward the end of the 
fishing year.
    (i) Commercial sector. If commercial landings, as estimated by the 
SRD, have exceeded the applicable species or species group commercial 
ACL, as specified in paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section, and the 
combined commercial and recreational landings have exceeded the 
applicable combined commercial and recreational sector ACL (total ACL), 
as specified in paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section, the AA will file 
a notification with the Office of the Federal Register, at or near the 
beginning of the following fishing year, to reduce the length of the 
fishing season for the applicable species or species groups for the 
commercial sector that year by the amount necessary to ensure that 
commercial landings do not exceed the applicable commercial ACL for the 
species or species group. If NMFS determines that either the applicable 
commercial ACL or total ACL for a particular species or species group 
was exceeded because of enhanced data collection and monitoring efforts 
instead of an increase in catch of the species or species group, NMFS 
will not reduce the length of the commercial fishing season for the 
applicable species or species group the following fishing year. The 
commercial ACLs, in round weight, are as follows:
    (A) Parrotfishes--52,737 lb (23,915 kg).
    (B) Snapper Unit 1--284,685 lb (129,131 kg).
    (C) Snapper Unit 2--145,916 lb (66,186 kg).
    (D) Snapper Unit 3--345,775 lb (156,841 kg).
    (E) Snapper Unit 4--373,295 lb (169,324 kg).
    (F) Groupers--177,513 lb (80,519 kg).
    (G) Angelfish--8,984 lb (4,075 kg).
    (H) Boxfish--86,115 lb (39,061 kg).
    (I) Goatfishes--17,565 lb (7,967 kg).
    (J) Grunts--182,396 lb (82,733 kg).
    (K) Wrasses--54,147 lb (24,561 kg).
    (L) Jacks--86,059 lb (39,036 kg).
    (M) Scups and porgies, combined--24,739 lb (11,221 kg).
    (N) Squirrelfish--16,663 lb (7,558 kg).
    (O) Surgeonfish--7,179 lb (3,256 kg).
    (P) Triggerfish and filefish, combined--58,475 lb (26,524 kg).
    (ii) Recreational sector. If recreational landings, as estimated by 
the SRD, have exceeded the applicable species or species group 
recreational ACL, as specified in paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section, 
and the combined commercial and recreational landings have exceeded the 
applicable combined commercial and recreational sector ACL (total ACL), 
as specified in paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section, the AA will file 
a notification with the Office of the Federal Register, at or near the 
beginning of the following fishing year, to reduce the length of the 
fishing season for the applicable species or species groups for the 
recreational sector that year by the amount necessary to ensure that 
recreational landings do not exceed the applicable species or species 
group recreational ACL. If NMFS determines that either the applicable 
recreational ACL or total ACL for a particular species or species group 
was exceeded because of enhanced data collection and monitoring efforts 
instead of an increase in catch of the species or species group, NMFS 
will not reduce the length of the fishing season for the applicable 
species or species group the following fishing year. The recreational 
ACLs, in round weight, are as follows:
    (A) Parrotfishes--15,263 lb (6,921 kg).
    (B) Snapper Unit 1--95,526 lb (43,330 kg).
    (C) Snapper Unit 2--34,810 lb (15,790 kg).
    (D) Snapper Unit 3--83,158 lb (37,720 kg).
    (E) Snapper Unit 4--28,509 lb (12,931 kg).
    (F) Groupers--77,213 lb (35,023 kg).
    (G) Angelfish--4,492 lb (2,038 kg).
    (H) Boxfish--4,616 lb (2,094 kg).
    (I) Goatfishes--362 lb (164 kg).
    (J) Grunts--5,028 lb (2,281 kg).
    (K) Wrasses--5,050 lb (2,291 kg).
    (L) Jacks--51,001 lb (23,134 kg).
    (M) Scups and porgies, combined--2,577 lb (1,169 kg).
    (N) Squirrelfish--3,891 lb (1,765 kg).
    (O) Surgeonfish--3,590 lb (1,628 kg).
    (P) Triggerfish and filefish, combined--21,929 lb (9,947 kg).
    (iii) Total ACLs. The total ACLs (combined commercial and 
recreational ACL), in round weight, are as follows:
    (A) Parrotfishes--68,000 lb (30,844 kg).
    (B) Snapper Unit 1--380,211 lb (172,461 kg).
    (C) Snapper Unit 2--180,726 lb (81,976 kg).
    (D) Snapper Unit 3--428,933 lb (194,561 kg).
    (E) Snapper Unit 4--401,804 lb (182,255 kg).
    (F) Groupers--254,726 lb (115,542 kg).
    (G) Angelfish--13,476 lb (6,113 kg).
    (H) Boxfish--90,731 lb (41,155 kg).
    (I) Goatfishes--17,927 lb (8,132 kg).
    (J) Grunts--187,424 lb (85,014 kg).
    (K) Wrasses--59,197 lb (26,851 kg).
    (L) Jacks--137,060 lb (62,169 kg).
    (M) Scups and porgies, combined--27,316 lb (kg).
    (N) Squirrelfish--20,554 lb (9,323 kg).
    (O) Surgeonfish--10,769 lb (4,885 kg).
    (P) Triggerfish and filefish, combined--80,404 lb (36,471 kg).
    (3) Spiny lobster. Landings will be evaluated relative to the ACL 
based on

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a moving multi-year average of landings, as described in the FMP. The 
ACL is based on the combined Caribbean EEZ and territorial landings for 
the Puerto Rico management area. If landings, as estimated by the SRD, 
have exceeded the ACL, as specified in this paragraph, the AA will file 
a notification with the Office of the Federal Register, at or near the 
beginning of the following fishing year, to reduce the length of the 
fishing season for spiny lobster that year by the amount necessary to 
ensure landings do not exceed the ACL. If NMFS determines the ACL was 
exceeded because of enhanced data collection and monitoring efforts 
instead of an increase in total catch, NMFS will not reduce the length 
of the fishing season the following fishing year. As described in the 
FMP, any fishing season reduction required as a result of this 
paragraph will be applied from September 30 backward, toward the 
beginning of the fishing year. If the length of the required fishing 
season reduction exceeds the time period of January 1 through September 
30, any additional fishing season reduction will be applied from 
October 1 forward, toward the end of the fishing year. The ACL is 
327,920 lb (148,742 kg), round weight.
    (b) St. Croix management area. See Appendix E of this part for 
specification of the St. Croix management area.
    (1) Queen conch. See Sec.  622.491 regarding seasonal and area 
closure provisions and ACL closure provisions applicable to queen 
conch. The ACL is 50,000 lb (22,680 kg), round weight.
    (2) Reef fish. Landings will be evaluated relative to the 
applicable ACL based on a moving multi-year average of landings, as 
described in the FMP. With the exception of goliath grouper, Nassau 
grouper, midnight parrotfish, blue parrotfish, and rainbow parrotfish, 
ACLs are based on the combined Caribbean EEZ and territorial landings 
for the St. Croix management area. If landings, as estimated by the 
SRD, have exceeded the applicable ACL for a species or species group, 
as specified in this paragraph, the AA will file a notification with 
the Office of the Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the 
following fishing year, to reduce the length of the fishing season for 
the applicable species or species group that year by the amount 
necessary to ensure landings do not exceed the applicable ACL. If NMFS 
determines the ACL for a particular species or species group was 
exceeded because of enhanced data collection and monitoring efforts 
instead of an increase in total catch of the species or species group, 
NMFS will not reduce the length of the fishing season for the 
applicable species or species group the following fishing year. As 
described in the FMP, for each species or species group in this 
paragraph, any fishing season reduction required as a result of this 
paragraph will be applied from September 30 backward, toward the 
beginning of the fishing year. If the length of the required fishing 
season reduction exceeds the time period of January 1 through September 
30, any additional fishing season reduction will be applied from 
October 1 forward, toward the end of the fishing year. The ACLs, in 
round weight, are as follows:
    (i) Parrotfishes--240,000 lb (108,863 kg).
    (ii) Snappers--102,946 lb (46,696 kg).
    (iii) Groupers--30,435 lb (13,805 kg).
    (iv) Angelfish--305 lb (138 kg).
    (v) Boxfish--8,433 lb (3,825 kg).
    (vi) Goatfishes--3,766 lb (1,708 kg).
    (vii) Grunts--36,881 lb (16,729 kg).
    (viii) Wrasses--7 lb (3 kg).
    (ix) Jacks--15,489 lb (7,076 kg).
    (x) Scups and porgies, combined--4,638 lb (2,104 kg).
    (xi) Squirrelfish--121 lb (55 kg).
    (xii) Surgeonfish--33,603 lb (15,242 kg).
    (xiii) Triggerfish and filefish, combined--24,980 lb (11,331 kg).
    (3) Spiny lobster. Landings will be evaluated relative to the ACL 
based on a moving multi-year average of landings, as described in the 
FMP. The ACL is based on the combined Caribbean EEZ and territorial 
landings for the St. Croix management area. If landings, as estimated 
by the SRD, have exceeded the ACL, as specified in this paragraph, the 
AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register, at 
or near the beginning of the following fishing year, to reduce the 
length of the fishing season that year by the amount necessary to 
ensure landings do not exceed the ACL. If NMFS determines the ACL was 
exceeded because of enhanced data collection and monitoring efforts 
instead of an increase in total catch, NMFS will not reduce the length 
of the fishing season for the following fishing year. As described in 
the FMP, any fishing season reduction required as a result of this 
paragraph will be applied from September 30 backward, toward the 
beginning of the fishing year. If the length of the required fishing 
season reduction exceeds the time period of January 1 through September 
30, any additional fishing season reduction will be applied from 
October 1 forward, toward the end of the fishing year. The ACL is 
107,307 lb (48,674 kg), round weight.
    (c) St. Thomas/St. John management area. See Appendix E of this 
part for specification of the St. Thomas/St. John management area.
    (1) Queen conch. See Sec.  622.491 regarding seasonal and area 
closure provisions and ACL closure provisions applicable to queen 
conch. The ACL is 0 lb (0 kg), round weight, for the EEZ only.
    (2) Reef fish. Landings will be evaluated relative to the 
applicable ACL based on a moving multi-year average of landings, as 
described in the FMP. With the exception of goliath grouper, Nassau 
grouper, midnight parrotfish, blue parrotfish, and rainbow parrotfish, 
ACLs are based on the combined Caribbean EEZ and territorial landings 
for St. Thomas/St. John management area. If landings, as estimated by 
the SRD, have exceeded the applicable ACL for a species or species 
group, as specified in this paragraph, the AA will file a notification 
with the Office of the Federal Register, at or near the beginning of 
the following fishing year, to reduce the length of the fishing season 
for the applicable species or species group that year by the amount 
necessary to ensure landings do not exceed the applicable ACL. If NMFS 
determines the ACL for a particular species or species group was 
exceeded because of enhanced data collection and monitoring efforts 
instead of an increase in total catch of the species or species group, 
NMFS will not reduce the length of the fishing season for the 
applicable species or species group the following fishing year. As 
described in the FMP, for each species or species group in this 
paragraph, any fishing season reduction required as a result of this 
paragraph will be applied from September 30 backward, toward the 
beginning of the fishing year. If the length of the required fishing 
season reduction exceeds the time period of January 1 through September 
30, any additional fishing season reduction will be applied from 
October 1 forward, toward the end of the fishing year. The ACLs, in 
round weight, are as follows:
    (i) Parrotfishes--42,500 lb (19,278 kg).
    (ii) Snappers--133,775 lb (60,679 kg).
    (iii) Groupers--51,849 lb (23,518 kg).
    (iv) Angelfish--7,897 lb (3,582 kg).
    (v) Boxfish--27,880 lb (12,646 kg).
    (vi) Goatfishes--320 lb (145 kg).
    (vii) Grunts--37,617 lb (17,063 kg).
    (viii) Wrasses--585 lb (265 kg).
    (ix) Jacks--52,907 lb (23,998 kg).
    (x) Scups and porgies, combined--21,819 lb (9,897 kg).
    (xi) Squirrelfish--4,241 lb (1,924 kg).
    (xii) Surgeonfish--29,249 lb (13,267 kg).
    (xiii) Triggerfish and filefish, combined--74,447 lb (33,769 kg).
    (3) Spiny lobster. Landings will be evaluated relative to the ACL 
based on

[[Page 43737]]

a moving multi-year average of landings, as described in the FMP. The 
ACL is based on the combined Caribbean EEZ and territorial landings for 
the St. Thomas/St. John management area. If landings, as estimated by 
the SRD, have exceeded the ACL, as specified in this paragraph, the AA 
will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register, at or 
near the beginning of the following fishing year, to reduce the length 
of the fishing season that year by the amount necessary to ensure 
landings do not exceed the ACL. If NMFS determines the ACL was exceeded 
because of enhanced data collection and monitoring efforts instead of 
an increase in total catch, NMFS will not reduce the length of the 
fishing season for the following fishing year. As described in the FMP, 
any fishing season reduction required as a result of this paragraph 
will be applied from September 30 backward, toward the beginning of the 
fishing year. If the length of the required fishing season reduction 
exceeds the time period of January 1 through September 30, any 
additional fishing season reduction will be applied from October 1 
forward, toward the end of the fishing year. The ACL is 104,199 lb 
(47,264 kg), round weight.
    (d) Caribbean EEZ. Landings will be evaluated relative to the 
applicable ACL based on a moving multi-year average of landings, as 
described in the FMPs. The ACLs are based on the combined Caribbean EEZ 
and territorial landings, throughout the Caribbean EEZ. If landings 
from the Caribbean EEZ for tilefish and aquarium trade species, as 
estimated by the SRD, have exceeded the applicable ACL, as specified in 
this paragraph, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the 
Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing 
year, to reduce the length of the fishing season for the applicable 
species or species groups that year by the amount necessary to ensure 
landings do not exceed the applicable ACL. If NMFS determines the 
applicable ACL was exceeded because of enhanced data collection and 
monitoring efforts instead of an increase in total catch, NMFS will not 
reduce the length of the fishing season for the following fishing year. 
As described in the FMPs, for each species or species group in this 
paragraph, any fishing season reduction required as a result of this 
paragraph will be applied from September 30 backward, toward the 
beginning of the fishing year. If the length of the required fishing 
season reduction exceeds the time period of January 1 through September 
30, any additional fishing season reduction will be applied from 
October 1 forward, toward the end of the fishing year. The ACLs, in 
round weight, are as follows:
    (1) Tilefish--14,642 lb (6,641 kg).
    (2) Aquarium trade species--8,155 lb (3,699 kg).
    (e) Closure provisions. (1) Restrictions applicable after a Puerto 
Rico closure.
    (i) Restrictions applicable after a Puerto Rico commercial closure 
for reef fish species or species groups. During the closure period 
announced in the notification filed pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(i) of 
this section, the commercial sector for species or species groups 
included in the notification is closed and such species or species 
groups in or from the Puerto Rico management area may not be purchased 
or sold. Harvest or possession of such species or species groups in or 
from the Puerto Rico management area is limited to the recreational bag 
and possession limits unless the recreational sector for the species or 
species group is closed and the restrictions specified in paragraph 
(e)(1)(iii) of this section apply.
    (ii) Restrictions applicable after a Puerto Rico recreational 
closure for reef fish species or species groups. During the closure 
period announced in the notification filed pursuant to paragraph 
(a)(2)(ii) of this section, the recreational sector for species or 
species groups included in the notification is closed and the 
recreational bag and possession limits for such species or species 
groups in or from the Puerto Rico management area are zero. If the 
seasons for both the commercial and recreational sectors for such 
species or species groups are closed, the restrictions specified in 
paragraph (e)(1)(iii) of this section apply.
    (iii) Restrictions applicable when both Puerto Rico commercial and 
Puerto Rico recreational sectors for reef fish species or species 
groups are closed. If the seasons for both the commercial and 
recreational sectors for a species or species group are closed, such 
species or species groups in or from the Puerto Rico management area 
may not be harvested, possessed, purchased, or sold, and the bag and 
possession limits for such species or species groups in or from the 
Puerto Rico management area are zero.
    (iv) Restrictions applicable after a spiny lobster closure in 
Puerto Rico. During the closure period announced in the notification 
filed pursuant to paragraph (a)(3) of this section, both the commercial 
and recreational sectors are closed. Spiny lobster in or from the 
Puerto Rico management area may not be harvested, possessed, purchased, 
or sold, and the bag and possession limits for spiny lobster in or from 
the Puerto Rico management area are zero.
    (2) Restrictions applicable after a St. Croix, St. Thomas/St. John, 
or Caribbean EEZ closure. During the closure period announced in the 
notification filed pursuant to paragraph (b), (c), or (d) of this 
section, such species or species groups in or from the applicable 
management area of the Caribbean EEZ may not be harvested, possessed, 
purchased, or sold, and the bag and possession limits for such species 
or species groups in or from the applicable management area of the 
Caribbean EEZ are zero.
0
2. In Sec.  622.491, revise the first sentence of paragraph (b) to read 
as follows:


Sec.  622.491   Seasonal and area closures.

* * * * *
    (b) Pursuant to the procedures and criteria established in the FMP 
for Queen Conch Resources in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, 
when the ACL, as specified in Sec.  622.12(b)(1), is reached or 
projected to be reached, the Regional Administrator will close the 
Caribbean EEZ to the harvest and possession of queen conch, in the area 
east of 64[deg]34' W. longitude which includes Lang Bank, east of St. 
Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, by filing a notification of closure with 
the Office of the Federal Register. * * *

[FR Doc. 2017-19927 Filed 9-18-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P