List of Fisheries for 2018, 47424-47445 [2017-21837]

Download as PDF 47424 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 196 / Thursday, October 12, 2017 / Proposed Rules C. How can I get copies of this document and other related information? The docket for this action, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA–HQ–OPPT–2016–0597, is available at https://www.regulations.gov or at the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics Docket (OPPT Docket), Environmental Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC. The Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is (202) 566–1744, and the telephone number for the OPPT Docket is (202) 566–0280. Please review the visitor instructions and additional information about the docket available at https://www.epa.gov/dockets. asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS II. Background EPA is giving notice that the Agency is cancelling the remaining scheduled meeting of the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee, and no further meetings are planned. The objective of this Committee was to negotiate toward consensus on proposed regulatory language limiting chemical data reporting requirements, under TSCA section 8(a), for manufacturers of any inorganic byproduct chemical substances when such byproduct chemical substances are subsequently recycled, reused, or reprocessed. This meeting is cancelled because the Committee determined that it was not able to reach consensus on regulatory approaches and has concluded its discussions. This Negotiated Rulemaking process was required by TSCA section 8(a)(6), as amended by the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (Lautenberg Act). This Committee was a statutory advisory committee under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2 § 9(a)(1). In accordance with section 9(c) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. I § 9(c), EPA prepared a charter for the establishment of the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee. Copies of the Committee’s charter were filed with the appropriate congressional committees and the Library of Congress. The Committee met on June 8 and 9, 2017 (82 FR 25790) (FRL–9961–92); August 16 and 17, 2017 (82 FR 25790); and September 13 and 14, 2017 (82 FR 39402) (FRL–9965–96). The Committee’s charter and those meetings’ agendas and materials are available in the docket supporting this activity (EPA–HQ–OPPT–2016–0597) VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:00 Oct 11, 2017 Jkt 244001 and online at https://www.epa.gov/ chemical-data-reporting/negotiatedrulemaking-committee-chemical-datareporting-requirements. The Committee, established on June 5, 2017, had an objective to negotiate a proposed rule that would limit chemical data reporting requirements under section 8(a) of TSCA, as amended by the Lautenberg Act, for manufacturers of any inorganic byproduct chemical substances when such byproduct chemical substances are subsequently recycled, reused, or reprocessed. The purpose of the Committee was to conduct discussions in a good faith attempt to reach consensus on proposed regulatory language. This negotiation process was required by section 8(a)(6) of TSCA. Authority: 15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq. Dated: October 4, 2017. Nancy B. Beck, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. [FR Doc. 2017–22113 Filed 10–11–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 229 [Docket No. 170303230–7924–01] RIN 0648–BG72 List of Fisheries for 2018 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Proposed rule. AGENCY: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) publishes its proposed List of Fisheries (LOF) for 2018, as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The LOF for 2018 reflects new information on interactions between commercial fisheries and marine mammals. NMFS must classify each commercial fishery on the LOF into one of three categories under the MMPA based upon the level of mortality and serious injury of marine mammals that occurs incidental to each fishery. The classification of a fishery on the LOF determines whether participants in that fishery are subject to certain provisions of the MMPA, such as registration, observer coverage, and take reduction plan (TRP) requirements. DATES: Comments must be received by November 13, 2017. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 You may submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA– NMFS–2017–0031, by either of the following methods: • Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. 1. Go to www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-20170031, 2. Click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the required fields. 3. Enter or attach your comments. • Mail: Submit written comments to Chief, Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 EastWest Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter N/ A in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristy Long, Office of Protected Resources, 301–427–8402; Allison Rosner, Greater Atlantic Region, 978– 281–9328; Jessica Powell, Southeast Region, 727–824–5312; Dan Lawson, West Coast Region, 562–980–3209; Suzie Teerlink, Alaska Region, 907– 586–7240; Kevin Brindock, Pacific Islands Region, 808–725–5146. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the hearing impaired may call the Federal Information Relay Service at 1–800– 877–8339 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ADDRESSES: What is the List of Fisheries? Section 118 of the MMPA requires NMFS to place all U.S. commercial fisheries into one of three categories based on the level of incidental mortality and serious injury of marine mammals occurring in each fishery (16 U.S.C. 1387(c)(1)). The classification of a fishery on the LOF determines whether participants in that fishery may be required to comply with certain provisions of the MMPA, such as registration, observer coverage, and take E:\FR\FM\12OCP1.SGM 12OCP1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 196 / Thursday, October 12, 2017 / Proposed Rules reduction plan requirements. NMFS must reexamine the LOF annually, considering new information in the Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports (SARs) and other relevant sources, and publish in the Federal Register any necessary changes to the LOF after notice and opportunity for public comment (16 U.S.C. 1387 (c)(1)(C)). asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS How does NMFS determine in which category a fishery is placed? The definitions for the fishery classification criteria can be found in the implementing regulations for section 118 of the MMPA (50 CFR 229.2). The criteria are also summarized here. Fishery Classification Criteria The fishery classification criteria consist of a two-tiered, stock-specific approach that first addresses the total impact of all fisheries on each marine mammal stock and then addresses the impact of individual fisheries on each stock. This approach is based on consideration of the rate, in numbers of animals per year, of incidental mortalities and serious injuries of marine mammals due to commercial fishing operations relative to the potential biological removal (PBR) level for each marine mammal stock. The MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1362 (20)) defines the PBR level as the maximum number of animals, not including natural mortalities, that may be removed from a marine mammal stock while allowing that stock to reach or maintain its optimum sustainable population. This definition can also be found in the implementing regulations for section 118 of the MMPA (50 CFR 229.2). Tier 1: Tier 1 considers the cumulative fishery mortality and serious injury for a particular stock. If the total annual mortality and serious injury of a marine mammal stock, across all fisheries, is less than or equal to 10 percent of the PBR level of the stock, all fisheries interacting with the stock will be placed in Category III (unless those fisheries interact with other stock(s) for which total annual mortality and serious injury is greater than 10 percent of PBR). Otherwise, these fisheries are subject to the next tier (Tier 2) of analysis to determine their classification. Tier 2: Tier 2 considers fisheryspecific mortality and serious injury for a particular stock. Category I: Annual mortality and serious injury of a stock in a given fishery is greater than or equal to 50 percent of the PBR level (i.e., frequent incidental mortality and serious injury of marine mammals). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:00 Oct 11, 2017 Jkt 244001 Category II: Annual mortality and serious injury of a stock in a given fishery is greater than 1 percent and less than 50 percent of the PBR level (i.e., occasional incidental mortality and serious injury of marine mammals). Category III: Annual mortality and serious injury of a stock in a given fishery is less than or equal to 1 percent of the PBR level (i.e., a remote likelihood of or no known incidental mortality and serious injury of marine mammals). Additional details regarding how the categories were determined are provided in the preamble to the final rule implementing section 118 of the MMPA (60 FR 45086; August 30, 1995). Because fisheries are classified on a per-stock basis, a fishery may qualify as one category for one marine mammal stock and another category for a different marine mammal stock. A fishery is typically classified on the LOF at its highest level of classification (e.g., a fishery qualifying for Category III for one marine mammal stock and for Category II for another marine mammal stock will be listed under Category II). Stocks driving a fishery’s classification are denoted with a superscript ‘‘1’’ in Tables 1 and 2. Other Criteria That May Be Considered The tier analysis requires a minimum amount of data, and NMFS does not have sufficient data to perform a tier analysis on certain fisheries. Therefore, NMFS has classified certain fisheries by analogy to other Category I or II fisheries that use similar fishing techniques or gear that are known to cause mortality or serious injury of marine mammals, or according to factors discussed in the final LOF for 1996 (60 FR 67063; December 28, 1995) and listed in the regulatory definition of a Category II fishery: ‘‘In the absence of reliable information indicating the frequency of incidental mortality and serious injury of marine mammals by a commercial fishery, NMFS will determine whether the incidental mortality or serious injury is ‘‘frequent,’’ ‘‘occasional,’’ or ‘‘remote’’ by evaluating other factors such as fishing techniques, gear used, methods used to deter marine mammals, target species, seasons and areas fished, qualitative data from logbooks or fishermen reports, stranding data, and the species and distribution of marine mammals in the area, or at the discretion of the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries’’ (50 CFR 229.2). Further, eligible commercial fisheries not specifically identified on the LOF are deemed to be Category II fisheries PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 47425 until the next LOF is published (50 CFR 229.2). How does NMFS determine which species or stocks are included as incidentally killed or injured in a fishery? The LOF includes a list of marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured in each commercial fishery. The list of species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured includes ‘‘serious’’ and ‘‘nonserious’’ documented injuries as described later in the List of Species and/or Stocks Incidentally Killed or Injured in the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean sections. To determine which species or stocks are included as incidentally killed or injured in a fishery, NMFS annually reviews the information presented in the current SARs and injury determination reports. The SARs are based upon the best available scientific information and provide the most current and inclusive information on each stock’s PBR level and level of interaction with commercial fishing operations. The best available scientific information used in the SARs reviewed for the 2018 LOF generally summarizes data from 2010– 2014. NMFS also reviews other sources of new information, including injury determination reports, bycatch estimation reports, observer data, logbook data, stranding data, disentanglement network data, fishermen self-reports (i.e., MMPA mortality/injury reports), and anecdotal reports from that time period. In some cases, more recent information may be available and used in the LOF, but in an effort to be consistent with the most recent SARs and across the LOF, NMFS typically restricts the analysis to data within the five-year time period summarized in the current SAR. For fisheries with observer coverage, species or stocks are generally removed from the list of marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured if no interactions are documented in the five-year timeframe summarized in that year’s LOF. For fisheries with no observer coverage and for observed fisheries with evidence indicating that undocumented interactions may be occurring (e.g., fishery has low observer coverage and stranding network data include evidence of fisheries interaction that cannot be attributed to a specific fishery) species and stocks may be retained for longer than five years. For these fisheries, NMFS will review the other sources of information listed above and use its discretion to decide E:\FR\FM\12OCP1.SGM 12OCP1 47426 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 196 / Thursday, October 12, 2017 / Proposed Rules when it is appropriate to remove a species or stock. asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS Where does NMFS obtain information on the level of observer coverage in a fishery on the LOF? The best available information on the level of observer coverage and the spatial and temporal distribution of observed marine mammal interactions is presented in the SARs. Data obtained from the observer program and observer coverage levels are important tools in estimating the level of marine mammal mortality and serious injury in commercial fishing operations. Starting with the 2005 SARs, each Pacific and Alaska SAR includes an appendix with detailed descriptions of each Category I and II fishery on the LOF, including the observer coverage in those fisheries. For Atlantic fisheries, this information can be found in the LOF Fishery Fact Sheets. The SARs generally do not provide detailed information on observer coverage in Category III fisheries because, under the MMPA, Category III fisheries are generally not required to accommodate observers aboard vessels due to the remote likelihood of mortality and serious injury of marine mammals. Fishery information presented in the SARs’ appendices and other resources referenced during the tier analysis may include: Level of observer coverage; target species; levels of fishing effort; spatial and temporal distribution of fishing effort; characteristics of fishing gear and operations; management and regulations; and interactions with marine mammals. Copies of the SARs are available on the NMFS Office of Protected Resources Web site at: https:// www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/. Information on observer coverage levels in Category I, II, and III fisheries can be found in the fishery fact sheets on the NMFS Office of Protected Resources’ Web site: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/ interactions/fisheries/lof.html. Additional information on observer programs in commercial fisheries can be found on the NMFS National Observer Program’s Web site: https:// www.st.nmfs.gov/observer-home/. How do I find out if a specific fishery is in Category I, II, or III? The LOF includes three tables that list all U.S. commercial fisheries by Category. Table 1 lists all of the commercial fisheries in the Pacific Ocean (including Alaska); Table 2 lists all of the commercial fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean; and Table 3 lists all U.S.authorized commercial fisheries on the high seas. A fourth table, Table 4, lists VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:00 Oct 11, 2017 Jkt 244001 all commercial fisheries managed under applicable TRPs or take reduction teams (TRTs). Are high seas fisheries included on the LOF? Beginning with the 2009 LOF, NMFS includes high seas fisheries in Table 3 of the LOF, along with the number of valid High Seas Fishing Compliance Act (HSFCA) permits in each fishery. As of 2004, NMFS issues HSFCA permits only for high seas fisheries analyzed in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The authorized high seas fisheries are broad in scope and encompass multiple specific fisheries identified by gear type. For the purposes of the LOF, the high seas fisheries are subdivided based on gear type (e.g., trawl, longline, purse seine, gillnet, troll, etc.) to provide more detail on composition of effort within these fisheries. Many fisheries operate in both U.S. waters and on the high seas, creating some overlap between the fisheries listed in Tables 1 and 2 and those in Table 3. In these cases, the high seas component of the fishery is not considered a separate fishery, but an extension of a fishery operating within U.S. waters (listed in Table 1 or 2). NMFS designates those fisheries in Tables 1, 2, and 3 by a ‘‘*’’ after the fishery’s name. The number of HSFCA permits listed in Table 3 for the high seas components of these fisheries operating in U.S. waters does not necessarily represent additional effort that is not accounted for in Tables 1 and 2. Many vessels/participants holding HSFCA permits also fish within U.S. waters and are included in the number of vessels and participants operating within those fisheries in Tables 1 and 2. HSFCA permits are valid for five years, during which time Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) can change. Therefore, some vessels/participants may possess valid HSFCA permits without the ability to fish under the permit because it was issued for a gear type that is no longer authorized under the most current FMP. For this reason, the number of HSFCA permits displayed in Table 3 is likely higher than the actual U.S. fishing effort on the high seas. For more information on how NMFS classifies high seas fisheries on the LOF, see the preamble text in the final 2009 LOF (73 FR 73032; December 1, 2008). Additional information about HSFCA permits can be found at: https:// www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ia/permits/ highseas.html. PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Where can I find specific information on fisheries listed on the LOF? Starting with the 2010 LOF, NMFS developed summary documents, or fishery fact sheets, for each Category I and II fishery on the LOF. These fishery fact sheets provide the full history of each Category I and II fishery, including: When the fishery was added to the LOF; the basis for the fishery’s initial classification; classification changes to the fishery; changes to the list of species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured in the fishery; fishery gear and methods used; observer coverage levels; fishery management and regulation; and applicable TRPs or TRTs, if any. These fishery fact sheets are updated after each final LOF and can be found under ‘‘How Do I Find Out if a Specific Fishery is in Category I, II, or III?’’ on the NMFS Office of Protected Resources’ Web site: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/ interactions/fisheries/lof.html, linked to the ‘‘List of Fisheries by Year’’ table. NMFS is developing similar fishery fact sheets for each Category III fishery on the LOF. However, due to the large number of Category III fisheries on the LOF and the lack of accessible and detailed information on many of these fisheries, the development of these fishery fact sheets is taking significant time to complete. NMFS began posting Category III fishery fact sheets online with the LOF for 2016. Am I required to register under the MMPA? Owners of vessels or gear engaging in a Category I or II fishery are required under the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1387(c)(2)), as described in 50 CFR 229.4, to register with NMFS and obtain a marine mammal authorization to lawfully take non-endangered and non-threatened marine mammals incidental to commercial fishing operations. Owners of vessels or gear engaged in a Category III fishery are not required to register with NMFS or obtain a marine mammal authorization. How do I register and receive my Marine Mammal Authorization Program (MMAP) authorization certificate? NMFS has integrated the MMPA registration process, implemented through the Marine Mammal Authorization Program (MMAP), with existing state and Federal fishery license, registration, or permit systems for Category I and II fisheries on the LOF. Participants in these fisheries are automatically registered under the MMAP and are not required to submit registration or renewal materials. E:\FR\FM\12OCP1.SGM 12OCP1 asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 196 / Thursday, October 12, 2017 / Proposed Rules In the Pacific Islands, West Coast, and Alaska regions, NMFS will issue vessel or gear owners an authorization certificate via U.S. mail or with their state or Federal license or permit at the time of issuance or renewal. In the West Coast Region, authorization certificates may be obtained from the Web site https:// www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/ protected_species/marine_mammals/ fisheries_interactions.html. In the Alaska Region, authorization certificates may be obtained by visiting the Alaska Regional Office Web site https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/pr/ mmapregistration. In the Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS will issue vessel or gear owners an authorization certificate via U.S. mail automatically at the beginning of each calendar year. Certificates may also be obtained by visiting the Greater Atlantic Regional Office Web site https:// www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/ mmap/. In the Southeast Region, NMFS will issue vessel or gear owners an authorization certificate via U.S. mail automatically at the beginning of each calendar year. Vessel or gear owners can receive additional authorization certificates by contacting the Southeast Regional Office at 727–209–5952 or by visiting the Southeast Regional Office Web site https://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/ protected_resources/marine_mammal_ authorization_program/ and following the instructions for printing the certificate. The authorization certificate, or a copy, must be on board the vessel while it is operating in a Category I or II fishery, or for non-vessel fisheries, in the possession of the person in charge of the fishing operation (50 CFR 229.4(e)). Although efforts are made to limit the issuance of authorization certificates to only those vessel or gear owners that participate in Category I or II fisheries, not all state and Federal license or permit systems distinguish between fisheries as classified by the LOF. Therefore, some vessel or gear owners in Category III fisheries may receive authorization certificates even though they are not required for Category III fisheries. Individuals fishing in Category I and II fisheries for which no state or Federal license or permit is required must register with NMFS by contacting their appropriate Regional Office (see ADDRESSES). How do I renew my registration under the MMAP? In Alaska regional and Greater Atlantic regional fisheries, registrations VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:00 Oct 11, 2017 Jkt 244001 of vessel or gear owners are automatically renewed and participants should receive an authorization certificate by January 1 of each new year. Certificates can also be obtained from the region’s Web site. In Pacific Islands regional fisheries, vessel or gear owners receive an authorization certificate by January 1 for state fisheries and with their permit renewal for Federal fisheries. In West Coast regional fisheries, vessel or gear owners receive authorization either with each renewed state fishing license in Washington and Oregon, with their permit renewal for Federal fisheries, the timing of which varies based on target species, or via U.S. mail. Vessel or gear owners who participate in fisheries in these regions and have not received authorization certificates by January 1 or with renewed fishing licenses must contact the appropriate NMFS Regional Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). In Southeast regional fisheries, vessel or gear owners’ registrations are automatically renewed and participants will receive an authorization certificate via U.S. mail automatically at the beginning of each calendar year. Additional authorization certificates are available for printing on the Southeast Regional Office Web site https:// sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/protected_ resources/marine_mammal_ authorization_program/. Am I required to submit reports when I kill or injure a marine mammal during the course of commercial fishing operations? In accordance with the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1387(e)) and 50 CFR 229.6, any vessel owner or operator, or gear owner or operator (in the case of non-vessel fisheries), participating in a fishery listed on the LOF must report to NMFS all incidental mortalities and injuries of marine mammals that occur during commercial fishing operations, regardless of the category in which the fishery is placed (I, II, or III) within 48 hours of the end of the fishing trip or, in the case of non-vessel fisheries, fishing activity. ‘‘Injury’’ is defined in 50 CFR 229.2 as a wound or other physical harm. In addition, any animal that ingests fishing gear or any animal that is released with fishing gear entangling, trailing, or perforating any part of the body is considered injured, regardless of the presence of any wound or other evidence of injury, and must be reported. Mortality/injury reporting forms and instructions for submitting forms to NMFS can be found at: https:// www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/interactions/ mmap/#form or by contacting the PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 47427 appropriate regional office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Forms may be submitted via any of the following means: (1) Online using the electronic form; (2) emailed as an attachment to nmfs.mireport@noaa.gov; (3) faxed to the NMFS Office of Protected Resources at 301–713–0376; or (4) mailed to the NMFS Office of Protected Resources (mailing address is provided on the postage-paid form that can be printed from the web address listed above). Reporting requirements and procedures can be found in 50 CFR 229.6. Am I required to take an observer aboard my vessel? Individuals participating in a Category I or II fishery are required to accommodate an observer aboard their vessel(s) upon request from NMFS. MMPA section 118 states that the Secretary is not required to place an observer on a vessel if the facilities for quartering an observer or performing observer functions are so inadequate or unsafe that the health or safety of the observer or the safe operation of the vessel would be jeopardized; thereby authorizing the exemption of vessels too small to safely accommodate an observer from this requirement. However, U.S. Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, or Gulf of Mexico large pelagics longline vessels operating in special areas designated by the Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Plan implementing regulations (50 CFR 229.36(d)) will not be exempted from observer requirements, regardless of their size. Observer requirements can be found in 50 CFR 229.7. Am I required to comply with any marine mammal TRP regulations? Table 4 provides a list of fisheries affected by TRPs and TRTs. TRP regulations can be found at 50 CFR 229.30 through 229.37. A description of each TRT and copies of each TRP can be found at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ pr/interactions/trt/teams.html. It is the responsibility of fishery participants to comply with applicable take reduction regulations. Where can I find more information about the LOF and the MMAP? Information regarding the LOF and the MMAP, including: Registration procedures and forms; current and past LOFs; descriptions of each Category I and II fishery and some Category III fisheries; observer requirements; and marine mammal mortality/injury reporting forms and submittal procedures; may be obtained at: https:// www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/interactions/ E:\FR\FM\12OCP1.SGM 12OCP1 47428 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 196 / Thursday, October 12, 2017 / Proposed Rules fisheries/lof.html, or from any NMFS Regional Office at the addresses listed below: asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS NMFS, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930–2298, Attn: Allison Rosner; NMFS, Southeast Region, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Attn: Jessica Powell; NMFS, West Coast Region, Long Beach Office, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802–4213, Attn: Dan Lawson; NMFS, Alaska Region, Protected Resources, P.O. Box 22668, 709 West 9th Street, Juneau, AK 99802, Attn: Suzie Teerlink; or NMFS, Pacific Islands Regional Office, Protected Resources Division, 1845 Wasp Blvd., Building 176, Honolulu, HI 96818, Attn: Kevin Brindock. Sources of Information Reviewed for the 2018 LOF NMFS reviewed the marine mammal incidental mortality and serious injury information presented in the SARs for all fisheries to determine whether changes in fishery classification are warranted. The SARs are based on the best scientific information available at the time of preparation, including the level of mortality and serious injury of marine mammals that occurs incidental to commercial fishery operations and the PBR levels of marine mammal stocks. The information contained in the SARs is reviewed by regional Scientific Review Groups (SRGs) representing Alaska, the Pacific (including Hawaii), and the U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean. The SRGs were created by the MMPA to review the science that informs the SARs, and to advise NMFS on marine mammal population status, trends, and stock structure, uncertainties in the science, research needs, and other issues. NMFS also reviewed other sources of new information, including marine mammal stranding data, observer program data, fishermen self-reports, reports to the SRGs, conference papers, FMPs, and ESA documents. The LOF for 2018 was based on, among other things, stranding data; fishermen self-reports; and SARs, primarily the 2016 SARs, which are based on data from 2010–2014. The SARs referenced in this LOF include: 2014 (80 FR 50599; August 20, 2015), 2015 (81 FR 38676; June 14, 2016), 2016 (82 FR 29039; June 27, 2017). The SARs are available at: https:// www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/. Summary of Changes to the LOF for 2018 The following summarizes changes to the LOF for 2018, including the classification of fisheries, fisheries VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:00 Oct 11, 2017 Jkt 244001 listed, the estimated number of vessels/ persons in a particular fishery, and the species and/or stocks that are incidentally killed or injured in a particular fishery. NMFS re-classifies two fisheries in the LOF for 2018. Additionally, NMFS adds two fisheries to the LOF. NMFS makes changes to the estimated number of vessels/persons and list of species and/or stocks killed or injured in certain fisheries. The classifications and definitions of U.S. commercial fisheries for 2018 are identical to those provided in the LOF for 2017 with the changes discussed below. State and regional abbreviations used in the following paragraphs include: AK (Alaska), BSAI (Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands), CA (California), DE (Delaware), FL (Florida), GOA (Gulf of Alaska), GMX (Gulf of Mexico), HI (Hawaii), MA (Massachusetts), ME (Maine), NC (North Carolina), NY (New York), OR (Oregon), RI (Rhode Island), SC (South Carolina), VA (Virginia), WA (Washington), and WNA (Western North Atlantic). Commercial Fisheries in the Pacific Ocean Classification of Fisheries NMFS proposes to reclassify the CA thresher shark/swordfish drift gillnet (≥ 14 inch (in) mesh) fishery from Category I to Category II. The most recent mean annual take estimate for the CA/OR/WA stock of sperm whale by this fishery is 0.4 (Carretta, Moore, and Forney, 2017). This take estimate from the most recent five year period of available data (2011–2015) is 14 percent of the stock’s PBR (2.7) (Carretta et al., 2015). The Tier II analysis is less than 50 percent but more than 1 percent of the stock’s PBR; thus, we propose this fishery be reclassified as Category II. NMFS proposes to reclassify the Category III AK Gulf of Alaska sablefish longline fishery to Category II based on interactions with sperm whales. Given the uncertainty in stock structure and abundance of sperm whales in the North Pacific and the best available data on North Pacific sperm whale mortality and serious injury (M/SI) in the AK Gulf of Alaska sablefish longline fishery, NMFS is proposing to reclassify the fishery based on the statutory definitions of the categories as outlined in section 118 of the MMPA. Given the current mean estimated annual M/SI of sperm whales in this fishery, NMFS cannot conclude the definition for Category III, ‘‘a remote likelihood of or no known incidental mortality or serious injury of marine mammals’’ is appropriate at this time. Instead, the best available data (i.e., mean annual PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 M/SI estimate of 2.2 for this stock) support classifying the fishery as Category II, defined as ‘‘occasional incidental mortality and serious injury of marine mammals.’’ Serious injuries to sperm whales in this fishery have been documented from 1997 to 2014. The current (2016) SAR uses data from 2010–2014 to provide an estimated mean annual M/SI rate for sperm whales. During this 5-year window, the AK Gulf of Alaska sablefish longline fishery has five observed serious injury reports that have each been prorated to 0.75 mortalities (NMFS, 2012). Dependent upon the availability of associated catch data used as a metric of effort, some of these observations were extrapolated to the portion of the fishery effort that was not observed. These extrapolations were not available to be incorporated into the SAR until 2016. There were two observed serious injuries in 2012, and both were used to extrapolate to the unobserved effort resulting in an estimated total mortality of 3.4 in 2012. There were two observed serious injuries in 2013, one was extrapolated and one was not, for an estimated mortality of 6.95 (6.2 + 0.75) in 2013. There was one observed serious injury in 2014, which was not extrapolated, for an estimated mortality of 0.75 for 2014. These values averaged over the 5-year data interval included in the 2016 SAR represent the reported mean estimated annual M/SI of 2.2 (CV = 0.63) of North Pacific sperm whales in the AK Gulf of Alaska sablefish longline fishery (Muto et al., 2017). This is an increased estimate from the previous (2015) SAR, which reported an estimated mean annual M/SI rate of 0.8 for the years 2009–2013. The increase can be attributed to the addition of one observed serious injury in 2014 and newly available estimates from three previously unextrapolated interactions. The 2016 SAR for the North Pacific stock of sperm whale does not have a minimum abundance estimate (NMIN) or PBR for use in the LOF tier analysis. However, given the increase in estimated mean annual M/SI of sperm whales in the AK Gulf of Alaska sablefish longline fishery and in response to previous public comments (82 FR 3655; January 12, 2017 comment 6; 81 FR 40870; June 23, 2016 comment 4), NMFS has completed an assessment of this fishery using the best available data. Using the PBR formula and the stock’s recovery factor (FR) of 0.1, we can backcalculate the theoretical NMIN necessary for the AK Gulf of Alaska sablefish longline fishery to remain a Category III E:\FR\FM\12OCP1.SGM 12OCP1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 196 / Thursday, October 12, 2017 / Proposed Rules fishery. The AK Gulf of Alaska sablefish longline fishery is the only commercial fishery with documented M/SI of North Pacific sperm whales from 2010–2014, so both the Tier 1 and Tier 2 analyses evaluate the same M/SI estimate. In the Tier 1 analysis, for the mean estimated annual M/SI for all commercial fisheries (2.2) to be less than or equal to ten percent of PBR, the NMIN would need to exceed 11,000 whales. NMFS considers it unlikely that the stock exceeds 11,000 whales (see Rone et al., 2016 for portion of range estimate: N = 129 (CV = 0.44) in 2013 and N = 345 (CV = 0.43) in 2015); and, therefore, we proceed to a Tier 2 analysis. In the Tier 2 analysis, for the mean estimated M/SI from the AK Gulf of Alaska sablefish longline fishery (2.2) to be less than or equal to one percent of PBR (the threshold for Category III fisheries), the NMIN would need to exceed 110,000. NMFS considers it unlikely that this sperm whale stock exceeds 110,000 whales and; therefore, concludes the M/SI estimate (2.2) would likely exceed 1 percent of PBR if NMFS had sufficient abundance data to calculate PBR for this stock. Based on this result, combined with the statutory definitions of a Category II fishery under the MMPA, NMFS proposes to reclassify this fishery as Category II. asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS Addition of Fisheries NMFS proposes to add the AK BSAI halibut longline fishery as a Category III fishery. This fishery is proposed for classification in Category III based on analogy to other halibut longline fisheries. NMFS proposes to add the AK Gulf of Alaska sablefish pot fishery as a Category III fishery. NMFS recently authorized this fishery for 2017 for sablefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) share holders. In this fishery, sablefish pots are set along a longline, a method previously authorized and implemented in Alaska in the BSAI. This fishery is proposed for classification in Category III by analogy to other sablefish pot fisheries in Alaska. Removal of Fisheries NMFS proposes to remove the Category III AK miscellaneous finfish set gillnet fishery from the LOF as miscellaneous finfish are not the target of set gillnet fishing methods. NMFS proposes to remove the Category III AK miscellaneous finfish beach seine fishery from the LOF as miscellaneous finfish are not the target of beach seine fishing methods. NMFS proposes to remove the Category III AK miscellaneous finfish purse seine fishery from the LOF as VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:00 Oct 11, 2017 Jkt 244001 miscellaneous finfish are not the target of purse seine fishing methods. NMFS proposes to remove the Category III AK octopus/squid purse seine fishery from the LOF as octopus and squid are not the target of purse seine fishing methods. NMFS proposes to remove the Category III AK BSAI rockfish longline fishery from the LOF as rockfish are not the target of longline fishing methods in this region. NMFS proposes to remove the Category III AK Gulf of Alaska rockfish longline fishery from the LOF as rockfish are not the target of longline fishing methods in this region. NMFS proposes to remove the Category III AK halibut longline/set line (state and Federal waters) fishery from the LOF as this fishery is covered by AK Gulf of Alaska halibut longline and AK BSAI halibut longline fisheries on the LOF. NMFS proposes to remove the Category III AK miscellaneous finfish otter/beam trawl fishery from the LOF as miscellaneous finfish are not the target of otter/beam trawl fishing methods. NMFS proposes to remove the Category III AK statewide miscellaneous finfish pot fishery from the LOF as miscellaneous finfish are not the target of pot fishing methods. NMFS proposes to remove the Category III AK snail pot fishery from the LOF as there are currently no participants. NMFS proposes to remove the Category III AK octopus/squid handline fishery from the LOF as octopus and squid are not the target of handline fishing methods. NMFS proposes to remove the Category III AK Abalone fishery from the LOF as there are currently no participants. Fishery Name and Organizational Changes and Clarification NMFS proposes to clarify that the Category II AK BSAI rockfish trawl fishery includes sablefish catches. As sablefish is not the target species in this area, sablefish will not be listed as a separate fishery but will be considered as incidental catch in the rockfish trawl fishery in this region. NMFS proposes to add a superscript ‘‘1’’ to the CA/OR/WA stock of humpback whale to indicate it is driving the Category II classification of the CA spiny lobster fishery. In 2015, gear associated with this fishery entangled a humpback whale (Carretta, Muto et al., 2017). NMFS proposes to rename the Category III AK salmon purse seine PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 47429 (excluding salmon purse seine fisheries listed elsewhere) fishery to AK salmon purse seine (Prince William Sound, Chignik, Alaska Peninsula) fishery. The proposed change is for clarity to directly indicate the areas included. NMFS proposes to clarify that the Category III AK Gulf of Alaska rockfish trawl fishery includes targeted fishing for sablefish, which is included in the rockfish Fisheries Management Plan. NMFS proposes to rename the Category III AK food/bait herring trawl fishery to AK Kodiak food/bait herring otter trawl fishery to clarify that this fishery only takes place in Kodiak and specifically uses otter trawl. NMFS proposes to rename the Category III AK shrimp otter trawl and beam trawl (statewide and Cook Inlet) fishery to AK shrimp otter trawl and beam trawl fishery. There is no need to specifically mention the Cook Inlet area because this fishery is statewide. NMFS proposes to rename the Category III AK State-managed waters of Cook Inlet, Kachemak Bay, Prince William Sound, Southeast AK groundfish trawl fishery to AK Statemanaged waters of Prince William Sound groundfish trawl fishery as the state banned trawling in the other areas currently specified. NMFS proposes to combine the Category III AK Aleutian Islands sablefish pot fishery in the LOF with the Category III AK Bering Sea sablefish pot fishery for consistency with other regional designations in the LOF. The proposed change would combine these fisheries as AK BSAI sablefish pot fishery. NMFS proposes to break the Category III AK miscellaneous finfish handline/ hand troll and mechanical jig fishery into several fisheries by gear and geography for improved fishery categorization of potential impacts to marine mammals. For gear types, NMFS proposes to recognize jig and troll techniques separately to distinguish between fishing methods that may have different degrees of marine mammal interactions. NMFS proposes separating these into two regions, BSAI and Gulf of Alaska to better understand potential regional threats to marine mammals. NMFS will continue to consider the same group of target species together for the revised classification because the included groundfish species are often targeted simultaneously or only retained secondary to another primary target species in this group. NMFS considers ‘‘groundfish’’ to include, but not be limited to: Pacific cod, sablefish, ling cod, and various rockfish species. When reporting a marine mammal interaction, fishermen will be responsible to self- E:\FR\FM\12OCP1.SGM 12OCP1 47430 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 196 / Thursday, October 12, 2017 / Proposed Rules identify their fishery by area, target species, and gear type. The new Category III fishery names are: (1) AK BSAI groundfish jig, (2) AK BSAI groundfish troll, (3) AK Gulf of Alaska groundfish jig, (4) AK Gulf of Alaska groundfish troll. NMFS proposes to rename the Category III AK North Pacific halibut handline/hand troll and mechanical jig fishery to AK halibut jig fishery for clarity and consistency. There is no directed troll or handline effort for halibut, but there is jig effort. NMFS proposes to rename the Category III AK urchin and other fish/ shellfish fishery to AK miscellaneous invertebrates hand pick fishery for clarity and consistency with the National Bycatch Report. This includes hand-picked fisheries for urchin, cucumbers, and bivalves. NMFS makes an administrative change to the Category III Alaska scallop dredge fishery to be renamed AK scallop dredge for consistency. Number of Vessels/Persons NMFS proposes to update the estimated number of vessels/persons in the Pacific Ocean (Table 1) as follows: Number of vessels/persons (2017 LOF) Category Fishery I ...................... II ..................... II ..................... III .................... III .................... III .................... III .................... III .................... III .................... III .................... III .................... III .................... III .................... HI deep-set longline ............................................................................................................ HI shallow-set longline ........................................................................................................ American Samoa longline ................................................................................................... AK Gulf of Alaska crab pot ................................................................................................. AK Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod pot ....................................................................................... AK Southeast Alaska crab pot ............................................................................................ AK Southeast Alaska shrimp pot ........................................................................................ AK shrimp pot, except Southeast ....................................................................................... AK octopus/squid pot .......................................................................................................... AK herring spawn on kelp ................................................................................................... AK miscellaneous invertebrates handpick .......................................................................... American Samoa bottomfish handline ................................................................................ AK commercial passenger fishing vessel ........................................................................... List of Species and/or Stocks Incidentally Killed or Injured in the Pacific Ocean NMFS proposes to add the Central North Pacific stock of humpback whale to the list of stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category I Hawaii deep-set longline fishery. A humpback was seriously injured in 2014 in this fishery. NMFS proposes to add the Hawaii stock of Kogia spp. (Pygmy or dwarf sperm whale) to the list of stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category I Hawaii deep-set longline fishery to keep parallel structure with Table 3. NMFS proposes to add the CA/OR/ WA stock of Dall’s porpoise to the list of stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category I CA thresher shark/ swordfish drift gillnet (≥14 in mesh) Number of Vessels/Persons NMFS proposes updates to the estimated number of vessels/persons in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean (Table 2) as follows: Number of vessels/persons (2017 LOF) Fishery Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico large pelagics longline ................................... Southeastern U.S. Atlantic shark gillnet ............................................................................. Gulf of Maine, U.S. Mid-Atlantic tuna, shark, swordfish hook-and-line/harpoon ................ Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico shark bottom longline/hook-and-line .............. Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean pelagic hook-and-line/harpoon. NMFS proposes to add the Northern Gulf of Mexico stock of rough-toothed dolphin to the list of stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category I Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico large pelagics longline fishery. In 2014, two serious injuries of roughtoothed dolphins were observed in this fishery (Garrison and Stokes, 2017). The estimated annual combined mortality VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:00 Oct 11, 2017 Jkt 244001 and serious injury, from 2010–2014, attributable to this fishery in the northern Gulf of Mexico was 0.8 (Hayes et al., 2017). Observer coverage from 2010–2014 for this fishery was 9.7, 10.1, 8.6, 14.1, and 12.3 percent, respectively. NMFS proposes to remove the WNA stock of white-sided dolphin from the stocks listed as incidentally killed or injured in the Category II Mid-Atlantic mid-water trawl fishery. The last documented take of white-sided dolphin in this fishery occurred in 2009 (Waring et al., 2016). Since no additional takes have been documented PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 143 22 18 271 116 375 210 141 15 266 214 17 1,006 Commercial Fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean I ...................... II ..................... III .................... III .................... III .................... asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS 139 20 20 381 128 41 269 236 26 339 398 24 2,702 fishery based on a 2014 observed entanglement (Carretta, Forney et al., 2017). Category List of Species and/or Stocks Incidentally Killed or Injured in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Number of vessels/persons (2018 LOF) 420 30 428 <125 1,446 Number of vessels/persons (2018 LOF) 280 23 3084 39 680 since 2009, we propose to remove the stock. Observer coverage from 2010– 2014 for this fishery was 25, 41, 21, 7, and 5 percent, respectively. NMFS proposes to add the WNA stock of white-sided dolphin to the list of stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category II Mid-Atlantic bottom trawl fishery. White-sided dolphin takes were documented in this fishery prior to 2008, but no takes were documented from 2008–2013 leading to the stock’s removal from the list in the 2016 LOF (81 FR 20550; April 8, 2016). In 2014, 9.67 takes were estimated. The current E:\FR\FM\12OCP1.SGM 12OCP1 47431 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 196 / Thursday, October 12, 2017 / Proposed Rules mean combined annual mortality rate for 2010–2014 is now 1.9 animals per year (Hayes et al., 2017). Potential biological removal for this species is 304 (Hayes et al., 2017); therefore, the current annual mortality estimates (0.625 percent of PBR) will not drive the Category II classification of this fishery. Observer coverage from 2010–2014 for this fishery was 6, 8, 5, 6, and 8 percent, respectively. NMFS proposes to add the WNA offshore stock of bottlenose dolphin to the list of stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category III Gulf of Maine, U.S., Mid-Atlantic tuna, shark, swordfish hook-and-line/harpoon fishery. A fisherman self-reported one bottlenose dolphin injury that was determined to be a serious injury in 2010 (Waring et al., 2016). NMFS proposes to add three stocks to the list of stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean commercial passenger fishing vessel fishery. The three stocks are: (1) WNA stock of shortfinned pilot whale and (2) Barataria Bay estuarine system stock and (3) Mississippi Sound, Lake Borgne, Bay Boudreau stock of bottlenose dolphins. In 2013, one short-finned pilot whale was self-reported by a charterboat fisherman (Hayes et al., 2017). The hooked and entangled animal was released alive; however, NMFS determined the injury to be serious (Maze-Foley and Garrison, 2016). In 2011, one dead and one injured Barataria Bay estuarine system stock of Bottlenose dolphins were documented in hook-and-line gear. In 2013, two injured dolphins from this stock were documented in hook and line gear (Waring et al., 2016). In 2011, three dead Mississippi Sound, Lake Borgne, Bay Boudreau stock of bottlenose dolphins were documented in hook-and-line gear. In 2012 and 2013, one death was documented each year associated with hook and line gear (Waring et al., 2016). NMFS corrects three administrative errors in Table 2. Under stocks listed as incidentally killed or injured in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico large pelagic longline fishery, NMFS updates to stock name for Atlantic spotted dolphin from ‘‘GMX continental and oceanic’’ to ‘‘Northern GMX’’. Second, in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean commercial passenger fishing vessel fishery, NMFS updates the stock name for bottlenose dolphin from ‘‘Southern SC/GA coastal’’ to ‘‘SC/GA coastal’’. Last, NMFS removes the WNA stock of Risso’s dolphin and white-sided dolphin from the stocks listed as incidentally injured or killed in the Category I Mid-Atlantic gillnet fishery. These stocks were removed in the 2016 LOF (80 FR 58427, September 29, 2015), but the change was not reflected on Table 2. Commercial Fisheries on the High Seas Removal of Fisheries NMFS proposes to remove the Category II Atlantic highly migratory species drift gillnet fishery from the LOF as there are currently no participants. Fishery Name and Organizational Changes and Clarification NMFS proposes to designate the list of stocks incidentally killed in injured in a fishery from ‘‘undetermined’’ to ‘‘no information’’ for clarity that no data are available for interactions in that fishery. Number of Vessels/Persons NMFS proposes updates to the estimated number of vessels/persons on the High Seas (Table 3) as follows: Number of vessels/persons (2017 LOF) Fishery I ...................... I ...................... I ...................... II ..................... II ..................... II ..................... II ..................... II ..................... II ..................... II ..................... II ..................... II ..................... II ..................... II ..................... II ..................... II ..................... III .................... III .................... III .................... III .................... asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS Category Atlantic highly migratory species longline ........................................................................... Western Pacific pelagic longline (HI deep-set component) ................................................ Pacific highly migratory species drift gillnet ........................................................................ Atlantic highly migratory species trawl ................................................................................ South Pacific tuna purse seine ........................................................................................... Western Pacific pelagic purse seine ................................................................................... South Pacific albacore troll longline .................................................................................... South Pacific tuna longline .................................................................................................. Western Pacific pelagic longline (HI shallow-set component) ............................................ Atlantic highly migratory species handline/pole and line .................................................... Pacific highly migratory species handline/pole and line ..................................................... South Pacific albacore troll handline/pole and line ............................................................. Western Pacific pelagic handline/pole and line .................................................................. Atlantic highly migratory species troll .................................................................................. South Pacific albacore troll troll .......................................................................................... Western Pacific pelagic troll ................................................................................................ Pacific highly migratory species longline ............................................................................ Pacific highly migratory species purse seine ...................................................................... Northwest Atlantic trawl ....................................................................................................... Pacific highly migratory species troll ................................................................................... List of Species and/or Stocks Incidentally Killed or Injured on the High Seas NMFS proposes to add the Hawaii stock of Kogia spp. (Pygmy or dwarf sperm whale) to the list of stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category I Western Pacific Pelagic (HI deep-set component) longline fishery. In 2014, one serious injury was observed VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:00 Oct 11, 2017 Jkt 244001 in this fishery (Carretta, Forney et al., 2017). NMFS proposes to add the Central North Pacific stock of humpback whale to the list of stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category I Western Pacific Pelagic (HI deep-set component) longline fishery to keep parallel structure with Table 1. PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 86 139 5 1 38 3 10 2 20 3 46 7 2 2 30 17 114 6 1 187 Number of vessels/persons (2018 LOF) 79 143 4 2 35 1 9 4 22 2 42 11 5 1 22 6 105 7 2 149 List of Fisheries The following tables set forth the list of U.S. commercial fisheries according to their classification under section 118 of the MMPA. Table 1 lists commercial fisheries in the Pacific Ocean (including Alaska), Table 2 lists commercial fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean, Table 3 lists commercial fisheries on the high seas, E:\FR\FM\12OCP1.SGM 12OCP1 47432 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 196 / Thursday, October 12, 2017 / Proposed Rules and Table 4 lists fisheries affected by TRPs or TRTs. In Tables 1 and 2, the estimated number of vessels or persons participating in fisheries operating within U.S. waters is expressed in terms of the number of active participants in the fishery, when possible. If this information is not available, the estimated number of vessels or persons licensed for a particular fishery is provided. If no recent information is available on the number of participants, vessels, or persons licensed in a fishery, then the number from the most recent LOF is used for the estimated number of vessels or persons in the fishery. NMFS acknowledges that, in some cases, these estimates may be inflations of actual effort. For example, the State of Hawaii does not issue fishery-specific licenses, and the number of participants reported in the LOF represents the number of commercial marine license holders who reported using a particular fishing gear type/method at least once in a given year, without considering how many times the gear was used. For these fisheries, effort by a single participant is counted the same whether the fisherman used the gear only once or every day. In the Mid-Atlantic and New England fisheries, the numbers represent the potential effort for each fishery, given the multiple gear types for which several state permits may allow. Changes made to Mid-Atlantic and New England fishery participants will not affect observer coverage or bycatch estimates, as observer coverage and bycatch estimates are based on vessel trip reports and landings data. Tables 1 and 2 serve to provide a description of the fishery’s potential effort (state and Federal). If NMFS is able to extract more accurate information on the gear types used by state permit holders in the future, the numbers will be updated to reflect this change. For additional information on fishing effort in fisheries found on Table 1 or 2, contact the relevant regional office (contact information included above in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION). For high seas fisheries, Table 3 lists the number of valid HSFCA permits currently held. Although this likely overestimates the number of active participants in many of these fisheries, the number of valid HSFCA permits is the most reliable data on the potential effort in high seas fisheries at this time. As noted previously in this LOF, the number of HSFCA permits listed in Table 3 for the high seas components of fisheries that also operate within U.S. waters, does not necessarily represent additional effort that is not accounted for in Tables 1 and 2. Many vessels holding HSFCA permits also fish within U.S. waters and are included in the number of vessels and participants operating within those fisheries in Tables 1 and 2. Tables 1, 2, and 3 also list the marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured (seriously or non-seriously) in each fishery based on SARs, injury determination reports, bycatch estimation reports, observer data, logbook data, stranding data, disentanglement network data, fishermen self-reports (i.e., MMPA reports), and anecdotal reports. The best available scientific information included in these reports is based on data through 2012. This list includes all species and/or stocks known to be killed or injured in a given fishery but also includes species and/or stocks for which there are anecdotal records of a mortality or injury. Additionally, species identified by logbook entries, stranding data, or fishermen self-reports (i.e., MMPA reports) may not be verified. In Tables 1 and 2, NMFS has designated those species/stocks driving a fishery’s classification (i.e., the fishery is classified based on mortalities and serious injuries of a marine mammal stock that are greater than or equal to 50 percent (Category I), or greater than 1 percent and less than 50 percent (Category II), of a stock’s PBR) by a ‘‘1’’ after the stock’s name. In Tables 1 and 2, there are several fisheries classified as Category II that have no recent documented mortalities or serious injuries of marine mammals, or fisheries that did not result in a mortality or serious injury rate greater than 1 percent of a stock’s PBR level based on known interactions. NMFS has classified these fisheries by analogy to other Category I or II fisheries that use similar fishing techniques or gear that are known to cause mortality or serious injury of marine mammals, as discussed in the final LOF for 1996 (60 FR 67063; December 28, 1995), and according to factors listed in the definition of a ‘‘Category II fishery’’ in 50 CFR 229.2 (i.e., fishing techniques, gear types, methods used to deter marine mammals, target species, seasons and areas fished, qualitative data from logbooks or fishermen reports, stranding data, and the species and distribution of marine mammals in the area). NMFS has designated those fisheries listed by analogy in Tables 1 and 2 by a ‘‘2’’ after the fishery’s name. There are several fisheries in Tables 1, 2, and 3 in which a portion of the fishing vessels cross the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) boundary and therefore operate both within U.S. waters and on the high seas. These fisheries, though listed separately between Table 1 or 2 and Table 3, are considered the same fisheries on either side of the EEZ boundary. NMFS has designated those fisheries in each table by a ‘‘*’’ after the fishery’s name. TABLE 1—LIST OF FISHERIES—COMMERCIAL FISHERIES IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN Estimated number of vessels/ persons Fishery description Marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS CATEGORY I LONGLINE/SET LINE FISHERIES: HI deep-set longline * ∧ ............................................................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:00 Oct 11, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00028 143 ................. Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Bottlenose dolphin, HI Pelagic. False killer whale, MHI Insular.1 False killer whale, HI Pelagic.1 False killer whale, NWHI. Humpback whale. Central North Pacific. Kogia spp. (Pygmy or dwarf sperm whale), HI. Pygmy killer whale, HI. Risso’s dolphin, HI. Short-finned pilot whale, HI. Sperm whale, HI. Striped dolphin, HI. E:\FR\FM\12OCP1.SGM 12OCP1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 196 / Thursday, October 12, 2017 / Proposed Rules 47433 TABLE 1—LIST OF FISHERIES—COMMERCIAL FISHERIES IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN—Continued Estimated number of vessels/ persons Fishery description Marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured CATEGORY II GILLNET FISHERIES: CA thresher shark/swordfish drift gillnet (≥14 in mesh) * ........... 18 ................... 50 ................... CA yellowtail, barracuda, and white seabass drift gillnet (mesh size ≥3.5 in and <14 in) 2. 30 ................... AK Bristol Bay salmon drift gillnet 2 ............................................ 1,862 .............. AK PeninsulaBay salmon set gillnet 2 ........................................ 979 ................. AK Kodiak salmon set gillnet ...................................................... 188 ................. AK Cook Inlet salmon set gillnet ................................................ 736 ................. AK Cook Inlet salmon drift gillnet ............................................... 569 ................. AK Peninsula/Aleutian Islands salmon drift gillnet.2 asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS CA halibut/white seabass and other species set gillnet (>3.5 in mesh). 162 ................. AK Peninsula/Aleutian Islands salmon set gillnet.2 113 ................. AK Prince William Sound salmon drift gillnet ............................. 537 ................. AK Southeast salmon drift gillnet ............................................... 474 ................. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:00 Oct 11, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Bottlenose dolphin, CA/OR/WA offshore. California sea lion, U.S. Dall’s porpoise, CA/OR/WA. Humpback whale, CA/OR/WA. Long-beaked common dolphin, CA. Minke whale, CA/OR/WA. Northern elephant seal, CA breeding. Northern right-whale dolphin, CA/OR/WA. Pacific white-sided dolphin, CA/OR/WA. Risso’s dolphin, CA/OR/WA. Short-beaked common dolphin, CA/OR/WA. Short-finned pilot whale, CA/OR/WA. Sperm Whale, CA/OR/WA.1 California sea lion, U.S. Harbor seal, CA. Humpback whale, CA/OR/WA.1 Long-beaked common dolphin, CA. Northern elephant seal, CA breeding. Sea otter, CA. Short-beaked common dolphin, CA/OR/WA. California sea lion, U.S. Long-beaked common dolphin, CA. Short-beaked common dolphin, CA/OR/WA. Beluga whale, Bristol Bay. Gray whale, Eastern North Pacific. Harbor seal, Bering Sea. Northern fur seal, Eastern Pacific. Pacific white-sided dolphin, North Pacific. Spotted seal, AK. Steller sea lion, Western U.S. Beluga whale, Bristol Bay. Gray whale, Eastern North Pacific. Harbor seal, Bering Sea. Northern fur seal, Eastern Pacific. Spotted seal, AK. Harbor porpoise, GOA.1 Harbor seal, GOA. Sea otter, Southwest AK. Steller sea lion, Western U.S. Beluga whale, Cook Inlet. Dall’s porpoise, AK. Harbor porpoise, GOA. Harbor seal, GOA. Humpback whale, Central North Pacific.1 Sea otter, South central AK. Steller sea lion, Western U.S. Beluga whale, Cook Inlet. Dall’s porpoise, AK. Harbor porpoise, GOA.1 Harbor seal, GOA. Steller sea lion, Western U.S. Dall’s porpoise, AK. Harbor porpoise, GOA. Harbor seal, GOA. Northern fur seal, Eastern Pacific. Harbor porpoise, Bering Sea. Northern sea otter, Southwest AK. Steller sea lion, Western U.S. Dall’s porpoise, AK. Harbor porpoise, GOA.1 Harbor seal, GOA. Northern fur seal, Eastern Pacific. Pacific white-sided dolphin, North Pacific. Sea otter, South central AK. Steller sea lion, Western U.S.1 Dall’s porpoise, AK. E:\FR\FM\12OCP1.SGM 12OCP1 47434 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 196 / Thursday, October 12, 2017 / Proposed Rules TABLE 1—LIST OF FISHERIES—COMMERCIAL FISHERIES IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN—Continued Estimated number of vessels/ persons Fishery description AK Yakutat salmon set gillnet 2 .................................................. 168 ................. WA Puget Sound Region salmon drift gillnet (includes all inland waters south of U.S.-Canada border and eastward of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line-Treaty Indian fishing is excluded). 210 ................. 32 ................... AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands pollock trawl ........................... 102 ................. AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands rockfish trawl .......................... 17 ................... POT, RING NET, AND TRAP FISHERIES: CA spiny lobster ......................................................................... 194 ................. CA spot prawn pot ...................................................................... 25 ................... CA Dungeness crab pot ............................................................. 570 ................. OR Dungeness crab pot ............................................................. 433 ................. WA/OR/CA sablefish pot ............................................................ WA coastal Dungeness crab pot ................................................ 309 ................. 228 ................. LONGLINE/SET LINE FISHERIES: AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Pacific cod longline ................ asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS TRAWL FISHERIES: AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands flatfish trawl ............................ 45 ................... AK Gulf of Alaska sablefish longline .......................................... HI shallow-set longline * ∧ ........................................................... 295 ................. 22 ................... American Samoa longline 2 ........................................................ 18 ................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:43 Oct 11, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured Harbor porpoise, Southeast AK. Harbor seal, Southeast AK. Humpback whale, Central North Pacific.1 Pacific white-sided dolphin, North Pacific. Steller sea lion, Eastern U.S. Gray whale, Eastern North Pacific. Harbor Porpoise, Southeastern AK. Harbor seal, Southeast AK. Humpback whale, Central North Pacific (Southeast AK). Dall’s porpoise, CA/OR/WA. Harbor porpoise, inland WA.1 Harbor seal, WA inland. Bearded seal, AK. Gray whale, Eastern North Pacific. Harbor porpoise, Bering Sea. Harbor seal, Bering Sea. Humpback whale, Western North Pacific.1 Killer whale, AK resident.1 Killer whale, GOA, AI, BS transient.1 Northern fur seal, Eastern Pacific. Ringed seal, AK. Ribbon seal, AK. Spotted seal, AK. Steller sea lion, Western U.S.1 Walrus, AK. Bearded Seal, AK. Dall’s porpoise, AK. Harbor seal, AK. Humpback whale, Central North Pacific. Humpback whale, Western North Pacific. Northern fur seal, Eastern Pacific. Ribbon seal, AK. Ringed seal, AK. Spotted seal, AK. Steller sea lion, Western U.S.1 Killer whale, ENP AK resident.1 Killer whale, GOA, AI, BS transient.1 Bottlenose dolphin, CA/OR/WA offshore. Humpback whale, CA/OR/WA.1 Gray whale, Eastern North Pacific. Gray whale, Eastern North Pacific. Humpback whale, CA/OR/WA.1 Gray whale, Eastern North Pacific. Humpback whale, CA/OR/WA.1 Gray whale, Eastern North Pacific. Humpback whale, CA/OR/WA.1 Humpback whale, CA/OR/WA.1 Gray whale, Eastern North Pacific. Humpback whale, CA/OR/WA.1 Dall’s Porpoise, AK. Killer whale, GOA, BSAI transient.1 Northern fur seal, Eastern Pacific. Ringed seal, AK. Sperm whale, North Pacific. Blainville’s beaked whale, HI. Bottlenose dolphin, HI Pelagic. False killer whale, HI Pelagic.1 Humpback whale, Central North Pacific. Risso’s dolphin, HI. Rough-toothed dolphin, HI. Short-finned pilot whale, HI. Striped dolphin, HI. Bottlenose dolphin, unknown. Cuvier’s beaked whale, unknown. False killer whale, American Samoa. E:\FR\FM\12OCP1.SGM 12OCP1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 196 / Thursday, October 12, 2017 / Proposed Rules 47435 TABLE 1—LIST OF FISHERIES—COMMERCIAL FISHERIES IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN—Continued Estimated number of vessels/ persons Fishery description HI shortline 2 ............................................................................... 9 ..................... Marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured Rough-toothed dolphin, American Samoa. Short-finned pilot whale, unknown. None documented. CATEGORY III GILLNET FISHERIES: AK Kuskokwim, Yukon, Norton Sound, Kotzebue salmon gillnet. AK Prince William Sound salmon set gillnet .............................. 1,778 .............. Harbor porpoise, Bering Sea. 29 ................... AK roe herring and food/bait herring gillnet ............................... CA set gillnet (mesh size <3.5 in) .............................................. HI inshore gillnet ......................................................................... 920 ................. 296 ................. 36 ................... WA Grays Harbor salmon drift gillnet (excluding treaty Tribal fishing). WA/OR Mainstem Columbia River eulachon gillnet ................... WA/OR lower Columbia River (includes tributaries) drift gillnet 24 ................... Harbor seal, GOA. Sea otter, South central AK. Steller sea lion, Western U.S. None documented. None documented. Bottlenose dolphin, HI. Spinner dolphin, HI. Harbor seal, OR/WA coast. 15 ................... 110 ................. WA Willapa Bay drift gillnet ........................................................ 82 ................... MISCELLANEOUS NET FISHERIES: AK Cook Inlet salmon purse seine ............................................. AK Kodiak salmon purse seine .................................................. AK Southeast salmon purse seine ............................................. AK Metlakatla salmon purse seine ............................................. AK roe herring and food/bait herring beach seine ..................... AK roe herring and food/bait herring purse seine ...................... AK salmon beach seine .............................................................. AK salmon purse seine (Prince William Sound, Chignik, Alaska Peninsula). WA/OR sardine purse seine ....................................................... CA anchovy, mackerel, sardine purse seine .............................. 80 ................... CA tuna purse seine * ................................................................. WA/OR Lower Columbia River salmon seine ............................ WA/OR herring, smelt, squid purse seine or lampara ............... WA salmon purse seine ............................................................. WA salmon reef net .................................................................... HI lift net ..................................................................................... HI inshore purse seine ............................................................... HI throw net, cast net ................................................................. HI seine net ................................................................................ DIP NET FISHERIES: CA squid dip net ......................................................................... MARINE AQUACULTURE FISHERIES: CA marine shellfish aquaculture ................................................. CA salmon enhancement rearing pen ........................................ CA white seabass enhancement net pens ................................. HI offshore pen culture ............................................................... WA salmon net pens .................................................................. asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS CA squid purse seine ................................................................. 10 ................... 10 ................... 130 ................. 75 ................... 11 ................... 17 ................... <3 ................... 23 ................... 24 ................... Humpback whale, Central North Pacific. Humpback whale, Central North Pacific. None documented in the most recent five years of data. None documented. None documented. None documented. None documented. Harbor seal, GOA. Harbor seal, Prince William Sound. None documented. California sea lion, U.S. Harbor seal, CA. Long-beaked common dolphin, CA. Short-beaked common dolphin, CA/OR/WA. None documented. None documented. None documented. None documented. None documented. None documented. None documented. None documented. None documented. 115 ................. None documented. unknown ........ >1 ................... 13 ................... 2 ..................... 14 ................... WA/OR shellfish aquaculture ...................................................... TROLL FISHERIES: WA/OR/CA albacore surface hook and line/troll ........................ CA halibut hook and line/handline .............................................. CA white seabass hook and line/handline ................................. AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands groundfish troll ....................... AK Gulf of Alaska groundfish troll .............................................. AK salmon troll ........................................................................... 23 ................... None documented. None documented. California sea lion, U.S. None documented. California sea lion, U.S. Harbor seal, WA inland waters. None documented. 705 ................. unknown ........ unknown ........ unknown ........ unknown ........ 1,908 .............. American Samoa tuna troll ......................................................... CA/OR/WA salmon troll .............................................................. HI troll ......................................................................................... HI rod and reel ............................................................................ 13 ................... 4,300 .............. 2,117 .............. 322 ................. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:00 Oct 11, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00031 83 ................... 376 ................. 315 ................. 10 ................... 10 ................... 356 ................. 31 ................... 936 ................. None documented. California sea lion, U.S. Harbor seal, OR/WA coast. Harbor seal, OR/WA coast. Northern elephant seal, CA breeding. 42 ................... 65 ................... Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 None documented. None documented. None documented. None documented. None documented. Steller sea lion, Eastern U.S. Steller sea lion, Western U.S. None documented. None documented. Pantropical spotted dolphin, HI. None documented. E:\FR\FM\12OCP1.SGM 12OCP1 47436 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 196 / Thursday, October 12, 2017 / Proposed Rules TABLE 1—LIST OF FISHERIES—COMMERCIAL FISHERIES IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN—Continued Estimated number of vessels/ persons Fishery description Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands tuna troll ....... Guam tuna troll ........................................................................... LONGLINE/SET LINE FISHERIES: AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Greenland turbot longline ...... AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands sablefish longline ................... AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands halibut longline ....................... AK Gulf of Alaska halibut longline .............................................. AK Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod longline ....................................... AK octopus/squid longline .......................................................... AK state-managed waters longline/setline (including sablefish, rockfish, lingcod, and miscellaneous finfish). WA/OR/CA groundfish, bottomfish longline/set line ................... WA/OR Pacific halibut longline ................................................... CA pelagic longline ..................................................................... HI kaka line ................................................................................. HI vertical line ............................................................................. TRAWL FISHERIES: AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Atka mackerel trawl ............... 40 ................... 432 ................. None documented. None documented. 4 ..................... 22 ................... 127 ................. 855 ................. 92 ................... 3 ..................... 464 ................. Killer whale, AK resident. None documented. None documented. None documented. Steller sea lion, Western U.S. None documented. None documented. 367 ................. 350 ................. 1 ..................... 15 ................... 3 ..................... Bottlenose dolphin, CA/OR/WA offshore. None documented. None documented in the most recent five years of data. None documented. None documented. 13 ................... Ribbon seal, AK. Steller sea lion, Western U.S. Ringed seal, AK. Steller sea lion, Western U.S. Northern elephant seal, North Pacific. Steller sea lion, Western U.S. Dall’s porpoise, AK. Fin whale, Northeast Pacific. Northern elephant seal, North Pacific. Steller sea lion, Western U.S. None documented. None documented. None documented. None documented. 72 ................... AK Gulf of Alaska flatfish trawl ................................................... AK Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod trawl ............................................ AK Gulf of Alaska pollock trawl .................................................. 36 ................... 55 ................... 67 ................... AK Gulf of Alaska rockfish trawl ................................................. AK Kodiak food/bait herring otter trawl ...................................... AK shrimp otter trawl and beam trawl ........................................ AK state-managed waters of Prince William Sound groundfish trawl. CA halibut bottom trawl .............................................................. 43 ................... 4 ..................... 38 ................... 2 ..................... 47 ................... CA sea cucumber trawl .............................................................. WA/OR/CA shrimp trawl ............................................................. WA/OR/CA groundfish trawl ....................................................... 16 ................... 300 ................. 160–180 ......... POT, RING NET, AND TRAP FISHERIES: AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands sablefish pot ........................... AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Pacific cod pot ....................... AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands crab pot .................................. AK Gulf of Alaska crab pot ......................................................... AK Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod pot .............................................. AK Gulf of Alaska sablefish pot .................................................. AK Southeast Alaska crab pot ................................................... AK Southeast Alaska shrimp pot ................................................ AK shrimp pot, except Southeast ............................................... AK octopus/squid pot .................................................................. CA/OR coonstripe shrimp pot ..................................................... asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Pacific cod trawl ..................... 6 ..................... 59 ................... 540 ................. 271 ................. 116 ................. 248 ................. 375 ................. 210 ................. 141 ................. 15 ................... 36 ................... CA rock crab pot ......................................................................... 124 ................. WA/OR/CA hagfish pot ............................................................... WA/OR shrimp pot/trap .............................................................. WA Puget Sound Dungeness crab pot/trap ............................... HI crab trap ................................................................................. HI fish trap .................................................................................. HI lobster trap ............................................................................. HI shrimp trap ............................................................................. HI crab net .................................................................................. HI Kona crab loop net ................................................................ 54 ................... 254 ................. 249 ................. 5 ..................... 9 ..................... <3 ................... 10 ................... 4 ..................... 33 ................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:00 Oct 11, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 California sea lion, U.S. Harbor porpoise, unknown. Harbor seal, unknown. Northern elephant seal, CA breeding. Steller sea lion, unknown. None documented. None documented. California sea lion, U.S. Dall’s porpoise, CA/OR/WA. Harbor seal, OR/WA coast. Northern fur seal, Eastern Pacific. Pacific white-sided dolphin, CA/OR/WA. Steller sea lion, Eastern U.S. None documented. None documented. Gray whale, Eastern North Pacific. None documented. Harbor seal, GOA. None documented. Humpback whale, Central North Pacific (Southeast AK). Humpback whale, Central North Pacific (Southeast AK). None documented. None documented. Gray whale, Eastern North Pacific. Harbor seal, CA. Gray whale, Eastern North Pacific. Harbor seal, CA. None documented. None documented. None documented. Humpback whale, Central North Pacific. None documented. None documented in recent years. None documented. None documented. None documented. E:\FR\FM\12OCP1.SGM 12OCP1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 196 / Thursday, October 12, 2017 / Proposed Rules 47437 TABLE 1—LIST OF FISHERIES—COMMERCIAL FISHERIES IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN—Continued Estimated number of vessels/ persons Fishery description HOOK-AND-LINE, HANDLINE, AND JIG FISHERIES: AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands groundfish jig ......................... AK Gulf of Alaska groundfish jig ................................................ AK halibut jig ............................................................................... American Samoa bottomfish ...................................................... Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands bottomfish ..... Guam bottomfish ........................................................................ HI aku boat, pole, and line ......................................................... HI bottomfish handline ................................................................ HI inshore handline ..................................................................... HI pelagic handline ..................................................................... WA groundfish, bottomfish jig ..................................................... Western Pacific squid jig ............................................................ HARPOON FISHERIES: CA swordfish harpoon ................................................................ POUND NET/WEIR FISHERIES: AK herring spawn on kelp pound net ......................................... AK Southeast herring roe/food/bait pound net ........................... HI bullpen trap ............................................................................ BAIT PENS: WA/OR/CA bait pens .................................................................. DREDGE FISHERIES: AK scallop dredge ...................................................................... DIVE, HAND/MECHANICAL COLLECTION FISHERIES: AK clam ...................................................................................... AK Dungeness crab .................................................................... AK herring spawn on kelp .......................................................... AK miscellaneous invertebrates handpick .................................. HI black coral diving ................................................................... HI fish pond ................................................................................ HI handpick ................................................................................. HI lobster diving .......................................................................... HI spearfishing ............................................................................ WA/CA kelp ................................................................................ WA/OR bait shrimp, clam hand, dive, or mechanical collection OR/CA sea urchin, sea cucumber hand, dive, or mechanical collection. COMMERCIAL PASSENGER FISHING VESSEL (CHARTER BOAT) FISHERIES: AK/WA/OR/CA commercial passenger fishing vessel ............... LIVE FINFISH/SHELLFISH FISHERIES: CA nearshore finfish live trap/hook-and-line .............................. HI aquarium collecting ................................................................ Marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured 2 ..................... 214 ................. 71 ................... 17 ................... 28 ................... >300 ............... <3 ................... 578 ................. 357 ................. 534 ................. 679 ................. 0 ..................... None documented. Fin whale, Northeast Pacific. None documented. None documented. None documented. None documented. None documented. None documented in recent years. None documented. None documented. None documented. None documented. 6 ..................... None documented. 291 ................. 2 ..................... 3 ..................... None documented. None documented. None documented. 13 ................... California sea lion, U.S. 108 (5 AK) ..... None documented. 130 ................. 2 ..................... 266 ................. 214 ................. <3 ................... 5 ..................... 46 ................... 19 ................... 163 ................. 4 ..................... 201 ................. 10 ................... None None None None None None None None None None None None >7,000 (1,006 AK). Killer whale, unknown. Steller sea lion, Eastern U.S. Steller sea lion, Western U.S. 93 ................... 90 ................... None documented. None documented. documented. documented. documented. documented. documented. documented. documented. documented. documented. documented. documented. documented. List of Abbreviations and Symbols Used in Table 1: AI—Aleutian Islands; AK—Alaska; BS—Bering Sea; CA—California; ENP—Eastern North Pacific; GOA—Gulf of Alaska; HI—Hawaii; MHI—Main Hawaiian Islands; OR—Oregon; WA—Washington; 1 Fishery classified based on mortalities and serious injuries of this stock, which are greater than or equal to 50 percent (Category I) or greater than 1 percent and less than 50 percent (Category II) of the stock’s PBR; 2 Fishery classified by analogy; * Fishery has an associated high seas component listed in Table 3; ∧ The list of marine mammal species and/or stocks killed or injured in this fishery is identical to the list of species and/or stocks killed or injured in high seas component of the fishery, minus species and/or stocks that have geographic ranges exclusively on the high seas. The species and/or stocks are found, and the fishery remains the same, on both sides of the EEZ boundary. Therefore, the EEZ components of these fisheries pose the same risk to marine mammals as the components operating on the high seas. asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS TABLE 2—LIST OF FISHERIES—COMMERCIAL FISHERIES IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN, GULF OF MEXICO, AND CARIBBEAN Estimated number of vessels/ persons Fishery description Marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured CATEGORY I GILLNET FISHERIES: Mid-Atlantic gillnet ....................................................................... VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:00 Oct 11, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00033 3,950 .............. Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose dolphin, dolphin, dolphin, dolphin, dolphin, Northern Migratory coastal.1 Southern Migratory coastal.1 Northern NC estuarine system.1 Southern NC estuarine system.1 WNA offshore. E:\FR\FM\12OCP1.SGM 12OCP1 47438 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 196 / Thursday, October 12, 2017 / Proposed Rules TABLE 2—LIST OF FISHERIES—COMMERCIAL FISHERIES IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN, GULF OF MEXICO, AND CARIBBEAN— Continued Estimated number of vessels/ persons Fishery description Marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured Common dolphin, WNA. Gray seal, WNA. Harbor porpoise, GME/BF. Harbor seal, WNA. Harp seal, WNA. Humpback whale, Gulf of Maine. Minke whale, Canadian east coast. Bottlenose dolphin, WNA offshore. Common dolphin, WNA. Fin whale, WNA. Gray seal, WNA. Harbor porpoise, GME/BF.1 Harbor seal, WNA. Harp seal, WNA. Hooded seal, WNA. Humpback whale, Gulf of Maine. Long-finned pilot whale, WNA. Minke whale, Canadian east coast. North Atlantic right whale, WNA. Risso’s dolphin, WNA. White-sided dolphin, WNA. Northeast sink gillnet .................................................................. 4,332 .............. TRAP/POT FISHERIES: Northeast/Mid-Atlantic American lobster trap/pot ....................... 10,163 ............ Humpback whale, Gulf of Maine. Minke whale, Canadian east coast. North Atlantic right whale, WNA.1 280 ................. Atlantic spotted dolphin, Northern GMX. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern GMX oceanic. Bottlenose dolphin, WNA offshore. Common dolphin, WNA. Cuvier’s beaked whale, WNA. False killer whale, WNA. Harbor porpoise, GME, BF. Kogia spp. (Pygmy or dwarf sperm whale), WNA. Long-finned pilot whale, WNA.1 Mesoplodon beaked whale, WNA. Minke whale, Canadian East coast. Pantropical spotted dolphin, Northern GMX. Pygmy sperm whale, GMX. Risso’s dolphin, Northern GMX. Risso’s dolphin, WNA. Rough-toothed dolphin, Northern GMX. Short-finned pilot whale, Northern GMX. Short-finned pilot whale, WNA.1 LONGLINE FISHERIES: Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico large pelagics longline *. CATEGORY II 248 ................. Gulf of Mexico gillnet 2 ................................................................ 248 ................. NC inshore gillnet ....................................................................... 2,850 .............. Northeast anchored float gillnet 2 ............................................... asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS GILLNET FISHERIES: Chesapeake Bay inshore gillnet 2 ............................................... 852 ................. Northeast drift gillnet 2 ................................................................ Southeast Atlantic gillnet 2 .......................................................... 1,036 .............. 273 ................. Southeastern U.S. Atlantic shark gillnet ..................................... 23 ................... TRAWL FISHERIES: Mid-Atlantic mid-water trawl (including pair trawl) ...................... 382 ................. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:44 Oct 11, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Bottlenose dolphin, unknown (Northern migratory coastal or Southern migratory coastal). Bottlenose dolphin, GMX bay, sound, and estuarine. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern GMX coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, Western GMX coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern NC estuarine system.1 Bottlenose dolphin, Southern NC estuarine system.1 Harbor seal, WNA. Humpback whale, Gulf of Maine. White-sided dolphin, WNA. None documented. Bottlenose dolphin, Central FL coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern FL coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, SC/GA coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, Southern migratory coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, unknown (Central FL, Northern FL, SC/GA coastal, or Southern migratory coastal). North Atlantic right whale, WNA. Gray seal, WNA. Harbor seal, WNA. E:\FR\FM\12OCP1.SGM 12OCP1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 196 / Thursday, October 12, 2017 / Proposed Rules 47439 TABLE 2—LIST OF FISHERIES—COMMERCIAL FISHERIES IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN, GULF OF MEXICO, AND CARIBBEAN— Continued Estimated number of vessels/ persons Mid-Atlantic bottom trawl ............................................................ 785 ................. Northeast mid-water trawl (including pair trawl) ......................... 1,087 .............. Northeast bottom trawl ............................................................... 2,238 .............. Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawl ........... 4,950 .............. TRAP/POT FISHERIES: Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico stone crab trap/ pot 2. 1,384 .............. Atlantic mixed species trap/pot 2 ................................................ 3,436 .............. Atlantic blue crab trap/pot ........................................................... asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS Fishery description 7,714 .............. PURSE SEINE FISHERIES: Gulf of Mexico menhaden purse seine ...................................... 40–42 ............. Mid-Atlantic menhaden purse seine 2 ......................................... 19 ................... Marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured Bottlenose dolphin, WNA offshore. Common dolphin, WNA.1 Gray seal, WNA. Harbor seal, WNA. Risso’s dolphin, WNA.1 White-sided dolphin, WNA. Common dolphin, WNA. Gray seal, WNA. Harbor seal, WNA. Long-finned pilot whale, WNA.1 Minke whale, Canadian East Coast. Bottlenose dolphin, WNA offshore. Common dolphin, WNA. Gray seal, WNA. Harbor porpoise, GME/BF. Harbor seal, WNA. Harp seal, WNA. Long-finned pilot whale, WNA. Risso’s dolphin, WNA. White-sided dolphin, WNA.1 Atlantic spotted dolphin, GMX continental and oceanic. Bottlenose dolphin, Charleston estuarine system. Bottlenose dolphin, Eastern GMX coastal.1 Bottlenose dolphin, GMX bay, sound, estuarine.1 Bottlenose dolphin, GMX continental shelf. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern GMX coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, SC/GA coastal.1 Bottlenose dolphin, Southern migratory coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, Western GMX coastal.1 West Indian manatee, Florida. Bottlenose dolphin, Biscayne Bay estuarine. Bottlenose dolphin, Central FL coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, Eastern GMX coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, FL Bay. Bottlenose dolphin, GMX bay, sound, estuarine (FL west coast portion). Bottlenose dolphin, Indian River Lagoon estuarine system. Bottlenose dolphin, Jacksonville estuarine system. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern GMX coastal. Fin whale, WNA. Humpback whale, Gulf of Maine. Bottlenose dolphin, Central FL coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, Central GA estuarine system. Bottlenose dolphin, Charleston estuarine system.1 Bottlenose dolphin, Indian River Lagoon estuarine system. Bottlenose dolphin, Jacksonville estuarine system. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern FL coastal.1 Bottlenose dolphin, Northern GA/Southern SC estuarine system. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern Migratory coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern NC estuarine system.1 Bottlenose dolphin, Northern SC estuarine system. Bottlenose dolphin, SC/GA coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, Southern GA estuarine system. Bottlenose dolphin, Southern Migratory coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, Southern NC estuarine system. West Indian manatee, FL. Bottlenose dolphin, GMX bay, sound, estuarine. Bottlenose dolphin, Mississippi Sound, Lake Borgne, Bay Boudreau. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern GMX coastal.1 Bottlenose dolphin, Western GMX coastal.1 Bottlenose dolphin, Northern Migratory coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, Southern Migratory coastal. HAUL/BEACH SEINE FISHERIES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:00 Oct 11, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\12OCP1.SGM 12OCP1 47440 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 196 / Thursday, October 12, 2017 / Proposed Rules TABLE 2—LIST OF FISHERIES—COMMERCIAL FISHERIES IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN, GULF OF MEXICO, AND CARIBBEAN— Continued Fishery description Estimated number of vessels/ persons Mid-Atlantic haul/beach seine ..................................................... 359 ................. NC long haul seine ..................................................................... 30 ................... STOP NET FISHERIES: NC roe mullet stop net ............................................................... 1 ..................... Bottlenose dolphin, Northern NC estuarine system. Bottlenose dolphin, unknown (Southern migratory coastal or Southern NC estuarine system). POUND NET FISHERIES: VA pound net .............................................................................. 26 ................... Bottlenose dolphin, Northern migratory coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern NC estuarine system. Bottlenose dolphin, Southern Migratory coastal.1 Marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose dolphin, dolphin, dolphin, dolphin, dolphin, Northern Migratory coastal.1 Northern NC estuarine system.1 Southern Migratory coastal.1 Northern NC estuarine system.1 Southern NC estuarine system. CATEGORY III GILLNET FISHERIES: Caribbean gillnet ......................................................................... DE River inshore gillnet .............................................................. Long Island Sound inshore gillnet .............................................. RI, southern MA (to Monomoy Island), and NY Bight (Raritan and Lower NY Bays) inshore gillnet. Southeast Atlantic inshore gillnet ............................................... TRAWL FISHERIES: Atlantic shellfish bottom trawl ..................................................... Gulf of Mexico butterfish trawl .................................................... Gulf of Mexico mixed species trawl ............................................ GA cannonball jellyfish trawl ...................................................... MARINE AQUACULTURE FISHERIES: Finfish aquaculture ..................................................................... Shellfish aquaculture .................................................................. PURSE SEINE FISHERIES: Gulf of Maine Atlantic herring purse seine ................................. Gulf of Maine menhaden purse seine ........................................ FL West Coast sardine purse seine ........................................... U.S. Atlantic tuna purse seine * .................................................. >991 ............... unknown ........ unknown ........ unknown ........ None None None None unknown ........ Bottlenose dolphin, Northern SC estuarine system. >58 ................. 2 ..................... 20 ................... 1 ..................... None documented. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern GMX oceanic. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern GMX continental shelf. None documented. Bottlenose dolphin, SC/GA coastal. 48 ................... unknown ........ Harbor seal, WNA. None documented. >7 ................... Harbor seal, WNA. Gray seal, WNA. None documented. Bottlenose dolphin, Eastern GMX coastal. Long-finned pilot whale, WNA. Short-finned pilot whale, WNA. >2 ................... 10 ................... 5 ..................... asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS LONGLINE/HOOK-AND-LINE FISHERIES: Northeast/Mid-Atlantic bottom longline/hook-and-line ................ Gulf of Maine, U.S. Mid-Atlantic tuna, shark, swordfish hookand-line/harpoon. Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean snapper-grouper and other reef fish bottom longline/hookand-line. Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico shark bottom longline/hook-and-line. Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean pelagic hook-and-line/harpoon. U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico trotline .......................................... TRAP/POT FISHERIES: Caribbean mixed species trap/pot .............................................. Caribbean spiny lobster trap/pot ................................................ FL spiny lobster trap/pot ............................................................. Gulf of Mexico blue crab trap/pot ............................................... 4,113 .............. Gulf of Mexico mixed species trap/pot ....................................... unknown ........ VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:00 Oct 11, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00036 >1,207 ............ 3,084 .............. >5,000 ............ 39 ................... documented documented documented documented in in in in the the the the most most most most recent recent recent recent five five five five years years years years of of of of data. data. data. data. None documented. Bottlenose dolphin, WNA offshore. Humpback whale, Gulf of Maine. Bottlenose dolphin, GMX continental shelf. 680 ................. Bottlenose dolphin, Eastern GMX coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern GMX continental shelf. None documented. unknown ........ None documented. >501 ............... >197 ............... 1,268 .............. None documented. None documented. Bottlenose dolphin, Biscayne Bay estuarine Bottlenose dolphin, Central FL coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, Eastern GMX coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, FL Bay estuarine. Bottlenose dolphin, FL Keys. Bottlenose dolphin, Barataria Bay. Bottlenose dolphin, Eastern GMX coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, GMX bay, sound, estuarine. Bottlenose dolphin, Mississippi Sound, Lake Borgne, Bay Boudreau. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern GMX coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, Western GMX coastal. West Indian manatee, FL. None documented. Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\12OCP1.SGM 12OCP1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 196 / Thursday, October 12, 2017 / Proposed Rules 47441 TABLE 2—LIST OF FISHERIES—COMMERCIAL FISHERIES IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN, GULF OF MEXICO, AND CARIBBEAN— Continued Estimated number of vessels/ persons Fishery description Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico golden crab trap/ pot. U.S. Mid-Atlantic eel trap/pot ...................................................... STOP SEINE/WEIR/POUND NET/FLOATING TRAP/FYKE NET FISHERIES: Gulf of Maine herring and Atlantic mackerel stop seine/weir .... asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS U.S. Mid-Atlantic crab stop seine/weir ....................................... U.S. Mid-Atlantic mixed species stop seine/weir/pound net (except the NC roe mullet stop net). RI floating trap ............................................................................ Northeast and Mid-Atlantic fyke net ........................................... DREDGE FISHERIES: Gulf of Maine sea urchin dredge ................................................ Gulf of Maine mussel dredge ..................................................... Gulf of Maine, U.S. Mid-Atlantic sea scallop dredge ................. Mid-Atlantic blue crab dredge ..................................................... Mid-Atlantic soft-shell clam dredge ............................................ Mid-Atlantic whelk dredge .......................................................... U.S. Mid-Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico oyster dredge ......................... New England and Mid-Atlantic offshore surf clam/quahog dredge. HAUL/BEACH SEINE FISHERIES: Caribbean haul/beach seine ....................................................... Gulf of Mexico haul/beach seine ................................................ Southeastern U.S. Atlantic haul/beach seine ............................. DIVE, HAND/MECHANICAL COLLECTION FISHERIES: Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean shellfish dive, hand/ mechanical collection. Gulf of Maine urchin dive, hand/mechanical collection .............. Gulf of Mexico, Southeast Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, and Caribbean cast net. COMMERCIAL PASSENGER FISHING VESSEL (CHARTER BOAT) FISHERIES: Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean commercial passenger fishing vessel. Marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured 10 ................... None documented. unknown ........ None documented. >1 ................... 2,600 .............. unknown ........ Harbor porpoise, GME/BF. Harbor seal, WNA. Minke whale, Canadian east coast. Atlantic white-sided dolphin, WNA. None documented. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern NC estuarine system. 9 ..................... unknown ........ None documented. None documented. unknown ........ unknown ........ >403 ............... unknown ........ unknown ........ unknown ........ 7,000 .............. unknown ........ None None None None None None None None 15 ................... unknown ........ 25 ................... None documented in the most recent five years of data. None documented. None documented. 20,000 ............ None documented. unknown ........ unknown ........ None documented. None documented. 4,000 .............. Bottlenose dolphin, Barataria Bay estuarine system. Bottlenose dolphin, Biscayne Bay estuarine. Bottlenose dolphin, Central FL coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, Choctawhatchee Bay. Bottlenose dolphin, Eastern GMX coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, FL Bay. Bottlenose dolphin, GMX bay, sound, estuarine. Bottlenose dolphin, Indian River Lagoon estuarine system. Bottlenose dolphin, Jacksonville estuarine system. Bottlenose dolphin, Mississippi Sound, Lake Borgne, Bay Boudreau. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern FL coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern GA/Southern SC estuarine. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern GMX coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern migratory coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern NC estuarine. Bottlenose dolphin, Southern migratory coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, Southern NC estuarine system. Bottlenose dolphin, SC/GA coastal. Bottlenose dolphin, Western GMX coastal. Short-finned pilot whale, WNA. documented. documented. documented. documented. documented. documented. documented. documented. List of Abbreviations and Symbols Used in Table 2: DE—Delaware; FL—Florida; GA—Georgia; GME/BF—Gulf of Maine/Bay of Fundy; GMX— Gulf of Mexico; MA—Massachusetts; NC—North Carolina; NY—New York; RI—Rhode Island; SC—South Carolina; VA—Virginia; WNA—Western North Atlantic; 1 Fishery classified based on mortalities and serious injuries of this stock, which are greater than or equal to 50 percent (Category I) or greater than 1 percent and less than 50 percent (Category II) of the stock’s PBR; 2 Fishery classified by analogy; * Fishery has an associated high seas component listed in Table 3. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:00 Oct 11, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\12OCP1.SGM 12OCP1 47442 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 196 / Thursday, October 12, 2017 / Proposed Rules TABLE 3—LIST OF FISHERIES—COMMERCIAL FISHERIES ON THE HIGH SEAS Number of HSFCA permits Fishery description Marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured Category I LONGLINE FISHERIES: Atlantic Highly Migratory Species * ............................................... 79 Western Pacific Pelagic (HI Deep-set component) * ∧ .................. 143 Atlantic spotted dolphin, WNA. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern GMX oceanic. Bottlenose dolphin, WNA offshore. Common dolphin, WNA. Cuvier’s beaked whale, WNA. False killer whale, WNA. Killer whale, GMX oceanic. Kogia spp. whale (Pygmy or dwarf sperm whale), WNA. Long-finned pilot whale, WNA. Mesoplodon beaked whale, WNA. Minke whale, Canadian East coast. Pantropical spotted dolphin, WNA. Risso’s dolphin, GMX. Risso’s dolphin, WNA. Short-finned pilot whale, WNA. Bottlenose dolphin, HI Pelagic. False killer whale, HI Pelagic. Humpback whale, Central North Pacific. Kogia spp. (Pygmy or dwarf sperm whale), HI. Pygmy killer whale, HI. Risso’s dolphin, HI. Short-finned pilot whale, HI. Sperm whale, HI. Striped dolphin, HI. Category II DRIFT GILLNET FISHERIES: Pacific Highly Migratory Species * ∧ .............................................. 4 2 0 asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS TRAWL FISHERIES: Atlantic Highly Migratory Species ** .............................................. CCAMLR ....................................................................................... PURSE SEINE FISHERIES: South Pacific Tuna Fisheries ........................................................ Western Pacific Pelagic ................................................................ LONGLINE FISHERIES: CCAMLR ....................................................................................... South Pacific Albacore Troll .......................................................... South Pacific Tuna Fisheries ** ..................................................... Western Pacific Pelagic (HI Shallow-set component) * ∧ .............. Long-beaked common dolphin, CA. Humpback whale, CA/OR/WA. Northern right-whale dolphin, CA/OR/WA. Pacific white-sided dolphin, CA/OR/WA. Risso’s dolphin, CA/OR/WA. Short-beaked common dolphin, CA/OR/WA. No information. Antarctic fur seal. 35 1 0 9 4 22 None documented. No information. No information. Blainville’s beaked whale, HI. Bottlenose dolphin, HI Pelagic. False killer whale, HI Pelagic. Humpback whale, Central North Pacific. Northern elephant seal, CA breeding. Risso’s dolphin, HI. Rough-toothed dolphin, HI. Short-beaked common dolphin, CA/OR/WA. Short-finned pilot whale, HI. Striped dolphin, HI. 2 42 11 5 No No No No information. information. information. information. 1 22 4 6 HANDLINE/POLE AND LINE FISHERIES: Atlantic Highly Migratory Species ................................................. Pacific Highly Migratory Species .................................................. South Pacific Albacore Troll .......................................................... Western Pacific Pelagic ................................................................ TROLL FISHERIES: Atlantic Highly Migratory Species ................................................. South Pacific Albacore Troll .......................................................... South Pacific Tuna Fisheries ** ..................................................... Western Pacific Pelagic ................................................................ No information. No information. No No No No information. information. information. information. Category III LONGLINE FISHERIES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:45 Oct 11, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\12OCP1.SGM 12OCP1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 196 / Thursday, October 12, 2017 / Proposed Rules 47443 TABLE 3—LIST OF FISHERIES—COMMERCIAL FISHERIES ON THE HIGH SEAS—Continued Number of HSFCA permits Fishery description Northwest Atlantic Bottom Longline .............................................. Pacific Highly Migratory Species .................................................. PURSE SEINE FISHERIES: Pacific Highly Migratory Species * ∧ .............................................. TRAWL FISHERIES: Northwest Atlantic ......................................................................... TROLL FISHERIES: Pacific Highly Migratory Species * ................................................ 1 105 Marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured None documented. None documented in the most recent 5 years of data. 7 None documented. 2 None documented. 149 None documented. List of Terms, Abbreviations, and Symbols Used in Table 3: CA—California; GMX—Gulf of Mexico; HI—Hawaii; OR—Oregon; WA—Washington; WNA—Western North Atlantic. * Fishery is an extension/component of an existing fishery operating within U.S. waters listed in Table 1 or 2. The number of permits listed in Table 3 represents only the number of permits for the high seas component of the fishery. ** These gear types are not authorized under the Pacific HMS FMP (2004), the Atlantic HMS FMP (2006), or without a South Pacific Tuna Treaty license (in the case of the South Pacific Tuna fisheries). Because HSFCA permits are valid for five years, permits obtained in past years exist in the HSFCA permit database for gear types that are now unauthorized. Therefore, while HSFCA permits exist for these gear types, it does not represent effort. In order to land fish species, fishers must be using an authorized gear type. Once these permits for unauthorized gear types expire, the permit-holder will be required to obtain a permit for an authorized gear type. ∧The list of marine mammal species and/or stocks killed or injured in this fishery is identical to the list of marine mammal species and/or stocks killed or injured in U.S. waters component of the fishery, minus species and/or stocks that have geographic ranges exclusively in coastal waters, because the marine mammal species and/or stocks are also found on the high seas and the fishery remains the same on both sides of the EEZ boundary. Therefore, the high seas components of these fisheries pose the same risk to marine mammals as the components of these fisheries operating in U.S. waters. TABLE 4—FISHERIES AFFECTED BY TAKE REDUCTION TEAMS AND PLANS Take reduction plans Affected fisheries Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP)—50 CFR 229.32 Category I Mid-Atlantic gillnet. Northeast/Mid-Atlantic American lobster trap/pot. Northeast sink gillnet. Category II Atlantic blue crab trap/pot. Atlantic mixed species trap/pot. Northeast anchored float gillnet. Northeast drift gillnet. Southeast Atlantic gillnet. Southeastern U.S. Atlantic shark gillnet.* Southeastern, U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico stone crab trap/pot.∧ Category I Mid-Atlantic gillnet. Category II Atlantic blue crab trap/pot. Chesapeake Bay inshore gillnet fishery. Mid-Atlantic haul/beach seine. Mid-Atlantic menhaden purse seine. NC inshore gillnet. NC long haul seine. NC roe mullet stop net. Southeast Atlantic gillnet. Southeastern U.S. Atlantic shark gillnet. Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawl.∧ Southeastern, U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico stone crab trap/pot.∧ VA pound net. Category I HI deep-set longline. Category II HI shallow-set longline. Category I Mid-Atlantic gillnet. Northeast sink gillnet. Category I Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico large pelagics longline. Category I CA thresher shark/swordfish drift gillnet (≥14 in mesh). Category II Mid-Atlantic bottom trawl. Mid-Atlantic mid-water trawl (including pair trawl). Northeast bottom trawl. Bottlenose Dolphin Take Reduction Plan (BDTRP)—50 CFR 229.35 ..... asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan (FKWTRP)—50 CFR 229.37 ... Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction Plan (HPTRP)—50 CFR 229.33 (New England) and 229.34 (Mid-Atlantic). Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Plan (PLTRP)—50 CFR 229.36 ......... Pacific Offshore Cetacean Take Reduction Plan (POCTRP)—50 CFR 229.31. Atlantic Trawl Gear Take Reduction Team (ATGTRT) ............................ VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:48 Oct 11, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\12OCP1.SGM 12OCP1 47444 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 196 / Thursday, October 12, 2017 / Proposed Rules TABLE 4—FISHERIES AFFECTED BY TAKE REDUCTION TEAMS AND PLANS—Continued Take reduction plans Affected fisheries Northeast mid-water trawl (including pair trawl). * Only applicable to the portion of the fishery operating in U.S. waters; Ocean. asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS Classification The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce has certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration (SBA) that this LOF would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Any entity with combined annual fishery landing receipts less than $11 million is considered a small entity. Under the former, lower size standards, all entities subject to this action were considered small entities; thus, they all would continue to be considered small under the new standards. Under existing regulations, all individuals participating in Category I or II fisheries must register under the MMPA and obtain an Authorization Certificate. The Authorization Certificate authorizes the taking of nonendangered and non-threatened marine mammals incidental to commercial fishing operations. Additionally, individuals may be subject to a TRP and requested to carry an observer. NMFS has estimated that up to approximately 77,385 fishing vessels, most with annual revenues below the SBA’s small entity thresholds, may operate in Category I or II fisheries. As fishing vessels operating in Category I or II fisheries, they are required to register with NMFS. Three hundred and thirteen fishing vessels are new to Category II as a result of this proposed LOF. The MMPA registration process is integrated with existing state and Federal licensing, permitting, and registration programs. Therefore, individuals who have a state or Federal fishing permit or landing license, or who are authorized through another related state or Federal fishery registration program, are currently not required to register separately under the MMPA or pay the $25 registration fee. Therefore, this proposed LOF would not impose any direct costs on small entities. Record keeping and reporting costs associated with this LOF are minimal and would not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. If a vessel is requested to carry an observer, vessels will not incur any direct economic costs associated with carrying that observer. As a result of this certification, an initial regulatory VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:00 Oct 11, 2017 Jkt 244001 ∧ Only applicable to the portion of the fishery operating in the Atlantic flexibility analysis is not required and has not been prepared. In the event that reclassification of a fishery to Category I or II results in a TRP, economic analyses of the effects of that TRP would be summarized in subsequent rulemaking actions. This LOF contains collection-ofinformation (COI) requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The COI for the registration of individuals under the MMPA has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB control number 0648–0293 (0.15 hours per report for new registrants). The requirement for reporting marine mammal mortalities or injuries has been approved by OMB under OMB control number 0648–0292 (0.15 hours per report). These estimates include the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the COI. Send comments regarding these reporting burden estimates or any other aspect of the COI, including suggestions for reducing burden, to NMFS and OMB (see ADDRESSES and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION). Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a COI, subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that COI displays a currently valid OMB control number. This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for the purposes of Executive Orders 12866 and 13563. This rule is not expected to be an E.O. 13771 regulatory action because this rule is not significant under E.O. 12866. NMFS preliminary determined the proposed LOF is consistent with categories of activities identified in CE G7 (‘‘Preparation of policy directives, rules, regulations, and guidelines of an administrative, financial, legal, technical, or procedural nature, or for which the environmental effects are too broad, speculative or conjectural to lend themselves to meaningful analysis and will be subject later to the NEPA process, either collectively or on a caseby-case basis’’) of the Companion Manual for NAO 216–6A and we have PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 not identified any extraordinary circumstances listed in Chapter 4 of the Companion Manual for NAO 216–6A that would preclude application of this categorical exclusion. If NMFS takes a management action, for example, through the development of a TRP, NMFS would first prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or Environmental Assessment (EA), as required under NEPA, specific to that action. This proposed LOF would not affect species listed as threatened or endangered under the ESA or their associated critical habitat. The impacts of numerous fisheries have been analyzed in various biological opinions, and this LOF will not affect the conclusions of those opinions. The classification of fisheries on the LOF is not considered to be a management action that would adversely affect threatened or endangered species. If NMFS takes a management action, for example, through the development of a TRP, NMFS would consult under ESA section 7 on that action. This proposed LOF would have no adverse impacts on marine mammals and may have a positive impact on marine mammals by improving knowledge of marine mammals and the fisheries interacting with marine mammals through information collected from observer programs, stranding and sighting data, or take reduction teams. This proposed LOF would not affect the land or water uses or natural resources of the coastal zone, as specified under section 307 of the Coastal Zone Management Act. References Allen, B.M. and R.P. Angliss, editors. 2016. Alaska Marine Mammal Stock Assessments, 2015. NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS–AFSC–323. 309 p. Carretta, J.V., E. Oleson, D.W. Weller, A.R. Lang, K.A. Forney, J. Baker, M.M. Muto, B. Hanson, A.J. Orr, H. Huber, M.S. Lowry, J. Barlow, J.E. Moore, D. Lynch, L. Carswell, and R.L. Brownell Jr. 2015. U.S. Pacific Marine Mammal Stock Assessments: 2014. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOAA–TM–NMFS– SWFSC–549. 414 p. Carretta, J.V., K.A. Forney, E. Oleson, D.W. Weller, A.R. Lang, J. Baker, M.M. Muto, B. Hanson, A.J. Orr, H. Huber, M.S. Lowry, J.Barlow, J.E. Moore, D. Lynch, L. Carswell, and R.L. Brownell Jr. 2017. E:\FR\FM\12OCP1.SGM 12OCP1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 196 / Thursday, October 12, 2017 / Proposed Rules asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS U.S. Pacific Marine Mammal Stock Assessments: 2016. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOAA–TM–NMFS– SWFSC–577. 414 p. Carretta, J.V., J.E. Moore, and K.A. Forney. 2017. Regression tree and ratio estimates of marine mammal, sea turtle, and seabird bycatch in the California drift gillnet fishery: 1990–2015. NOAA Technical Memorandum, NOAA–TM– NMFS–SWFSC–568. 83 p. doi:10.7289/ V5/TM–SWFSC–568. Carretta, J.V., M.M. Muto, S. Wilkin, J. Greenman, K. Wilkinson, D. Lawson, J. Viezbicke, and J. Jannot. 2017. Sources of human-related injury and mortality for U.S. Pacific west coast marine mammal stocks assessments, 2011–2015. NOAA– TM–NMFS–SWFSC–579. 126 p. Hayes, S.A., E. Josephson, K. Maze-Foley, and P.E. Rosel, editors. 2017. U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Marine Mammal Stocks Assessments, 2016. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOAA– NE–241. 274 p. Jannot, J.E., V. Tuttle, K. Somers, Y-W. Lee, J. McVeigh. 2016. Marine Mammal, Seabird, and Sea Turtle Summary of Observed Interactions, 2002–2014. Fisheries Observation Science, Fishery Resource Analysis and Monitoring VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:00 Oct 11, 2017 Jkt 244001 Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center. McCracken, M.L. 2016. Assessment of Incidental Interactions with Marine Mammals in the Hawaii Deep and Shallow Set Fisheries from 2010 through 2014. NMFS Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, PIFSC Internal Report IR–16–008. 2 p. + Excel spreadsheet. Muto, M.M., V.T. Helker, R.P. Angliss, B.A. Allen, P.L. Boveng, J.M. Breiwick, M.F. Cameron, P.J. Clapham, S.P. Dahle, M.E. Dahlheim, B.S. Fadely, M.C. Ferguson, L.W. Fritz, R.C. Hobbs, Y.V. Ivashchenko, A.S. Kennedy, J.M. London, S.A. Mizroch, R.R. Ream, E.L. Richmond, K.E.W. Shelden, R.G. Towell, P.R. Wade, J.M. Waite, and A.N. Zerbini. 2017. Alaska Marine Mammal Stock Assessments, 2016. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOAA–TM–NMFS– AFSC–355. 367 p. National Marine Fisheries Service. 2012. National Marine Fisheries Service Policy Directive 02–238. Process for Distinguishing Serious from Non-Serious Injury of Marine Mammals, 4 p. (Available at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ op/pds/documents/02/02-238.pdf). Rone, B.K., A.N. Zerbini, A.B. Douglas, D.W. Weller, and P.J. Clapham. 2016. PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 9990 47445 Abundance and distribution of cetaceans in the Gulf of Alaska. Marine Biology 164:23. Waring, G.T., E. Josephson, K. Maze-Foley, and P.E. Rosel, editors. 2016. U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Marine Mammal Stocks Assessments, 2015. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOAA– NE–238. 512 p. Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WPRFMC). 2015a. Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Report Pacific Island Pelagic Fisheries. 396 p. Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WPRFMC). 2015b. Annual Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation Report: Fishery Ecosystem Plan for the American Samoa Archipelago. 202 p. Dated: October 4, 2017. Samuel D. Rauch, III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017–21837 Filed 10–11–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\12OCP1.SGM 12OCP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 196 (Thursday, October 12, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47424-47445]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-21837]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 229

[Docket No. 170303230-7924-01]
RIN 0648-BG72

List of Fisheries for 2018

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

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) publishes its
proposed List of Fisheries (LOF) for 2018, as required by the Marine
Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The LOF for 2018 reflects new information
on interactions between commercial fisheries and marine mammals. NMFS
must classify each commercial fishery on the LOF into one of three
categories under the MMPA based upon the level of mortality and serious
injury of marine mammals that occurs incidental to each fishery. The
classification of a fishery on the LOF determines whether participants
in that fishery are subject to certain provisions of the MMPA, such as
registration, observer coverage, and take reduction plan (TRP)
requirements.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 13, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by
NOAA-NMFS-2017-0031, by either of the following methods:
Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.
1. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-0031,
2. Click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields.
3. Enter or attach your comments.
Mail: Submit written comments to Chief, Marine Mammal and
Sea Turtle Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS,
1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period,
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous
comments (enter N/A in the required fields if you wish to remain
anonymous).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristy Long, Office of Protected
Resources, 301-427-8402; Allison Rosner, Greater Atlantic Region, 978-
281-9328; Jessica Powell, Southeast Region, 727-824-5312; Dan Lawson,
West Coast Region, 562-980-3209; Suzie Teerlink, Alaska Region, 907-
586-7240; Kevin Brindock, Pacific Islands Region, 808-725-5146.
Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the hearing
impaired may call the Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-
8339 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday,
excluding Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

What is the List of Fisheries?

Section 118 of the MMPA requires NMFS to place all U.S. commercial
fisheries into one of three categories based on the level of incidental
mortality and serious injury of marine mammals occurring in each
fishery (16 U.S.C. 1387(c)(1)). The classification of a fishery on the
LOF determines whether participants in that fishery may be required to
comply with certain provisions of the MMPA, such as registration,
observer coverage, and take

[[Page 47425]]

reduction plan requirements. NMFS must reexamine the LOF annually,
considering new information in the Marine Mammal Stock Assessment
Reports (SARs) and other relevant sources, and publish in the Federal
Register any necessary changes to the LOF after notice and opportunity
for public comment (16 U.S.C. 1387 (c)(1)(C)).

How does NMFS determine in which category a fishery is placed?

The definitions for the fishery classification criteria can be
found in the implementing regulations for section 118 of the MMPA (50
CFR 229.2). The criteria are also summarized here.

Fishery Classification Criteria

The fishery classification criteria consist of a two-tiered, stock-
specific approach that first addresses the total impact of all
fisheries on each marine mammal stock and then addresses the impact of
individual fisheries on each stock. This approach is based on
consideration of the rate, in numbers of animals per year, of
incidental mortalities and serious injuries of marine mammals due to
commercial fishing operations relative to the potential biological
removal (PBR) level for each marine mammal stock. The MMPA (16 U.S.C.
1362 (20)) defines the PBR level as the maximum number of animals, not
including natural mortalities, that may be removed from a marine mammal
stock while allowing that stock to reach or maintain its optimum
sustainable population. This definition can also be found in the
implementing regulations for section 118 of the MMPA (50 CFR 229.2).
Tier 1: Tier 1 considers the cumulative fishery mortality and
serious injury for a particular stock. If the total annual mortality
and serious injury of a marine mammal stock, across all fisheries, is
less than or equal to 10 percent of the PBR level of the stock, all
fisheries interacting with the stock will be placed in Category III
(unless those fisheries interact with other stock(s) for which total
annual mortality and serious injury is greater than 10 percent of PBR).
Otherwise, these fisheries are subject to the next tier (Tier 2) of
analysis to determine their classification.
Tier 2: Tier 2 considers fishery-specific mortality and serious
injury for a particular stock.
Category I: Annual mortality and serious injury of a stock in a
given fishery is greater than or equal to 50 percent of the PBR level
(i.e., frequent incidental mortality and serious injury of marine
mammals).
Category II: Annual mortality and serious injury of a stock in a
given fishery is greater than 1 percent and less than 50 percent of the
PBR level (i.e., occasional incidental mortality and serious injury of
marine mammals).
Category III: Annual mortality and serious injury of a stock in a
given fishery is less than or equal to 1 percent of the PBR level
(i.e., a remote likelihood of or no known incidental mortality and
serious injury of marine mammals).
Additional details regarding how the categories were determined are
provided in the preamble to the final rule implementing section 118 of
the MMPA (60 FR 45086; August 30, 1995).
Because fisheries are classified on a per-stock basis, a fishery
may qualify as one category for one marine mammal stock and another
category for a different marine mammal stock. A fishery is typically
classified on the LOF at its highest level of classification (e.g., a
fishery qualifying for Category III for one marine mammal stock and for
Category II for another marine mammal stock will be listed under
Category II). Stocks driving a fishery's classification are denoted
with a superscript ``1'' in Tables 1 and 2.

Other Criteria That May Be Considered

The tier analysis requires a minimum amount of data, and NMFS does
not have sufficient data to perform a tier analysis on certain
fisheries. Therefore, NMFS has classified certain fisheries by analogy
to other Category I or II fisheries that use similar fishing techniques
or gear that are known to cause mortality or serious injury of marine
mammals, or according to factors discussed in the final LOF for 1996
(60 FR 67063; December 28, 1995) and listed in the regulatory
definition of a Category II fishery: ``In the absence of reliable
information indicating the frequency of incidental mortality and
serious injury of marine mammals by a commercial fishery, NMFS will
determine whether the incidental mortality or serious injury is
``frequent,'' ``occasional,'' or ``remote'' by evaluating other factors
such as fishing techniques, gear used, methods used to deter marine
mammals, target species, seasons and areas fished, qualitative data
from logbooks or fishermen reports, stranding data, and the species and
distribution of marine mammals in the area, or at the discretion of the
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries'' (50 CFR 229.2).
Further, eligible commercial fisheries not specifically identified
on the LOF are deemed to be Category II fisheries until the next LOF is
published (50 CFR 229.2).

How does NMFS determine which species or stocks are included as
incidentally killed or injured in a fishery?

The LOF includes a list of marine mammal species and/or stocks
incidentally killed or injured in each commercial fishery. The list of
species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured includes
``serious'' and ``non-serious'' documented injuries as described later
in the List of Species and/or Stocks Incidentally Killed or Injured in
the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean
sections. To determine which species or stocks are included as
incidentally killed or injured in a fishery, NMFS annually reviews the
information presented in the current SARs and injury determination
reports. The SARs are based upon the best available scientific
information and provide the most current and inclusive information on
each stock's PBR level and level of interaction with commercial fishing
operations. The best available scientific information used in the SARs
reviewed for the 2018 LOF generally summarizes data from 2010-2014.
NMFS also reviews other sources of new information, including injury
determination reports, bycatch estimation reports, observer data,
logbook data, stranding data, disentanglement network data, fishermen
self-reports (i.e., MMPA mortality/injury reports), and anecdotal
reports from that time period. In some cases, more recent information
may be available and used in the LOF, but in an effort to be consistent
with the most recent SARs and across the LOF, NMFS typically restricts
the analysis to data within the five-year time period summarized in the
current SAR.
For fisheries with observer coverage, species or stocks are
generally removed from the list of marine mammal species and/or stocks
incidentally killed or injured if no interactions are documented in the
five-year timeframe summarized in that year's LOF. For fisheries with
no observer coverage and for observed fisheries with evidence
indicating that undocumented interactions may be occurring (e.g.,
fishery has low observer coverage and stranding network data include
evidence of fisheries interaction that cannot be attributed to a
specific fishery) species and stocks may be retained for longer than
five years. For these fisheries, NMFS will review the other sources of
information listed above and use its discretion to decide

[[Page 47426]]

when it is appropriate to remove a species or stock.

Where does NMFS obtain information on the level of observer coverage in
a fishery on the LOF?

The best available information on the level of observer coverage
and the spatial and temporal distribution of observed marine mammal
interactions is presented in the SARs. Data obtained from the observer
program and observer coverage levels are important tools in estimating
the level of marine mammal mortality and serious injury in commercial
fishing operations. Starting with the 2005 SARs, each Pacific and
Alaska SAR includes an appendix with detailed descriptions of each
Category I and II fishery on the LOF, including the observer coverage
in those fisheries. For Atlantic fisheries, this information can be
found in the LOF Fishery Fact Sheets. The SARs generally do not provide
detailed information on observer coverage in Category III fisheries
because, under the MMPA, Category III fisheries are generally not
required to accommodate observers aboard vessels due to the remote
likelihood of mortality and serious injury of marine mammals. Fishery
information presented in the SARs' appendices and other resources
referenced during the tier analysis may include: Level of observer
coverage; target species; levels of fishing effort; spatial and
temporal distribution of fishing effort; characteristics of fishing
gear and operations; management and regulations; and interactions with
marine mammals. Copies of the SARs are available on the NMFS Office of
Protected Resources Web site at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/.
Information on observer coverage levels in Category I, II, and III
fisheries can be found in the fishery fact sheets on the NMFS Office of
Protected Resources' Web site: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/interactions/fisheries/lof.html. Additional information on observer
programs in commercial fisheries can be found on the NMFS National
Observer Program's Web site: https://www.st.nmfs.gov/observer-home/.

How do I find out if a specific fishery is in Category I, II, or III?

The LOF includes three tables that list all U.S. commercial
fisheries by Category. Table 1 lists all of the commercial fisheries in
the Pacific Ocean (including Alaska); Table 2 lists all of the
commercial fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and
Caribbean; and Table 3 lists all U.S.-authorized commercial fisheries
on the high seas. A fourth table, Table 4, lists all commercial
fisheries managed under applicable TRPs or take reduction teams (TRTs).

Are high seas fisheries included on the LOF?

Beginning with the 2009 LOF, NMFS includes high seas fisheries in
Table 3 of the LOF, along with the number of valid High Seas Fishing
Compliance Act (HSFCA) permits in each fishery. As of 2004, NMFS issues
HSFCA permits only for high seas fisheries analyzed in accordance with
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Endangered Species
Act (ESA). The authorized high seas fisheries are broad in scope and
encompass multiple specific fisheries identified by gear type. For the
purposes of the LOF, the high seas fisheries are subdivided based on
gear type (e.g., trawl, longline, purse seine, gillnet, troll, etc.) to
provide more detail on composition of effort within these fisheries.
Many fisheries operate in both U.S. waters and on the high seas,
creating some overlap between the fisheries listed in Tables 1 and 2
and those in Table 3. In these cases, the high seas component of the
fishery is not considered a separate fishery, but an extension of a
fishery operating within U.S. waters (listed in Table 1 or 2). NMFS
designates those fisheries in Tables 1, 2, and 3 by a ``*'' after the
fishery's name. The number of HSFCA permits listed in Table 3 for the
high seas components of these fisheries operating in U.S. waters does
not necessarily represent additional effort that is not accounted for
in Tables 1 and 2. Many vessels/participants holding HSFCA permits also
fish within U.S. waters and are included in the number of vessels and
participants operating within those fisheries in Tables 1 and 2.
HSFCA permits are valid for five years, during which time Fishery
Management Plans (FMPs) can change. Therefore, some vessels/
participants may possess valid HSFCA permits without the ability to
fish under the permit because it was issued for a gear type that is no
longer authorized under the most current FMP. For this reason, the
number of HSFCA permits displayed in Table 3 is likely higher than the
actual U.S. fishing effort on the high seas. For more information on
how NMFS classifies high seas fisheries on the LOF, see the preamble
text in the final 2009 LOF (73 FR 73032; December 1, 2008). Additional
information about HSFCA permits can be found at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ia/permits/highseas.html.

Where can I find specific information on fisheries listed on the LOF?

Starting with the 2010 LOF, NMFS developed summary documents, or
fishery fact sheets, for each Category I and II fishery on the LOF.
These fishery fact sheets provide the full history of each Category I
and II fishery, including: When the fishery was added to the LOF; the
basis for the fishery's initial classification; classification changes
to the fishery; changes to the list of species and/or stocks
incidentally killed or injured in the fishery; fishery gear and methods
used; observer coverage levels; fishery management and regulation; and
applicable TRPs or TRTs, if any. These fishery fact sheets are updated
after each final LOF and can be found under ``How Do I Find Out if a
Specific Fishery is in Category I, II, or III?'' on the NMFS Office of
Protected Resources' Web site: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/interactions/fisheries/lof.html, linked to the ``List of Fisheries by
Year'' table. NMFS is developing similar fishery fact sheets for each
Category III fishery on the LOF. However, due to the large number of
Category III fisheries on the LOF and the lack of accessible and
detailed information on many of these fisheries, the development of
these fishery fact sheets is taking significant time to complete. NMFS
began posting Category III fishery fact sheets online with the LOF for
2016.

Am I required to register under the MMPA?

Owners of vessels or gear engaging in a Category I or II fishery
are required under the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1387(c)(2)), as described in 50
CFR 229.4, to register with NMFS and obtain a marine mammal
authorization to lawfully take non-endangered and non-threatened marine
mammals incidental to commercial fishing operations. Owners of vessels
or gear engaged in a Category III fishery are not required to register
with NMFS or obtain a marine mammal authorization.

How do I register and receive my Marine Mammal Authorization Program
(MMAP) authorization certificate?

NMFS has integrated the MMPA registration process, implemented
through the Marine Mammal Authorization Program (MMAP), with existing
state and Federal fishery license, registration, or permit systems for
Category I and II fisheries on the LOF. Participants in these fisheries
are automatically registered under the MMAP and are not required to
submit registration or renewal materials.

[[Page 47427]]

In the Pacific Islands, West Coast, and Alaska regions, NMFS will
issue vessel or gear owners an authorization certificate via U.S. mail
or with their state or Federal license or permit at the time of
issuance or renewal.
In the West Coast Region, authorization certificates may be
obtained from the Web site https://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/protected_species/marine_mammals/fisheries_interactions.html.
In the Alaska Region, authorization certificates may be obtained by
visiting the Alaska Regional Office Web site https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/pr/mmapregistration.
In the Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS will issue vessel or gear
owners an authorization certificate via U.S. mail automatically at the
beginning of each calendar year. Certificates may also be obtained by
visiting the Greater Atlantic Regional Office Web site https://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/mmap/.
In the Southeast Region, NMFS will issue vessel or gear owners an
authorization certificate via U.S. mail automatically at the beginning
of each calendar year. Vessel or gear owners can receive additional
authorization certificates by contacting the Southeast Regional Office
at 727-209-5952 or by visiting the Southeast Regional Office Web site
https://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/protected_resources/marine_mammal_authorization_program/ and following the instructions for
printing the certificate.
The authorization certificate, or a copy, must be on board the
vessel while it is operating in a Category I or II fishery, or for non-
vessel fisheries, in the possession of the person in charge of the
fishing operation (50 CFR 229.4(e)). Although efforts are made to limit
the issuance of authorization certificates to only those vessel or gear
owners that participate in Category I or II fisheries, not all state
and Federal license or permit systems distinguish between fisheries as
classified by the LOF. Therefore, some vessel or gear owners in
Category III fisheries may receive authorization certificates even
though they are not required for Category III fisheries.
Individuals fishing in Category I and II fisheries for which no
state or Federal license or permit is required must register with NMFS
by contacting their appropriate Regional Office (see ADDRESSES).

How do I renew my registration under the MMAP?

In Alaska regional and Greater Atlantic regional fisheries,
registrations of vessel or gear owners are automatically renewed and
participants should receive an authorization certificate by January 1
of each new year. Certificates can also be obtained from the region's
Web site. In Pacific Islands regional fisheries, vessel or gear owners
receive an authorization certificate by January 1 for state fisheries
and with their permit renewal for Federal fisheries. In West Coast
regional fisheries, vessel or gear owners receive authorization either
with each renewed state fishing license in Washington and Oregon, with
their permit renewal for Federal fisheries, the timing of which varies
based on target species, or via U.S. mail. Vessel or gear owners who
participate in fisheries in these regions and have not received
authorization certificates by January 1 or with renewed fishing
licenses must contact the appropriate NMFS Regional Office (see FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). In Southeast regional fisheries, vessel
or gear owners' registrations are automatically renewed and
participants will receive an authorization certificate via U.S. mail
automatically at the beginning of each calendar year. Additional
authorization certificates are available for printing on the Southeast
Regional Office Web site https://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/protected_resources/marine_mammal_authorization_program/.

Am I required to submit reports when I kill or injure a marine mammal
during the course of commercial fishing operations?

In accordance with the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1387(e)) and 50 CFR 229.6,
any vessel owner or operator, or gear owner or operator (in the case of
non-vessel fisheries), participating in a fishery listed on the LOF
must report to NMFS all incidental mortalities and injuries of marine
mammals that occur during commercial fishing operations, regardless of
the category in which the fishery is placed (I, II, or III) within 48
hours of the end of the fishing trip or, in the case of non-vessel
fisheries, fishing activity. ``Injury'' is defined in 50 CFR 229.2 as a
wound or other physical harm. In addition, any animal that ingests
fishing gear or any animal that is released with fishing gear
entangling, trailing, or perforating any part of the body is considered
injured, regardless of the presence of any wound or other evidence of
injury, and must be reported.
Mortality/injury reporting forms and instructions for submitting
forms to NMFS can be found at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/interactions/mmap/#form or by contacting the appropriate regional
office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Forms may be submitted
via any of the following means: (1) Online using the electronic form;
(2) emailed as an attachment to nmfs.mireport@noaa.gov; (3) faxed to
the NMFS Office of Protected Resources at 301-713-0376; or (4) mailed
to the NMFS Office of Protected Resources (mailing address is provided
on the postage-paid form that can be printed from the web address
listed above). Reporting requirements and procedures can be found in 50
CFR 229.6.

Am I required to take an observer aboard my vessel?

Individuals participating in a Category I or II fishery are
required to accommodate an observer aboard their vessel(s) upon request
from NMFS. MMPA section 118 states that the Secretary is not required
to place an observer on a vessel if the facilities for quartering an
observer or performing observer functions are so inadequate or unsafe
that the health or safety of the observer or the safe operation of the
vessel would be jeopardized; thereby authorizing the exemption of
vessels too small to safely accommodate an observer from this
requirement. However, U.S. Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, or Gulf of Mexico
large pelagics longline vessels operating in special areas designated
by the Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Plan implementing regulations
(50 CFR 229.36(d)) will not be exempted from observer requirements,
regardless of their size. Observer requirements can be found in 50 CFR
229.7.

Am I required to comply with any marine mammal TRP regulations?

Table 4 provides a list of fisheries affected by TRPs and TRTs. TRP
regulations can be found at 50 CFR 229.30 through 229.37. A description
of each TRT and copies of each TRP can be found at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/interactions/trt/teams.html. It is the
responsibility of fishery participants to comply with applicable take
reduction regulations.

Where can I find more information about the LOF and the MMAP?

Information regarding the LOF and the MMAP, including: Registration
procedures and forms; current and past LOFs; descriptions of each
Category I and II fishery and some Category III fisheries; observer
requirements; and marine mammal mortality/injury reporting forms and
submittal procedures; may be obtained at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/
interactions/

[[Page 47428]]

fisheries/lof.html, or from any NMFS Regional Office at the addresses
listed below:

NMFS, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great
Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298, Attn: Allison Rosner;
NMFS, Southeast Region, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg,
FL 33701, Attn: Jessica Powell;
NMFS, West Coast Region, Long Beach Office, 501 W. Ocean Blvd.,
Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213, Attn: Dan Lawson;
NMFS, Alaska Region, Protected Resources, P.O. Box 22668, 709
West 9th Street, Juneau, AK 99802, Attn: Suzie Teerlink; or
NMFS, Pacific Islands Regional Office, Protected Resources
Division, 1845 Wasp Blvd., Building 176, Honolulu, HI 96818, Attn:
Kevin Brindock.

Sources of Information Reviewed for the 2018 LOF

NMFS reviewed the marine mammal incidental mortality and serious
injury information presented in the SARs for all fisheries to determine
whether changes in fishery classification are warranted. The SARs are
based on the best scientific information available at the time of
preparation, including the level of mortality and serious injury of
marine mammals that occurs incidental to commercial fishery operations
and the PBR levels of marine mammal stocks. The information contained
in the SARs is reviewed by regional Scientific Review Groups (SRGs)
representing Alaska, the Pacific (including Hawaii), and the U.S.
Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean. The SRGs were created by the
MMPA to review the science that informs the SARs, and to advise NMFS on
marine mammal population status, trends, and stock structure,
uncertainties in the science, research needs, and other issues.
NMFS also reviewed other sources of new information, including
marine mammal stranding data, observer program data, fishermen self-
reports, reports to the SRGs, conference papers, FMPs, and ESA
documents.
The LOF for 2018 was based on, among other things, stranding data;
fishermen self-reports; and SARs, primarily the 2016 SARs, which are
based on data from 2010-2014. The SARs referenced in this LOF include:
2014 (80 FR 50599; August 20, 2015), 2015 (81 FR 38676; June 14, 2016),
2016 (82 FR 29039; June 27, 2017). The SARs are available at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/.

Summary of Changes to the LOF for 2018

The following summarizes changes to the LOF for 2018, including the
classification of fisheries, fisheries listed, the estimated number of
vessels/persons in a particular fishery, and the species and/or stocks
that are incidentally killed or injured in a particular fishery. NMFS
re-classifies two fisheries in the LOF for 2018. Additionally, NMFS
adds two fisheries to the LOF. NMFS makes changes to the estimated
number of vessels/persons and list of species and/or stocks killed or
injured in certain fisheries. The classifications and definitions of
U.S. commercial fisheries for 2018 are identical to those provided in
the LOF for 2017 with the changes discussed below. State and regional
abbreviations used in the following paragraphs include: AK (Alaska),
BSAI (Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands), CA (California), DE (Delaware),
FL (Florida), GOA (Gulf of Alaska), GMX (Gulf of Mexico), HI (Hawaii),
MA (Massachusetts), ME (Maine), NC (North Carolina), NY (New York), OR
(Oregon), RI (Rhode Island), SC (South Carolina), VA (Virginia), WA
(Washington), and WNA (Western North Atlantic).

Commercial Fisheries in the Pacific Ocean

Classification of Fisheries

NMFS proposes to reclassify the CA thresher shark/swordfish drift
gillnet (>= 14 inch (in) mesh) fishery from Category I to Category II.
The most recent mean annual take estimate for the CA/OR/WA stock of
sperm whale by this fishery is 0.4 (Carretta, Moore, and Forney, 2017).
This take estimate from the most recent five year period of available
data (2011-2015) is 14 percent of the stock's PBR (2.7) (Carretta et
al., 2015). The Tier II analysis is less than 50 percent but more than
1 percent of the stock's PBR; thus, we propose this fishery be
reclassified as Category II.
NMFS proposes to reclassify the Category III AK Gulf of Alaska
sablefish longline fishery to Category II based on interactions with
sperm whales. Given the uncertainty in stock structure and abundance of
sperm whales in the North Pacific and the best available data on North
Pacific sperm whale mortality and serious injury (M/SI) in the AK Gulf
of Alaska sablefish longline fishery, NMFS is proposing to reclassify
the fishery based on the statutory definitions of the categories as
outlined in section 118 of the MMPA. Given the current mean estimated
annual M/SI of sperm whales in this fishery, NMFS cannot conclude the
definition for Category III, ``a remote likelihood of or no known
incidental mortality or serious injury of marine mammals'' is
appropriate at this time. Instead, the best available data (i.e., mean
annual M/SI estimate of 2.2 for this stock) support classifying the
fishery as Category II, defined as ``occasional incidental mortality
and serious injury of marine mammals.''
Serious injuries to sperm whales in this fishery have been
documented from 1997 to 2014. The current (2016) SAR uses data from
2010-2014 to provide an estimated mean annual M/SI rate for sperm
whales. During this 5-year window, the AK Gulf of Alaska sablefish
longline fishery has five observed serious injury reports that have
each been prorated to 0.75 mortalities (NMFS, 2012). Dependent upon the
availability of associated catch data used as a metric of effort, some
of these observations were extrapolated to the portion of the fishery
effort that was not observed. These extrapolations were not available
to be incorporated into the SAR until 2016.
There were two observed serious injuries in 2012, and both were
used to extrapolate to the unobserved effort resulting in an estimated
total mortality of 3.4 in 2012. There were two observed serious
injuries in 2013, one was extrapolated and one was not, for an
estimated mortality of 6.95 (6.2 + 0.75) in 2013. There was one
observed serious injury in 2014, which was not extrapolated, for an
estimated mortality of 0.75 for 2014.
These values averaged over the 5-year data interval included in the
2016 SAR represent the reported mean estimated annual M/SI of 2.2 (CV =
0.63) of North Pacific sperm whales in the AK Gulf of Alaska sablefish
longline fishery (Muto et al., 2017). This is an increased estimate
from the previous (2015) SAR, which reported an estimated mean annual
M/SI rate of 0.8 for the years 2009-2013. The increase can be
attributed to the addition of one observed serious injury in 2014 and
newly available estimates from three previously unextrapolated
interactions.
The 2016 SAR for the North Pacific stock of sperm whale does not
have a minimum abundance estimate (NMIN) or PBR for use in
the LOF tier analysis. However, given the increase in estimated mean
annual M/SI of sperm whales in the AK Gulf of Alaska sablefish longline
fishery and in response to previous public comments (82 FR 3655;
January 12, 2017 comment 6; 81 FR 40870; June 23, 2016 comment 4), NMFS
has completed an assessment of this fishery using the best available
data.
Using the PBR formula and the stock's recovery factor
(FR) of 0.1, we can back-calculate the theoretical
NMIN necessary for the AK Gulf of Alaska sablefish longline
fishery to remain a Category III

[[Page 47429]]

fishery. The AK Gulf of Alaska sablefish longline fishery is the only
commercial fishery with documented M/SI of North Pacific sperm whales
from 2010-2014, so both the Tier 1 and Tier 2 analyses evaluate the
same M/SI estimate. In the Tier 1 analysis, for the mean estimated
annual M/SI for all commercial fisheries (2.2) to be less than or equal
to ten percent of PBR, the NMIN would need to exceed 11,000
whales. NMFS considers it unlikely that the stock exceeds 11,000 whales
(see Rone et al., 2016 for portion of range estimate: N = 129 (CV =
0.44) in 2013 and N = 345 (CV = 0.43) in 2015); and, therefore, we
proceed to a Tier 2 analysis. In the Tier 2 analysis, for the mean
estimated M/SI from the AK Gulf of Alaska sablefish longline fishery
(2.2) to be less than or equal to one percent of PBR (the threshold for
Category III fisheries), the NMIN would need to exceed
110,000. NMFS considers it unlikely that this sperm whale stock exceeds
110,000 whales and; therefore, concludes the M/SI estimate (2.2) would
likely exceed 1 percent of PBR if NMFS had sufficient abundance data to
calculate PBR for this stock. Based on this result, combined with the
statutory definitions of a Category II fishery under the MMPA, NMFS
proposes to reclassify this fishery as Category II.

Addition of Fisheries

NMFS proposes to add the AK BSAI halibut longline fishery as a
Category III fishery. This fishery is proposed for classification in
Category III based on analogy to other halibut longline fisheries.
NMFS proposes to add the AK Gulf of Alaska sablefish pot fishery as
a Category III fishery. NMFS recently authorized this fishery for 2017
for sablefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) share holders. In this
fishery, sablefish pots are set along a longline, a method previously
authorized and implemented in Alaska in the BSAI. This fishery is
proposed for classification in Category III by analogy to other
sablefish pot fisheries in Alaska.

Removal of Fisheries

NMFS proposes to remove the Category III AK miscellaneous finfish
set gillnet fishery from the LOF as miscellaneous finfish are not the
target of set gillnet fishing methods.
NMFS proposes to remove the Category III AK miscellaneous finfish
beach seine fishery from the LOF as miscellaneous finfish are not the
target of beach seine fishing methods.
NMFS proposes to remove the Category III AK miscellaneous finfish
purse seine fishery from the LOF as miscellaneous finfish are not the
target of purse seine fishing methods.
NMFS proposes to remove the Category III AK octopus/squid purse
seine fishery from the LOF as octopus and squid are not the target of
purse seine fishing methods.
NMFS proposes to remove the Category III AK BSAI rockfish longline
fishery from the LOF as rockfish are not the target of longline fishing
methods in this region.
NMFS proposes to remove the Category III AK Gulf of Alaska rockfish
longline fishery from the LOF as rockfish are not the target of
longline fishing methods in this region.
NMFS proposes to remove the Category III AK halibut longline/set
line (state and Federal waters) fishery from the LOF as this fishery is
covered by AK Gulf of Alaska halibut longline and AK BSAI halibut
longline fisheries on the LOF.
NMFS proposes to remove the Category III AK miscellaneous finfish
otter/beam trawl fishery from the LOF as miscellaneous finfish are not
the target of otter/beam trawl fishing methods.
NMFS proposes to remove the Category III AK statewide miscellaneous
finfish pot fishery from the LOF as miscellaneous finfish are not the
target of pot fishing methods.
NMFS proposes to remove the Category III AK snail pot fishery from
the LOF as there are currently no participants.
NMFS proposes to remove the Category III AK octopus/squid handline
fishery from the LOF as octopus and squid are not the target of
handline fishing methods.
NMFS proposes to remove the Category III AK Abalone fishery from
the LOF as there are currently no participants.

Fishery Name and Organizational Changes and Clarification

NMFS proposes to clarify that the Category II AK BSAI rockfish
trawl fishery includes sablefish catches. As sablefish is not the
target species in this area, sablefish will not be listed as a separate
fishery but will be considered as incidental catch in the rockfish
trawl fishery in this region.
NMFS proposes to add a superscript ``1'' to the CA/OR/WA stock of
humpback whale to indicate it is driving the Category II classification
of the CA spiny lobster fishery. In 2015, gear associated with this
fishery entangled a humpback whale (Carretta, Muto et al., 2017).
NMFS proposes to rename the Category III AK salmon purse seine
(excluding salmon purse seine fisheries listed elsewhere) fishery to AK
salmon purse seine (Prince William Sound, Chignik, Alaska Peninsula)
fishery. The proposed change is for clarity to directly indicate the
areas included.
NMFS proposes to clarify that the Category III AK Gulf of Alaska
rockfish trawl fishery includes targeted fishing for sablefish, which
is included in the rockfish Fisheries Management Plan.
NMFS proposes to rename the Category III AK food/bait herring trawl
fishery to AK Kodiak food/bait herring otter trawl fishery to clarify
that this fishery only takes place in Kodiak and specifically uses
otter trawl.
NMFS proposes to rename the Category III AK shrimp otter trawl and
beam trawl (statewide and Cook Inlet) fishery to AK shrimp otter trawl
and beam trawl fishery. There is no need to specifically mention the
Cook Inlet area because this fishery is statewide.
NMFS proposes to rename the Category III AK State-managed waters of
Cook Inlet, Kachemak Bay, Prince William Sound, Southeast AK groundfish
trawl fishery to AK State-managed waters of Prince William Sound
groundfish trawl fishery as the state banned trawling in the other
areas currently specified.
NMFS proposes to combine the Category III AK Aleutian Islands
sablefish pot fishery in the LOF with the Category III AK Bering Sea
sablefish pot fishery for consistency with other regional designations
in the LOF. The proposed change would combine these fisheries as AK
BSAI sablefish pot fishery.
NMFS proposes to break the Category III AK miscellaneous finfish
handline/hand troll and mechanical jig fishery into several fisheries
by gear and geography for improved fishery categorization of potential
impacts to marine mammals. For gear types, NMFS proposes to recognize
jig and troll techniques separately to distinguish between fishing
methods that may have different degrees of marine mammal interactions.
NMFS proposes separating these into two regions, BSAI and Gulf of
Alaska to better understand potential regional threats to marine
mammals. NMFS will continue to consider the same group of target
species together for the revised classification because the included
groundfish species are often targeted simultaneously or only retained
secondary to another primary target species in this group. NMFS
considers ``groundfish'' to include, but not be limited to: Pacific
cod, sablefish, ling cod, and various rockfish species. When reporting
a marine mammal interaction, fishermen will be responsible to self-

[[Page 47430]]

identify their fishery by area, target species, and gear type. The new
Category III fishery names are: (1) AK BSAI groundfish jig, (2) AK BSAI
groundfish troll, (3) AK Gulf of Alaska groundfish jig, (4) AK Gulf of
Alaska groundfish troll.
NMFS proposes to rename the Category III AK North Pacific halibut
handline/hand troll and mechanical jig fishery to AK halibut jig
fishery for clarity and consistency. There is no directed troll or
handline effort for halibut, but there is jig effort.
NMFS proposes to rename the Category III AK urchin and other fish/
shellfish fishery to AK miscellaneous invertebrates hand pick fishery
for clarity and consistency with the National Bycatch Report. This
includes hand-picked fisheries for urchin, cucumbers, and bivalves.
NMFS makes an administrative change to the Category III Alaska
scallop dredge fishery to be renamed AK scallop dredge for consistency.

Number of Vessels/Persons

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

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

NMFS proposes to add the Central North Pacific stock of humpback
whale to the list of stocks incidentally killed or injured in the
Category I Hawaii deep-set longline fishery. A humpback was seriously
injured in 2014 in this fishery.
NMFS proposes to add the Hawaii stock of Kogia spp. (Pygmy or dwarf
sperm whale) to the list of stocks incidentally killed or injured in
the Category I Hawaii deep-set longline fishery to keep parallel
structure with Table 3.
NMFS proposes to add the CA/OR/WA stock of Dall's porpoise to the
list of stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category I CA
thresher shark/swordfish drift gillnet (>=14 in mesh) fishery based on
a 2014 observed entanglement (Carretta, Forney et al., 2017).

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

Number of Vessels/Persons

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

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

NMFS proposes to add the Northern Gulf of Mexico stock of rough-
toothed dolphin to the list of stocks incidentally killed or injured in
the Category I Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico large pelagics
longline fishery. In 2014, two serious injuries of rough-toothed
dolphins were observed in this fishery (Garrison and Stokes, 2017). The
estimated annual combined mortality and serious injury, from 2010-2014,
attributable to this fishery in the northern Gulf of Mexico was 0.8
(Hayes et al., 2017). Observer coverage from 2010-2014 for this fishery
was 9.7, 10.1, 8.6, 14.1, and 12.3 percent, respectively.
NMFS proposes to remove the WNA stock of white-sided dolphin from
the stocks listed as incidentally killed or injured in the Category II
Mid-Atlantic mid-water trawl fishery. The last documented take of
white-sided dolphin in this fishery occurred in 2009 (Waring et al.,
2016). Since no additional takes have been documented since 2009, we
propose to remove the stock. Observer coverage from 2010-2014 for this
fishery was 25, 41, 21, 7, and 5 percent, respectively.
NMFS proposes to add the WNA stock of white-sided dolphin to the
list of stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category II Mid-
Atlantic bottom trawl fishery. White-sided dolphin takes were
documented in this fishery prior to 2008, but no takes were documented
from 2008-2013 leading to the stock's removal from the list in the 2016
LOF (81 FR 20550; April 8, 2016). In 2014, 9.67 takes were estimated.
The current

[[Page 47431]]

mean combined annual mortality rate for 2010-2014 is now 1.9 animals
per year (Hayes et al., 2017). Potential biological removal for this
species is 304 (Hayes et al., 2017); therefore, the current annual
mortality estimates (0.625 percent of PBR) will not drive the Category
II classification of this fishery. Observer coverage from 2010-2014 for
this fishery was 6, 8, 5, 6, and 8 percent, respectively.
NMFS proposes to add the WNA offshore stock of bottlenose dolphin
to the list of stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category
III Gulf of Maine, U.S., Mid-Atlantic tuna, shark, swordfish hook-and-
line/harpoon fishery. A fisherman self-reported one bottlenose dolphin
injury that was determined to be a serious injury in 2010 (Waring et
al., 2016).
NMFS proposes to add three stocks to the list of stocks
incidentally killed or injured in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico,
Caribbean commercial passenger fishing vessel fishery. The three stocks
are: (1) WNA stock of short-finned pilot whale and (2) Barataria Bay
estuarine system stock and (3) Mississippi Sound, Lake Borgne, Bay
Boudreau stock of bottlenose dolphins.
In 2013, one short-finned pilot whale was self-reported by a
charterboat fisherman (Hayes et al., 2017). The hooked and entangled
animal was released alive; however, NMFS determined the injury to be
serious (Maze-Foley and Garrison, 2016).
In 2011, one dead and one injured Barataria Bay estuarine system
stock of Bottlenose dolphins were documented in hook-and-line gear. In
2013, two injured dolphins from this stock were documented in hook and
line gear (Waring et al., 2016).
In 2011, three dead Mississippi Sound, Lake Borgne, Bay Boudreau
stock of bottlenose dolphins were documented in hook-and-line gear. In
2012 and 2013, one death was documented each year associated with hook
and line gear (Waring et al., 2016).
NMFS corrects three administrative errors in Table 2. Under stocks
listed as incidentally killed or injured in the Atlantic Ocean,
Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico large pelagic longline fishery, NMFS updates
to stock name for Atlantic spotted dolphin from ``GMX continental and
oceanic'' to ``Northern GMX''. Second, in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of
Mexico, Caribbean commercial passenger fishing vessel fishery, NMFS
updates the stock name for bottlenose dolphin from ``Southern SC/GA
coastal'' to ``SC/GA coastal''. Last, NMFS removes the WNA stock of
Risso's dolphin and white-sided dolphin from the stocks listed as
incidentally injured or killed in the Category I Mid-Atlantic gillnet
fishery. These stocks were removed in the 2016 LOF (80 FR 58427,
September 29, 2015), but the change was not reflected on Table 2.

Commercial Fisheries on the High Seas

Removal of Fisheries

NMFS proposes to remove the Category II Atlantic highly migratory
species drift gillnet fishery from the LOF as there are currently no
participants.

Fishery Name and Organizational Changes and Clarification

NMFS proposes to designate the list of stocks incidentally killed
in injured in a fishery from ``undetermined'' to ``no information'' for
clarity that no data are available for interactions in that fishery.

Number of Vessels/Persons

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Number of
Category Fishery vessels/persons vessels/persons
(2017 LOF) (2018 LOF)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I.................. Atlantic highly 86 79
migratory
species
longline.
I.................. Western Pacific 139 143
pelagic
longline (HI
deep-set
component).
I.................. Pacific highly 5 4
migratory
species drift
gillnet.
II................. Atlantic highly 1 2
migratory
species trawl.
II................. South Pacific 38 35
tuna purse
seine.
II................. Western Pacific 3 1
pelagic purse
seine.
II................. South Pacific 10 9
albacore troll
longline.
II................. South Pacific 2 4
tuna longline.
II................. Western Pacific 20 22
pelagic
longline (HI
shallow-set
component).
II................. Atlantic highly 3 2
migratory
species
handline/pole
and line.
II................. Pacific highly 46 42
migratory
species
handline/pole
and line.
II................. South Pacific 7 11
albacore troll
handline/pole
and line.
II................. Western Pacific 2 5
pelagic
handline/pole
and line.
II................. Atlantic highly 2 1
migratory
species troll.
II................. South Pacific 30 22
albacore troll
troll.
II................. Western Pacific 17 6
pelagic troll.
III................ Pacific highly 114 105
migratory
species
longline.
III................ Pacific highly 6 7
migratory
species purse
seine.
III................ Northwest 1 2
Atlantic trawl.
III................ Pacific highly 187 149
migratory
species troll.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

NMFS proposes to add the Hawaii stock of Kogia spp. (Pygmy or dwarf
sperm whale) to the list of stocks incidentally killed or injured in
the Category I Western Pacific Pelagic (HI deep-set component) longline
fishery. In 2014, one serious injury was observed in this fishery
(Carretta, Forney et al., 2017).
NMFS proposes to add the Central North Pacific stock of humpback
whale to the list of stocks incidentally killed or injured in the
Category I Western Pacific Pelagic (HI deep-set component) longline
fishery to keep parallel structure with Table 1.

List of Fisheries

The following tables set forth the list of U.S. commercial
fisheries according to their classification under section 118 of the
MMPA. Table 1 lists commercial fisheries in the Pacific Ocean
(including Alaska), Table 2 lists commercial fisheries in the Atlantic
Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean, Table 3 lists commercial
fisheries on the high seas,

[[Page 47432]]

and Table 4 lists fisheries affected by TRPs or TRTs.
In Tables 1 and 2, the estimated number of vessels or persons
participating in fisheries operating within U.S. waters is expressed in
terms of the number of active participants in the fishery, when
possible. If this information is not available, the estimated number of
vessels or persons licensed for a particular fishery is provided. If no
recent information is available on the number of participants, vessels,
or persons licensed in a fishery, then the number from the most recent
LOF is used for the estimated number of vessels or persons in the
fishery. NMFS acknowledges that, in some cases, these estimates may be
inflations of actual effort. For example, the State of Hawaii does not
issue fishery-specific licenses, and the number of participants
reported in the LOF represents the number of commercial marine license
holders who reported using a particular fishing gear type/method at
least once in a given year, without considering how many times the gear
was used. For these fisheries, effort by a single participant is
counted the same whether the fisherman used the gear only once or every
day. In the Mid-Atlantic and New England fisheries, the numbers
represent the potential effort for each fishery, given the multiple
gear types for which several state permits may allow. Changes made to
Mid-Atlantic and New England fishery participants will not affect
observer coverage or bycatch estimates, as observer coverage and
bycatch estimates are based on vessel trip reports and landings data.
Tables 1 and 2 serve to provide a description of the fishery's
potential effort (state and Federal). If NMFS is able to extract more
accurate information on the gear types used by state permit holders in
the future, the numbers will be updated to reflect this change. For
additional information on fishing effort in fisheries found on Table 1
or 2, contact the relevant regional office (contact information
included above in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).
For high seas fisheries, Table 3 lists the number of valid HSFCA
permits currently held. Although this likely overestimates the number
of active participants in many of these fisheries, the number of valid
HSFCA permits is the most reliable data on the potential effort in high
seas fisheries at this time. As noted previously in this LOF, the
number of HSFCA permits listed in Table 3 for the high seas components
of fisheries that also operate within U.S. waters, does not necessarily
represent additional effort that is not accounted for in Tables 1 and
2. Many vessels holding HSFCA permits also fish within U.S. waters and
are included in the number of vessels and participants operating within
those fisheries in Tables 1 and 2.
Tables 1, 2, and 3 also list the marine mammal species and/or
stocks incidentally killed or injured (seriously or non-seriously) in
each fishery based on SARs, injury determination reports, bycatch
estimation reports, observer data, logbook data, stranding data,
disentanglement network data, fishermen self-reports (i.e., MMPA
reports), and anecdotal reports. The best available scientific
information included in these reports is based on data through 2012.
This list includes all species and/or stocks known to be killed or
injured in a given fishery but also includes species and/or stocks for
which there are anecdotal records of a mortality or injury.
Additionally, species identified by logbook entries, stranding data, or
fishermen self-reports (i.e., MMPA reports) may not be verified. In
Tables 1 and 2, NMFS has designated those species/stocks driving a
fishery's classification (i.e., the fishery is classified based on
mortalities and serious injuries of a marine mammal stock that are
greater than or equal to 50 percent (Category I), or greater than 1
percent and less than 50 percent (Category II), of a stock's PBR) by a
``\1\'' after the stock's name.
In Tables 1 and 2, there are several fisheries classified as
Category II that have no recent documented mortalities or serious
injuries of marine mammals, or fisheries that did not result in a
mortality or serious injury rate greater than 1 percent of a stock's
PBR level based on known interactions. NMFS has classified these
fisheries by analogy to other Category I or II fisheries that use
similar fishing techniques or gear that are known to cause mortality or
serious injury of marine mammals, as discussed in the final LOF for
1996 (60 FR 67063; December 28, 1995), and according to factors listed
in the definition of a ``Category II fishery'' in 50 CFR 229.2 (i.e.,
fishing techniques, gear types, methods used to deter marine mammals,
target species, seasons and areas fished, qualitative data from
logbooks or fishermen reports, stranding data, and the species and
distribution of marine mammals in the area). NMFS has designated those
fisheries listed by analogy in Tables 1 and 2 by a ``\2\'' after the
fishery's name.
There are several fisheries in Tables 1, 2, and 3 in which a
portion of the fishing vessels cross the exclusive economic zone (EEZ)
boundary and therefore operate both within U.S. waters and on the high
seas. These fisheries, though listed separately between Table 1 or 2
and Table 3, are considered the same fisheries on either side of the
EEZ boundary. NMFS has designated those fisheries in each table by a
``*'' after the fishery's name.

Table 1--List of Fisheries--Commercial Fisheries in the Pacific Ocean
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marine mammal
Estimated number of species and/or
Fishery description vessels/ persons stocks incidentally
killed or injured
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CATEGORY I
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONGLINE/SET LINE FISHERIES:
HI deep-set longline * 143................ Bottlenose dolphin,
[caret]. HI Pelagic.
False killer whale,
MHI Insular.\1\
False killer whale,
HI Pelagic.\1\
False killer whale,
NWHI.
Humpback whale.
Central North
Pacific.
Kogia spp. (Pygmy or
dwarf sperm whale),
HI.
Pygmy killer whale,
HI.
Risso's dolphin, HI.
Short-finned pilot
whale, HI.
Sperm whale, HI.
Striped dolphin, HI.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 47433]]

CATEGORY II
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GILLNET FISHERIES:
CA thresher shark/swordfish 18................. Bottlenose dolphin,
drift gillnet (>=14 in mesh) CA/OR/WA offshore.
*.
California sea lion,
U.S.
Dall's porpoise, CA/
OR/WA.
Humpback whale, CA/
OR/WA.
Long-beaked common
dolphin, CA.
Minke whale, CA/OR/
WA.
Northern elephant
seal, CA breeding.
Northern right-whale
dolphin, CA/OR/WA.
Pacific white-sided
dolphin, CA/OR/WA.
Risso's dolphin, CA/
OR/WA.
Short-beaked common
dolphin, CA/OR/WA.
Short-finned pilot
whale, CA/OR/WA.
Sperm Whale, CA/OR/
WA.\1\
CA halibut/white seabass and 50................. California sea lion,
other species set gillnet U.S.
(>3.5 in mesh). Harbor seal, CA.
Humpback whale, CA/
OR/WA.\1\
Long-beaked common
dolphin, CA.
Northern elephant
seal, CA breeding.
Sea otter, CA.
Short-beaked common
dolphin, CA/OR/WA.
CA yellowtail, barracuda, and 30................. California sea lion,
white seabass drift gillnet U.S.
(mesh size >=3.5 in and <14 Long-beaked common
in) \2\. dolphin, CA.
Short-beaked common
dolphin, CA/OR/WA.
AK Bristol Bay salmon drift 1,862.............. Beluga whale,
gillnet \2\. Bristol Bay.
Gray whale, Eastern
North Pacific.
Harbor seal, Bering
Sea.
Northern fur seal,
Eastern Pacific.
Pacific white-sided
dolphin, North
Pacific.
Spotted seal, AK.
Steller sea lion,
Western U.S.
AK PeninsulaBay salmon set 979................ Beluga whale,
gillnet \2\. Bristol Bay.
Gray whale, Eastern
North Pacific.
Harbor seal, Bering
Sea.
Northern fur seal,
Eastern Pacific.
Spotted seal, AK.
AK Kodiak salmon set gillnet. 188................ Harbor porpoise,
GOA.\1\
Harbor seal, GOA.
Sea otter, Southwest
AK.
Steller sea lion,
Western U.S.
AK Cook Inlet salmon set 736................ Beluga whale, Cook
gillnet. Inlet.
Dall's porpoise, AK.
Harbor porpoise,
GOA.
Harbor seal, GOA.
Humpback whale,
Central North
Pacific.\1\
Sea otter, South
central AK.
Steller sea lion,
Western U.S.
AK Cook Inlet salmon drift 569................ Beluga whale, Cook
gillnet. Inlet.
Dall's porpoise, AK.
Harbor porpoise,
GOA.\1\
Harbor seal, GOA.
Steller sea lion,
Western U.S.
AK Peninsula/Aleutian Islands 162................ Dall's porpoise, AK.
salmon drift gillnet.\2\
Harbor porpoise,
GOA.
Harbor seal, GOA.
Northern fur seal,
Eastern Pacific.
AK Peninsula/Aleutian Islands 113................ Harbor porpoise,
salmon set gillnet.\2\ Bering Sea.
Northern sea otter,
Southwest AK.
Steller sea lion,
Western U.S.
AK Prince William Sound 537................ Dall's porpoise, AK.
salmon drift gillnet.
Harbor porpoise,
GOA.\1\
Harbor seal, GOA.
Northern fur seal,
Eastern Pacific.
Pacific white-sided
dolphin, North
Pacific.
Sea otter, South
central AK.
Steller sea lion,
Western U.S.\1\
AK Southeast salmon drift 474................ Dall's porpoise, AK.
gillnet.

[[Page 47434]]

Harbor porpoise,
Southeast AK.
Harbor seal,
Southeast AK.
Humpback whale,
Central North
Pacific.\1\
Pacific white-sided
dolphin, North
Pacific.
Steller sea lion,
Eastern U.S.
AK Yakutat salmon set gillnet 168................ Gray whale, Eastern
\2\. North Pacific.
Harbor Porpoise,
Southeastern AK.
Harbor seal,
Southeast AK.
Humpback whale,
Central North
Pacific (Southeast
AK).
WA Puget Sound Region salmon 210................ Dall's porpoise, CA/
drift gillnet (includes all OR/WA.
inland waters south of U.S.- Harbor porpoise,
Canada border and eastward inland WA.\1\
of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line- Harbor seal, WA
Treaty Indian fishing is inland.
excluded).

TRAWL FISHERIES:
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian 32................. Bearded seal, AK.
Islands flatfish trawl.
Gray whale, Eastern
North Pacific.
Harbor porpoise,
Bering Sea.
Harbor seal, Bering
Sea.
Humpback whale,
Western North
Pacific.\1\
Killer whale, AK
resident.\1\
Killer whale, GOA,
AI, BS
transient.\1\
Northern fur seal,
Eastern Pacific.
Ringed seal, AK.
Ribbon seal, AK.
Spotted seal, AK.
Steller sea lion,
Western U.S.\1\
Walrus, AK.
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian 102................ Bearded Seal, AK.
Islands pollock trawl.
Dall's porpoise, AK.
Harbor seal, AK.
Humpback whale,
Central North
Pacific.
Humpback whale,
Western North
Pacific.
Northern fur seal,
Eastern Pacific.
Ribbon seal, AK.
Ringed seal, AK.
Spotted seal, AK.
Steller sea lion,
Western U.S.\1\
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian 17................. Killer whale, ENP AK
Islands rockfish trawl. resident.\1\
Killer whale, GOA,
AI, BS
transient.\1\
POT, RING NET, AND TRAP
FISHERIES:
CA spiny lobster............. 194................ Bottlenose dolphin,
CA/OR/WA offshore.
Humpback whale, CA/
OR/WA.\1\
Gray whale, Eastern
North Pacific.
CA spot prawn pot............ 25................. Gray whale, Eastern
North Pacific.
Humpback whale, CA/
OR/WA.\1\
CA Dungeness crab pot........ 570................ Gray whale, Eastern
North Pacific.
Humpback whale, CA/
OR/WA.\1\
OR Dungeness crab pot........ 433................ Gray whale, Eastern
North Pacific.
Humpback whale, CA/
OR/WA.\1\
WA/OR/CA sablefish pot....... 309................ Humpback whale, CA/
OR/WA.\1\
WA coastal Dungeness crab pot 228................ Gray whale, Eastern
North Pacific.
Humpback whale, CA/
OR/WA.\1\
LONGLINE/SET LINE FISHERIES:
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian 45................. Dall's Porpoise, AK.
Islands Pacific cod longline.
Killer whale, GOA,
BSAI transient.\1\
Northern fur seal,
Eastern Pacific.
Ringed seal, AK.
AK Gulf of Alaska sablefish 295................ Sperm whale, North
longline. Pacific.
HI shallow-set longline * 22................. Blainville's beaked
[caret]. whale, HI.
Bottlenose dolphin,
HI Pelagic.
False killer whale,
HI Pelagic.\1\
Humpback whale,
Central North
Pacific.
Risso's dolphin, HI.
Rough-toothed
dolphin, HI.
Short-finned pilot
whale, HI.
Striped dolphin, HI.
American Samoa longline \2\.. 18................. Bottlenose dolphin,
unknown.
Cuvier's beaked
whale, unknown.
False killer whale,
American Samoa.

[[Page 47435]]

Rough-toothed
dolphin, American
Samoa.
Short-finned pilot
whale, unknown.
HI shortline \2\............. 9.................. None documented.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CATEGORY III
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GILLNET FISHERIES:
AK Kuskokwim, Yukon, Norton 1,778.............. Harbor porpoise,
Sound, Kotzebue salmon Bering Sea.
gillnet.
AK Prince William Sound 29................. Harbor seal, GOA.
salmon set gillnet. Sea otter, South
central AK.
Steller sea lion,
Western U.S.
AK roe herring and food/bait 920................ None documented.
herring gillnet.
CA set gillnet (mesh size 296................ None documented.
<3.5 in).
HI inshore gillnet........... 36................. Bottlenose dolphin,
HI.
Spinner dolphin, HI.
WA Grays Harbor salmon drift 24................. Harbor seal, OR/WA
gillnet (excluding treaty coast.
Tribal fishing).
WA/OR Mainstem Columbia River 15................. None documented.
eulachon gillnet.
WA/OR lower Columbia River 110................ California sea lion,
(includes tributaries) drift U.S.
gillnet. Harbor seal, OR/WA
coast.
WA Willapa Bay drift gillnet. 82................. Harbor seal, OR/WA
coast.
Northern elephant
seal, CA breeding.
MISCELLANEOUS NET FISHERIES:
AK Cook Inlet salmon purse 83................. Humpback whale,
seine. Central North
Pacific.
AK Kodiak salmon purse seine. 376................ Humpback whale,
Central North
Pacific.
AK Southeast salmon purse 315................ None documented in
seine. the most recent
five years of data.
AK Metlakatla salmon purse 10................. None documented.
seine.
AK roe herring and food/bait 10................. None documented.
herring beach seine.
AK roe herring and food/bait 356................ None documented.
herring purse seine.
AK salmon beach seine........ 31................. None documented.
AK salmon purse seine (Prince 936................ Harbor seal, GOA.
William Sound, Chignik, Harbor seal, Prince
Alaska Peninsula). William Sound.
WA/OR sardine purse seine.... 42................. None documented.
CA anchovy, mackerel, sardine 65................. California sea lion,
purse seine. U.S.
Harbor seal, CA.
CA squid purse seine......... 80................. Long-beaked common
dolphin, CA.
Short-beaked common
dolphin, CA/OR/WA.
CA tuna purse seine *........ 10................. None documented.
WA/OR Lower Columbia River 10................. None documented.
salmon seine.
WA/OR herring, smelt, squid 130................ None documented.
purse seine or lampara.
WA salmon purse seine........ 75................. None documented.
WA salmon reef net........... 11................. None documented.
HI lift net.................. 17................. None documented.
HI inshore purse seine....... <3................. None documented.
HI throw net, cast net....... 23................. None documented.
HI seine net................. 24................. None documented.
DIP NET FISHERIES:
CA squid dip net............. 115................ None documented.
MARINE AQUACULTURE FISHERIES:
CA marine shellfish unknown............ None documented.
aquaculture.
CA salmon enhancement rearing >1................. None documented.
pen.
CA white seabass enhancement 13................. California sea lion,
net pens. U.S.
HI offshore pen culture...... 2.................. None documented.
WA salmon net pens........... 14................. California sea lion,
U.S.
Harbor seal, WA
inland waters.
WA/OR shellfish aquaculture.. 23................. None documented.
TROLL FISHERIES:
WA/OR/CA albacore surface 705................ None documented.
hook and line/troll.
CA halibut hook and line/ unknown............ None documented.
handline.
CA white seabass hook and unknown............ None documented.
line/handline.
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian unknown............ None documented.
Islands groundfish troll.
AK Gulf of Alaska groundfish unknown............ None documented.
troll.
AK salmon troll.............. 1,908.............. Steller sea lion,
Eastern U.S.
Steller sea lion,
Western U.S.
American Samoa tuna troll.... 13................. None documented.
CA/OR/WA salmon troll........ 4,300.............. None documented.
HI troll..................... 2,117.............. Pantropical spotted
dolphin, HI.
HI rod and reel.............. 322................ None documented.

[[Page 47436]]

Commonwealth of the Northern 40................. None documented.
Mariana Islands tuna troll.
Guam tuna troll.............. 432................ None documented.
LONGLINE/SET LINE FISHERIES:
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian 4.................. Killer whale, AK
Islands Greenland turbot resident.
longline.
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian 22................. None documented.
Islands sablefish longline.
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian 127................ None documented.
Islands halibut longline.
AK Gulf of Alaska halibut 855................ None documented.
longline.
AK Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod 92................. Steller sea lion,
longline. Western U.S.
AK octopus/squid longline.... 3.................. None documented.
AK state-managed waters 464................ None documented.
longline/setline (including
sablefish, rockfish,
lingcod, and miscellaneous
finfish).
WA/OR/CA groundfish, 367................ Bottlenose dolphin,
bottomfish longline/set line. CA/OR/WA offshore.
WA/OR Pacific halibut 350................ None documented.
longline.
CA pelagic longline.......... 1.................. None documented in
the most recent
five years of data.
HI kaka line................. 15................. None documented.
HI vertical line............. 3.................. None documented.
TRAWL FISHERIES:
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian 13................. Ribbon seal, AK.
Islands Atka mackerel trawl. Steller sea lion,
Western U.S.
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian 72................. Ringed seal, AK.
Islands Pacific cod trawl. Steller sea lion,
Western U.S.
AK Gulf of Alaska flatfish 36................. Northern elephant
trawl. seal, North
Pacific.
AK Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod 55................. Steller sea lion,
trawl. Western U.S.
AK Gulf of Alaska pollock 67................. Dall's porpoise, AK.
trawl.
Fin whale, Northeast
Pacific.
Northern elephant
seal, North
Pacific.
Steller sea lion,
Western U.S.
AK Gulf of Alaska rockfish 43................. None documented.
trawl.
AK Kodiak food/bait herring 4.................. None documented.
otter trawl.
AK shrimp otter trawl and 38................. None documented.
beam trawl.
AK state-managed waters of 2.................. None documented.
Prince William Sound
groundfish trawl.
CA halibut bottom trawl...... 47................. California sea lion,
U.S.
Harbor porpoise,
unknown.
Harbor seal,
unknown.
Northern elephant
seal, CA breeding.
Steller sea lion,
unknown.
CA sea cucumber trawl........ 16................. None documented.
WA/OR/CA shrimp trawl........ 300................ None documented.
WA/OR/CA groundfish trawl.... 160-180............ California sea lion,
U.S.
Dall's porpoise, CA/
OR/WA.
Harbor seal, OR/WA
coast.
Northern fur seal,
Eastern Pacific.
Pacific white-sided
dolphin, CA/OR/WA.
Steller sea lion,
Eastern U.S.
POT, RING NET, AND TRAP
FISHERIES:
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian 6.................. None documented.
Islands sablefish pot.
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian 59................. None documented.
Islands Pacific cod pot.
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian 540................ Gray whale, Eastern
Islands crab pot. North Pacific.
AK Gulf of Alaska crab pot... 271................ None documented.
AK Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod 116................ Harbor seal, GOA.
pot.
AK Gulf of Alaska sablefish 248................ None documented.
pot.
AK Southeast Alaska crab pot. 375................ Humpback whale,
Central North
Pacific (Southeast
AK).
AK Southeast Alaska shrimp 210................ Humpback whale,
pot. Central North
Pacific (Southeast
AK).
AK shrimp pot, except 141................ None documented.
Southeast.
AK octopus/squid pot......... 15................. None documented.
CA/OR coonstripe shrimp pot.. 36................. Gray whale, Eastern
North Pacific.
Harbor seal, CA.
CA rock crab pot............. 124................ Gray whale, Eastern
North Pacific.
Harbor seal, CA.
WA/OR/CA hagfish pot......... 54................. None documented.
WA/OR shrimp pot/trap........ 254................ None documented.
WA Puget Sound Dungeness crab 249................ None documented.
pot/trap.
HI crab trap................. 5.................. Humpback whale,
Central North
Pacific.
HI fish trap................. 9.................. None documented.
HI lobster trap.............. <3................. None documented in
recent years.
HI shrimp trap............... 10................. None documented.
HI crab net.................. 4.................. None documented.
HI Kona crab loop net........ 33................. None documented.

[[Page 47437]]

HOOK-AND-LINE, HANDLINE, AND
JIG FISHERIES:
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian 2.................. None documented.
Islands groundfish jig.
AK Gulf of Alaska groundfish 214................ Fin whale, Northeast
jig. Pacific.
AK halibut jig............... 71................. None documented.
American Samoa bottomfish.... 17................. None documented.
Commonwealth of the Northern 28................. None documented.
Mariana Islands bottomfish.
Guam bottomfish.............. >300............... None documented.
HI aku boat, pole, and line.. <3................. None documented.
HI bottomfish handline....... 578................ None documented in
recent years.
HI inshore handline.......... 357................ None documented.
HI pelagic handline.......... 534................ None documented.
WA groundfish, bottomfish jig 679................ None documented.
Western Pacific squid jig.... 0.................. None documented.
HARPOON FISHERIES:
CA swordfish harpoon......... 6.................. None documented.
POUND NET/WEIR FISHERIES:
AK herring spawn on kelp 291................ None documented.
pound net.
AK Southeast herring roe/food/ 2.................. None documented.
bait pound net.
HI bullpen trap.............. 3.................. None documented.
BAIT PENS:
WA/OR/CA bait pens........... 13................. California sea lion,
U.S.
DREDGE FISHERIES:
AK scallop dredge............ 108 (5 AK)......... None documented.
DIVE, HAND/MECHANICAL
COLLECTION FISHERIES:
AK clam...................... 130................ None documented.
AK Dungeness crab............ 2.................. None documented.
AK herring spawn on kelp..... 266................ None documented.
AK miscellaneous 214................ None documented.
invertebrates handpick.
HI black coral diving........ <3................. None documented.
HI fish pond................. 5.................. None documented.
HI handpick.................. 46................. None documented.
HI lobster diving............ 19................. None documented.
HI spearfishing.............. 163................ None documented.
WA/CA kelp................... 4.................. None documented.
WA/OR bait shrimp, clam hand, 201................ None documented.
dive, or mechanical
collection.
OR/CA sea urchin, sea 10................. None documented.
cucumber hand, dive, or
mechanical collection.
COMMERCIAL PASSENGER FISHING
VESSEL (CHARTER BOAT)
FISHERIES:
AK/WA/OR/CA commercial >7,000 (1,006 AK).. Killer whale,
passenger fishing vessel. unknown.
Steller sea lion,
Eastern U.S.
Steller sea lion,
Western U.S.
LIVE FINFISH/SHELLFISH
FISHERIES:
CA nearshore finfish live 93................. None documented.
trap/hook-and-line.
HI aquarium collecting....... 90................. None documented.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
List of Abbreviations and Symbols Used in Table 1: AI--Aleutian Islands;
AK--Alaska; BS--Bering Sea; CA--California; ENP--Eastern North
Pacific; GOA--Gulf of Alaska; HI--Hawaii; MHI--Main Hawaiian Islands;
OR--Oregon; WA--Washington; \1\ Fishery classified based on
mortalities and serious injuries of this stock, which are greater than
or equal to 50 percent (Category I) or greater than 1 percent and less
than 50 percent (Category II) of the stock's PBR; \2\ Fishery
classified by analogy; * Fishery has an associated high seas component
listed in Table 3; [caret] The list of marine mammal species and/or
stocks killed or injured in this fishery is identical to the list of
species and/or stocks killed or injured in high seas component of the
fishery, minus species and/or stocks that have geographic ranges
exclusively on the high seas. The species and/or stocks are found, and
the fishery remains the same, on both sides of the EEZ boundary.
Therefore, the EEZ components of these fisheries pose the same risk to
marine mammals as the components operating on the high seas.

Table 2--List of Fisheries--Commercial Fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean,
Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marine mammal
Estimated number of species and/or
Fishery description vessels/ persons stocks incidentally
killed or injured
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CATEGORY I
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GILLNET FISHERIES:
Mid-Atlantic gillnet......... 3,950.............. Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern Migratory
coastal.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin,
Southern Migratory
coastal.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern NC
estuarine
system.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin,
Southern NC
estuarine
system.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin,
WNA offshore.

[[Page 47438]]

Common dolphin, WNA.
Gray seal, WNA.
Harbor porpoise, GME/
BF.
Harbor seal, WNA.
Harp seal, WNA.
Humpback whale, Gulf
of Maine.
Minke whale,
Canadian east
coast.
Northeast sink gillnet....... 4,332.............. Bottlenose dolphin,
WNA offshore.
Common dolphin, WNA.
Fin whale, WNA.
Gray seal, WNA.
Harbor porpoise, GME/
BF.\1\
Harbor seal, WNA.
Harp seal, WNA.
Hooded seal, WNA.
Humpback whale, Gulf
of Maine.
Long-finned pilot
whale, WNA.
Minke whale,
Canadian east
coast.
North Atlantic right
whale, WNA.
Risso's dolphin,
WNA.
White-sided dolphin,
WNA.
TRAP/POT FISHERIES:
Northeast/Mid-Atlantic 10,163............. Humpback whale, Gulf
American lobster trap/pot. of Maine.
Minke whale,
Canadian east
coast.
North Atlantic right
whale, WNA.\1\
LONGLINE FISHERIES:
Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, 280................ Atlantic spotted
Gulf of Mexico large dolphin, Northern
pelagics longline *. GMX.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern GMX
oceanic.
Bottlenose dolphin,
WNA offshore.
Common dolphin, WNA.
Cuvier's beaked
whale, WNA.
False killer whale,
WNA.
Harbor porpoise,
GME, BF.
Kogia spp. (Pygmy or
dwarf sperm whale),
WNA.
Long-finned pilot
whale, WNA.\1\
Mesoplodon beaked
whale, WNA.
Minke whale,
Canadian East
coast.
Pantropical spotted
dolphin, Northern
GMX.
Pygmy sperm whale,
GMX.
Risso's dolphin,
Northern GMX.
Risso's dolphin,
WNA.
Rough-toothed
dolphin, Northern
GMX.
Short-finned pilot
whale, Northern
GMX.
Short-finned pilot
whale, WNA.\1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CATEGORY II
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GILLNET FISHERIES:
Chesapeake Bay inshore 248................ Bottlenose dolphin,
gillnet \2\. unknown (Northern
migratory coastal
or Southern
migratory coastal).
Gulf of Mexico gillnet \2\... 248................ Bottlenose dolphin,
GMX bay, sound, and
estuarine.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern GMX
coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Western GMX
coastal.
NC inshore gillnet........... 2,850.............. Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern NC
estuarine
system.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin,
Southern NC
estuarine
system.\1\
Northeast anchored float 852................ Harbor seal, WNA.
gillnet \2\. Humpback whale, Gulf
of Maine.
White-sided dolphin,
WNA.
Northeast drift gillnet \2\.. 1,036.............. None documented.
Southeast Atlantic gillnet 273................ Bottlenose dolphin,
\2\. Central FL coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern FL
coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin,
SC/GA coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Southern migratory
coastal.
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic 23................. Bottlenose dolphin,
shark gillnet. unknown (Central
FL, Northern FL, SC/
GA coastal, or
Southern migratory
coastal).
North Atlantic right
whale, WNA.
TRAWL FISHERIES:
Mid-Atlantic mid-water trawl 382................ Gray seal, WNA.
(including pair trawl). Harbor seal, WNA.

[[Page 47439]]

Mid-Atlantic bottom trawl.... 785................ Bottlenose dolphin,
WNA offshore.
Common dolphin,
WNA.\1\
Gray seal, WNA.
Harbor seal, WNA.
Risso's dolphin,
WNA.\1\
White-sided dolphin,
WNA.
Northeast mid-water trawl 1,087.............. Common dolphin, WNA.
(including pair trawl).
Gray seal, WNA.
Harbor seal, WNA.
Long-finned pilot
whale, WNA.\1\
Minke whale,
Canadian East
Coast.
Northeast bottom trawl....... 2,238.............. Bottlenose dolphin,
WNA offshore.
Common dolphin, WNA.
Gray seal, WNA.
Harbor porpoise, GME/
BF.
Harbor seal, WNA.
Harp seal, WNA.
Long-finned pilot
whale, WNA.
Risso's dolphin,
WNA.
White-sided dolphin,
WNA.\1\
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, 4,950.............. Atlantic spotted
Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawl. dolphin, GMX
continental and
oceanic.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Charleston
estuarine system.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Eastern GMX
coastal.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin,
GMX bay, sound,
estuarine.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin,
GMX continental
shelf.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern GMX
coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin,
SC/GA coastal.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin,
Southern migratory
coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Western GMX
coastal.\1\
West Indian manatee,
Florida.
TRAP/POT FISHERIES:
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, 1,384.............. Bottlenose dolphin,
Gulf of Mexico stone crab Biscayne Bay
trap/pot \2\. estuarine.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Central FL coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Eastern GMX
coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin,
FL Bay.
Bottlenose dolphin,
GMX bay, sound,
estuarine (FL west
coast portion).
Bottlenose dolphin,
Indian River Lagoon
estuarine system.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Jacksonville
estuarine system.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern GMX
coastal.
Atlantic mixed species trap/ 3,436.............. Fin whale, WNA.
pot \2\. Humpback whale, Gulf
of Maine.
Atlantic blue crab trap/pot.. 7,714.............. Bottlenose dolphin,
Central FL coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Central GA
estuarine system.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Charleston
estuarine
system.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin,
Indian River Lagoon
estuarine system.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Jacksonville
estuarine system.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern FL
coastal.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern GA/
Southern SC
estuarine system.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern Migratory
coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern NC
estuarine
system.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern SC
estuarine system.
Bottlenose dolphin,
SC/GA coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Southern GA
estuarine system.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Southern Migratory
coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Southern NC
estuarine system.
West Indian manatee,
FL.
PURSE SEINE FISHERIES:
Gulf of Mexico menhaden purse 40-42.............. Bottlenose dolphin,
seine. GMX bay, sound,
estuarine.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Mississippi Sound,
Lake Borgne, Bay
Boudreau.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern GMX
coastal.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin,
Western GMX
coastal.\1\
Mid-Atlantic menhaden purse 19................. Bottlenose dolphin,
seine \2\. Northern Migratory
coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Southern Migratory
coastal.
HAUL/BEACH SEINE FISHERIES:

[[Page 47440]]

Mid-Atlantic haul/beach seine 359................ Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern Migratory
coastal.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern NC
estuarine
system.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin,
Southern Migratory
coastal.\1\
NC long haul seine........... 30................. Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern NC
estuarine
system.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin,
Southern NC
estuarine system.
STOP NET FISHERIES:
NC roe mullet stop net....... 1.................. Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern NC
estuarine system.
Bottlenose dolphin,
unknown (Southern
migratory coastal
or Southern NC
estuarine system).
POUND NET FISHERIES:
VA pound net................. 26................. Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern migratory
coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern NC
estuarine system.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Southern Migratory
coastal.\1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CATEGORY III
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GILLNET FISHERIES:
Caribbean gillnet............ >991............... None documented in
the most recent
five years of data.
DE River inshore gillnet..... unknown............ None documented in
the most recent
five years of data.
Long Island Sound inshore unknown............ None documented in
gillnet. the most recent
five years of data.
RI, southern MA (to Monomoy unknown............ None documented in
Island), and NY Bight the most recent
(Raritan and Lower NY Bays) five years of data.
inshore gillnet.
Southeast Atlantic inshore unknown............ Bottlenose dolphin,
gillnet. Northern SC
estuarine system.
TRAWL FISHERIES:
Atlantic shellfish bottom >58................ None documented.
trawl.
Gulf of Mexico butterfish 2.................. Bottlenose dolphin,
trawl. Northern GMX
oceanic.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern GMX
continental shelf.
Gulf of Mexico mixed species 20................. None documented.
trawl.
GA cannonball jellyfish trawl 1.................. Bottlenose dolphin,
SC/GA coastal.
MARINE AQUACULTURE FISHERIES:
Finfish aquaculture.......... 48................. Harbor seal, WNA.
Shellfish aquaculture........ unknown............ None documented.
PURSE SEINE FISHERIES:
Gulf of Maine Atlantic >7................. Harbor seal, WNA.
herring purse seine. Gray seal, WNA.
Gulf of Maine menhaden purse >2................. None documented.
seine.
FL West Coast sardine purse 10................. Bottlenose dolphin,
seine. Eastern GMX
coastal.
U.S. Atlantic tuna purse 5.................. Long-finned pilot
seine *. whale, WNA.
Short-finned pilot
whale, WNA.
LONGLINE/HOOK-AND-LINE
FISHERIES:
Northeast/Mid-Atlantic bottom >1,207............. None documented.
longline/hook-and-line.
Gulf of Maine, U.S. Mid- 3,084.............. Bottlenose dolphin,
Atlantic tuna, shark, WNA offshore.
swordfish hook-and-line/ Humpback whale, Gulf
harpoon. of Maine.
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, >5,000............. Bottlenose dolphin,
Gulf of Mexico, and GMX continental
Caribbean snapper-grouper shelf.
and other reef fish bottom
longline/hook-and-line.
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, 39................. Bottlenose dolphin,
Gulf of Mexico shark bottom Eastern GMX
longline/hook-and-line. coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern GMX
continental shelf.
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, 680................ None documented.
Gulf of Mexico, and
Caribbean pelagic hook-and-
line/harpoon.
U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico unknown............ None documented.
trotline.
TRAP/POT FISHERIES:
Caribbean mixed species trap/ >501............... None documented.
pot.
Caribbean spiny lobster trap/ >197............... None documented.
pot.
FL spiny lobster trap/pot.... 1,268.............. Bottlenose dolphin,
Biscayne Bay
estuarine
Bottlenose dolphin,
Central FL coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Eastern GMX
coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin,
FL Bay estuarine.
Bottlenose dolphin,
FL Keys.
Gulf of Mexico blue crab trap/ 4,113.............. Bottlenose dolphin,
pot. Barataria Bay.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Eastern GMX
coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin,
GMX bay, sound,
estuarine.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Mississippi Sound,
Lake Borgne, Bay
Boudreau.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern GMX
coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Western GMX
coastal.
West Indian manatee,
FL.
Gulf of Mexico mixed species unknown............ None documented.
trap/pot.

[[Page 47441]]

Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, 10................. None documented.
Gulf of Mexico golden crab
trap/pot.
U.S. Mid-Atlantic eel trap/ unknown............ None documented.
pot.
STOP SEINE/WEIR/POUND NET/
FLOATING TRAP/FYKE NET
FISHERIES:
Gulf of Maine herring and >1................. Harbor porpoise, GME/
Atlantic mackerel stop seine/ BF.
weir.
Harbor seal, WNA.
Minke whale,
Canadian east
coast.
Atlantic white-sided
dolphin, WNA.
U.S. Mid-Atlantic crab stop 2,600.............. None documented.
seine/weir.
U.S. Mid-Atlantic mixed unknown............ Bottlenose dolphin,
species stop seine/weir/ Northern NC
pound net (except the NC roe estuarine system.
mullet stop net).
RI floating trap............. 9.................. None documented.
Northeast and Mid-Atlantic unknown............ None documented.
fyke net.
DREDGE FISHERIES:
Gulf of Maine sea urchin unknown............ None documented.
dredge.
Gulf of Maine mussel dredge.. unknown............ None documented.
Gulf of Maine, U.S. Mid- >403............... None documented.
Atlantic sea scallop dredge.
Mid-Atlantic blue crab dredge unknown............ None documented.
Mid-Atlantic soft-shell clam unknown............ None documented.
dredge.
Mid-Atlantic whelk dredge.... unknown............ None documented.
U.S. Mid-Atlantic/Gulf of 7,000.............. None documented.
Mexico oyster dredge.
New England and Mid-Atlantic unknown............ None documented.
offshore surf clam/quahog
dredge.
HAUL/BEACH SEINE FISHERIES:
Caribbean haul/beach seine... 15................. None documented in
the most recent
five years of data.
Gulf of Mexico haul/beach unknown............ None documented.
seine.
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic 25................. None documented.
haul/beach seine.
DIVE, HAND/MECHANICAL
COLLECTION FISHERIES:
Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of 20,000............. None documented.
Mexico, Caribbean shellfish
dive, hand/mechanical
collection.
Gulf of Maine urchin dive, unknown............ None documented.
hand/mechanical collection.
Gulf of Mexico, Southeast unknown............ None documented.
Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, and
Caribbean cast net.
COMMERCIAL PASSENGER FISHING
VESSEL (CHARTER BOAT)
FISHERIES:
Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of 4,000.............. Bottlenose dolphin,
Mexico, Caribbean commercial Barataria Bay
passenger fishing vessel. estuarine system.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Biscayne Bay
estuarine.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Central FL coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Choctawhatchee Bay.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Eastern GMX
coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin,
FL Bay.
Bottlenose dolphin,
GMX bay, sound,
estuarine.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Indian River Lagoon
estuarine system.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Jacksonville
estuarine system.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Mississippi Sound,
Lake Borgne, Bay
Boudreau.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern FL
coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern GA/
Southern SC
estuarine.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern GMX
coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern migratory
coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern NC
estuarine.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Southern migratory
coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Southern NC
estuarine system.
Bottlenose dolphin,
SC/GA coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Western GMX
coastal.
Short-finned pilot
whale, WNA.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
List of Abbreviations and Symbols Used in Table 2: DE--Delaware; FL--
Florida; GA--Georgia; GME/BF--Gulf of Maine/Bay of Fundy; GMX--Gulf of
Mexico; MA--Massachusetts; NC--North Carolina; NY--New York; RI--Rhode
Island; SC--South Carolina; VA--Virginia; WNA--Western North Atlantic;
\1\ Fishery classified based on mortalities and serious injuries of
this stock, which are greater than or equal to 50 percent (Category I)
or greater than 1 percent and less than 50 percent (Category II) of
the stock's PBR; \2\ Fishery classified by analogy; * Fishery has an
associated high seas component listed in Table 3.

[[Page 47442]]

Table 3--List of Fisheries--Commercial Fisheries on the High Seas
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marine mammal species
Number of and/or stocks
Fishery description HSFCA incidentally killed or
permits injured
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category I
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONGLINE FISHERIES:
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species 79 Atlantic spotted
*. dolphin, WNA.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern GMX oceanic.
Bottlenose dolphin, WNA
offshore.
Common dolphin, WNA.
Cuvier's beaked whale,
WNA.
False killer whale, WNA.
Killer whale, GMX
oceanic.
Kogia spp. whale (Pygmy
or dwarf sperm whale),
WNA.
Long-finned pilot whale,
WNA.
Mesoplodon beaked whale,
WNA.
Minke whale, Canadian
East coast.
Pantropical spotted
dolphin, WNA.
Risso's dolphin, GMX.
Risso's dolphin, WNA.
Short-finned pilot
whale, WNA.
Western Pacific Pelagic (HI Deep- 143 Bottlenose dolphin, HI
set component) * [caret]. Pelagic.
False killer whale, HI
Pelagic.
Humpback whale, Central
North Pacific.
Kogia spp. (Pygmy or
dwarf sperm whale), HI.
Pygmy killer whale, HI.
Risso's dolphin, HI.
Short-finned pilot
whale, HI.
Sperm whale, HI.
Striped dolphin, HI.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category II
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DRIFT GILLNET FISHERIES:
Pacific Highly Migratory Species 4 Long-beaked common
* [caret]. dolphin, CA.
Humpback whale, CA/OR/
WA.
Northern right-whale
dolphin, CA/OR/WA.
Pacific white-sided
dolphin, CA/OR/WA.
Risso's dolphin, CA/OR/
WA.
Short-beaked common
dolphin, CA/OR/WA.
TRAWL FISHERIES:
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species 2 No information.
**.
CCAMLR........................... 0 Antarctic fur seal.
PURSE SEINE FISHERIES:
South Pacific Tuna Fisheries..... 35 No information.
Western Pacific Pelagic.......... 1 No information.
LONGLINE FISHERIES:
CCAMLR........................... 0 None documented.
South Pacific Albacore Troll..... 9 No information.
South Pacific Tuna Fisheries **.. 4 No information.
Western Pacific Pelagic (HI 22 Blainville's beaked
Shallow-set component) * [caret]. whale, HI.
Bottlenose dolphin, HI
Pelagic.
False killer whale, HI
Pelagic.
Humpback whale, Central
North Pacific.
Northern elephant seal,
CA breeding.
Risso's dolphin, HI.
Rough-toothed dolphin,
HI.
Short-beaked common
dolphin, CA/OR/WA.
Short-finned pilot
whale, HI.
Striped dolphin, HI.
HANDLINE/POLE AND LINE FISHERIES:
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species 2 No information.
Pacific Highly Migratory Species. 42 No information.
South Pacific Albacore Troll..... 11 No information.
Western Pacific Pelagic.......... 5 No information.
TROLL FISHERIES:
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species 1 No information.
South Pacific Albacore Troll..... 22 No information.
South Pacific Tuna Fisheries **.. 4 No information.
Western Pacific Pelagic.......... 6 No information.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category III
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONGLINE FISHERIES:

[[Page 47443]]

Northwest Atlantic Bottom 1 None documented.
Longline.
Pacific Highly Migratory Species. 105 None documented in the
most recent 5 years of
data.
PURSE SEINE FISHERIES:
Pacific Highly Migratory Species 7 None documented.
* [caret].
TRAWL FISHERIES:
Northwest Atlantic............... 2 None documented.
TROLL FISHERIES:
Pacific Highly Migratory Species 149 None documented.
*.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
List of Terms, Abbreviations, and Symbols Used in Table 3:
CA--California; GMX--Gulf of Mexico; HI--Hawaii; OR--Oregon; WA--
Washington; WNA--Western North Atlantic.
* Fishery is an extension/component of an existing fishery operating
within U.S. waters listed in Table 1 or 2. The number of permits
listed in Table 3 represents only the number of permits for the high
seas component of the fishery.
** These gear types are not authorized under the Pacific HMS FMP (2004),
the Atlantic HMS FMP (2006), or without a South Pacific Tuna Treaty
license (in the case of the South Pacific Tuna fisheries). Because
HSFCA permits are valid for five years, permits obtained in past years
exist in the HSFCA permit database for gear types that are now
unauthorized. Therefore, while HSFCA permits exist for these gear
types, it does not represent effort. In order to land fish species,
fishers must be using an authorized gear type. Once these permits for
unauthorized gear types expire, the permit-holder will be required to
obtain a permit for an authorized gear type.
[caret]The list of marine mammal species and/or stocks killed or injured
in this fishery is identical to the list of marine mammal species and/
or stocks killed or injured in U.S. waters component of the fishery,
minus species and/or stocks that have geographic ranges exclusively in
coastal waters, because the marine mammal species and/or stocks are
also found on the high seas and the fishery remains the same on both
sides of the EEZ boundary. Therefore, the high seas components of
these fisheries pose the same risk to marine mammals as the components
of these fisheries operating in U.S. waters.

Table 4--Fisheries Affected by Take Reduction Teams and Plans
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Take reduction plans Affected fisheries
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Category I
Plan (ALWTRP)--50 CFR 229.32. Mid-Atlantic gillnet.
Northeast/Mid-Atlantic American
lobster trap/pot.
Northeast sink gillnet.
Category II
Atlantic blue crab trap/pot.
Atlantic mixed species trap/pot.
Northeast anchored float
gillnet.
Northeast drift gillnet.
Southeast Atlantic gillnet.
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic shark
gillnet.*
Southeastern, U.S. Atlantic,
Gulf of Mexico stone crab trap/
pot.[supcaret]
Bottlenose Dolphin Take Reduction Category I
Plan (BDTRP)--50 CFR 229.35. Mid-Atlantic gillnet.
Category II
Atlantic blue crab trap/pot.
Chesapeake Bay inshore gillnet
fishery.
Mid-Atlantic haul/beach seine.
Mid-Atlantic menhaden purse
seine.
NC inshore gillnet.
NC long haul seine.
NC roe mullet stop net.
Southeast Atlantic gillnet.
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic shark
gillnet.
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf
of Mexico shrimp
trawl.[supcaret]
Southeastern, U.S. Atlantic,
Gulf of Mexico stone crab trap/
pot.[supcaret]
VA pound net.
False Killer Whale Take Reduction Category I
Plan (FKWTRP)--50 CFR 229.37. HI deep-set longline.
Category II
HI shallow-set longline.
Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction Plan Category I
(HPTRP)--50 CFR 229.33 (New Mid-Atlantic gillnet.
England) and 229.34 (Mid-Atlantic). Northeast sink gillnet.
Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Category I
Plan (PLTRP)--50 CFR 229.36. Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, Gulf of
Mexico large pelagics longline.
Pacific Offshore Cetacean Take Category I
Reduction Plan (POCTRP)--50 CFR CA thresher shark/swordfish drift
229.31. gillnet (>=14 in mesh).
Atlantic Trawl Gear Take Reduction Category II
Team (ATGTRT). Mid-Atlantic bottom trawl.
Mid-Atlantic mid-water trawl
(including pair trawl).
Northeast bottom trawl.

[[Page 47444]]

Northeast mid-water trawl
(including pair trawl).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Only applicable to the portion of the fishery operating in U.S.
waters; [supcaret] Only applicable to the portion of the fishery
operating in the Atlantic Ocean.

Classification

The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce has
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business
Administration (SBA) that this LOF would not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Any entity
with combined annual fishery landing receipts less than $11 million is
considered a small entity. Under the former, lower size standards, all
entities subject to this action were considered small entities; thus,
they all would continue to be considered small under the new standards.
Under existing regulations, all individuals participating in
Category I or II fisheries must register under the MMPA and obtain an
Authorization Certificate. The Authorization Certificate authorizes the
taking of non-endangered and non-threatened marine mammals incidental
to commercial fishing operations. Additionally, individuals may be
subject to a TRP and requested to carry an observer. NMFS has estimated
that up to approximately 77,385 fishing vessels, most with annual
revenues below the SBA's small entity thresholds, may operate in
Category I or II fisheries. As fishing vessels operating in Category I
or II fisheries, they are required to register with NMFS. Three hundred
and thirteen fishing vessels are new to Category II as a result of this
proposed LOF. The MMPA registration process is integrated with existing
state and Federal licensing, permitting, and registration programs.
Therefore, individuals who have a state or Federal fishing permit or
landing license, or who are authorized through another related state or
Federal fishery registration program, are currently not required to
register separately under the MMPA or pay the $25 registration fee.
Therefore, this proposed LOF would not impose any direct costs on small
entities. Record keeping and reporting costs associated with this LOF
are minimal and would not have a significant impact on a substantial
number of small entities.
If a vessel is requested to carry an observer, vessels will not
incur any direct economic costs associated with carrying that observer.
As a result of this certification, an initial regulatory flexibility
analysis is not required and has not been prepared. In the event that
reclassification of a fishery to Category I or II results in a TRP,
economic analyses of the effects of that TRP would be summarized in
subsequent rulemaking actions.
This LOF contains collection-of-information (COI) requirements
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The COI for the registration of
individuals under the MMPA has been approved by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB control number 0648-0293 (0.15
hours per report for new registrants). The requirement for reporting
marine mammal mortalities or injuries has been approved by OMB under
OMB control number 0648-0292 (0.15 hours per report). These estimates
include the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data
sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and
reviewing the COI. Send comments regarding these reporting burden
estimates or any other aspect of the COI, including suggestions for
reducing burden, to NMFS and OMB (see ADDRESSES and SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION).
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required
to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure
to comply with a COI, subject to the requirements of the Paperwork
Reduction Act, unless that COI displays a currently valid OMB control
number.
This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for
the purposes of Executive Orders 12866 and 13563.
This rule is not expected to be an E.O. 13771 regulatory action
because this rule is not significant under E.O. 12866.
NMFS preliminary determined the proposed LOF is consistent with
categories of activities identified in CE G7 (``Preparation of policy
directives, rules, regulations, and guidelines of an administrative,
financial, legal, technical, or procedural nature, or for which the
environmental effects are too broad, speculative or conjectural to lend
themselves to meaningful analysis and will be subject later to the NEPA
process, either collectively or on a case-by-case basis'') of the
Companion Manual for NAO 216-6A and we have not identified any
extraordinary circumstances listed in Chapter 4 of the Companion Manual
for NAO 216-6A that would preclude application of this categorical
exclusion. If NMFS takes a management action, for example, through the
development of a TRP, NMFS would first prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) or Environmental Assessment (EA), as required under
NEPA, specific to that action.
This proposed LOF would not affect species listed as threatened or
endangered under the ESA or their associated critical habitat. The
impacts of numerous fisheries have been analyzed in various biological
opinions, and this LOF will not affect the conclusions of those
opinions. The classification of fisheries on the LOF is not considered
to be a management action that would adversely affect threatened or
endangered species. If NMFS takes a management action, for example,
through the development of a TRP, NMFS would consult under ESA section
7 on that action.
This proposed LOF would have no adverse impacts on marine mammals
and may have a positive impact on marine mammals by improving knowledge
of marine mammals and the fisheries interacting with marine mammals
through information collected from observer programs, stranding and
sighting data, or take reduction teams.
This proposed LOF would not affect the land or water uses or
natural resources of the coastal zone, as specified under section 307
of the Coastal Zone Management Act.

References

Allen, B.M. and R.P. Angliss, editors. 2016. Alaska Marine Mammal
Stock Assessments, 2015. NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-AFSC-323. 309 p.
Carretta, J.V., E. Oleson, D.W. Weller, A.R. Lang, K.A. Forney, J.
Baker, M.M. Muto, B. Hanson, A.J. Orr, H. Huber, M.S. Lowry, J.
Barlow, J.E. Moore, D. Lynch, L. Carswell, and R.L. Brownell Jr.
2015. U.S. Pacific Marine Mammal Stock Assessments: 2014. NOAA
Technical Memorandum NOAA-TM-NMFS-SWFSC-549. 414 p.
Carretta, J.V., K.A. Forney, E. Oleson, D.W. Weller, A.R. Lang, J.
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J.Barlow, J.E. Moore, D. Lynch, L. Carswell, and R.L. Brownell Jr.
2017.

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Jannot, J.E., V. Tuttle, K. Somers, Y-W. Lee, J. McVeigh. 2016.
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McCracken, M.L. 2016. Assessment of Incidental Interactions with
Marine Mammals in the Hawaii Deep and Shallow Set Fisheries from
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PIFSC Internal Report IR-16-008. 2 p. + Excel spreadsheet.
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B.S. Fadely, M.C. Ferguson, L.W. Fritz, R.C. Hobbs, Y.V.
Ivashchenko, A.S. Kennedy, J.M. London, S.A. Mizroch, R.R. Ream,
E.L. Richmond, K.E.W. Shelden, R.G. Towell, P.R. Wade, J.M. Waite,
and A.N. Zerbini. 2017. Alaska Marine Mammal Stock Assessments,
2016. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOAA-TM-NMFS-AFSC-355. 367 p.
National Marine Fisheries Service. 2012. National Marine Fisheries
Service Policy Directive 02-238. Process for Distinguishing Serious
from Non-Serious Injury of Marine Mammals, 4 p. (Available at:
https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/op/pds/documents/02/02-238.pdf).
Rone, B.K., A.N. Zerbini, A.B. Douglas, D.W. Weller, and P.J.
Clapham. 2016. Abundance and distribution of cetaceans in the Gulf
of Alaska. Marine Biology 164:23.
Waring, G.T., E. Josephson, K. Maze-Foley, and P.E. Rosel, editors.
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Assessments, 2015. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOAA-NE-238. 512 p.
Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WPRFMC). 2015a.
Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Report Pacific Island
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Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WPRFMC). 2015b.
Annual Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation Report: Fishery
Ecosystem Plan for the American Samoa Archipelago. 202 p.

Dated: October 4, 2017.
Samuel D. Rauch, III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-21837 Filed 10-11-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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