Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Essential Fish Habitat, 51492-51523 [2017-23752]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 213 (Monday, November 6, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 51492-51523]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-23752]



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Vol. 82

Monday,

No. 213

November 6, 2017

Part II





Department of Commerce





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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration





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50 CFR Part 648





Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; 
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Essential Fish Habitat; 
Proposed Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 82 , No. 213 / Monday, November 6, 2017 / 
Proposed Rules

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 160301163-7971-01]
RIN 0648-BF82


Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Essential Fish 
Habitat

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This action proposes regulations to implement the New England 
Fishery Management Council's Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat Amendment 
2. This rule would revise essential fish habitat and habitat area of 
particular concern designations, revise or create habitat management 
areas to protect vulnerable habitat from fishing gear impacts, 
establish dedicated habitat research areas, and implement several 
administrative measures related to reviewing these measures. This 
action is necessary to comply with the requirements of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to periodically review 
essential fish habitat designations and the protection of such 
habitats. The proposed measures are intended to minimize to the extent 
practicable the adverse effects of fishing on essential fish habitat.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 5, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2017-0123, 
by either of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal.
    1. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-0123;
    2. Click the ``Comment Now!'' icon and complete the required 
fields; and
    3. Enter or attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to John K. Bullard, Regional 
Administrator, National Marine Fisheries Service, 55 Great Republic 
Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope, 
``Comments on the Proposed Rule for OA2.''
    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 us. 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. We will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous).
    Copies of the Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat Amendment 2, including 
the Environmental Impact Statement, the Regulatory Impact Review, and 
the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (EIS/RIR/IRFA) prepared by 
the New England Fishery Management Council in support of this action 
are available from Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, New England 
Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 
01950. The supporting documents are also accessible via the Internet 
at: https://www.nefmc.org/library/omnibus-habitat-amendment-2 or https://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Moira Kelly, Senior Fishery Program 
Specialist, phone: 978-281-9218, Moira.Kelly@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

1. General Background
2. Essential Fish Habitat Designations
3. Habitat Areas of Particular Concern Designations
4. Spatial Management for Adverse Effects Minimization
5. Spawning Protection Measures
6. Dedicated Habitat Research Areas
7. Framework Adjustments and Monitoring
8. Description of Regulatory Changes

1. General Background

    This action would implement the management measures in the Omnibus 
Essential Fish Habitat Amendment 2 (OA2). The Council deemed the 
proposed regulations consistent with and necessary to implement OA2 in 
a March 27, 2017, letter from Council Chairman Dr. John Quinn to 
Regional Administrator John Bullard. Under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act, we are required to publish proposed 
rules for comment after preliminarily determining whether they are 
consistent with applicable law. The Magnuson-Stevens Act permits us to 
approve, partially approve, or disapprove measures proposed by the 
Council based only on whether the measures are consistent with the 
fishery management plan, plan amendment, the Magnuson-Stevens Act and 
its National Standards, and other applicable law. Otherwise, we must 
defer to the Council's policy choices. We are seeking comment on the 
Council's proposed measures in OA2.
    OA2 was initiated in 2004 to review and update the essential fish 
habitat (EFH) components of all the New England Fishery Management 
Council's fishery management plans (FMP). OA2 was developed over 
several years. The first phase of OA2 development was dedicated to (1) 
updating the EFH designations, (2) considering and designating Habitat 
Areas of Particular Concern (HAPC), and (3) updating prey species lists 
and non-fishing habitat impacts. The remainder of the development 
focused on (1) revising the system of year-round closed areas that 
restrict some types of fishing gear in order to protect vulnerable 
habitat and (2) establishing a system of Dedicated Habitat Research 
Areas (DHRA). Prior to consideration of management area changes, the 
Council determined it was important to consider revisions to the year-
round groundfish closures in conjunction with this action because of 
the substantial overlap with the habitat management closures. This 
action also includes revisions to the EFH and HAPC designations that 
were initially approved by the Council in 2007 as well as an update of 
the non-fishing impacts evaluation.
    The Council established 10 goals and 14 objectives to guide the 
development of this action. Goals 1-8 were established in 2004 at the 
onset of the Amendment's development and focus on identification of 
EFH; fishing and non-fishing activities that may adversely affect EFH; 
and the development of measures and management programs to conserve, 
protect, and enhance EFH and to minimize to the extent practicable the 
adverse effects of fishing on EFH. The additional goals (9 and 10) were 
developed after the Council voted to incorporate revisions to the 
groundfish closures in the Amendment. These goals are focused on 
enhancing groundfish productivity, including protection of spawning 
groundfish, and maximizing the societal net benefits from groundfish 
stocks.
    The 14 objectives map to one or more of the Amendment's goals and 
provide more guidance on achieving each goal. For example, the 
objectives include identifying new data sources upon which to base the 
EFH designations (Objective A), developing analytical tools for EFH 
designation, minimization of adverse impacts, and monitoring the 
effectiveness of measures (Objective D;

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Goals 1, 3, and 5). Other objectives include modifying fishing methods 
to reduce impacts (Objective E; Goal 4), supporting the restoration of 
degraded habitat (Objective F; Goal 4), improving groundfish spawning 
protection, including protection of localized spawning contingents, and 
improving protection of critical groundfish habitats (Goals 9 and 10). 
Please see Volume 1, Section 3 of the EIS for more details on the goals 
and objectives of this Amendment.

2. Essential Fish Habitat Designations

    The Magnuson-Stevens Act defines EFH as ``those waters and 
substrate necessary to fish for spawning, breeding, feeding, or growth 
to maturity.'' The EFH regulations (50 CFR part 600, subpart J) require 
councils to describe and identify EFH in text that clearly states the 
habitats or habitat types determined to be EFH for each life stage of a 
managed species and in maps that display the geographic locations of 
EFH or within which EFH for each species and life stage is found. 
Further, FMPs should explain the physical, biological, and chemical 
characteristics of EFH and, if known, how these characteristics 
influence the use of EFH for the species/life stage. The EFH 
regulations state that councils should periodically review the EFH 
provisions of FMPs and revise or amend as warranted, based on available 
information, and that a complete review of all EFH information should 
be conducted at least once every five years. The Council initiated this 
review of EFH designations to comply with these requirements.
    A full description of the updated EFH designations, including maps 
and text designations, can be found in Volume 2 of the EIS. In 
addition, a thorough discussion of the data sources and methods used to 
assemble the designations is provided in Appendix A to the EIS. Another 
appendix (Appendix B) includes supplementary EFH information (e.g., 
prey species, temperature and salinity preferences) for each species 
and life stage not included in the EFH text descriptions in Volume 2 
that may be considered when the potential effects of any fishing or 
non-fishing activity that could adversely affect EFH are evaluated. The 
quality and quantity of information varied by species, so a single 
approach for all Council-managed species and life stages was not 
possible. The Council relied upon the best available scientific 
information for each species and life stage. This rule proposes to 
approve all of the Council's recommendations for EFH designations.

3. Habitat Area of Particular Concern Designations

    Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPC) highlight specific types 
or areas of habitat within EFH that are particularly vulnerable to 
human impacts. An area's status as an HAPC should lead to special 
attention regarding the adverse effects from fishing or other 
activities in the designated area. An HAPC designation does not provide 
any specific habitat management measures, such as gear restrictions, 
and none are proposed as part of the HAPC designations in this 
amendment. Management measures are discussed under ``Spatial Management 
for Adverse Effects Minimization,'' #4 below.
    HAPC designations should be based on one or more of the following 
criteria: (1) The importance of the ecological function provided by the 
habitat, including both the historical and current ecological function; 
(2) the extent to which the habitat is sensitive to human-induced 
environmental degradation; (3) whether, and to what extent, development 
activities are, or will be, stressing the habitat type; and (4) the 
rarity of the habitat type (50 CFR 600.815(a)(8)). The Council 
solicited and considered HAPC proposals from the public and added 
selection criteria, including whether the designation would improve 
fisheries management in the EEZ; whether it included EFH for more than 
one Council-managed species or specifically for juvenile cod; and 
whether it met more than one of the regulatory HAPC criteria listed 
above. Discussion of the areas considered and the degree to which they 
satisfied the eight criteria listed above can be found in Volume 2 of 
the EIS.
    The Council is recommending that the current Atlantic Salmon HAPC 
and the Northern Edge Juvenile Cod HAPC remain as designated because 
they continue to meet the criteria listed above. In addition, the 
Council is recommending the following areas as new HAPCs: Inshore 
Juvenile Cod HAPC; Great South Channel Juvenile Cod HAPC; Cashes Ledge 
HAPC; Jeffreys Ledge/Stellwagen Bank HAPC; Bear and Retriever Seamount 
HAPC; and 11 canyon/canyon complexes. Maps and coordinates for the HAPC 
designations can be found in Volume 2 of the EIS. A summary of the 
rationale for each designation (or set of designations) is provided 
below. Detailed discussion of the rationale is provided in Volume 2, 
Section 3 of the EIS.

Inshore Juvenile Cod HAPC

    The Inshore Juvenile Cod HAPC consists of the inshore areas of the 
Gulf of Maine and Southern New England between mean high water and a 
depth of 20 meters. Aside from some limited gaps, this HAPC is 
continuous along the coasts of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and 
Rhode Island. The Council contends that the Inshore Juvenile Cod HAPC 
would meet all of the criteria listed above, except for rarity. The 
purpose of this HAPC is to recognize the importance of inshore areas to 
juvenile Atlantic cod. The coastal areas of the Gulf of Maine and 
Southern New England contain structurally complex rocky-bottom habitat 
that support a wide variety of emergent epifauna and benthic 
invertebrates. Although this habitat type is not rare in the coastal 
Gulf of Maine, it provides two key ecological functions for juvenile 
cod: Protection from predation; and readily available prey. Given its 
proximity to shore, it is especially subject to anthropogenic impacts, 
particularly non-fishing impacts.

Great South Channel Juvenile Cod HAPC

    The Great South Channel Juvenile Cod HAPC consists of juvenile cod 
habitat on the western side of the Great South Channel within the 
boundaries specified in the EIS. This designation recognizes the 
importance of the area for its high benthic productivity and complex 
hard bottom habitats, which provide food and refuge from predation for 
cod and other managed species. Similar to the Inshore Cod HAPC, this 
HAPC meets all of the stated criteria, except rarity. This area is 
sensitive to anthropogenic stresses and contains habitat features that 
are sensitive to the adverse effects of bottom trawling, scallop 
dredging, and clam dredging. Some of the nearshore portions are also 
susceptible to non-fishing, coastal development stresses.

Cashes Ledge HAPC

    This action would designate the existing Cashes Ledge Habitat 
Closure Area as an HAPC. This area differs from the proposed modified 
Cashes Ledge Habitat Management Area (see #4, below) in that the 
western boundary of the proposed new management area is shifted east, 
slightly reducing its size relative to the HAPC. The Council contends 
that this HAPC meets all of the criteria stated, including rarity. This 
designation highlights the unique characteristics of Cashes Ledge and 
its importance as habitat for a variety of

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managed species. The benthic habitat features on Cashes Ledge are 
susceptible to anthropogenic stresses, particularly fishing impacts.

Jeffreys Ledge/Stellwagen Bank HAPC

    The existing Western Gulf of Maine Habitat Closure Area would be 
additionally designated as the Jeffreys Ledge/Stellwagen Bank HAPC 
through this action. The purpose of this designation is to recognize 
the importance of the area as habitat for a variety of species and, 
similar to most of the other HAPCs proposed, it meets all the criteria, 
except for rarity. This area is vulnerable to a wide-range of human-
induced impacts, including vessel discharges from cruise ships and 
cargo vessels, future sand and gravel mining operations, and fiber-
optic cable and pipeline construction. It is also susceptible to future 
impacts from activities such as offshore aquaculture, wind energy 
facilities, and other energy-related infrastructure. Further, the 
habitat features within this area are sensitive to fishing gear 
impacts, particularly from mobile bottom-tending gears.

Canyon and Seamount HAPCs

    Sixteen canyons and two seamounts would be designated as HAPCs. 
These HAPCs were designated because of their unique deep-water 
habitats, especially as they relate to deep-sea corals and the overall 
function of the ecosystem. The HAPCs would be as follows: Bear and 
Retriever Seamounts (to a depth of 2,000 m); Heezen Canyon, Lydonia, 
Gilbert, and Oceanographer Canyons; Hydrographer Canyon; Veatch Canyon; 
Alvin and Atlantis Canyons; Hudson Canyon; Toms, Middle Toms, and 
Hendrickson Canyons; Wilmington Canyon; Baltimore Canyon; Washington 
Canyon; and Norfolk Canyon. The table below shows how the canyon and 
seamount proposals meet the HAPC criteria.

        Table 1--HAPC Criteria and the Canyon and Seamount HAPCs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Bear and
                                    retriever          Canyon HAPCs
                                    seamounts
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Important ecological function..  Yes............  Yes.
Sensitive to anthropogenic       Yes............  Yes.
 stress.
Presence of current or future    No.............  Yes.
 stress.
Rarity.........................  Yes............  No.
Improve fisheries management...  Yes............  Yes.
EFH for more than one species..  No.............  Yes.
Juvenile cod EFH...............  No.............  Very slight overlap in
                                                   Lydonia/Oceanographer
                                                   HAPC.
More than one final rule         Yes............  Yes.
 criteria.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Seamount habitats are rare, but they are not currently subject to 
anthropogenic impacts, or expected to be in the near future. The 
biological communities within the canyons and on the seamounts are 
sensitive to anthropogenic disturbance. However, only the shallower and 
less steep parts of the canyons are generally accessible to fishing for 
species such as monkfish, squid, offshore hake, and others. Traps used 
to catch lobster and red crab are generally the only gears used in the 
deeper parts of the canyons themselves. Potential threats posed by non-
fishing activities such as oil and gas exploration and drilling are not 
currently of concern.
    As described in the EIS, the HAPCs are non-regulatory designations. 
The designations are intended to provide for increased attention when 
habitat protection measures are considered. HAPCs that are vulnerable 
to the potential impacts from fishing warrant special attention when 
determining appropriate management measures to minimize, compensate, or 
mitigate those impacts.

4. Spatial Management for Adverse Effects Minimization

    The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires that fishery management plans 
evaluate and minimize, to the extent practicable, the adverse effects 
of fishing on EFH. The evaluation should consider the effects of each 
fishing activity on each type of habitat found within EFH. Councils 
must prevent, mitigate, or minimize any adverse effects from fishing on 
EFH, to the extent practicable, if there is evidence that a fishing 
activity adversely affects EFH in a manner that is more than minimal 
and not temporary in nature.
    To evaluate the adverse effects of fishing on EFH, the Council 
spent a considerable amount of time developing the Swept Area Seabed 
Impact (SASI) model. The SASI model combines fishing effort and habitat 
vulnerability estimates into a spatial representation. Fishing effort 
across multiple gear types was converted to a common ``currency'' of 
swept area, i.e., the amount of area impacted by the gear when the 
bottom is contacted during fishing operations. Habitat vulnerability is 
a relative measure of the magnitude of the susceptibility of bottom 
habitats to fishing and the recovery potential of affected geological 
and biological habitat features. It is based on the type and structural 
features of the habitat, and the degree of natural disturbance caused 
by bottom currents and storms. For example, an area that is exposed to 
a high degree of natural disturbance is more resilient to additional 
impacts from fishing gear than an area of similar habitat type that is 
exposed to a lower degree of natural disturbance. Estimates of 
susceptibility to fishing and how quickly individual habitat features 
recover from those impacts are also incorporated. These estimates are 
linked spatially to a substrate model grid, for which the final output 
is a sensitivity-adjusted area swept in km\2\ for each grid cell and 
gear type. Running the model without any realized fishing effort data 
for any given gear type (i.e., by setting the contact-adjusted swept 
area parameter to a constant in all grid cells) produced ``maps'' of 
simulated relative habitat vulnerability scores for the entire area 
where spatial management was considered in this amendment. The SASI 
model was reviewed at two separate times during its development: First 
by the Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee; and later by an 
independent peer review team. It was determined to be appropriate for 
use in fishery management decisions. A detailed discussion of the SASI 
model can be found in Appendix D to the EIS.
    In order to translate the results of the SASI model into something 
that could be used in the fishery management process, the Council's 
Plan Development Team (PDT) ran a Local Indicators of Spatial 
Association (LISA) analysis on the outputs from the habitat 
vulnerability model runs for generic groundfish trawls. This analysis 
highlighted areas where the high

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vulnerability results from the SASI model clustered together. The PDT 
then examined the clusters and made initial suggestions on where 
boundaries around the vulnerable habitat areas could be drawn for 
fishery management purposes.
    The Council, primarily through its Habitat Committee, then 
developed a series of potential areas for habitat management. In some 
cases, the areas were existing management areas or relatively minor 
adjustments to those areas. In other cases, new areas were identified 
based on output from the SASI model, independent sources of 
topographical and substrate data, and/or input from fishermen or 
environmental groups.
    In addition to specifying the area to be managed, there were 
several options for gear restrictions for each area within a sub-
region, although not all management options were available for all 
areas. Those options included:
    (1) Complete restriction on the use of mobile bottom-tending gear;
    (2) Restrictions on the use of mobile bottom-tending gear, except 
hydraulic clam dredges;
    (3) A requirement that bottom trawl vessels use ground cables 
modified with 20-centimeter (cm) diameter elevating discs, spaced at 5 
fathoms, with a length side not to exceed 45 fathoms (no restriction on 
dredges);
    (4) A requirement that bottom trawl vessels eliminate ground cables 
and to limit bridle lengths at 30 fathoms per side;
    (5) Complete restriction on gears capable of catching groundfish 
(only applicable to Eastern Gulf of Maine alternative 2);
    (6) Closure to all gear types managed under a Federal fishery 
management plan (only applicable to Ammen Rock);
    (7) A requirement that trawls use ground gear no more than 12 
inches (30.5 cm) in diameter (only applicable to the Western Gulf of 
Maine alternatives 7a and 7b);
    (8) A restriction on the use of mobile bottom-tending gear, except 
shrimp trawls (only applicable to Western Gulf of Maine alternative 8); 
and
    (9) A restriction on the use of mobile bottom-tending gear, except 
scallop vessels if allowed under a rotational fishing program, and 
groundfish gear in the area currently open to fishing (only applicable 
to Georges Bank alternative 10).
    The Council determined that given the workload and expertise on the 
PDT, an additional technical team should be convened to develop 
potential habitat management areas focused on the two added groundfish-
specific goals. This group, called the Closed Area Technical Team or 
CATT, was composed of staff of the Council, Greater Atlantic Regional 
Fisheries Office, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, and other 
technical staff. The CATT used a hotspot analysis of fishery 
independent survey data to locate areas where particularly vulnerable 
juvenile and spawning groundfish aggregate at different times of year. 
The CATT-based areas were incorporated into the SASI-based areas by 
modifying the boundary of a particular area or creating a new area 
entirely. The Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee reviewed 
the CATT's analysis and determined it was appropriate for use in 
fishery management decisions. A full description of the CATT's hotspot 
analysis can be found in Section 2.1 of Volume 5 and in Appendix E of 
the EIS.
    Because these processes resulted in so many potential areas and 
combinations of areas, the Habitat Committee determined that sub-
dividing the analyses and decision-making process would better 
represent the fishing stocks and areas involved. The sub-regions became 
Eastern Gulf of Maine, Central Gulf of Maine, Western Gulf of Maine, 
Georges Bank, and Great South Channel/Southern New England. The PDT and 
CATT held a series of joint meetings to develop initial ``packages'' of 
areas within each sub-region that were likely to achieve the stated 
goals and objectives of the amendment. These packages formed the basis 
for the many alternatives in the Amendment. In each sub-region, the 
Council considered eliminating all spatial habitat management in order 
to fully describe the range of impacts and to provide the ability to 
mix and match across sub-regions to find a practicable solution. The 
sub-regional packages were then modified by the Committee and the 
Council during a series of public meetings, until the Council took 
action in February 2014 to select initial preferred alternatives for 
public hearings. The Council held public hearings and accepted comments 
until January 2015 on these sets of preferred alternatives.
    Following the public hearings and in response to the public 
comments, the Council selected its recommended measures over the course 
of two meetings in April and June 2015. The April meeting covered all 
recommendations, except for the Georges Bank habitat management areas 
and the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank spawning alternatives (see #5 
for more information). The Council's preferred alternatives and a brief 
description of the Council's rationale for its preferences are included 
below. For a thorough discussion of the other alternatives considered 
and the potential impacts from those alternatives, please see Volumes 
3, 4, and 5 of the EIS. Coordinates and maps of all areas can be found 
in Volume 3 of the EIS.

Eastern Gulf of Maine

    In the Eastern Gulf of Maine, the Council recommends establishing 
the Small Eastern Maine Habitat Management Area (HMA), closed to all 
mobile bottom-tending gears. (Note, the proposed regulations refer to 
this area as simply the ``Eastern Maine HMA.'') The EIS notes that the 
Council selected this area as preferred because it expects this 
alternative to protect habitats of similar species as the larger area 
that was considered, but with fewer economic impacts on the fishing 
industry. In terms of protection of vulnerable habitats and designated 
EFH coverage, the proposed area ranks towards the middle of the areas 
considered for this sub-region. Because there is currently no habitat 
management area in the eastern Gulf of Maine, implementing a mobile 
bottom-tending gear closure in any area represents an improvement in 
groundfish habitat protection in this sub-region. However, bottom 
trawls and dredges are used sparingly in any of the areas that the 
Council considered and lobster traps are not subject to any of the 
regulations in this amendment. Therefore, no short-term reductions in 
the adverse impacts of fishing in this sub-region are expected.

Central Gulf of Maine

    In the Central Gulf of Maine, the Council recommends maintaining 
the existing Cashes Ledge Groundfish Closure Area and modifying the 
existing Jeffreys Bank and Cashes Ledge Habitat Closure Areas, with 
their current fishing restrictions and exemptions; establishing the 
Fippennies Ledge HMA, closed to mobile bottom-tending gears; and 
establishing the Ammen Rock HMA, closed to all fishing except lobster 
traps.
    The EIS describes the variety of reasons that the Council selected 
these areas as preferred. Maintaining the existing Cashes Ledge 
Groundfish Closure Area with the existing management restrictions was a 
much-debated decision. Because the groundfish closure areas prohibit 
gears capable of catching groundfish, including those that have minimal 
impact on habitat, many felt that the groundfish areas in their 
entirety ought to be removed because there are other existing measures 
in the FMP designed

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to control groundfish mortality. However, the Council is recommending 
that the Cashes Ledge Groundfish Closure Area remain closed to 
commercial gears capable of catching groundfish in order to support the 
goals and objectives of this action that were added to improve the 
protection of juvenile and spawning groundfish habitats. Maintaining 
this closure will also ensure that a more diverse array of bottom 
habitats that support a greater variety of species remain protected 
from fishing impacts. The other recommended actions in this sub-region 
are modifications to the existing Cashes Ledge and Jeffreys Bank 
habitat closures. These modifications were designed to more closely 
align with the location of the shallower, hard-bottom habitats and to 
increase fishery access to the deeper, less vulnerable mud and sand 
habitats that surround the ledges. Ammen Rock on top of Cashes Ledge is 
a unique feature within the Gulf of Maine and features kelp forest 
habitat that would benefit from enhanced protection, which is why there 
are additional management restrictions in that area. Fippennies Ledge 
is an additional hard bottom feature within the Cashes Ledge Groundfish 
Closure Area that would be protected by maintaining the status quo 
groundfish closure. However, the Council determined that in the event 
that the Cashes Ledge Groundfish Closure Area is modified or removed at 
some point in the future, Fippennies still warrants protection from the 
adverse effects of mobile bottom-tending gear. In terms of habitat 
protection and benefits to groundfish resources, both the proposed 
alternative and the existing habitat protection measures rank high.

Western Gulf of Maine

    In the Western Gulf of Maine, the Council recommends maintaining 
the existing Western Gulf of Maine Habitat Closure Area, closed to 
mobile bottom-tending gears, and modifying the eastern boundary of the 
Western Gulf of Maine [Groundfish] Closure Area to align with the 
habitat closure area, while maintaining the current fishing 
restrictions and requirements. The Council also recommends creating an 
exemption area within the northwest corner of those closures for shrimp 
trawls and designating the existing Roller Gear Restricted Area 
requirements as a habitat protection measure.
    The EIS describes the Council's rationale for these areas in 
greater detail. In summary, these areas were selected to maintain 
decades' worth of protections in this region, while modestly increasing 
access to the eastern edge of the area. The shrimp exemption was 
designed to minimize the economic impact on a fleet whose gear has 
minimal habitat impact, when authorized to operate. The roller gear 
restriction has been required for several years and was originally 
implemented through Framework Adjustment 27 to the Northeast 
Multispecies Fishery Management Plan to minimize cod mortality by 
preventing trawl gear from fishing over rocky substrate. As such, it 
has been a de facto habitat protection measure and the Council wanted 
to note it formally as such. The Council is recommending the removal of 
23 percent of the existing Western Gulf of Maine Groundfish Closure 
Area, which was closed to all gears capable of catching groundfish in 
1995, to make its eastern boundary align with the boundary of the 
habitat closure. The Council is making this recommendation because it 
concluded that this reduction would still provide sufficient 
conservation for cod and other depleted stocks, while increasing 
fishing access to the eastern side of the area. The EIS characterizes 
habitats in the long, narrow area that would be newly opened to fishing 
as deeper mud habitats that are less vulnerable to fishing, but notes 
the presence of Wildcat Knoll, a hard bottom feature located in 
shallower water near the southeast corner of the existing groundfish 
closure.
    The proposed area includes comparable amounts of vulnerable and 
diverse habitats as the two smaller inshore Bigelow Bight areas. The 
Bigelow Bight Areas contain more EFH, particularly for overfished 
large-mesh groundfish species, and more juvenile groundfish hotspots. 
However, the Council concluded that it was impracticable to impose 
fishing prohibitions in either of the inshore areas because a 
significant amount of bottom trawling activity would be affected, 
particularly for the smaller boat fleet that would be less able to 
travel farther offshore to compensate for the reduction in access near 
shore. The Council concluded that its preferred alternative would have 
the same level of positive impacts on habitat and groundfish resources 
as the existing closures, with the same economic benefits.

Georges Bank

    On Georges Bank, the Council recommends removing the year-round and 
habitat closures of Closed Areas I and II and replacing them with three 
new areas: (1) The Georges Shoal 2 HMA, closed to mobile bottom-tending 
gear, with a 1-year delay in closure to hydraulic clam dredges; (2) the 
Northern Edge Reduced Impact HMA, closed to mobile bottom-tending gear, 
with two exceptions described below; and (3) the Northern Edge Mobile 
Bottom-Tending Gear HMA, closed to mobile bottom-tending gear without 
any exceptions. Exemptions to the Reduced Impact HMA are scallop dredge 
fishing in accordance with the scallop rotational area program, and 
trawl fishing to the west of the existing western boundary of Closed 
Area II (67[deg]20'W long.), in what is now the Eastern Georges Bank 
Special Access Program. In addition, any portions of the Closed Area II 
groundfish closed area north of 41[deg]30'N lat. would be closed to 
scallop fishing between June 15 and October 31 of each year. The 
remainder of the existing Closed Area I Habitat and Groundfish Closure 
Areas and Closed Area II Groundfish Closure Area would be opened, 
except for seasonal spawning protection as described below in #5 
(Groundfish Spawning Measures). Volume 3 of the EIS describes the 
Council's rationale in detail.
    The Council's proposed changes would open an area that has been 
closed to mobile bottom-tending fishing gear for over 20 years. It 
would allow rotational scallop dredge fishing along the northern edge 
of Georges Bank. A portion of the Northern Edge HMA that would be 
opened to rotational limited access scallop dredging as part of the 
Council's preferred alternative includes the northern portion of an 
area designated as a Habitat Area of Particular Concern in 1998 and 
reaffirmed in this amendment due to the ecological importance and 
vulnerability of the area for juvenile cod.
    The Council reasons that the potential economic benefits of 
allowing rotational scallop fishing on the northern edge outweigh the 
potential benefits to juvenile cod and cod stock recovery that would 
accrue from leaving the area closed. The scallop fishery has averaged 
over $490 million in revenue over the past 5 years. The potential 
increases in revenue for the scallop fishery from 2017-2039 range from 
$189 million ((3 percent discount rate) or $169 million using a 7-
percent discount rate)) in 2018 to a decrease in value of $5 million 
((3 percent discount rate) or $4 million using a 7-percent discount 
rate)) in 2020. The discount rate is the rate used to determine present 
value of current cash flows. Guidance for implementing the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act uses both a 3-percent discount rate and a 7-percent 
discount rate because, while 7 percent is a recent estimate of the

[[Page 51497]]

average before-tax rate of return to private capital, historically, the 
rate has averaged 3 percent. Volume 5, Section 6.2.2 of the EIS 
describes the economic effect of the Council's proposals on the scallop 
fishery in detail. The EIS uses 2015 constant dollars and the scallop 
fishery's established models for projecting biomass and revenue. The 
Council's proposed recommendations would result in a potential 
additional $60 million-$62 million (annualized in accordance with the 
Regulatory Impact Analysis Circular A-4, in 2016 dollars) to the 
scallop fishery.
    In contrast, while there is a lot of uncertainty in the stock 
assessment, the Georges Bank cod stock is in poor condition. The 
Council concluded that the proposed alternative would be less 
beneficial to the groundfish resources in that sub-region than the 
existing closures, but would be moderately positive relative to no 
habitat protection measures.
    The Council provides that the gear restrictions in the Georges 
Shoal HMA and the mobile bottom-tending gear closure south of the 
Northern Edge Reduced Impact HMA offset the increased impacts that 
would occur from opening the northern edge to rotational scallop 
fishing and special access bottom trawling activity in the future. The 
Council defines an area of reduced impact as being intermediate between 
full closure to mobile bottom-tending gear and open access fishing. The 
delayed closure for clam dredges in the Georges Shoal HMA was included 
to minimize the economic impact on the clam industry while exemptions 
in more specific areas of less vulnerable bottom habitat within the HMA 
could be developed. The scallop access program would rotate the dredge 
impacts according to the Scallop FMP's conditions for opening an area 
(generally based on the biomass of scallops within the area, 
overfishing definitions, and achievement of optimum yield). Groundfish 
trawling occurs already in the area to the west of the existing 
closure, but other gears, including scallop dredges outside of the 
access area program and clam dredges, would be prohibited. The seasonal 
closure for scallop vessels was included to mitigate gear conflicts 
with the lobster fishery.
    The area that the Council is proposing to open to limited access 
scallop dredging has been closed to most types of bottom tending 
fishing gear for over 20 years. During this time, the biological 
community has fully recovered from any adverse effects of fishing that 
occurred prior to the closure, thus maximizing the habitat value of the 
area and its vulnerability to renewed gear impacts. A fully recovered 
community includes epifaunal species that are more susceptible to the 
first few passes of bottom-tending fishing gear than a recently 
disturbed community. For this reason, bottom habitats in the area are 
more at risk from the impacts of scallop dredges and bottom trawls than 
other areas that are currently open to these gears or have been 
protected for less time. Therefore, the potential impacts of even a 
limited amount of renewed bottom fishing in the proposed area need to 
be carefully evaluated.
    As expressed several times throughout the Council decision process, 
NMFS has identified several significant concerns regarding the 
Council's preferred alternative in this sub-region. Our concerns focus 
on whether the proposals for this region support the requirement of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act to minimize adverse effects from fishing; if the 
proposals achieve the Council's stated objectives of ``improved 
protection of critical groundfish habitats;'' and, if the impacts of 
scallop fishing in the more vulnerable portion of the Juvenile Cod HAPC 
were adequately considered and addressed when the preferred alternative 
was selected.
    This amendment provides no habitat factors for considering the 
degree of scallop fishing that may be allowed in this area. While the 
area would be opened to scallop fishermen on a rotational basis, the 
extent and duration of the openings is otherwise unlimited. We are 
concerned about how this uncertain fishing effort will affect such a 
uniquely vulnerable area with such habitat importance to groundfish.
    We are also concerned that there is no analysis showing that if the 
scallop fishery continues to have access only outside the existing 
Northern Edge HAPC that it would result in an actual cost to the 
industry. The analysis shows that there would continue to be 
opportunity costs from a lack of access to an area that contains 
scallops. However, continuing to prohibit mobile bottom-tending gear 
fishing along the northern edge is not expected to result in direct 
financial loss to the scallop industry because the area has been closed 
since 1995. The Scallop FMP allows increased fishing opportunities in 
open areas to compensate for lost access to biomass in closed areas, 
which can mitigate the economic impact from maintaining the current 
habitat protections in this area. This mitigation has been occurring 
since the closure in 1995 and would continue if the area continued to 
be closed to scallop fishing. Further, recruitment to the fishery of 
the large 2014 year class in open areas on Georges Bank and Southern 
New England is expected to increase landings and revenue in the scallop 
fishery starting in 2018.
    We are concerned that the other two recommended areas on Georges 
Bank may not sufficiently compensate for the adverse impacts from 
opening the Northern Edge Reduced Impact HMA. The habitat value of the 
Georges Shoal HMA is low, judging from its high proportion of unstable 
sandy substrate and low EFH value. As described in Volume 3 of the EIS, 
the Georges Shoal HMA has one of the lowest EFH scores--a measure of 
how many species and life stages utilize the area--of any potential 
management area, despite its relatively large size. The primary mobile 
bottom-tending gear used in this area is the hydraulic clam dredge, a 
gear that would not be allowed to continue fishing in this area after a 
1-year delay in effectiveness. There is no scallop fishing and very 
little bottom trawling activity in the area. It is not known whether 
clam dredges here are used in more vulnerable hard bottom habitats as 
they are east of Nantucket Island. If they are, then a prohibition on 
their use in the Georges Shoal HMA could reduce the adverse impacts of 
current fishing activity on EFH to some extent.
    Bottom trawling by groundfish vessels would continue in the small 
portion of this area west of the current western boundary of Closed 
Area II. The area within Closed Area II that is located south of the 
HAPC, and includes a portion of the HAPC, contains a smaller percentage 
(but roughly the same amount) of the more stable and vulnerable hard 
bottom substrates that dominate the shallower portion of the northern 
edge where scallop fishing would be allowed. This area has been closed 
to mobile bottom-tending gears for over 20 years, and would continue to 
protect some vulnerable habitat on eastern Georges Bank, but without 
any improvement relative to the status quo protections that are already 
in place on Georges Bank.
    A related concern with these areas is that the alternative does not 
appear to improve protection of critical groundfish habitats or improve 
refuge for critical groundfish life history stages in this sub-region--
two of the Council's objectives of the amendment. The northern edge of 
Georges Bank is known to provide highly suitable gravel, cobble, and 
boulder habitat for small juvenile groundfish such as cod and haddock. 
This habitat type is particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of 
mobile bottom-tending gear such as scallop dredges. As discussed

[[Page 51498]]

above, allowing this area to be fished without sufficiently 
compensating for the impacts of mobile bottom-tending gear would appear 
to reduce protections, not improve them.
    Finally, the Council recognized the ecological importance and 
vulnerability of the northern edge in 1998 by designating the Northern 
Edge Juvenile Cod HAPC and re-affirming its status as a juvenile cod 
HAPC in this amendment. Because of this designation, special attention 
should be given to this area when developing management measures to 
minimize the adverse effects of fishing on EFH. However, we are 
concerned that appropriate consideration was not given to the impacts 
of scallop dredging on the specific habitat features that warrant 
designation as an HAPC.
    The HAPC has been closed to mobile bottom-tending gear since 
January 1995. The habitat factors that favor the survival of juvenile 
cod and that should be considered when determining the degree to which 
this area would be subject to scallop dredging in the future are not 
defined in this action. Scallop access areas have generally been open 
for one or two years in a row, every third year. Research has shown 
that the recovery times for some vulnerable benthic organisms that 
inhabit the northern edge of Georges Bank exceed 5 years and complete 
recovery may take as long as 10 years. These recovery times appear to 
be incompatible with the standard rotational timeframe of the scallop 
access program.
    NMFS is seeking comment on both the Council's rationale and our 
stated concerns. Specifically, we are focused on whether the Council's 
preferred alternatives minimize to the extent practicable the adverse 
effects of fishing; how the recommended measures meet the Council's 
stated goals and objectives of the Amendment; and whether the 
designation of an HAPC has been duly considered.

Great South Channel/Southern New England

    In the Great South Channel, the Council recommends establishing the 
Great South Channel HMA. The northeast corner of the HMA (12.5 percent 
of the area) would be closed to all mobile bottom-tending gears. The 
effective date of the closure would be delayed by 1 year for hydraulic 
clam dredges throughout the remainder of the area. The Council is 
working to identify sub-areas that are less vulnerable to clam gear to 
determine if further exemptions are warranted and where they should be 
located in order to minimize impacts to EFH, but allow some amount of 
fishing to continue. The Council is also recommending establishing two 
small HMAs on Cox Ledge, closed to hydraulic clam dredges, and 
prohibiting ground cables on trawls fishing in the areas. No other 
mobile bottom-tending gears would be affected. The Nantucket Lightship 
Habitat Closure Area and the Nantucket Lightship Closed Area would be 
removed.
    Throughout the development of the action, the Council's technical 
team expressed concern that the ground cable restriction measures would 
not minimize the habitat impacts of fishing. NMFS reiterated these 
concerns several times throughout the development of OA2 management 
measures. Ground cables account for a significant portion of a bottom 
trawl's seabed impact. However, the sediment clouds they create 
``herd'' fish toward the opening of the net. The proposed gear 
modifications would reduce the effectiveness of the gear and, in all 
likelihood, cause vessels to fish longer in order to compensate for 
reduced catch rates. No studies of the trade-offs between reduced 
impacts of ground cable removal and the duration or frequency of bottom 
trawl tows were cited in the EIS for OA2.
    The Council's recommendation of the Great South Channel HMA is a 
compromise between the larger Great South Channel East HMA (Alternative 
3), located further to the east, and the slightly smaller Nantucket 
Shoals HMA (Alternative 5), located further to the west, closer to 
Nantucket Island. Bottom habitats in these areas are a mixture of less 
stable sand and more stable gravel, cobble, and boulder substrates and 
support fisheries for groundfish, clams, and scallops. The two most 
significant fisheries in the area are for surfclams and scallops. 
Scallop dredging is almost entirely restricted to deeper water along 
the western side of the Great South Channel and to an area east of Cape 
Cod. Clam dredging occurs in a large area of mixed bottom types in 
shallower water to the west. While the Council recognized the 
likelihood of negative economic impacts of these alternatives on the 
clam fishery, they were also concerned about the negative effects of 
hydraulic dredges on complex habitats occurring in the region.
    There are two proposed HAPCs in this sub-region, the Inshore 
Juvenile Cod HAPC includes waters off the Massachusetts coast to 20 m 
deep, and overlaps slightly with the Nantucket Shoals and Nantucket 
Shoals West HMAs. The Great South Channel Juvenile Cod HAPC includes 
additional waters north and east of the HMAs to a depth of 120 m and 
partially overlaps the Council's preferred alternative in this sub-
region.
    Results of the habitat impact analyses in the EIS indicate that the 
Council's recommendation would have positive habitat impacts compared 
to leaving the habitat and groundfish closures in the Nantucket 
Lightship area in place, even with the 1-year delay in closure for clam 
dredges in most of the area. Impacts to groundfish resources would be 
approximately the same for both the existing and proposed measures. The 
proposed measures would have a slightly negative economic impact on the 
groundfish fishery, and a highly negative economic impact on the clam 
fishery after the 1-year delay expires.

5. Groundfish Spawning Measures

    The Council has considered how to most effectively manage fishing 
during the spawning periods of key fish in several actions. During the 
development of this Amendment, the Council recommended, and NMFS 
implemented, several modifications to spawning protections for cod and 
other groundfish through Framework Adjustments 45 and 53. Because these 
measures were implemented prior to the completion of OA2, there was 
much debate over what should be done in this action. Ultimately, the 
Council is recommending adding a few minor protections to what is 
required currently.

Gulf of Maine

    In the Gulf of Maine, the Council recommends establishing two new, 
relatively small, cod spawning protections. They include the Winter 
Massachusetts Bay Spawning Closure, which would be in effect from 
November 1-January 31 of each year. The area would be closed to all 
fishing vessels, with the same exemptions as the existing Gulf of Maine 
Cod Spawning Protection Area (i.e., Whaleback), including vessels 
fishing in state waters that do not have a Federal Northeast 
multispecies permit; vessels fishing with exempted gears; charter/party 
and private recreational vessels, provided they are fishing with 
pelagic hook and line gear and there is no retention of regulated 
groundfish or ocean pout; and vessels that are transiting. In addition, 
the Council is recommending a 2-week closure (April 15-April 30) within 
statistical area 125, referred to as the Spring Massachusetts Bay 
Spawning Protection Area in the draft regulations below. This area 
would be closed to all vessels, except: Vessels fishing in state waters 
that do not have a Federal Northeast multispecies permit;

[[Page 51499]]

vessels fishing with exempted gears; vessels in the mid-water trawl and 
purse seine exempted fisheries; scallop vessels fishing with dredges on 
a scallop day-at-sea; vessels fishing in the scallop dredge exemption 
area; and charter, party, and recreational fishing vessels.

Georges Bank

    On Georges Bank, the Council is recommending maintaining the 
existing Closed Area II Groundfish Closure Area and the Closed Area I 
North Habitat Closed Area as seasonal closures from February 1-April 
15. The areas would be closed to all commercial and recreational 
vessels, except those that are transiting, fishing with exempted gears, 
participating in the mid-water trawl exempted fishery, and fishing with 
scallop dredges.
    The Council is also recommending the removal of the May Georges 
Bank Spawning Closure. Sector vessels are exempted from this seasonal 
closure, rendering it virtually non-existent. Removing the closure 
would minimally reduce the administrative burden for sectors, as they 
would no longer have to request this exemption.

6. Dedicated Habitat Research Areas

    In order to highlight research needs, particularly relating to 
evaluating the assumptions of the SASI model that the Council used as 
the basis for HMA development, the Council is proposing to establish 
two Dedicated Habitat Research Areas (DHRA). The Council is also 
recommending that the DHRAs would be in effect for 3 years, at which 
time the Regional Administrator would confer with the Council as to 
whether the designation should be retained. The Council developed a 
series of questions to assist in this future discussion that include 
consideration of where in the research development process an activity 
is, how well it aligns with the Council's stated habitat research 
priorities, and what role the DHRA designation plays in the research.
    The Council recommends establishing the Georges Bank DHRA 
(footprint is the same as the existing Closed Area I South Habitat 
Closure) and the Stellwagen DHRA (footprint within the existing Western 
Gulf of Maine Habitat Closure). The Georges Bank DHRA would be closed 
to all mobile bottom-tending gear. The Stellwagen DHRA would be closed 
to all commercial mobile bottom-tending gear, commercial sink gillnet 
gear, and commercial demersal longline gear.

7. Framework Adjustments and Monitoring

    The Council is recommending that the designation or removal of HMAs 
and changes to fishing restrictions within HMAs be considered 
frameworkable. In addition, the Council is proposing a review process 
to evaluate the performance of habitat and spawning protection 
measures. Finally, the Council is proposing to identify and 
periodically revise research priorities to improve habitat and spawning 
area monitoring.

8. Regulatory Changes

    This rule proposes implementing measures for all of the Council's 
recommendations, as required. In order to improve clarity of the 
habitat-related management measures, we have reorganized Sec.  648.81 
to refer solely to year-round and seasonal closures designed for 
purposes of groundfish protection. All habitat-related measures, 
including the proposed HMAs and their accompanying regulatory text, the 
DHRAs and their accompanying text, and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council's Deep-Sea Coral Protection area can be found in a 
new subpart (Subpart Q). In addition, the Council stated that all areas 
currently closed to scallop dredging should remain closed upon the 
implementation of OA2 so that the Scallop Committee can better 
incorporate newly opened areas in the rotational management program. 
The existing EFH closures currently reside in both the groundfish 
(Sec.  648.81) and scallop (Sec.  648.61) regulations. We propose 
adding the groundfish closed areas that would otherwise be removed by 
this action to the scallop closure section (Sec.  648.61) to ensure 
that the restrictions on scallop fishing remain in place until a 
subsequent scallop action can modify them. The proposed regulations 
also update cross-references and definitions as needed. The Council 
deemed the regulations as necessary and appropriate, as required in the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act, on March 28, 2017.
Classification
    Pursuant to section 304(a)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the 
NMFS Assistant Administrator has made a preliminary determination that 
this proposed rule may be consistent with OA2, other provisions of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable law. In making the final 
determination, we will consider the data, views, and comments received 
during the public comment period.
    This proposed rule has been preliminarily determined to be not 
significant for purposes of Executive Orders (E.O.) 12866. For the 
reasons stated earlier and in the accompanying EIS/RIR/IRFA, we 
anticipate this rule will result in an annualized cost savings of 
approximately $60 million-$62 million, using a 3- and 7-percent 
discount rate, respectively.
    This proposed rule does not contain policies with Federalism or 
``takings'' implications as those terms are defined in E.O. 13132 and 
E.O. 12630, respectively.
    An Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) was prepared for 
this proposed rule, as required by section 603 of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 603. The IRFA describes the economic 
impact that this proposed rule would have on small entities, including 
small businesses, and also determines ways to minimize these impacts. 
The IRFA includes this section of the preamble to this rule and 
analyses contained in OA2 and its accompanying EIS/RIR/IRFA. A copy of 
the full analysis is available from the Council (see ADDRESSES). A 
summary of the IRFA follows.

Description of the Reason Why Action by the Agency Is Being Considered 
and Statement of the Objective of, and Legal Basis for, This Proposed 
Rule

    This action proposes management measures to comply with 
requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act to minimize to the extent 
practicable the adverse effects of fishing on EFH. A complete 
description of the action, why it is being considered, and the legal 
basis for this action are contained in OA2, and elsewhere in the 
preamble to this proposed rule, and are not repeated here.

Description and Estimate of the Number of Small Entities to Which the 
Proposed Rule Would Apply

    The Small Business Administration (SBA) defines a small business as 
one that is:
     Independently owned and operated;
     Not dominant in its field of operation;
     Has annual receipts that do not exceed--
    [cir] $20.5 million in the case of commercial finfish harvesting 
entities (NAIC \1\ 114111)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is 
the standard used by Federal statistical agencies in classifying 
business establishments for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, 
and publishing statistical data related to the U.S. business 
economy.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 51500]]

    [cir] $5.5 million in the case of commercial shellfish harvesting 
entities (NAIC 114112)
    [cir] $7.5 million in the case of for-hire fishing entities (NAIC 
114119); or
     Has fewer than--
    [cir] 750 employees in the case of fish processors
    [cir] 100 employees in the case of fish dealers.
    This proposed rule affects commercial and recreational fish 
harvesting entities engaged in fisheries throughout New England that 
utilize bottom-trawls (large and small mesh), longlines, rod and reel, 
gillnets, pots and traps, scallop dredges, and hydraulic clam dredges. 
The gears primarily affected by this action are two non-mutually 
exclusive fishing operations: Fishermen using gears capable of catching 
groundfish and fishermen using mobile bottom-tending gears. 
Individually permitted vessels may hold permits for several fisheries, 
harvesting species of fish that are regulated by several different 
FMPs. Furthermore, multiple-permitted vessels and/or permits may be 
owned by entities affiliated by stock ownership, common management, 
identity of interest, contractual relationships, or economic 
dependency. For the purposes of the Regulatory Flexibility Act 
analysis, the ownership entities, not the individual vessels, are 
considered the regulated entities.
    Ownership entities are defined as those entities with common 
ownership personnel as listed on the permit application. Only permits 
with identical ownership personnel are categorized as an ownership 
entity. For example, if five permits have the same seven persons listed 
as co-owners on their permit application, those seven persons would 
form one ownership entity that holds those five permits. If two of 
those seven owners also co-own additional vessels, these two persons 
would be considered a separate ownership entity.
    On June 1 of each year, NMFS identifies ownership entities based on 
a list of all permits for the most recent complete calendar year. The 
current ownership dataset used for this analysis was created based on 
calendar year 2014 and contains average gross sales associated with 
those permits for calendar years 2012 through 2014.
    In addition to classifying a business (ownership entity) as small 
or large, a business can also be classified by its primary source of 
revenue. A business is defined as being primarily engaged in fishing 
for finfish if it obtains greater than 50 percent of its gross sales 
from sales of finfish. Similarly, a business is defined as being 
primarily engaged in fishing for shellfish if it obtains greater than 
50 percent of its gross sales from sales of shellfish.
    A description of the specific permits that are likely to be 
affected by this action is provided below, along with a discussion of 
the impacted businesses, which can include multiple vessels and/or 
permit types.
    On December 29, 2015, NMFS issued a final rule establishing a small 
business size standard of $11 million in annual gross receipts for all 
businesses primarily engaged in the commercial fishing industry (NAICS 
11411) for RFA compliance purposes only (80 FR 81194; December 29, 
2015). The $11 million standard became effective on July 1, 2016, and 
is intended to be used in place of the SBA's current standards of $20.5 
million, $5.5 million, and $7.5 million for the finfish (NAICS 114111), 
shellfish (NAICS 114112), and other marine fishing (NAICS 114119) 
sectors, respectively, of the U.S. commercial fishing industry in all 
NMFS rules subject to the RFA after July 1, 2016.
    The Council took final action on OA2 in June 2015, and the analyses 
in support of this action were developed throughout the decision 
process and following the Council's action, but prior to July 1, 2016. 
This analysis was not updated to reflect a small business re-
classification for all of the vessels affected by this amendment using 
our new size-standards because we have determined that this analysis 
provides a sufficient estimate of the number of small entities to which 
the proposed rule applies for purposes of determining this action's 
impacts on small entities and the considerations required under the 
RFA.
    For most of the fisheries directly affected by this rule, RFA 
analyses have been completed on other actions since the implementation 
of the revised size standard. Table 2, below, shows the total number of 
entities from the last fishery management action analyzed under the SBA 
size standards and the first fishery management action analyzed under 
the revised NMFS policy standard. While the economic analyses in the 
Council's EIS included every federally permitted entity, examining the 
changes to just the key fisheries, including limited access scallop, 
groundfish, and the clam fisheries, is informative regarding the 
potential impact of the change in size.
    Changes in the total number of entities year-to-year are generally 
a result of the timing of the data pull relative to permit renewals, 
regulatory changes, or inter-annual variation in ownership 
combinations. In terms of percentage of each of the major affected 
fisheries, the size standard change results in minimal changes in 
categories. For the limited access scallop, limited access general 
category scallop, and large-mesh groundfish fisheries, the size 
standard change results in less than a 1-percent change in category 
between large and small entities. For both the monkfish and surfclam/
ocean quahog fisheries, the revised size standard shifts approximately 
2 percent of entities from the large category to small. Note, the size 
standard for for-hire businesses did not change under the revision. The 
EIS analysis states that, in 2014, there were 4,071 small businesses 
(925 finfish, 2,713 shellfish, 433 for-hire), and 18 large businesses 
(all shellfish).
    The revised size standard does not change the conclusions of the 
analysis or notably change the estimation of the impact on small 
entities from this action. As such, it is reasonable to rely upon the 
Council's economic analyses.

Regulated Commercial Fish Harvesting Entities

    Table 3 describes revenue by business type (large or small) and 
Table 4 describes the total number of commercial business entities 
potentially regulated by the proposed action. As of the time of the 
Council's decision-making (2015), there were 4,071 small businesses 
(925 finfish, 2,713 shellfish, 433 for-hire) and 18 large businesses 
(all shellfish) potentially affected by this action. For fisheries 
utilizing mobile bottom-tending gear, the proposed action directly 
regulates potentially affected entities through restrictions on when 
and where vessels may fish to comply with the Magnuson-Stevens Act 
requirement to minimize to the extent practicable the adverse effects 
of fishing on essential fish habitat. For fisheries that use gears 
capable of catching groundfish, the proposed action additionally 
restricts location and timing of fishing to minimize impacts on 
spawning groundfish. According to the EIS, individuals fishing with 
mobile bottom-tending gear and midwater trawls tend to generate a 
substantial portion of their revenue from other gear types. The vast 
majority of individuals either fishing with mobile bottom-tending gear 
capable of catching groundfish or for-hire do not deviate from that 
mode, which could relate to the specialized nature of either the 
vessels or the captains' skills needed for these types of fishing.
    In general, the overall changes the Council is proposing are 
relatively modest, particularly when compared to other alternatives 
considered. The majority of areas recommended in the Council's 
proposals are already closed

[[Page 51501]]

to fishing. The current open areas that would close include the Eastern 
Maine HMA, the Georges Shoal HMA, and the Great South Channel HMA. As 
described above, there is currently very little mobile bottom-tending 
gear fishing in the Eastern Maine HMA because groundfish stocks have 
decreased locally in that region. The Great South Channel HMA was 
designed to minimize impact to the scallop fishery, particularly the 
design of the eastern boundary. Scallops occur primarily at depths 
beyond the closure boundary. There is not a significant amount of trawl 
fishing in that area because of the high level of natural disturbance. 
The Great South Channel HMA would primarily affect hydraulic clam 
dredges, after the 1-year delay expires. As noted above, the Georges 
Shoal HMA has very little trawl or scallop dredge fishing in it now, 
despite the fact that nearby areas have been closed since 1995. Again, 
only clam dredge fishing would be expected to experience a notable 
displacement of fishing and only after the 1-year delay expires.
    The Council's proposed measures that would increase fishing 
opportunities include: (1) Modifying the Western Gulf of Maine 
Groundfish Closure Area by aligning the eastern boundary with the 
Habitat Closure Area; (2) modifying the Jeffreys Bank Habitat Closure 
Area and exposing the deeper, northern portion to potential fishing; 
(3) opening the northern edge of Georges Bank to rotational scallop 
fishing; (4) eliminating the Nantucket Lightship Groundfish and Habitat 
Closure Areas; and (5) implementing Closed Area I North and Closed Area 
II as seasonal, versus year-round, closure areas. The partial opening 
of the areas in the Gulf of Maine are expected to result in modest 
increases in groundfish revenue. The opening of the Nantucket Lightship 
closure areas could result in increases in scallop fishing. The 
northern edge of Georges Bank, within the Reduced Impact HMA and the 
Juvenile Cod HAPC, contains a substantial amount of scallops, with 
biomass estimates of over 10,000 mt and long-term yield estimates 
ranging from 419 to 1,079 mt. Because the value of scallops is so high 
(averaging over $10 per pound since 2010), there is potential for large 
increases in scallop revenue if the area is opened as proposed and 
prices remain at or around this value. As described above, there are 
concerns that the proposed fishing impacts may not be consistent with 
requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act to minimize to the extent 
practicable the adverse effects from fishing or with the Council's 
designation of the area as an HAPC. Should the Council's proposal in 
this sub-region not be approved, there would be no direct revenue lost 
to the scallop fishery, as the regulations would remain status quo, and 
the Scallop FMP would continue to offset the scallop biomass in the 
closed areas with increased fishing in the open areas, including any 
newly opened areas.

                                  Table 2--Comparison of Large and Small Entities Under the SBA and NMFS Size Standards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                SBA standard                                                      NMFS standard
                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Fishery                                                           Proposed rule                                                     Proposed rule
                      Total          Large                Small           with IRFA      Total          Large               Small           with IRFA
                                                                           summary                                                           summary
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scallop (LA).......      166  152 (91.6%)........  14 (8.4%).........  Framework            154  141 (91.6%).......  13 (8.4%).........  Framework
                                                                        Adjustment 27                                                     Adjustment 28
                                                                        (81 FR 9151; 2/                                                   (82 FR 6472; 1/
                                                                        24/2016).                                                         19/2017).
Scallop (LAGC).....      106  102 (96.2%)........  4 (3.8%)..........  Framework             87  84 (96.6%)........  3 (3.4%)..........  Framework
                                                                        Adjustment 27                                                     Adjustment 28
                                                                        (81 FR 9151; 2/                                                   (82 FR 6472; 1/
                                                                        24/2016).                                                         19/2017).
Monkfish...........      397  16 (4.0%)..........  381 (96.0%).......  Framework            390  8 (2.1%)..........  382 (97.9%).......  Framework
                                                                        Adjustment 9                                                      Adjustment 10
                                                                        (81 FR 6472; 6/                                                   (82 FR 21498;
                                                                        23/2016).                                                         5/9/2017).
Groundfish.........    1,359  18 (1.3%)..........  1,341 (98.7%).....  Framework          1,505  10 (0.7%).........  1,495 (99.3%).....  Framework
                                                                        Adjustment 55                                                     Adjustment 56
                                                                        (81 FR 15003;                                                     (82 FR 28447;
                                                                        3/21/2016).                                                       6/22/2017).
Groundfish C/P.....      425  0 (0.0%)...........  425 (100.0%)......  Framework            191  0 (0.0%)..........  191 (100.0%)......  2017
                                                                        Adjustment 55                                                     Recreational
                                                                        (81 FR 15003;                                                     Management
                                                                        3/21/2016).                                                       Measures (82
                                                                                                                                          FR 24086; 5/25/
                                                                                                                                          2017).
SC/OQ..............      406  20 (4.9%)..........  386 (95.1%).......  Surfclam/Ocean       358  10 (2.8%).........  348 (97.2%).......  2017-2018
                                                                        Quahog                                                            Surfclam/Ocean
                                                                        Amendment 17                                                      Quahog
                                                                        (81 FR 14072;                                                     Specifications
                                                                        3/16/2016).                                                       (82 FR 24086;
                                                                                                                                          11/23/2016).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                            Table 3--Business Revenue by Type
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                             Business        Shellfish        Finfish        For-hire
                 Year                    NAICS classification         Business type           revenue         revenue         revenue         revenue
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2012.................................  Finfish.................  Small..................    $217,560,996     $33,546,543    $183,380,312        $634,141
2012.................................  For-hire................  Small..................      56,153,981         331,674         611,532      55,210,775
2012.................................  Shellfish...............  Large..................     265,665,371     242,801,113      22,860,746           3,512
2012.................................  Shellfish...............  Small..................     710,485,816     679,195,607      30,897,738         392,471
2013.................................  Finfish.................  Small..................     191,870,635      25,008,297     166,326,851         535,487
2013.................................  For-hire................  Small..................      55,556,751         125,755         588,984      54,842,012
2013.................................  Shellfish...............  Large..................     228,892,465     208,244,173      20,642,659           5,633
2013.................................  Shellfish...............  Small..................     690,608,565     663,848,959      26,381,386         378,220
2014.................................  Finfish.................  Small..................     209,370,022      23,888,931     185,335,274         145,817
2014.................................  For-hire................  Small..................      57,843,562          15,735         412,061      57,415,766
2014.................................  Shellfish...............  Large..................     223,065,022     202,580,548      20,484,474  ..............
2014.................................  Shellfish...............  Small..................     741,518,137     717,031,087      24,316,466         170,584
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 51502]]


      Table 4--Number of Businesses and Revenue Generated by Small and Large Businesses, by Commercial Gear
                                                 Classification
 [MBTG=Mobile bottom-tending gear, Groundfish=gear capable of catching groundfish, Both=Both MBTG and Groundfish
 designation, Midwater = Midwater trawls, Clam = clam dredge. Note some data not presented for Privacy Concerns]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Number of
               Year                       Gear type            Business type        businesses      VTR revenue
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2012..............................  Both.................  Large................              17    $231,658,238
2012..............................  Both.................  Small................             574     580,827,338
2013..............................  Both.................  Large................              17     185,435,086
2013..............................  Both.................  Small................             539     445,971,382
2014..............................  Both.................  Large................              17     173,348,111
2014..............................  Both.................  Small................             528     396,470,511
2012..............................  Clam.................  Large................               5      31,160,893
2012..............................  Clam.................  Small................              42      27,738,596
2013..............................  Clam.................  Large................               4      30,008,134
2013..............................  Clam.................  Small................              47      27,874,110
2014..............................  Clam.................  Large................               2  ..............
2014..............................  Clam.................  Small................              41      26,867,813
2012..............................  Groundfish...........  Large................               2  ..............
2012..............................  Groundfish...........  Small................             668      74,103,358
2013..............................  Groundfish...........  Large................               2  ..............
2013..............................  Groundfish...........  Small................             605      47,920,414
2014..............................  Groundfish...........  Large................               1  ..............
2014..............................  Groundfish...........  Small................             592      48,959,328
2012..............................  MBTG.................  Large................               3       1,072,716
2012..............................  MBTG.................  Small................             125       6,120,800
2013..............................  MBTG.................  Large................               3       1,375,902
2013..............................  MBTG.................  Small................              87       2,940,183
2014..............................  MBTG.................  Large................               3       1,216,387
2014..............................  MBTG.................  Small................              26       2,857,405
2012..............................  Midwater.............  Large................               3       9,289,884
2012..............................  Midwater.............  Small................              14      22,865,976
2013..............................  Midwater.............  Large................               3       5,535,922
2013..............................  Midwater.............  Small................              13      26,214,983
2014..............................  Midwater.............  Large................               3       4,909,077
2014..............................  Midwater.............  Small................              14      25,058,119
2012..............................  Other................  Large................               2  ..............
2012..............................  Other................  Small................             566      79,087,347
2013..............................  Other................  Large................               4  ..............
2013..............................  Other................  Small................             539      80,355,177
2014..............................  Other................  Large................               3  ..............
2014..............................  Other................  Small................             514      84,446,720
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Description of the Projected Reporting, Record-Keeping, and Other 
Compliance Requirements of This Proposed Rule

    The proposed action does not contain a collection-of-information 
requirement subject to review and approval by the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA).

Federal Rules Which May Duplication, Overlap, or Conflict With This 
Proposed Rule

    The proposed action does not duplicate, overlap, or conflict with 
any other Federal laws.

Description of Significant Alternatives to the Proposed Action Which 
Accomplish the Stated Objectives of Applicable Statutes and Which 
Minimize Any Significant Economic Impact on Small Entities

    The economic impacts of each proposed measure is discussed in more 
detail in Volumes 3, 4, and 5 of the EIS. Because the primary objective 
of the Amendment is to comply with the Magnuson-Stevens Act requirement 
to minimize to the extent practicable the adverse effects of fishing on 
EFH, a variety of combinations of areas could have achieved those 
goals. The EFH and HAPC designations are primarily administrative in 
nature and are not expected to result in any direct economic impacts to 
the fisheries; although, indirect positive affects stocks are expected.

Habitat Management Measure Alternatives

    In the Eastern Gulf of Maine, the Council recommends establishing 
the Small Eastern Maine Habitat Management Area (HMA), closed to all 
mobile bottom-tending gears. (Note, the proposed regulations refer to 
this area as simply the ``Eastern Maine HMA.'') Other alternatives 
considered would have continued with no habitat management in this sub-
region or implemented one or more additional area. The Toothaker Ridge 
HMA, the Large Eastern Maine HMA, the Machias HMA, and the Small 
Eastern Maine were assembled into two alternatives.
    In the Central Gulf of Maine, the Council recommends maintaining 
the existing Cashes Ledge Groundfish Closure Area, modifying the 
existing Jeffreys Bank and Cashes Ledge Habitat Closure Areas, with 
their current fishing restrictions and exemptions, and establishing the 
Fippennies Ledge HMA, closed to mobile bottom-tending gears, and the 
Ammen Rock HMA, closed to all fishing except lobster traps. Other 
alternatives considered would have various combinations of eight total 
areas. In addition to the areas recommended as preferred, the Council 
considered habitat management in the existing Jeffreys Bank and Cashes 
Ledge habitat closure areas, two areas on Platts Bank and a small area 
on the top of Fippennies Ledge. The Council did not recommend the areas 
on Platts Bank

[[Page 51503]]

because of the concern regarding the displacement of current fishing 
and the economic impact to a sub-set of the fleet.
    In the Western Gulf of Maine, the Council recommends maintaining 
the existing Western Gulf of Maine Habitat Closure Area, closed to 
mobile bottom-tending gears, and modifying the eastern boundary of the 
Western Gulf of Maine [Groundfish] Closure Area to align with the 
Habitat Closure Area, while maintaining the current fishing 
restrictions and requirements. The Council also recommends creating an 
exemption area within the northwest corner of those closures for shrimp 
trawls and designating the existing Roller Gear Restricted Area 
requirements as a habitat protection measure. Other alternatives would 
have established a large (Alternatives 3 and 4) or small (Alternative 
5) version of a closure area along the state waters boundaries of New 
Hampshire and Maine covering Bigelow Bight, which was deemed by the 
Council to have overly severe economic impacts. Still other options 
included consideration of breaking up the existing Western Gulf of 
Maine Habitat Closure Area to focus on the most vulnerable sections of 
Jeffreys Ledge and Stellwagen Bank, either in two smaller combinations 
(Alternatives 4 and 5) or only a larger section of the Stellwagen Bank 
area (Alternatives 3 and 6). Finally, one option would have implemented 
the roller gear restriction over only the footprint of the other 
proposed habitat management areas (Alternative 7b).
    On Georges Bank, the Council recommends removing the year-round and 
habitat closures of Closed Areas I and II and replacing them with three 
new areas: (1) The Georges Shoal 2 HMA, closed to mobile bottom-tending 
gear, with a 1-year delay in closure to hydraulic clam dredges; (2) the 
Northern Edge Reduced Impact HMA, closed to mobile bottom-tending gear, 
with two exceptions described below; and (3) the Northern Edge Mobile 
Bottom-Tending Gear HMA, closed to mobile bottom-tending gear without 
any exceptions. Exemptions to the Reduced Impact HMA are scallop dredge 
fishing in accordance with the scallop rotational area program, and 
trawl fishing to the west of the existing western boundary of Closed 
Area II (67[deg]20'W long.), in what is now the Eastern Georges Bank 
Special Access Program. In addition, any portions of the Closed Area II 
groundfish closed area north of 41[deg]30'N lat. would be closed to 
scallop fishing between June 15 and October 31 of each year. The 
remainder of the existing Closed Area I Habitat and Groundfish Closure 
Areas and Closed Area II Groundfish Closure Area would be opened, 
expect for seasonal spawning protection.
    Various combinations of 19 areas, including the 5 existing habitat 
and groundfish closed areas, were considered for this sub-region. When 
combined, these areas covered nearly the entire Bank area from the 
Hague Line up to the Great South Channel. Some areas were deemed too 
costly from an economic standpoint because of their size or specific 
location. These areas included the two alternatives across the majority 
of the bank: The Northern Georges mobile bottom-tending gear closure 
(Alternative 8) and the Northern Georges gear modification area 
(Alternatives 5). Various options of smaller areas on Georges Shoal, 
namely the Georges Shoal 1 (Alternative 5), Georges Shoal Gear 
Modification Area (Alternative 4), Georges Shoal 2 (Alternative 7), and 
Western HMA (Alternative 9), were also considered. Further variations 
focused more on the northern edge, included the Northern Edge HMA in 
Alternatives 3 and 4; two variations of expanding the existing Closed 
Area II habitat closure (Alternatives 6A and 6B); the EFH South HMA as 
part of Alternative 7; the Eastern HMA and a Mortality Closure in 
Alternative 9.
    In the Great South Channel, the Council recommends establishing the 
Great South Channel HMA, closed to mobile bottom-tending gear, except 
hydraulic clam dredges for one year, outside of the northeast corner of 
the area. The Council is also recommending establishing two HMAs on Cox 
Ledge, closed to hydraulic clam dredges, and requiring no ground cables 
on trawls fishing in the areas. The Nantucket Lightship Habitat Closure 
Area and the Nantucket Lightship Closed Area would be removed. Other 
alternatives were variations around the proposed alternative, some 
extending farther to the east, and some extending farther to the west. 
The Council also considered a single box to cover both Cox Ledge areas.

Groundfish Spawning Measure Alternatives

    In the Gulf of Maine, the Council is recommending establishing two 
new, relatively small cod spawning protections. They include the Winter 
Massachusetts Bay Spawning Closure, which would be in effect from 
November 1-January 31 of each year. The Council also recommends a 2-
week closure (April 15-April 30) within statistical area 125. Other 
alternatives considered would have reinstated or added to existing 
rolling closures in the Western Gulf of Maine.
    On Georges Bank, the Council is recommending maintaining the 
existing Closed Area II Groundfish Closure Area and the Closed Area I 
North Habitat Closed Area as seasonal closures from February 1-April 
15. The Council is also recommending the removal of the May Georges 
Bank Spawning Closure. The Council considered making all of the 
existing Closed Area I groundfish closure area a seasonal spawning 
closure, but instead chose just the subset of that area in the northern 
portion.
    Management alternatives in both regions included all commercial 
gears capable of catching groundfish (recreational fishing exempted), 
all commercial and recreational gears capable of catching groundfish, 
and an exemption for scallop dredges.

Dedicated Habitat Research Area Alternatives

    The Council is proposing to establish two DHRAs. The DHRAs would be 
effective for 3 years, at which time the Regional Administrator would 
confer with the Council as to whether the designation should be 
retained. The Council considered three potential DHRAs, with varying 
management restrictions within them. The Council is recommending 
establishing the Georges Bank DHRA (footprint is the same as the 
existing Closed Area I South Habitat Closure) and the Stellwagen DHRA 
(footprint within the existing Western Gulf of Maine Habitat Closure). 
The Council considered two ``reference areas'' within the Stellwagen 
DHRA that would have prohibited all fishing, including recreational 
groundfish fishing. The Council is proposing the Stellwagen DHRA with 
no reference area. The Georges Bank DHRA would be closed to all mobile 
bottom-tending gear. The Stellwagen DHRA would be closed to all mobile 
bottom-tending gear, sink gillnet gear, and demersal longline gear.

Framework Adjustments and Monitoring

    The Council is recommending that the designation or removal of HMAs 
and changes to fishing restrictions within HMAs be considered in a 
framework adjustment. In addition, the Council is proposing a review 
process to evaluate the performance of habitat and spawning protection 
measures. Finally, the Council is proposing to identify and 
periodically revise research priorities to improve habitat and spawning 
area monitoring. Alternatively, the Council considered not implementing 
a new

[[Page 51504]]

process for habitat and spawning protection measures review and 
modification and using the existing ad-hoc process under its authority 
currently.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 648

    Fisheries, Fishing, Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

    Dated: October 27, 2017.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, 50 CFR part 648 is proposed 
to be amended as follows:

PART 648--FISHERIES OF THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES

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

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


Sec.  648.2  [Amended]

0
2. Amend Sec.  648.2 follows:
0
a. Revise the definition of ``bottom-tending mobile gear,''
0
b. Add a definition for ``bridles,'' in alphabetical order,
0
c. Revise the definition of ``gillnet gear capable of catching 
multispecies,''
0
d. Add a definition for ``ground cables,'' in alphabetical order, and
0
e. Revise the definition of ``Open areas.''
* * * * *
    Bottom-tending mobile gear, means gear in contact with the ocean 
bottom, and towed from a vessel, which is moved through the water 
during fishing in order to capture fish, and includes otter trawls, 
beam trawls, hydraulic dredges, non-hydraulic dredges, and seines (with 
the exception of a purse seine).
* * * * *
    Bridles connect the wings of a bottom trawl to the ground cables. 
The ground cables lead to the doors or otter boards. The doors are 
attached to the towing vessel via steel cables, referred to as wires or 
warps. Each net has two sets of bridles, one on each side.
* * * * *
    Gillnet gear capable of catching multispecies means all gillnet 
gear except pelagic gillnet gear specified at Sec.  648.81(b)(2)(ii) 
and (d)(5)(ii) and pelagic gillnet gear that is designed to fish for 
and is used to fish for or catch tunas, swordfish, and sharks.
* * * * *
    Ground cables on a bottom trawl run between the bridles, which 
attach directly to the wings of the net, and the doors, or otter 
boards. The doors are attached to the towing vessel via steel cables, 
referred to as wires or warps.
* * * * *
    Open areas, with respect to the Atlantic sea scallop fishery, means 
any area that is not subject to restrictions of the Sea Scallop 
Rotational Areas specified in Sec. Sec.  648.59 and 648.60, the 
Northern Gulf of Maine Management Area specified in Sec.  648.62, EFH 
Closed Areas specified in Sec. Sec.  648.61 and 648.370, Dedicated 
Habitat Research areas specified in Sec.  648.371, or the Frank R. 
Lautenberg Deep-Sea Coral Protection Area described in Sec.  648.372.
* * * * *
0
3. Amend Sec.  648.11 by revising paragraph (m)(1) to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (m) Atlantic herring observer coverage--(1) Pre-trip notification. 
At least 48 hr prior to the beginning of any trip on which a vessel may 
harvest, possess, or land Atlantic herring, a vessel issued a Limited 
Access Herring Permit or a vessel issued an Areas \2/3\ Open Access 
Herring Permit on a declared herring trip or a vessel issued an All 
Areas Open Access Herring Permit fishing with midwater trawl gear in 
Management Areas 1A, 1B, and/or 3, as defined in Sec.  648.200(f)(1) 
and (3), and herring carriers must provide notice of the following 
information to NMFS: Vessel name, permit category, and permit number; 
contact name for coordination of observer deployment; telephone number 
for contact; the date, time, and port of departure; gear type; target 
species; and intended area of fishing, including whether the vessel 
intends to engage in fishing in the Northeast Multispecies Closed Areas 
(Closed Area I North (648.81(c)(3)), Closed Area II (648.81(c)(4)), 
Cashes Ledge Closure Area (648.81(a)(3)), and Western GOM Closure Area 
(648.81(a)(4))) at any point in the trip. Trip notification calls must 
be made no more than 10 days in advance of each fishing trip. The 
vessel owner, operator, or manager must notify NMFS of any trip plan 
changes at least 12 hr prior to vessel departure from port.
* * * * *


Sec.  648.14   [Amended]

0
4. Amend Sec.  648.14 as follows:
0
a. Revise paragraph (b)(10),
0
b. Add paragraphs (b)(11) and (12),
0
c. Revise paragraphs (i)(1)(vi)(A)(1) and (2),
0
d. Revise paragraph (k)(6)(i)(E),
0
e. Revise paragraph (k)(6)(ii)(A)(5),
0
f. Revise paragraphs (k)(7)(i)(A) and (B),
0
g. Revise paragraphs (k)(7)(i)(C)(1) through (3),
0
h. Revise paragraph (k)(7)(i)(D),
0
i. Remove and reserve paragraphs (k)(7)(i)(E), (F), and (G),
0
j. Remove and reserve paragraph (k)(7)(ii)(A),
0
k. Revise paragraph (k)(12)(iii)(B),
0
l. Revise paragraph (k)(16)(iii)(B), and
0
m. Revise paragraphs (r)(2)(v) and (vi).
    The revisions to read as follows:


Sec.  648.14  Prohibitions.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (10) Fish with bottom-tending gear within the Frank R. Lautenberg 
Deep-sea Coral Protection Area described at Sec.  648.372, unless 
transiting pursuant to Sec.  648.372(d), fishing lobster trap gear in 
accordance with Sec.  697.21 of this chapter, or fishing red crab trap 
gear in accordance with Sec.  648.264. Bottom-tending gear includes but 
is not limited to bottom-tending otter trawls, bottom-tending beam 
trawls, hydraulic dredges, non-hydraulic dredges, bottom-tending 
seines, bottom longlines, pots and traps, and sink or anchored gill 
nets.
    (11) Habitat Management Area Restrictions. If fishing with bottom-
tending mobile gear, fish in, enter, be on a fishing vessel in, the EFH 
closure areas described in Sec.  648.371, unless otherwise exempted.
    (12) Unless otherwise exempted, fish in the Dedicated Habitat 
Research Areas defined in Sec.  648.371.
* * * * *
    (i) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (vi) * * *
    (A) * * *
    (1) Fish for scallops in, or possess or land scallops from, the EFH 
Closed Areas and Habitat Management Areas specified in Sec.  648.61 and 
648.370, respectively.
    (2) Transit or enter the EFH Closure Areas or Habitat Management 
Areas specified in Sec.  648.61 and 648.370, respectively, except as 
provided by Sec.  648.61(b).
* * * * *
    (k) * * *
    (6) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (E) Use, set, haul back, fish with, possess on board a vessel, 
unless stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in Sec.  
648.2, or fail to remove, sink gillnet gear and other gillnet gear 
capable of catching NE multispecies, with the exception of single 
pelagic gillnets (as described in Sec.  648.81(b)(2)(ii) and 
(d)(5)(ii)), in the areas and for the times specified in Sec.  
648.80(g)(6)(i) and (ii), except as provided in Sec.  648.80(g)(6)(i) 
and (ii), and Sec.  648.81(b)(2)(ii) and (d)(5)(ii), or

[[Page 51505]]

unless otherwise authorized in writing by the Regional Administrator.
* * * * *
    (ii)
    (A)
    (5) Enter, fail to remove sink gillnet gear or gillnet gear capable 
of catching NE multispecies from, or be in the areas, and for the 
times, described in Sec.  648.80(g)(6)(i) and (ii), except as provided 
in Sec. Sec.  648.80(g)(6)(i) and 648.81(i).
* * * * *
    (7) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (A) Enter, be on a fishing vessel in, or fail to remove gear from 
the EEZ portion of the areas described in Sec.  648.81(a)(3), (a)(4), 
and (d)(3), except as provided in Sec.  648.81(a)(2), (d)(2), and (i).
    (B) Fish for, harvest, possess, or land regulated species in or 
from the closed areas specified in Sec.  648.81(a) through (d) and (n), 
unless otherwise specified in Sec.  648.81(c)(2)(iii), (d)(5)(i), 
(d)(5)(iv), (d)(5)(viii) and (ix), (i), (b)(2), or as authorized under 
Sec.  648.85.
    (C) Restricted Gear Areas. (1) Fish, or be in the areas described 
in Sec.  648.81(f)(3) through (6) on a fishing vessel with mobile gear 
during the time periods specified in Sec.  648.81(f)(1), except as 
provided in Sec.  648.81(f)(2).
    (2) Fish, or be in the areas described in Sec.  648.81(f)(3) 
through (5) on a fishing vessel with lobster pot gear during the time 
periods specified in Sec.  648.81(f)(1).
    (3) Deploy in or fail to remove lobster pot gear from the areas 
described in Sec.  648.81(f)(3) through (5), during the time periods 
specified in Sec.  648.81(f)(1).
    (D) Georges Bank Seasonal Closure Areas. Enter, fail to remove gear 
from, or be in the areas described in Sec.  648.81(c) during the time 
periods specified, except as provided in Sec.  648.81(c)(2).
* * * * *
    (12) * * *
    (iii) * * *
    (B) Enter or fish in Closed Area II as specified in Sec.  
648.81(c)(4), unless declared into the area in accordance with Sec.  
648.85(b)(3)(v) or Sec.  648.85(b)(8)(v)(D).
* * * * *
    (16) * * *
    (iii) * * *
    (B) Fail to comply with the requirements specified in Sec.  
648.81(d)(5)(v) when fishing in the areas described in Sec.  
648.81(b)(3), (b)(4), and (d) during the time periods specified.
* * * * *
    (r) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (v) Fish with midwater trawl gear in any Northeast Multispecies 
Closed Area, as defined in Sec.  648.81(a), without a NMFS-approved 
observer on board, if the vessel has been issued an Atlantic herring 
permit.
    (vi) Slip or operationally discard catch, as defined at Sec.  
648.2, unless for one of the reasons specified at Sec.  648.202(b)(2), 
if fishing any part of a tow inside the Northeast Multispecies Closed 
Areas, as defined at Sec.  648.81(a).
* * * * *


Sec.  648.27  [Removed].

0
5. Remove Sec.  648.27
0
6. Add Sec.  648.58 to read as follows:


Sec.  648.58  Closed Area II Seasonal Scallop Closure.

    Closed Area II Seasonal Scallop Closure. From June 15 through 
October 31 of each year, no fishing vessel may fish with scallop dredge 
gear in the portion of Closed Area II, as specified in section 
648.61(c)(4) and section 648.81(c)(4), north of 41[deg]30' N. lat.
0
7. In Sec.  648.59, revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:


Sec.  648.59  Sea Scallop Rotational Area Management Program and Access 
Program requirements.

    (a) The Sea Scallop Rotational Area Management Program consists of 
Scallop Rotational Areas, as defined in Sec.  648.2. Guidelines for 
this area rotation program (i.e., when to close an area and reopen it 
to scallop fishing) are provided in Sec.  648.55(a)(6). Whether a 
rotational area is open or closed to scallop fishing in a given year, 
and the appropriate level of access by limited access and LAGC IFQ 
vessels, are specified through the specifications or framework 
adjustment processes defined in Sec.  648.55. When a rotational area is 
open to the scallop fishery, it is called an Access Area and scallop 
vessels fishing in the area are subject to the Access Area Program 
Requirements specified in this section. Areas not defined as Scallop 
Rotational Areas specified in Sec.  648.60, EFH Closed Areas specified 
in Sec.  648.61 and 648.370, Dedicated Habitat Research Areas specified 
in 648.371, or areas closed to scallop fishing under other FMPs, are 
governed by other management measures and restrictions in this part and 
are referred to as Open Areas.
0
8. In Sec.  648.60, revise paragraph (c)(1) and footnote 1 to read as 
follows:


Sec.  648.60  Sea Scallop Rotational Areas.

* * * * *
    (c) Closed Area I Scallop Rotational Area. (1) The Closed Area I 
Scallop Rotational Area is defined by straight lines connecting the 
following points in the order stated (copies of a chart depicting this 
area are available from the Regional Administrator upon request), and 
so that the line connecting points CAIA3 and CAIA4 is the same as the 
portion of the western boundary line of Closed Area I, defined in Sec.  
648.61(c)(3), that lies between points CAIA3 and CAIA4:

 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Point                            N. lat.                      W. long.                 Note
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAIA1................................  41[deg]26' N.                68[deg]30' W.
CAIA2................................  40[deg]58' N.                68[deg]30' W.
CAIA3................................  40[deg]54.95' N.             68[deg]53.37' W.                      (\1\)
CAIA4................................  41[deg]04' N.                69[deg]01' W.                         (\1\)
CAIA1................................  41[deg]26' N.                68[deg]30' W.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ From Point CAIA3 to Point CAIA4 along the western boundary of Closed Area I, defined in Sec.   648.61(c)(3).

0
9. In Sec.  648.61, revise the section heading and add paragraph (c) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  648.61  EFH and Groundfish Closed Areas.

* * * * *
    (c) Groundfish Closure Areas. No vessel fishing for scallops, or 
person on a vessel fishing for scallops, may enter, fish in, or be in 
the Closure Areas described in paragraphs (c)(1) through (5) of this 
section, unless otherwise exempted in the scallop access area program, 
described in Sec.  648.59. A chart depicting these areas is available 
from the Regional Administrator upon request.
    (1) Western Gulf of Maine Closure Area. The Western Gulf of Maine 
Closure Area is defined by straight lines

[[Page 51506]]

connecting the following points in the order stated:

                   Western Gulf of Maine Closure Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                    N. lat.              W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WGM1..........................  42[deg]15'           70[deg]15'
WGM2..........................  42[deg]15'           69[deg]55'
WGM3..........................  43[deg]15'           69[deg]55'
WGM4..........................  43[deg]15'           70[deg]15'
WGM1..........................  42[deg]15'           70[deg]15'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Cashes Ledge Closure Area. The Cashes Ledge Closure Area is 
defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order 
stated:

                        Cashes Ledge Closure Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                    N. lat.              W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CL1...........................  43[deg]07'           69[deg]02'
CL2...........................  42[deg]49.5'         68[deg]46'
CL3...........................  42[deg]46.5'         68[deg]50.5'
CL4...........................  42[deg]43.5'         68[deg]58.5'
CL5...........................  42[deg]42.5'         69[deg]17.5'
CL6...........................  42[deg]49.5'         69[deg]26'
CL1...........................  43[deg]07'           69[deg]02'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Closed Area I. Closed Area I is defined by straight lines 
connecting the following points in the order stated:

                              Closed Area I
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                    N. lat.              W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CI1...........................  41[deg]30'           69[deg]23'
CI2...........................  40[deg]45'           68[deg]45'
CI3...........................  40[deg]45'           68[deg]30'
CI4...........................  41[deg]30'           68[deg]30'
CI1...........................  41[deg]30'           69[deg]23'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (4) Closed Area II. Closed Area II is defined by straight lines 
connecting the following points in the order stated:

                             Closed Area II
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                    N. lat.              W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
C1I1..........................  41[deg]00'           67[deg]20'
C1I2..........................  41[deg]00'           66[deg]35.8'
G5............................  41[deg]18.6'         66[deg]24.8' \1\
C1I3..........................  42[deg]22'           67[deg]20' \1\
C1I1..........................  41[deg]00'           67[deg]20' \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary.

    (5) Nantucket Lightship Closure Area. The Nantucket Lightship 
Closure Area is defined by straight lines connecting the following 
points in the order stated:

                    Nantucket Lightship Closure Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                    N. lat.              W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
G10...........................  40[deg]50'           69[deg]00'
CN1...........................  40[deg]20'           69[deg]00'
CN2...........................  40[deg]20'           70[deg]20'
CN3...........................  40[deg]50'           70[deg]20'
G10...........................  40[deg]50'           69[deg]00'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *


Sec.  648.80   [Amended]

0
10. Amend Sec.  648.80 as follows:
0
a. Revise paragraph (a)(9)(i)(A),
0
b. Revise paragraph (a)(11) introductory text and paragraph 
(a)(11)(i)(C),
0
c. Revise the introductory texts in paragraphs (a)(13), (14), (15), 
(16), (18), and (19),
0
d. Remove paragraph (b)(11)(ii)(D),
0
e. Revise the introductory text for paragraph (d)(2) and revise 
paragraph (d)(2)(i),
0
f. Revise paragraph (d)(5), and
0
g. Revise paragraphs (g)(6)(i) and (ii).
    The revisions to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (9) Small Mesh Area 1/Small Mesh Area 2.
    (i) Description.
    (A) Unless otherwise prohibited in Sec.  648.81, Sec.  648.370, or 
Sec.  648.371, a vessel subject to the minimum mesh size restrictions 
specified in paragraphs (a)(3) or (4) of this section may fish with or 
possess nets with a mesh size smaller than the minimum size, provided 
the vessel complies with the requirements of paragraphs (a)(5)(ii) or 
(a)(9)(ii) of this section, and Sec.  648.86(d), from July 15 through 
November 15, when fishing in Small Mesh Area 1; and from January 1 
through June 30, when fishing in Small Mesh Area 2. While lawfully 
fishing in these areas with mesh smaller than the minimum size, an 
owner or operator of any vessel may not fish for, possess on board, or 
land any species of fish other than: Silver hake and offshore hake, 
combined, and red hake--up to the amounts specified in Sec.  648.86(d); 
butterfish, Atlantic mackerel, or squid, up the amounts specified in 
Sec.  648.26; spiny dogfish, up to the amount specified in Sec.  
648.235; Atlantic herring, up to the amount specified in Sec.  648.204; 
and scup, up to the amount specified in Sec.  648.128.
* * * * *
    (11) GOM Scallop Dredge Exemption Area. Unless otherwise prohibited 
in Sec.  648.81, Sec.  648.370, or Sec.  648.371, vessels with a 
limited access scallop permit that have declared out of the DAS program 
as specified in Sec.  648.10, or that have used up their DAS 
allocations, and vessels issued a General Category scallop permit, may 
fish in the GOM Regulated Mesh Area specified in paragraph (a)(1) of 
this section, when not under a NE multispecies DAS, providing the 
vessel fishes in the GOM Scallop Dredge Exemption Area and complies 
with the requirements specified in paragraph (a)(11)(i) of this 
section. The GOM Scallop Dredge Fishery Exemption Area is defined by 
the straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated 
(copies of a map depicting the area are available from the Regional 
Administrator upon request):
* * * * *
    (i) * * *
    (C) The exemption does not apply to the Cashes Ledge Closure Area 
or the Western GOM Area Closure specified in Sec.  648.81(a)(3) and 
(4), respectively.
* * * * *
    (13) GOM/GB Dogfish and Monkfish Gillnet Fishery Exemption Area. 
Unless otherwise prohibited in Sec.  648.81, Sec.  648.370, or Sec.  
648.371, a vessel may fish with gillnets in the GOM/GB Dogfish and 
Monkfish Gillnet Fishery Exemption Area when not under a NE 
multispecies DAS if the vessel complies with the requirements specified 
in paragraph (a)(13)(i) of this section. The GOM/GB Dogfish and 
Monkfish Gillnet Fishery Exemption Area is defined by straight lines 
connecting the following points in the order stated:
* * * * *
    (14) GOM/GB Dogfish Gillnet Exemption. Unless otherwise prohibited 
in Sec.  648.81, Sec.  648.370, or Sec.  648.371, a vessel may fish 
with gillnets in the GOM/GB Dogfish and Monkfish Gillnet Fishery 
Exemption Area when not under a NE multispecies DAS if the vessel 
complies with the requirements specified in paragraph (a)(14)(i) of 
this section. The area coordinates of the GOM/GB Dogfish and Monkfish 
Gillnet Fishery Exemption Area are specified in paragraph (a)(13) of 
this section.
* * * * *
    (15) Raised Footrope Trawl Exempted Whiting Fishery. Unless 
otherwise prohibited in Sec.  648.370 or Sec.  648.371, vessels subject 
to the minimum mesh size restrictions specified in paragraphs (a)(3) or 
(4) of this section may fish with, use, or possess nets in the Raised 
Footrope Trawl Whiting Fishery area with a mesh size smaller than the 
minimum size specified, if the vessel complies with the requirements 
specified in paragraph (a)(15)(i) of this section. This exemption does 
not apply to the Cashes Ledge Closure Areas or the Western GOM Area 
Closure specified in Sec.  648.81(a)(3) and (4), respectively. The 
Raised Footrope Trawl Whiting Fishery Area (copies of a chart depicting 
the area are available from the Regional

[[Page 51507]]

Administrator upon request) is defined by straight lines connecting the 
following points in the order stated:
* * * * *
    (16) GOM Grate Raised Footrope Trawl Exempted Whiting Fishery. 
Unless otherwise prohibited in Sec.  648.370 or Sec.  648.371, vessels 
subject to the minimum mesh size restrictions specified in paragraphs 
(a)(3) or (4) of this section may fish with, use, and possess in the 
GOM Grate Raised Footrope Trawl Whiting Fishery area from July 1 
through November 30 of each year, nets with a mesh size smaller than 
the minimum size specified, if the vessel complies with the 
requirements specified in paragraphs (a)(16)(i) and (ii) of this 
section. The GOM Grate Raised Footrope Trawl Whiting Fishery Area 
(copies of a chart depicting the area are available from the Regional 
Administrator upon request) is defined by straight lines connecting the 
following points in the order stated:
* * * * *
    (18) Great South Channel Scallop Dredge Exemption Area. Unless 
otherwise prohibited in Sec.  648.370 or Sec.  648.371, vessels issued 
a LAGC scallop permit, including limited access scallop permits that 
have used up their DAS allocations, may fish in the Great South Channel 
Scallop Dredge Exemption Area, as defined under paragraph (a)(18)(i) of 
this section, when not under a NE multispecies or scallop DAS or on a 
sector trip, provided the vessel complies with the requirements 
specified in paragraph (a)(18)(ii) of this section and applicable 
scallop regulations in subpart D of this chapter.
* * * * *
    (19) Cape Cod Spiny Dogfish Exemption Areas. Unless otherwise 
prohibited in Sec.  648.370 or Sec.  648.371, vessels issued a NE 
multispecies limited access permit that have declared out of the DAS 
program as specified in Sec.  648.10, or that have used up their DAS 
allocations, may fish in the Eastern or Western Cape Cod Spiny Dogfish 
Exemption Area as defined under paragraph (a)(19)(i) through 
(a)(19)(ii) of this section, when not under a NE multispecies or 
scallop DAS, provided the vessel complies with the requirements for the 
Eastern or Western area, specified in paragraph (a)(19)(i) and 
(a)(19)(ii) of this section, respectively.
* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (2) When fishing under this exemption in the GOM/GB Exemption Area, 
as defined in paragraph (a)(17) of this section, the vessel has on 
board a letter of authorization issued by the Regional Administrator, 
and complies with the following restrictions:
    (i) The vessel only fishes for, possesses, or lands Atlantic 
herring, blueback herring, or mackerel in areas north of 42[deg]20' N. 
lat. and in the areas described in Sec.  648.81(c)(3), and (c)(4); and 
Atlantic herring, blueback herring, mackerel, or squid in all other 
areas south of 42[deg]20' N. lat.; and
* * * * *
    (5) To fish for herring under this exemption, a vessel issued an 
All Areas Limited Access Herring Permit and/or an Areas 2 and 3 Limited 
Access Herring Permit fishing on a declared herring trip, or a vessel 
issued a Limited Access Incidental Catch Herring Permit and/or an Open 
Access Herring Permit fishing with midwater trawl gear in Management 
Areas 1A, 1B, and/or 3, as defined in Sec.  648.200(f)(1) and (3), must 
provide notice of the following information to NMFS at least 72 hr 
prior to beginning any trip into these areas for the purposes of 
observer deployment: Vessel name; contact name for coordination of 
observer deployment; telephone number for contact; the date, time, and 
port of departure; and whether the vessel intends to engage in fishing 
in Closed Area I, as defined in Sec.  648.81(c)(3), at any point in the 
trip; and
* * * * *
    (g) * * *
    (6) Gillnet requirements to reduce or prevent marine mammal takes--
(i) Requirements for gillnet gear capable of catching NE multispecies 
to reduce harbor porpoise takes. In addition to the requirements for 
gillnet fishing identified in this section, all persons owning or 
operating vessels in the EEZ that fish with sink gillnet gear and other 
gillnet gear capable of catching NE multispecies, with the exception of 
single pelagic gillnets (as described in Sec.  648.81(b)(2)(ii) and 
(d)(5)(ii)), must comply with the applicable provisions of the Harbor 
Porpoise Take Reduction Plan found in Sec.  229.33 of this title.
    (ii) Requirements for gillnet gear capable of catching NE 
multispecies to prevent large whale takes. In addition to the 
requirements for gillnet fishing identified in this section, all 
persons owning or operating vessels in the EEZ that fish with sink 
gillnet gear and other gillnet gear capable of catching NE 
multispecies, with the exception of single pelagic gillnets (as 
described in Sec.  648.81(b)(2)(ii) and (d)(5)(ii)), must comply with 
the applicable provisions of the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction 
Plan found in Sec.  229.32 of this title.
* * * * *
0
11. Revise Sec.  648.81 to read as follows:


Sec.  648.81  NE multispecies year-round and seasonal closed areas.

    (a) Year-round groundfish closed areas. (1) No fishing vessel or 
person on a fishing vessel may enter, fish, or be in, and no fishing 
gear capable of catching NE multispecies may be used or on board a 
vessel in, the Cashes Ledge or Western Gulf of Maine Closure Areas, 
unless otherwise allowed by or exempted under this part. Charts of the 
areas described in this section are available from the Regional 
Administrator upon request.
    (2) Exemptions. Unless restricted by the requirements of subpart 
(P) or elsewhere in this part, paragraph (a)(1) of this section does 
not apply to a fishing vessel or person on a fishing vessel when 
fishing under the following conditions:
    (i) Fishing with or using exempted gear as defined under this part, 
except for pelagic gillnet gear capable of catching NE multispecies, 
unless fishing with a single pelagic gillnet not longer than 300 ft 
(91.4 m) and not greater than 6 ft (1.83 m) deep, with a maximum mesh 
size of 3 inches (7.6 cm), provided that:
    (A) The net is attached to the boat and fished in the upper two-
thirds of the water column;
    (B) The net is marked with the owner's name and vessel 
identification number;
    (C) No regulated species or ocean pout are retained; and
    (D) No other gear capable of catching NE multispecies is on board;
    (ii) Fishing in the Midwater Trawl Gear Exempted Fishery as 
specified in Sec.  648.80(d);
    (iii) Fishing in the Purse Seine Gear Exempted Fishery as specified 
in Sec.  648.80(e);
    (iv) Fishing under charter/party or recreational regulations 
specified in Sec.  648.89, provided that:
    (A) A letter of authorization issued by the Regional Administrator 
is onboard the vessel, which is valid from the date of enrollment until 
the end of the fishing year;
    (B) No harvested or possessed fish species managed by the NEFMC or 
MAFMC are sold or intended for trade, barter or sale, regardless of 
where the fish are caught;
    (C) Only rod and reel or handline gear is on board the vessel; and
    (D) No NE multispecies DAS are used during the entire period for 
which the letter of authorization is valid.
    (3) Cashes Ledge Closure Area. The Cashes Ledge Closure Area is 
defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order 
stated:

[[Page 51508]]



                        Cashes Ledge Closure Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                    N. lat.              W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CL1...........................  43[deg]07'           69[deg]02'
CL2...........................  42[deg]49.5'         68[deg]46'
CL3...........................  42[deg]46.5'         68[deg]50.5'
CL4...........................  42[deg]43.5'         68[deg]58.5'
CL5...........................  42[deg]42.5'         69[deg]17.5'
CL6...........................  42[deg]49.5'         69[deg]26'
CL1...........................  43[deg]07'           69[deg]02'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (4) Western Gulf of Maine Closure Area. The Western Gulf of Maine 
Closure Area is defined by straight lines connecting the following 
points in the order stated:

                   Western Gulf of Maine Closure Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                    N. lat.              W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WGM1..........................  42[deg]15'           70[deg]15'
WGM2..........................  42[deg]15'           69[deg]55'
WGM3..........................  43[deg]15'           69[deg]55'
WGM4..........................  43[deg]15'           70[deg]15'
WGM1..........................  42[deg]15'           70[deg]15'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Gulf of Maine spawning groundfish closures. (1) Unless allowed 
in this part, no fishing vessel or person on a fishing vessel may 
enter, fish, or be in, and no fishing gear capable of catching NE 
multispecies may be used or on board a vessel in, the spawning closure 
areas described in paragraphs (b)(3) and (b)(4), during the times 
specified in this section. Charts depicting the areas defined here are 
available from the RA upon request.
    (2) Exemptions. Paragraph (b)(1) of this section does not apply to 
a fishing vessel or person on a fishing vessel:
    (i) That has not been issued a NE multispecies permit that is 
fishing exclusively in state waters;
    (ii) That is fishing with or using exempted gear as defined under 
this part, excluding pelagic gillnet gear capable of catching NE 
multispecies, except for a vessel fishing with a single pelagic gillnet 
not longer than 300 ft (91.4 m) and not greater than 6 ft (1.83 m) 
deep, with a maximum mesh size of 3 inches (7.6 cm), provided:
    (A) The net is attached to the vessel and fished in the upper two-
thirds of the water column;
    (B) The net is marked with the vessel owner's name and vessel 
identification number;
    (C) No regulated species or ocean pout are retained; and
    (D) No other gear capable of catching NE multispecies is on board;
    (iii) That is fishing as a charter/party or recreational fishing 
vessel, provided that:
    (A) With the exception of tuna, fish harvested or possessed by the 
vessel are not sold or intended for trade, barter, or sale, regardless 
of where the species are caught;
    (B) Any gear other than pelagic hook and line gear, as defined in 
this part, is properly stowed and not available for immediate use as 
defined in Sec.  648.2; and
    (C) No regulated species or ocean pout are retained; and
    (iv) That is transiting pursuant to paragraph (e) of this section.
    (3) GOM Cod Spawning Protection Area. Except as specified in 
paragraph (b)(2) of this section, from April through June of each year, 
no fishing vessel or person on a fishing vessel may enter, fish, or be 
in, and no fishing gear capable of catching NE multispecies may be used 
or on board a vessel in, the GOM Cod Spawning Protection Area, as 
defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order 
stated:

                    GOM Cod Spawning Protection Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                  N. latitude          W. longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CSPA1.........................  42[deg]50.95'        70[deg]32.22'
CSPA2.........................  42[deg]47.65'        70[deg]35.64'
CSPA3.........................  42[deg]54.91'        70[deg]41.88'
CSPA4.........................  42[deg]58.27'        70[deg]38.64'
CSPA1.........................  42[deg]50.95'        70[deg]32.22'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (4) Winter Massachusetts Bay Spawning Protection Area. Except as 
specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, from November 1 through 
January 31 of each year, no fishing vessel or person on a fishing 
vessel may enter, fish, or be in, and no fishing gear capable of 
catching NE multispecies may be used or be on board a vessel in, the 
Massachusetts Bay Spawning Protection Area, as defined by a straight 
line connecting the following points along the Massachusetts state 
waters boundary:

            Winter Massachusetts Bay Spawning Protection Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                  N. latitude          W. longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.............................  42[deg]23.6'         70[deg]39.2'
2.............................  42[deg]07.7'         70[deg]26.8'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) Western/southern boundary at Massachusetts state waters
    (5) Spring Massachusetts Bay Spawning Protection Area. (i) From 
April 15 through April 30 of each year, no fishing vessel or person on 
a fishing vessel may enter, fish, or be in, and no fishing gear capable 
of catching NE multispecies may be used or on board a vessel in the 
thirty- minute block defined by straight lines connecting the following 
points in the order stated:

            Spring Massachusetts Bay Spawning Protection Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                  N. latitude          W. longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.............................  42[deg]00'           70[deg]30'
2.............................  42[deg]30'           70[deg]30'
                               -----------------------------------------
3.............................  Massachusetts coastline south of Duxbury
                                 and 42[deg]00' N.
4.............................  Massachusetts coastline near Marblehead
                                 and 42[deg]30' N.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) Unless otherwise restricted in this part, the Block 125 
closure does not apply to a fishing vessel or person on a fishing 
vessel that meets the criteria in paragraphs (d)(5)(ii) through (vi) 
and (d)(5)(x) of this section (listed under the exemptions for the GOM 
Cod Protection Closures). This includes recreational vessels meeting 
the criteria specified in paragraphs (d)(5)(v)(A) through (D) of this 
section.
    (c) Georges Bank Spawning Groundfish Closures. (1) Unless otherwise 
allowed in this part, no fishing vessel or person on a fishing vessel 
may enter, fish, or be in, and no fishing gear capable of catching NE 
multispecies may be used on board a vessel in the spawning closure 
areas described in paragraphs (b)(3) and (b)(4), and during the times 
specified in this section. Charts depicting the areas defined here are 
available from the RA upon request.
    (2) Exemptions. Paragraph (c)(1) of this section does not apply to 
a fishing vessel or person on a fishing vessel:
    (i) That is fishing with or using exempted gear as defined under 
this part, excluding pelagic gillnet gear capable of catching NE 
multispecies, except for vessels fishing with a single pelagic gillnet 
not longer than 300 ft (91.4 m) and not greater than 6 ft (1.83 m) 
deep, with a maximum mesh size of 3 inches (7.6 cm), provided:
    (A) The net is attached to the vessel and fished in the upper two-
thirds of the water column;
    (B) The net is marked with the vessel owner's name and vessel 
identification number;
    (C) No regulated species or ocean pout are retained; and
    (D) No other gear capable of catching NE multispecies is on board;
    (ii) That is fishing for scallops consistent with the requirements 
of the scallop fishery management plan, including rotational access 
program requirements specified in Sec.  648.59.
    (iii) That is fishing in the mid-water trawl exempted fishery

[[Page 51509]]

    (iv) That is transiting pursuant to the requirements described in 
Sec.  648.2.
    (3) Closed Area I North. Except as specified in paragraph (c)(2) of 
this section, from February 1 through April 15 of each year, no fishing 
vessel or person on a fishing vessel may enter, fish, or be in; and no 
fishing gear capable of catching NE multispecies may be used or on 
board a vessel in, Closed Area I North, as defined by straight lines 
connecting the following points in the order stated:

                          Closed Area I--North
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                    N. lat.              W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CI1...........................  41[deg]30'           69[deg]23'
CI4...........................  41[deg]30'           68[deg]30'
CIH1..........................  41[deg]26'           68[deg]30'
CIH2..........................  41[deg]04'           69[deg]01'
CI1...........................  41[deg]30'           69[deg]23'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (4) Closed Area II. Except as specified in paragraph (c)(2) of this 
section, from February 1 through April 15 of each year, no fishing 
vessel or person on a fishing vessel may enter, fish, or be in, and no 
fishing gear capable of catching NE multispecies may be used or on 
board a vessel in, Closed Area II, as defined by straight lines 
connecting the following points in the order stated:

                             Closed Area II
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                    N. lat.              W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
C1I1..........................  41[deg]00'           67[deg]20'
C1I2..........................  41[deg]00'           66[deg]35.8'
G5............................  41[deg]18.6'         66[deg]24.8' \1\
C1I3..........................  42[deg]22'           67[deg]20' \1\
C1I1..........................  41[deg]00'           67[deg]20' \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (d) GOM Cod Protection Closures. (1) Unless otherwise allowed in 
this part, no fishing vessel or person on a fishing vessel may enter, 
fish, or be in, and no fishing gear capable of catching NE multispecies 
may be used or on board a vessel in, GOM Cod Protection Closures I 
through V as described, and during the times specified, in paragraphs 
(d)(4)(i) through (v) of this section.
    (2) The New England Fishery Management Council shall review the GOM 
Cod Protection Closures Areas specified in this section when the 
spawning stock biomass for GOM cod reaches the minimum biomass 
threshold specified for the stock (50 percent of SSBMSY).
    (3) Seasons. (i) GOM Cod Protection Closure I is in effect from May 
1 through May 31.
    (ii) GOM Cod Protection Closure II is in effect from June 1 through 
June 30.
    (iii) GOM Cod Protection Closure III is in effect from November 1 
through January 31.
    (iv) GOM Cod Protection Closure IV is in effect from October 1 
through October 31.
    (v) GOM Cod Protection Closure V is in effect from March 1 through 
March 31.
    (4) GOM Cod Protection Closure Areas. Charts depicting these areas 
are available from the Regional Administrator upon request.
    (i) GOM Cod Protection Closure I. GOM Cod Protection Closure I is 
the area bounded by the following coordinates connected in the order 
stated by straight lines:

                      GOM Cod Protection Closure I
                             [May 1-May 31]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                  N. latitude          W. longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPCI 1........................  43[deg]30' N.        (\1\)
CPCI 2........................  43[deg]30' N.        69[deg]30' W.
CPCI 3........................  43[deg]00' N.        69[deg]30' W.
CPCI 4........................  43[deg]00' N.        70[deg]00' W.
CPCI 5........................  42[deg]30' N.        70[deg]00' W.
CPCI 6........................  42[deg]30' N.        70[deg]30' W.
CPCI 7........................  42[deg]20' N.        70[deg]30' W.
CPCI 8........................  42[deg]20' N.        (\2\) (\3\)
CPCI 1........................  43[deg]30' N.        (\1\) (\3\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The intersection of 43[deg]30' N. latitude and the coastline of
  Maine.
\2\ The intersection of 42[deg]20' N. latitude and the coastline of
  Massachusetts.
\3\ From Point 8 back to Point 1 following the coastline of the United
  States.

    (ii) GOM Cod Protection Closure II. GOM Cod Protection Closure II 
is the area bounded by the following coordinates connected in the order 
stated by straight lines:

                      GOM Cod Protection Closure II
                            [June 1-June 30]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                  N. latitude          W. longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPCII 1.......................  (\1\)                69[deg]30' W.
CPCII 2.......................  43[deg]30' N.        69[deg]30' W.
CPCII 3.......................  43[deg]30' N.        70[deg]00' W.
CPCII 4.......................  42[deg]30' N.        70[deg]00' W.
CPCII 5.......................  42[deg]30' N.        70[deg]30' W.
CPCII 6.......................  42[deg]20' N.        70[deg]30' W.
CPCII 7.......................  42[deg]20' N.        (\2\) (\3\)
CPCII 8.......................  42[deg]30' N.        (\4\) (\3\)
CPCII 9.......................  42[deg]30' N.        70[deg]30' W.
CPCII 10......................  43[deg]00' N.        70[deg]30' W.
CPCII 11......................  43[deg]00' N.        (\5\) (\6\)
CPCII 1.......................  (\1\)                69[deg]30' W.\6\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The intersection of 69[deg]30' W. longitude and the coastline of
  Maine.
\2\ The intersection of 42[deg]20' N. latitude and the coastline of
  Massachusetts.
\3\ From Point 7 to Point 8 following the coastline of Massachusetts.
\4\ The intersection of 42[deg]30' N. latitude and the coastline of
  Massachusetts.
\5\ The intersection of 43[deg]00' N. latitude and the coastline of New
  Hampshire.
\6\ From Point 11 back to Point 1 following the coastlines of New
  Hampshire and Maine.

    (iii) GOM Cod Protection Closure III. GOM Cod Protection Closure 
III is the area bounded by the following coordinates connected in the 
order stated by straight lines:

                     GOM Cod Protection Closure III
                         [November 1-January 31]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                  N. latitude          W. longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPCIII 1......................  42[deg]30' N.        (\1\)
CPCIII 2......................  42[deg]30' N.        70[deg]30' W.
CPCIII 3......................  42[deg]15' N.        70[deg]30' W.
CPCIII 4......................  42[deg]15' N.        70[deg]24' W.
CPCIII 5......................  42[deg]00' N.        70[deg]24' W.
CPCIII 6......................  42[deg]00' N.        (\2\) (\3\)
CPCIII 1......................  42[deg]30' N.        (\1\) (\3\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The intersection of 42[deg]30' N. latitude and the Massachusetts
  coastline.
\2\ The intersection of 42[deg]00' N. latitude and the mainland
  Massachusetts coastline at Kingston, MA.
\3\ From Point 6 back to Point 1 following the coastline of
  Massachusetts.

    (iv) GOM Cod Protection Closure IV. GOM Cod Protection Closure IV 
is the area bounded by the following coordinates connected in the order 
stated by straight lines:

                      GOM Cod Protection Closure IV
                         [October 1-October 31]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                  N. latitude          W. longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPCIV 1.......................  42[deg]30' N.        (\1\)
CPCIV 2.......................  42[deg]30' N.        70[deg]00' W.
CPCIV 3.......................  42[deg]00' N.        70[deg]00' W.
CPCIV 4.......................  42[deg]00' N.        (\2\) (\3\)
CPCIV 1.......................  42[deg]30' N.        (\1\) (\3\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The intersection of 42[deg]30' N. latitude and the Massachusetts
  coastline.
\2\ The intersection of 42[deg]00' N. latitude and the mainland
  Massachusetts coastline at Kingston, MA.
\3\ From Point 4 back to Point 1 following the coastline of
  Massachusetts.

    (v) GOM Cod Protection Closure V. GOM Cod Protection Closure V is 
the area bounded by the following coordinates connected in the order 
stated by straight lines:

                      GOM Cod Protection Closure V
                           [March 1-March 31]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                  N. latitude          W. longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPCV 1........................  42[deg]30' N.        70[deg]00' W.
CPCV 2........................  42[deg]30' N.        68[deg]30' W.
CPCV 3........................  42[deg]00' N.        68[deg]30' W.
CPCV 4........................  42[deg]00' N.        70[deg]00' W.
CPCV 1........................  42[deg]30' N.        70[deg]00' W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (5) The GOM cod protection closures specified in this section do 
not apply to a fishing vessel or person on board a

[[Page 51510]]

fishing vessel under any of the following conditions:
    (i) No multispecies permit has been issued and the vessel is 
fishing exclusively in state waters;
    (ii) Fishing with or using exempted gear as defined under this 
part, except for pelagic gillnet gear capable of catching NE 
multispecies, unless fishing with a single pelagic gillnet not longer 
than 300 ft (91.4 m) and not greater than 6 ft (1.83 m) deep, with a 
maximum mesh size of 3 inches (7.6 cm), provided that:
    (A) The net is attached to the boat and fished in the upper two-
thirds of the water column;
    (B) The net is marked with the owner's name and vessel 
identification number;
    (C) No regulated species are retained; and
    (D) No other gear capable of catching NE multispecies is on board;
    (iii) Fishing in the Midwater Trawl Gear Exempted Fishery as 
specified in Sec.  648.80(d);
    (iv) Fishing in the Purse Seine Gear Exempted Fishery as specified 
in Sec.  648.80(e);
    (v) Fishing under charter/party or recreational regulations 
specified in Sec.  648.89, provided that:
    (A) A vessel fishing under charter/party regulations in a GOM cod 
protection closure described under paragraph (f)(4) of this section, 
has on board a letter of authorization issued by the Regional 
Administrator that is valid from the date of enrollment through the 
duration of the closure or 3 months duration, whichever is greater;
    (B) No harvested or possessed fish species managed by the NEFMC or 
MAFMC are sold or intended for trade, barter or sale, regardless of 
where the fish are caught;
    (C) Only rod and reel or handline gear is on board; and
    (D) No NE multispecies DAS are used during the entire period for 
which the letter of authorization is valid;
    (vi) Fishing with scallop dredge gear under a scallop DAS or when 
lawfully fishing in the Scallop Dredge Fishery Exemption Area as 
described in Sec.  648.80(a)(11), provided the vessel does not retain 
any regulated NE multispecies during a trip, or on any part of a trip;
    (vii) Fishing in the Raised Footrope Trawl Exempted Whiting 
Fishery, as specified in Sec.  648.80(a)(15), or in the Small Mesh Area 
II Exemption Area, as specified in Sec.  648.80(a)(9);
    (viii) Fishing on a sector trip, as defined in this part, and in 
the GOM Cod Protection Closures IV or V, as specified in paragraphs 
(f)(4)(iv) and (v) of this section; or
    (ix) Fishing under the provisions of a Northeast multispecies 
Handgear A permit, as specified at Sec.  648.82(b)(6), and in the GOM 
Cod Protection Closures IV or V, as specified in paragraphs (f)(4)(iv) 
and (v) of this section.
    (x) Transiting the area, provided it complies with the requirements 
specified in paragraph (e) of this section.
    (e) Transiting. (1) Unless otherwise restricted or specified in 
this paragraph (e), a vessel may transit the Cashes Ledge Closed Area, 
the Western GOM Closure Area, the GOM Cod Protection Closures, and the 
GOM Cod Spawning Protection Area, as defined in paragraphs (a)(3), 
(a)(4), (d)(4), (b)(3), of this section, respectively, provided that 
its gear is stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in 
Sec.  648.2.
    (2) Private recreational or charter/party vessels fishing under the 
Northeast multispecies provisions specified at Sec.  648.89 may transit 
the GOM Cod Spawning Protection Area, as defined in paragraph (b)(3) of 
this section, provided all bait and hooks are removed from fishing 
rods, and any regulated species on board have been caught outside the 
GOM Cod Spawning Protection Area and has been gutted and stored.
    (f) Restricted Gear Areas. (1) Restricted Gear Area Seasons. No 
fishing vessel with mobile gear on board, or person on a fishing vessel 
with mobile gear on board, may fish or be in the specified Restricted 
Gear Areas, unless transiting, during the seasons below. No fishing 
vessel with lobster pot gear on board, or person on a fishing vessel 
with lobster pot gear on board, may fish in, and no lobster pot gear 
may be deployed or remain in the specified Restricted Gear Areas. 
Vessels with lobster pot gear on board may transit during the seasons 
below.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Mobile gear        Lobster pot gear
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Restricted Gear Area I......  October 1-June 15...  June 16-September
                                                     30.
Restricted Gear Area II.....  November 27-June 15.  June 16-November 26.
Restricted Gear Area III....  June 16-November 26.  January 1-April 30.
Restricted Gear Area IV.....  June 16-September 30  n/a.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Vessels with mobile gear may transit this area, provided that 
all mobile gear is on board the vessel while inside the area, and is 
stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in Sec.  648.2.
    (3) Restricted Gear Area I. Restricted Gear Area I is defined by 
straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                  N. latitude          W. longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Inshore Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
to 120                          ...................  ...................
69............................  40[deg]07.9'         68[deg]36.0'
70............................  40[deg]07.2'         68[deg]38.4'
71............................  40[deg]06.9'         68[deg]46.5'
72............................  40[deg]08.7'         68[deg]49.6'
73............................  40[deg]08.1'         68[deg]51.0'
74............................  40[deg]05.7'         68[deg]52.4'
75............................  40[deg]03.6'         68[deg]57.2'
76............................  40[deg]03.65'        69[deg]00.0'
77............................  40[deg]04.35'        69[deg]00.5'
78............................  40[deg]05.2'         69[deg]00.5'
79............................  40[deg]05.3'         69[deg]01.1'
80............................  40[deg]08.9'         69[deg]01.75'
81............................  40[deg]11.0'         69[deg]03.8'
82............................  40[deg]11.6'         69[deg]05.4'
83............................  40[deg]10.25'        69[deg]04.4'
84............................  40[deg]09.75'        69[deg]04.15'
85............................  40[deg]08.45'        69[deg]03.6'
86............................  40[deg]05.65'        69[deg]03.55'
87............................  40[deg]04.1'         69[deg]03.9'
88............................  40[deg]02.65'        69[deg]05.6'
89............................  40[deg]02.00'        69[deg]08.35'
90............................  40[deg]02.65'        69[deg]11.15'
91............................  40[deg]00.05'        69[deg]14.6'
92............................  39[deg]57.8'         69[deg]20.35'
93............................  39[deg]56.65'        69[deg]24.4'
94............................  39[deg]56.1'         69[deg]26.35'
95............................  39[deg]56.55'        69[deg]34.1'
96............................  39[deg]57.85'        69[deg]35.5'
97............................  40[deg]00.65'        69[deg]36.5'
98............................  40[deg]00.9'         69[deg]37.3'
99............................  39[deg]59.15'        69[deg]37.3'
100...........................  39[deg]58.8'         69[deg]38.45'
102...........................  39[deg]56.2'         69[deg]40.2'
103...........................  39[deg]55.75'        69[deg]41.4'
104...........................  39[deg]56.7'         69[deg]53.6'
105...........................  39[deg]57.55'        69[deg]54.05'
106...........................  39[deg]57.4'         69[deg]55.9'
107...........................  39[deg]56.9'         69[deg]57.45'
108...........................  39[deg]58.25'        70[deg]03.0'
110...........................  39[deg]59.2'         70[deg]04.9'
111...........................  40[deg]00.7'         70[deg]08.7'
112...........................  40[deg]03.75'        70[deg]10.15'

[[Page 51511]]

 
115...........................  40[deg]05.2'         70[deg]10.9'
116...........................  40[deg]02.45'        70[deg]14.1'
119...........................  40[deg]02.75'        70[deg]16.1'
to 181                          ...................  ...................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Offshore Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
to 69                           ...................  ...................
120...........................  40[deg]06.4'         68[deg]35.8'
121...........................  40[deg]05.25'        68[deg]39.3'
122...........................  40[deg]05.4'         68[deg]44.5'
123...........................  40[deg]06.0'         68[deg]46.5'
124...........................  40[deg]07.4'         68[deg]49.6'
125...........................  40[deg]05.55'        68[deg]49.8'
126...........................  40[deg]03.9'         68[deg]51.7'
127...........................  40[deg]02.25'        68[deg]55.4'
128...........................  40[deg]02.6'         69[deg]00.0'
129...........................  40[deg]02.75'        69[deg]00.75'
130...........................  40[deg]04.2'         69[deg]01.75'
131...........................  40[deg]06.15'        69[deg]01.95'
132...........................  40[deg]07.25'        69[deg]02.0'
133...........................  40[deg]08.5'         69[deg]02.25'
134...........................  40[deg]09.2'         69[deg]02.95'
135...........................  40[deg]09.75'        69[deg]03.3'
136...........................  40[deg]09.55'        69[deg]03.85'
137...........................  40[deg]08.4'         69[deg]03.4'
138...........................  40[deg]07.2'         69[deg]03.3'
139...........................  40[deg]06.0'         69[deg]03.1'
140...........................  40[deg]05.4'         69[deg]03.05'
141...........................  40[deg]04.8'         69[deg]03.05'
142...........................  40[deg]03.55'        69[deg]03.55'
143...........................  40[deg]01.9'         69[deg]03.95'
144...........................  40[deg]01.0'         69[deg]04.4'
146...........................  39[deg]59.9'         69[deg]06.25'
147...........................  40[deg]00.6'         69[deg]10.05'
148...........................  39[deg]59.25'        69[deg]11.15'
149...........................  39[deg]57.45'        69[deg]16.05'
150...........................  39[deg]56.1'         69[deg]20.1'
151...........................  39[deg]54.6'         69[deg]25.65'
152...........................  39[deg]54.65'        69[deg]26.9'
153...........................  39[deg]54.8'         69[deg]30.95'
154...........................  39[deg]54.35'        69[deg]33.4'
155...........................  39[deg]55.0'         69[deg]34.9'
156...........................  39[deg]56.55'        69[deg]36.0'
157...........................  39[deg]57.95'        69[deg]36.45'
158...........................  39[deg]58.75'        69[deg]36.3'
159...........................  39[deg]58.8'         69[deg]36.95'
160...........................  39[deg]57.95'        69[deg]38.1'
161...........................  39[deg]54.5'         69[deg]38.25'
162...........................  39[deg]53.6'         69[deg]46.5'
163...........................  39[deg]54.7'         69[deg]50.0'
164...........................  39[deg]55.25'        69[deg]51.4'
165...........................  39[deg]55.2'         69[deg]53.1'
166...........................  39[deg]54.85'        69[deg]53.9'
167...........................  39[deg]55.7'         69[deg]54.9'
168...........................  39[deg]56.15'        69[deg]55.35'
169...........................  39[deg]56.05'        69[deg]56.25'
170...........................  39[deg]55.3'         69[deg]57.1'
171...........................  39[deg]54.8'         69[deg]58.6'
172...........................  39[deg]56.05'        70[deg]00.65'
173...........................  39[deg]55.3'         70[deg]02.95'
174...........................  39[deg]56.9'         70[deg]11.3'
175...........................  39[deg]58.9'         70[deg]11.5'
176...........................  39[deg]59.6'         70[deg]11.1'
177...........................  40[deg]01.35'        70[deg]11.2'
178...........................  40[deg]02.6'         70[deg]12.0'
179...........................  40[deg]00.4'         70[deg]12.3'
180...........................  39[deg]59.75'        70[deg]13.05'
181...........................  39[deg]59.3'         70[deg]14.0'
to 119                          ...................  ...................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (4) Restricted Gear Area II. Restricted Gear Area II is defined by 
straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                  N. latitude          W. longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Inshore Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
to 1
49............................  40[deg]02.75' N.     70[deg]16.1' W.
50............................  40[deg]00.7' N.      70[deg]18.6' W.
51............................  39[deg]59.8' N.      70[deg]21.75' W.
52............................  39[deg]59.75' N.     70[deg]25.5' W.
53............................  40[deg]03.85' N.     70[deg]28.75' W.
54............................  40[deg]00.55' N.     70[deg]32.1' W.
55............................  39[deg]59.15' N.     70[deg]34.45' W.
56............................  39[deg]58.9' N.      70[deg]38.65' W.
57............................  40[deg]00.1' N.      70[deg]45.1' W.
58............................  40[deg]00.5' N.      70[deg]57.6' W.
59............................  40[deg]02.0' N.      71[deg]01.3' W.
60............................  39[deg]59.3' N.      71[deg]18.4' W.
61............................  40[deg]00.7' N.      71[deg]19.8' W.
62............................  39[deg]57.5' N.      71[deg]20.6' W.
63............................  39[deg]53.1' N.      71[deg]36.1' W.
64............................  39[deg]52.6' N.      71[deg]40.35' W.
65............................  39[deg]53.1' N.      71[deg]42.7' W.
66............................  39[deg]46.95' N.     71[deg]49.0' W.
67............................  39[deg]41.15' N.     71[deg]57.1' W.
68............................  39[deg]35.45' N.     72[deg]02.0' W.
69............................  39[deg]32.65' N.     72[deg]06.1' W.
70............................  39[deg]29.75' N.     72[deg]09.8' W.
to 48
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Offshore Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
to 49
1.............................  39[deg]59.3' N.      70[deg]14.0' W.
2.............................  39[deg]58.85' N.     70[deg]15.2' W.
3.............................  39[deg]59.3' N.      70[deg]18.4' W.
4.............................  39[deg]58.1' N.      70[deg]19.4' W.
5.............................  39[deg]57.0' N.      70[deg]19.85' W.
6.............................  39[deg]57.55' N.     70[deg]21.25' W.
7.............................  39[deg]57.5' N.      70[deg]22.8' W.
8.............................  39[deg]57.1' N.      70[deg]25.4' W.
9.............................  39[deg]57.65' N.     70[deg]27.05' W.
10............................  39[deg]58.58' N.     70[deg]27.7' W.
11............................  40[deg]00.65' N.     70[deg]28.8' W.
12............................  40[deg]02.2' N.      70[deg]29.15' W.
13............................  40[deg]01.0' N.      70[deg]30.2' W.
14............................  39[deg]58.58' N.     70[deg]31.85' W.
15............................  39[deg]57.05' N.     70[deg]34.35' W.
16............................  39[deg]56.42' N.     70[deg]36.8' W.
21............................  39[deg]58.15' N.     70[deg]48.0' W.
24............................  39[deg]58.3' N.      70[deg]51.1' W.
25............................  39[deg]58.1' N.      70[deg]52.25' W.
26............................  39[deg]58.05' N.     70[deg]53.55' W.
27............................  39[deg]58.4' N.      70[deg]59.6' W.
28............................  39[deg]59.8' N.      71[deg]01.05' W.
29............................  39[deg]58.2' N.      71[deg]05.85' W.
30............................  39[deg]57.45' N.     71[deg]12.15' W.
31............................  39[deg]57.2' N.      71[deg]15.0' W.
32............................  39[deg]56.3' N.      71[deg]18.95' W.
33............................  39[deg]51.4' N.      71[deg]36.1' W.
34............................  39[deg]51.75' N.     71[deg]41.5' W.
35............................  39[deg]50.05' N.     71[deg]42.5' W.
36............................  39[deg]50.0' N.      71[deg]45.0' W.
37............................  39[deg]48.95' N.     71[deg]46.05' W.
38............................  39[deg]46.6' N.      71[deg]46.1' W.
39............................  39[deg]43.5' N.      71[deg]49.4' W.
40............................  39[deg]41.3' N.      71[deg]55.0' W.
41............................  39[deg]39.0' N.      71[deg]55.6' W.
42............................  39[deg]36.72' N.     71[deg]58.25' W.
43............................  39[deg]35.15' N.     71[deg]58.55' W.
44............................  39[deg]34.5' N.      72[deg]00.75' W.
45............................  39[deg]32.2' N.      72[deg]02.25' W.
46............................  39[deg]32.15' N.     72[deg]04.1' W.
47............................  39[deg]28.5' N.      72[deg]06.5' W.
48............................  39[deg]29.0' N.      72[deg]09.25' W.
to 70
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (5) Restricted Gear Area III. Restricted Gear Area III is defined 
by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                  N. latitude          W. longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Inshore Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
to 49
182...........................  40[deg]05.6' N.      70[deg]17.7' W.
183...........................  40[deg]06.5' N.      70[deg]40.05' W.
184...........................  40[deg]11.05' N.     70[deg]45.8' W.
185...........................  40[deg]12.75' N.     70[deg]55.05' W.
186...........................  40[deg]10.7' N.      71[deg]10.25' W.
187...........................  39[deg]57.9' N.      71[deg]28.7' W.
188...........................  39[deg]55.6' N.      71[deg]41.2' W.
189...........................  39[deg]55.85' N.     71[deg]45.0' W.
190...........................  39[deg]53.75' N.     71[deg]52.25' W.
191...........................  39[deg]47.2' N.      72[deg]01.6' W.
192...........................  39[deg]33.65' N.     72[deg]15.0' W.
to 70
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Offshore Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
to 182
49............................  40[deg]02.75' N.     70[deg]16.1' W.
50............................  40[deg]00.7' N.      70[deg]18.6' W.
51............................  39[deg]59.8' N.      70[deg]21.75' W.
52............................  39[deg]59.75' N.     70[deg]25.5' W.
53............................  40[deg]03.85' N.     70[deg]28.75' W.
54............................  40[deg]00.55' N.     70[deg]32.1' W.
55............................  39[deg]59.15' N.     70[deg]34.45' W.
56............................  39[deg]58.9' N.      70[deg]38.65' W.
57............................  40[deg]00.1' N.      70[deg]45.1' W.
58............................  40[deg]00.5' N.      70[deg]57.6' W.
59............................  40[deg]02.0' N.      71[deg]01.3' W.
60............................  39[deg]59.3' N.      71[deg]18.4' W.
61............................  40[deg]00.7' N.      71[deg]19.8' W.
62............................  39[deg]57.5' N.      71[deg]20.6' W.
63............................  39[deg]53.1' N.      71[deg]36.1' W.
64............................  39[deg]52.6' N.      71[deg]40.35' W.
65............................  39[deg]53.1' N.      71[deg]42.7' W.
66............................  39[deg]46.95' N.     71[deg]49.0' W.
67............................  39[deg]41.15' N.     71[deg]57.1' W.
68............................  39[deg]35.45' N.     72[deg]02.0' W.
69............................  39[deg]32.65' N.     72[deg]06.1' W.
70............................  39[deg]29.75' N.     72[deg]09.8' W.
to 192
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (6) Restricted Gear Area IV. Restricted Gear Area IV is defined by 
straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                  N. latitude          W. longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Inshore Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
193...........................  40[deg]13.60' N.     68[deg]40.60' W.
194...........................  40[deg]11.60' N.     68[deg]53.00' W.
195...........................  40[deg]14.00' N.     69[deg]04.70' W.
196...........................  40[deg]14.30' N.     69[deg]05.80' W.
197...........................  40[deg]05.50' N.     69[deg]09.00' W.
198...........................  39[deg]57.30' N.     69[deg]25.10' W.
199...........................  40[deg]00.40' N.     69[deg]35.20' W.
200...........................  40[deg]01.70' N.     69[deg]35.40' W.
201...........................  40[deg]01.70' N.     69[deg]37.40' W.
202...........................  40[deg]00.50' N.     69[deg]38.80' W.
203...........................  40[deg]01.30' N.     69[deg]45.00' W.

[[Page 51512]]

 
204...........................  40[deg]02.10' N.     69[deg]45.00' W.
205...........................  40[deg]07.60' N.     70[deg]04.50' W.
206...........................  40[deg]07.80' N.     70[deg]09.20' W.
to 119
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Offshore Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
69............................  40[deg]07.90' N.     68[deg]36.00' W.
70............................  40[deg]07.20' N.     68[deg]38.40' W.
71............................  40[deg]06.90' N.     68[deg]46.50' W.
72............................  40[deg]08.70' N.     68[deg]49.60' W.
73............................  40[deg]08.10' N.     68[deg]51.00' W.
74............................  40[deg]05.70' N.     68[deg]52.40' W.
75............................  40[deg]03.60' N.     68[deg]57.20' W.
76............................  40[deg]03.65' N.     69[deg]00.00' W.
77............................  40[deg]04.35' N.     69[deg]00.50' W.
78............................  40[deg]05.20' N.     69[deg]00.50' W.
79............................  40[deg]05.30' N.     69[deg]01.10' W.
80............................  40[deg]08.90' N.     69[deg]01.75' W.
81............................  40[deg]11.00' N.     69[deg]03.80' W.
82............................  40[deg]11.60' N.     69[deg]05.40' W.
83............................  40[deg]10.25' N.     69[deg]04.40' W.
84............................  40[deg]09.75' N.     69[deg]04.15' W.
85............................  40[deg]08.45' N.     69[deg]03.60' W.
86............................  40[deg]05.65' N.     69[deg]03.55' W.
87............................  40[deg]04.10' N.     69[deg]03.90' W.
88............................  40[deg]02.65' N.     69[deg]05.60' W.
89............................  40[deg]02.00' N.     69[deg]08.35' W.
90............................  40[deg]02.65' N.     69[deg]11.15' W.
91............................  40[deg]00.05' N.     69[deg]14.60' W.
92............................  39[deg]57.8' N.      69[deg]20.35' W.
93............................  39[deg]56.75' N.     69[deg]24.40' W.
94............................  39[deg]56.50' N.     69[deg]26.35' W.
95............................  39[deg]56.80' N.     69[deg]34.10' W.
96............................  39[deg]57.85' N.     69[deg]35.05' W.
97............................  40[deg]00.65' N.     69[deg]36.50' W.
98............................  40[deg]00.90' N.     69[deg]37.30' W.
99............................  39[deg]59.15' N.     69[deg]37.30' W.
100...........................  39[deg]58.80' N.     69[deg]38.45' W.
102...........................  39[deg]56.20' N.     69[deg]40.20' W.
103...........................  39[deg]55.75' N.     69[deg]41.40' W.
104...........................  39[deg]56.70' N.     69[deg]53.60' W.
105...........................  39[deg]57.55' N.     69[deg]54.05' W.
106...........................  39[deg]57.40' N.     69[deg]55.90' W.
107...........................  39[deg]56.90' N.     69[deg]57.45' W.
108...........................  39[deg]58.25' N.     70[deg]03.00' W.
110...........................  39[deg]59.20' N.     70[deg]04.90' W.
111...........................  40[deg]00.70' N.     70[deg]08.70' W.
112...........................  40[deg]03.75' N.     70[deg]10.15' W.
115...........................  40[deg]05.20' N.     70[deg]10.90' W.
116...........................  40[deg]02.45' N.     70[deg]14.1' W.
119...........................  40[deg]02.75' N.     70[deg]16.1' W.
to 206
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *


Sec.  648.87  [Amended]

0
12. Amend Sec.  648.87 by revising paragraphs paragraphs (c)(2)(i) and 
(c)(2)(ii)(B).
* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (i) Regulations that may not be exempted for sector participants. 
The Regional Administrator may not exempt participants in a sector from 
the following Federal fishing regulations: Specific times and areas 
within the NE multispecies year-round closure areas; permitting 
restrictions (e.g., vessel upgrades, etc.); gear restrictions designed 
to minimize habitat impacts (e.g., roller gear restrictions, etc.); 
reporting requirements; and AMs specified in Sec.  648.90(a)(5)(i)(D). 
For the purposes of this paragraph (c)(2)(i), the DAS reporting 
requirements specified in Sec.  648.82, the SAP-specific reporting 
requirements specified in Sec.  648.85, VMS requirements for Handgear A 
category permitted vessels as specified in Sec.  648.10, and the 
reporting requirements associated with a dockside monitoring program 
are not considered reporting requirements, and the Regional 
Administrator may exempt sector participants from these requirements as 
part of the approval of yearly operations plans. For the purpose of 
this paragraph (c)(2)(i), the Regional Administrator may not grant 
sector participants exemptions from the NE multispecies year-round 
closures areas defined as Habitat Management Areas as defined in Sec.  
648.370; Closed Area I North and Closed Area II, as defined in Sec.  
648.81(c)(3) and (c)(4), respectively, during the period February 16 
through April 30; and the Western GOM Closure Area, as defined at Sec.  
648.81(a)(4), where it overlaps with GOM Cod Protection Closures I 
through III, as defined in Sec.  648.81(d)(4). This list may be 
modified through a framework adjustment, as specified in Sec.  648.90.
    (ii) * * *
    (B) The GOM Cod Protection Closures IV and V specified in Sec.  
648.81(d)(4)(iv) and (v).


Sec.  648.89  [Amended]

0
13. In Sec.  648.89, revise paragraphs (e)(1)(i) and (ii) and remove 
and reserve paragraph (e)(2) to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (e) Charter/party vessel restrictions on fishing in GOM closed 
areas.
    (1) GOM Closed Areas.
    (i) A vessel fishing under charter/party regulations may not fish 
in the GOM closed areas specified in Sec.  648.81(a)(3), (a)(4), and 
(d)(4) during the time periods specified in those paragraphs, unless 
the vessel has on board a valid letter of authorization issued by the 
Regional Administrator pursuant to Sec.  648.81(d)(5)(v) and paragraph 
(e)(3) of this section. The conditions and restrictions of the letter 
of authorization must be complied with for a minimum of 3 months if the 
vessel fishes or intends to fish in the GOM cod protection closures; or 
for the rest of the fishing year, beginning with the start of the 
participation period of the letter of authorization, if the vessel 
fishes or intends to fish in the year-round GOM closure areas.
    (ii) A vessel fishing under charter/party regulations may not fish 
in the GOM Cod Spawning Protection Area specified at Sec.  648.81(b)(3) 
during the time period specified in that paragraph, unless the vessel 
complies with the requirements specified at Sec.  648.81(b)(2)(iii).
    (2) Reserved.


Sec.  648.202  [Amended]

0
14. Amend Sec.  648.202 by revising paragraph (b)(1) to read as 
follows:
* * * * *
    (b) Fishing in Northeast Multispecies Closed Areas.
    (1) No vessel issued an Atlantic herring permit and fishing with 
midwater trawl gear, may fish for, possess or land fish in or from the 
Closed Areas, including the Cashes Ledge Closure Area and the Western 
GOM Closure Area, as defined in Sec.  648.81(a)(3) and (a)(4), 
respectively, unless it has declared first its intent to fish in the 
Closed Areas as required by Sec.  648.11(m)(1), and is carrying onboard 
a NMFS-approved observer.
* * * * *


Sec.  648.203  [Amended]

0
15. Amend Sec.  648.203 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:
    (a) Midwater trawl gear may only be used by a vessel issued a valid 
herring permit in the GOM/GB Exemption Area as defined in Sec.  
648.80(a)(17), provided it complies with the midwater trawl gear 
exemption requirements specified under the NE multispecies regulations 
at Sec.  648.80(d), including issuance of a Letter of Authorization.
* * * * *
0
16. Add Subpart Q consisting of Sec. Sec.  648.370 through 648.372 to 
read as follows:
Subpart Q--Habitat-Related Management Measures
648.370 Habitat Management Areas.
648.371 Dedicated Habitat Research Areas.
648.372 Frank R. Lautenberg Deep-Sea Coral Protection Areas.

Subpart Q--Habitat-Related Management Measures


Sec.  648.370  Habitat management areas.

    Unless otherwise specified, no fishing vessel or person on a 
fishing vessel may fish with bottom-tending mobile gear in the areas 
defined in this section. Copies of charts depicting these areas are 
available from the Regional Administrator upon request.
    (a) Eastern Maine Habitat Management Area. The Eastern Maine HMA is 
defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order 
stated:

[[Page 51513]]



                            Eastern Maine HMA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                  N. latitude          W. longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.............................  44[deg]02.5'         68[deg]06.1'
2.............................  43[deg]51.0'         68[deg]33.9'
3 *...........................  43[deg]56.6'         68[deg]38.1'
4 *...........................  44[deg]07.6'         68[deg]10.6'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Landward boundary at state waters. Only endpoints provided.

    (b) Jeffreys Bank Habitat Management Area. The Jeffreys Bank HMA is 
defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order 
stated:

                            Jeffreys Bank HMA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                  N. latitude          W. longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.............................  43[deg]31'           68[deg]37'
2.............................  43[deg]20'           68[deg]37'
3.............................  43[deg]20'           68[deg]55'
4.............................  43[deg]31'           68[deg]55'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (c) Cashes Ledge Habitat Management Area. The Cashes Ledge HMA is 
defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order 
stated:

                            Cashes Ledge HMA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                  N. latitude          W. longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.............................  43[deg]01.0'         69[deg]00.0'
2.............................  43[deg]01.0'         68[deg]52.0'
3.............................  42[deg]45.0'         68[deg]52.0'
4.............................  42[deg]45.0'         69[deg]00.0'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (d) Fippennies Ledge Habitat Management Area. The Fippennies Ledge 
HMA is defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the 
order stated:

                          Fippennies Ledge HMA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                  N. latitude          W. longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.............................  42[deg]50.0'         69[deg]17.0'
2.............................  42[deg]44.0'         69[deg]14.0'
3.............................  42[deg]44.0'         69[deg]18.0'
4.............................  42[deg]50.0'         69[deg]21.0'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Ammen Rock Habitat Management Area. (1) The Ammen Rock HMA is 
defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order 
stated:

                             Ammen Rock HMA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                  N. latitude          W. longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.............................  42[deg]55.5'         68[deg]57.0'
2.............................  42[deg]52.5'         68[deg]55.0'
3.............................  42[deg]52.5'         68[deg]57.0'
4.............................  42[deg]55.5'         68[deg]59.0'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) No fishing vessel, including private and for-hire recreational 
fishing vessels, may fish in the Ammen Rock HMA, except for vessels 
fishing exclusively with lobster traps, as defined in Sec.  697.2.
    (f) Western Gulf of Maine Habitat Management Area. (1) The Western 
GOM HMA is defined by the straight lines connecting the following 
points in the order stated:

                        Western Gulf of Maine HMA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                  N. latitude          W. longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WGM4..........................  43[deg]15'           70[deg]15'
WGM1..........................  42[deg]15'           70[deg]15'
WGM5..........................  42[deg]15'           70[deg]00'
WGM6..........................  43[deg]15'           70[deg]15'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Western Gulf of Maine Shrimp Exemption Area. Vessels fishing 
with shrimp trawls under the Small Mesh Northern Shrimp Fishery 
Exemption specified at Sec.  648.80(a)(5) may fish within the Western 
Gulf of Maine HMA Shrimp Exemption Area which is defined by the 
straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

               Western Gulf of Maine Shrimp Exemption Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                  N. latitude          W. longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.............................  43[deg]15'           70[deg]
2.............................  43[deg]13'           70[deg]
3.............................  43[deg]13'           70[deg]05'
4.............................  43[deg]09'           70[deg]05'
5.............................  43[deg]09'           70[deg]08'
6.............................  42[deg]55'           70[deg]08'
7.............................  42[deg]55'           70[deg]15'
8.............................  43[deg]15'           70[deg]15'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (h) Georges Shoal Habitat Management Area. (1) The Georges Shoal 
HMA is defined by the straight lines connecting the following points in 
the order stated:

                            Georges Shoal HMA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                  N. latitude          W. longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.............................  41[deg]46'           67[deg]46'
2.............................  41[deg]39'           67[deg]40'
3.............................  41[deg]30'           67[deg]40'
4.............................  41[deg]30'           68[deg]10'
5.............................  41[deg]41'           68[deg]10'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Hydraulic Clam Dredge Exemption. Surfclam and ocean quahog 
permitted vessels may fish with hydraulic clam dredges in the Georges 
Shoal HMA until [Insert date 1 year from the effective date of the 
final rule.].
    (i) Northern Edge Habitat Management Area. The Northern Edge HMA is 
defined by the straight lines connecting the following points in the 
order stated:

                            Northern Edge HMA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                  N. latitude          W. longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.............................  42[deg]02'00''       67[deg]02'14.205''
2.............................  41[deg]50'00''       66[deg]52'01.383''
3.............................  41[deg]50'00''       67[deg]20'00''
4.............................  42[deg]02'00''       67[deg]20'00''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (j) Northern Edge Reduced Impact Habitat Management Area. (1) The 
Northern Edge Reduced Impact HMA is defined by the straight lines 
connecting the following points in the order stated:

                    Northern Edge Reduced Impact HMA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                  N. latitude          W. longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.............................  42[deg]10'00''       67[deg]09'18''
2.............................  42[deg]02'00''       67[deg]02'14.205''
3.............................  42[deg]02'00''       67[deg]20'00''
4.............................  42[deg]00'00''       67[deg]20'00''
5.............................  42[deg]00'00''       67[deg]26'00''
6.............................  42[deg]05'30''       67[deg]26'00''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Scallop Dredge Exemption. Atlantic sea scallop permitted 
vessels may fish with scallop dredges in the Northern Edge Reduced 
Impact HMA as authorized under the sea scallop area rotation program as 
described in Sec.  648.59.
    (3) Eastern US/CA Haddock Special Access Program (SAP) Exemption. 
Vessels fishing under the Eastern US/CA Haddock special access program, 
as defined in Sec.  648.85(b)(8), may use bottom trawls in the Northern 
Edge Reduced Impact HMA west of 67[deg]20' W.
    (k) Great South Channel Habitat Management Area. (1) The Great 
South Channel HMA is defined by the straight lines connecting the 
following points in the order stated:

                         Great South Channel HMA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                  N. latitude          W. longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.............................  41[deg]30.3'         69[deg]31.0'
2.............................  41[deg]0.00'         69[deg]18.5'
3.............................  40[deg]51.7'         69[deg]18.5'
4.............................  40[deg]51.6'         69[deg]48.9'
5.............................  41[deg]30.2'         69[deg]49.3'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Hydraulic Clam Dredge Exemption. (i) Except for the portion of 
the Great South Channel HMA defined in paragraph (iii) of this section, 
surfclam and ocean quahog permitted vessels may fish with hydraulic 
clam dredges in the Great South Channel HMA.
    (ii) The Hydraulic clam dredge exemption is effective until [Insert 
date 1 year from effective date]. After which, no vessels fishing with 
hydraulic clam dredges may fish within the Great South Channel HMA.

[[Page 51514]]

    (iii) The hydraulic clam dredge exemption does not apply in the 
area defined as the straight lines connecting the following points in 
the order stated:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                  N. latitude          W. longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GSC 1.........................  41[deg]30.3'         69[deg]31.0'
MBTG 2........................  41[deg]21.0'         69[deg]27.2'
MBTG 3........................  41[deg]21.0'         69[deg]43.0'
MBTG 4........................  41[deg]30.0'         69[deg]43.0'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (l) Cox Ledge Habitat Management Areas. (1) Cox Ledge 1 Habitat 
Management Area. The Cox Ledge 1 HMA is defined by the straight lines 
connecting the following points in the order stated:

                             Cox Ledge HMA 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                  N. latitude          W. longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.............................  41[deg]05.0'         71[deg]03.0'
2.............................  41[deg]00.0'         71[deg]03.0'
3.............................  41[deg]00.0'         71[deg]14.0'
4.............................  41[deg]05.0'         71[deg]14.0'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Cox Ledge 2 Habitat Management Area. The Cox Ledge 2 HMA is 
defined by the straight lines connecting the following points in the 
order stated:

                             Cox Ledge HMA 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                  N. latitude          W. longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.............................  41[deg]12.0'         70[deg]55.0'
2.............................  41[deg]07.5'         70[deg]55.0'
3.............................  40[deg]07.5'         71[deg]01.0'
4.............................  41[deg]12.0'         71[deg]01.0'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Gear restrictions. (i) No vessel may fish in the Cox Ledge HMAs 
with a hydraulic clam dredge.
    (ii) Vessels may fish in the Cox Ledge HMAs with bottom trawls, 
provided the gear is configured such that there are no ground cables 
and the bridle length is less than or equal to 30 fathoms per side.
    (m) Transiting. Unless otherwise restricted or specified in this 
paragraph (m), a vessel may transit the habitat management areas 
described in this section provided that its gear is stowed and not 
available for immediate use as defined in Sec.  648.2.
    (n) Other Habitat Protection Measures. (1) The Inshore Gulf of 
Maine/Georges Bank Restricted Roller Gear Area described in Sec.  
648.80 (a)(3)(vii) is considered a habitat protection measure and the 
restrictions outlined in that section apply to all bottom trawl gear.
    (o) Review of Habitat Management Measures. The New England Fishery 
Management Council will develop a strategic process to evaluate the 
boundaries, scope, characteristics, and timing of habitat and spawning 
protection areas to facilitate review of these areas at 10-year 
intervals.


Sec.  648.371  Dedicated Habitat Research Areas.

    (a) Dedicated Habitat Research Area Topics. The areas defined in 
this section are intended to facilitate coordinated research on gear 
impacts, habitat recovery, natural disturbance, and productivity.
    (b) Stellwagen Dedicated Habitat Research Area. (1) The Stellwagen 
DHRA is defined by the straight lines connecting the following points 
in the order stated:

                             Stellwagen DHRA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                  N. latitude          W. longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.............................  42[deg]15.0'         70[deg]00.0'
2.............................  42[deg]15.0'         70[deg]15.0'
3.............................  42[deg]45.2'         70[deg]15.0'
4.............................  42[deg]46.0'         70[deg]13.0'
5.............................  42[deg]46.0'         70[deg]00.0'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Vessels fishing with bottom-tending mobile gear, sink gillnet 
gear, or demersal longline gear are prohibited from fishing in the 
Stellwagen DHRA, unless otherwise exempted.
    (c) Georges Bank Dedicated Habitat Research Area. (1) The Georges 
Bank DHRA is defined by straight lines connecting the following points 
in the order stated:

                            Georges Bank DHRA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                  N. latitude          W. longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CIH3..........................  40[deg]55'           68[deg]53'
CIH4..........................  40[deg]58'           68[deg]30'
CI3...........................  40[deg]45'           68[deg]30'
CI2...........................  40[deg]45'           68[deg]45'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Vessels fishing with bottom-tending mobile gear are prohibited 
from fishing in the Georges Bank DHRA, unless otherwise exempted.
    (d) Transiting. Unless otherwise restricted or specified in this 
paragraph (d), a vessel may transit the Dedicated Habitat Research 
Areas of this section provided that its gear is stowed and not 
available for immediate use as defined in Sec.  648.2.
    (e) Dedicated Habitat Research Areas Review. (1) The Regional 
Administrator shall initiate a review of the DHRAs defined in this 
section three years after implementation.
    (2) After initiation of the review and consultation with the New 
England Fishery Management Council, the Regional Administrator may 
remove a DHRA. The following criteria will be used to determine if DHRA 
should be maintained:
    (i) Documentation of active and ongoing research in the DHRA area, 
in the form of data records, cruise reports or inventory samples with 
analytical objectives focused on the DHRA topics, described in 
paragraph (a) of this section; and
    (ii) Documentation of pending or approved proposals or funding 
requests (including ship time requests), with objectives specific to 
the DHRA topics, described in paragraph (a) of this section.
    (3) The Regional Administrator will make any such determination in 
accordance with the APA through notification in the Federal Register.


Sec.  648.372  Frank R. Lautenberg Deep-Sea Coral Protection Area

    (a) No vessel may fish with bottom-tending gear within the Frank R. 
Lautenberg Deep-Sea Coral Protection Area described in this section, 
unless transiting pursuant to paragraph (d) of this section, fishing 
lobster trap gear in accordance with Sec.  697.21 of this chapter, or 
fishing red crab trap gear in accordance with Sec.  648.264. Bottom-
tending gear includes but is not limited to bottom-tending otter 
trawls, bottom-tending beam trawls, hydraulic dredges, non-hydraulic 
dredges, bottom-tending seines, bottom longlines, pots and traps, and 
sink or anchored gillnets. The Frank R. Lautenberg Deep-Sea Coral 
Protection Area consists of the Broad and Discrete Deep-Sea Coral Zones 
defined in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section.
    (b) Broad Deep-Sea Coral Zone. The Broad Deep-Sea Coral Zone is 
bounded on the east by the outer limit of the U.S. Exclusive Economic 
Zone, and bounded on all other sides by straight lines connecting the 
following points in the order stated (copies of a chart depicting this 
area are available from the Regional Administrator upon request). An 
asterisk (*) in the Discrete Zone column means the point is shared with 
a Discrete Deep-Sea Coral Zone, as defined in paragraph (c) of this 
section.

[[Page 51515]]



                                                   Broad Zone
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Point                            Latitude                    Longitude            Discrete zone
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1....................................  36[deg]33.02' N.             71[deg]29.33' W.
2....................................  36[deg]33.02' N.             72[deg]00' W.
3....................................  36[deg]33.02' N.             73[deg]00' W.
4....................................  36[deg]33.02' N.             74[deg]00' W.
5....................................  36[deg]33.02' N.             74[deg]42.14' W.
6....................................  36[deg]34.44' N.             74[deg]42.23' W.
7....................................  36[deg]35.53' N.             74[deg]41.59' W.
8....................................  36[deg]37.69' N.             74[deg]41.51' W.
9....................................  36[deg]42.09' N.             74[deg]39.07' W.
10...................................  36[deg]45.18' N.             74[deg]38' W.
11...................................  36[deg]45.69' N.             74[deg]38.55' W.
12...................................  36[deg]49.17' N.             74[deg]38.31' W.
13...................................  36[deg]49.56' N.             74[deg]37.77' W.
14...................................  36[deg]51.21' N.             74[deg]37.81' W.
15...................................  36[deg]51.78' N.             74[deg]37.43' W.
16...................................  36[deg]58.51' N.             74[deg]36.51' W.                        (*)
17...................................  36[deg]58.62' N.             74[deg]36.97' W.                        (*)
18...................................  37[deg]4.43' N.              74[deg]41.03' W.                        (*)
19...................................  37[deg]5.83' N.              74[deg]45.57' W.                        (*)
20...................................  37[deg]6.97' N.              74[deg]40.8' W.                         (*)
21...................................  37[deg]4.52' N.              74[deg]37.77' W.                        (*)
22...................................  37[deg]4.02' N.              74[deg]33.83' W.                        (*)
23...................................  37[deg]4.52' N.              74[deg]33.51' W.                        (*)
24...................................  37[deg]4.4' N.               74[deg]33.11' W.                        (*)
25...................................  37[deg]7.38' N.              74[deg]31.95' W.
26...................................  37[deg]8.32' N.              74[deg]32.4' W.
27...................................  37[deg]8.51' N.              74[deg]31.38' W.
28...................................  37[deg]9.44' N.              74[deg]31.5' W.
29...................................  37[deg]16.83' N.             74[deg]28.58' W.
30...................................  37[deg]17.81' N.             74[deg]27.67' W.
31...................................  37[deg]18.72' N.             74[deg]28.22' W.
32...................................  37[deg]22.74' N.             74[deg]26.24' W.                        (*)
33...................................  37[deg]22.87' N.             74[deg]26.16' W.                        (*)
34...................................  37[deg]24.44' N.             74[deg]28.57' W.                        (*)
35...................................  37[deg]24.67' N.             74[deg]29.71' W.                        (*)
36...................................  37[deg]25.93' N.             74[deg]30.13' W.                        (*)
37...................................  37[deg]27.25' N.             74[deg]30.2' W.                         (*)
38...................................  37[deg]28.6' N.              74[deg]30.6' W.                         (*)
39...................................  37[deg]29.43' N.             74[deg]30.29' W.                        (*)
40...................................  37[deg]29.53' N.             74[deg]29.95' W.                        (*)
41...................................  37[deg]27.68' N.             74[deg]28.82' W.                        (*)
42...................................  37[deg]27.06' N.             74[deg]28.76' W.                        (*)
43...................................  37[deg]26.39' N.             74[deg]27.76' W.                        (*)
44...................................  37[deg]26.3' N.              74[deg]26.87' W.                        (*)
45...................................  37[deg]25.69' N.             74[deg]25.63' W.                        (*)
46...................................  37[deg]25.83' N.             74[deg]24.22' W.                        (*)
47...................................  37[deg]25.68' N.             74[deg]24.03' W.                        (*)
48...................................  37[deg]28.04' N.             74[deg]23.17' W.
49...................................  37[deg]27.72' N.             74[deg]22.34' W.
50...................................  37[deg]30.13' N.             74[deg]17.77' W.
51...................................  37[deg]33.83' N.             74[deg]17.47' W.
52...................................  37[deg]35.48' N.             74[deg]14.84' W.
53...................................  37[deg]36.99' N.             74[deg]14.01' W.
54...................................  37[deg]37.23' N.             74[deg]13.02' W.
55...................................  37[deg]42.85' N.             74[deg]9.97' W.
56...................................  37[deg]43.5' N.              74[deg]8.79' W.
57...................................  37[deg]45.22' N.             74[deg]9.2' W.                          (*)
58...................................  37[deg]45.15' N.             74[deg]7.24' W.                         (*)
59...................................  37[deg]45.88' N.             74[deg]7.44' W.                         (*)
60...................................  37[deg]46.7' N.              74[deg]5.98' W.                         (*)
61...................................  37[deg]49.62' N.             74[deg]6.03' W.                         (*)
62...................................  37[deg]51.25' N.             74[deg]5.48' W.                         (*)
63...................................  37[deg]51.99' N.             74[deg]4.51' W.                         (*)
64...................................  37[deg]51.37' N.             74[deg]3.3' W.                          (*)
65...................................  37[deg]50.63' N.             74[deg]2.69' W.                         (*)
66...................................  37[deg]49.62' N.             74[deg]2.28' W.                         (*)
67...................................  37[deg]50.28' N.             74[deg]0.67' W.                         (*)
68...................................  37[deg]53.68' N.             73[deg]57.41' W.                        (*)
69...................................  37[deg]55.07' N.             73[deg]57.27' W.                        (*)
70...................................  38[deg]3.29' N.              73[deg]49.1' W.                         (*)
71...................................  38[deg]6.19' N.              73[deg]51.59' W.                        (*)
72...................................  38[deg]7.67' N.              73[deg]52.19' W.                        (*)

[[Page 51516]]

 
73...................................  38[deg]9.04' N.              73[deg]52.39' W.                        (*)
74...................................  38[deg]10.1' N.              73[deg]52.32' W.                        (*)
75...................................  38[deg]11.98' N.             73[deg]52.65' W.                        (*)
76...................................  38[deg]13.74' N.             73[deg]50.73' W.                        (*)
77...................................  38[deg]13.15' N.             73[deg]49.77' W.                        (*)
78...................................  38[deg]10.92' N.             73[deg]50.37' W.                        (*)
79...................................  38[deg]10.2' N.              73[deg]49.63' W.                        (*)
80...................................  38[deg]9.26' N.              73[deg]49.68' W.                        (*)
81...................................  38[deg]8.38' N.              73[deg]49.51' W.                        (*)
82...................................  38[deg]7.59' N.              73[deg]47.91' W.                        (*)
83...................................  38[deg]6.96' N.              73[deg]47.25' W.                        (*)
84...................................  38[deg]6.51' N.              73[deg]46.99' W.                        (*)
85...................................  38[deg]5.69' N.              73[deg]45.56' W.                        (*)
86...................................  38[deg]6.35' N.              73[deg]44.8' W.                         (*)
87...................................  38[deg]7.5' N.               73[deg]45.2' W.                         (*)
88...................................  38[deg]9.24' N.              73[deg]42.61' W.                        (*)
89...................................  38[deg]9.41' N.              73[deg]41.63' W.
90...................................  38[deg]15.13' N.             73[deg]37.58' W.
91...................................  38[deg]15.25' N.             73[deg]36.2' W.                         (*)
92...................................  38[deg]16.19' N.             73[deg]36.91' W.                        (*)
93...................................  38[deg]16.89' N.             73[deg]36.66' W.                        (*)
94...................................  38[deg]16.91' N.             73[deg]36.35' W.                        (*)
95...................................  38[deg]17.63' N.             73[deg]35.35' W.                        (*)
96...................................  38[deg]18.55' N.             73[deg]34.44' W.                        (*)
97...................................  38[deg]18.38' N.             73[deg]33.4' W.                         (*)
98...................................  38[deg]19.04' N.             73[deg]33.02' W.                        (*)
99...................................  38[deg]25.08' N.             73[deg]34.99' W.                        (*)
100..................................  38[deg]26.32' N.             73[deg]33.44' W.                        (*)
101..................................  38[deg]29.72' N.             73[deg]30.65' W.                        (*)
102..................................  38[deg]28.65' N.             73[deg]29.37' W.                        (*)
103..................................  38[deg]25.53' N.             73[deg]30.94' W.                        (*)
104..................................  38[deg]25.26' N.             73[deg]29.97' W.                        (*)
105..................................  38[deg]23.75' N.             73[deg]30.16' W.                        (*)
106..................................  38[deg]23.47' N.             73[deg]29.7' W.                         (*)
107..................................  38[deg]22.76' N.             73[deg]29.34' W.                        (*)
108..................................  38[deg]22.5' N.              73[deg]27.63' W.                        (*)
109..................................  38[deg]21.59' N.             73[deg]26.87' W.                        (*)
110..................................  38[deg]23.07' N.             73[deg]24.11' W.
111..................................  38[deg]25.83' N.             73[deg]22.39' W.
112..................................  38[deg]25.97' N.             73[deg]21.43' W.
113..................................  38[deg]34.14' N.             73[deg]11.14' W.                        (*)
114..................................  38[deg]35.1' N.              73[deg]10.43' W.                        (*)
115..................................  38[deg]35.94' N.             73[deg]11.25' W.                        (*)
116..................................  38[deg]37.57' N.             73[deg]10.49' W.                        (*)
117..................................  38[deg]37.21' N.             73[deg]9.41' W.                         (*)
118..................................  38[deg]36.72' N.             73[deg]8.85' W.                         (*)
119..................................  38[deg]43' N.                73[deg]1.24' W.                         (*)
120..................................  38[deg]43.66' N.             73[deg]0.36' W.                         (*)
121..................................  38[deg]45' N.                73[deg]0.27' W.                         (*)
122..................................  38[deg]46.68' N.             73[deg]1.07' W.                         (*)
123..................................  38[deg]47.54' N.             73[deg]2.24' W.                         (*)
124..................................  38[deg]47.84' N.             73[deg]2.24' W.                         (*)
125..................................  38[deg]49.03' N.             73[deg]1.53' W.                         (*)
126..................................  38[deg]48.45' N.             73[deg]1' W.                            (*)
127..................................  38[deg]49.15' N.             72[deg]58.98' W.                        (*)
128..................................  38[deg]48.03' N.             72[deg]56.7' W.                         (*)
129..................................  38[deg]49.84' N.             72[deg]55.54' W.                        (*)
130..................................  38[deg]52.4' N.              72[deg]52.5' W.                         (*)
131..................................  38[deg]53.87' N.             72[deg]53.36' W.                        (*)
132..................................  38[deg]54.17' N.             72[deg]52.58' W.                        (*)
133..................................  38[deg]54.7' N.              72[deg]50.26' W.                        (*)
134..................................  38[deg]57.2' N.              72[deg]47.74' W.                        (*)
135..................................  38[deg]58.64' N.             72[deg]48.35' W.                        (*)
136..................................  38[deg]59.3' N.              72[deg]47.86' W.                        (*)
137..................................  38[deg]59.22' N.             72[deg]46.69' W.                        (*)
138..................................  39[deg]0.13' N.              72[deg]45.47' W.                        (*)
139..................................  39[deg]1.69' N.              72[deg]45.74' W.                        (*)
140..................................  39[deg]1.49' N.              72[deg]43.67' W.                        (*)
141..................................  39[deg]3.9' N.               72[deg]40.83' W.                        (*)
142..................................  39[deg]7.35' N.              72[deg]41.26' W.                        (*)
143..................................  39[deg]7.16' N.              72[deg]37.21' W.                        (*)
144..................................  39[deg]6.52' N.              72[deg]35.78' W.                        (*)

[[Page 51517]]

 
145..................................  39[deg]11.73' N.             72[deg]25.4' W.                         (*)
146..................................  39[deg]11.76' N.             72[deg]22.33' W.
147..................................  39[deg]19.08' N.             72[deg]9.56' W.                         (*)
148..................................  39[deg]25.17' N.             72[deg]13.03' W.                        (*)
149..................................  39[deg]28.8' N.              72[deg]17.39' W.                        (*)
150..................................  39[deg]30.16' N.             72[deg]20.41' W.                        (*)
151..................................  39[deg]31.38' N.             72[deg]23.86' W.                        (*)
152..................................  39[deg]32.55' N.             72[deg]25.07' W.                        (*)
153..................................  39[deg]34.57' N.             72[deg]25.18' W.                        (*)
154..................................  39[deg]34.53' N.             72[deg]24.23' W.                        (*)
155..................................  39[deg]33.17' N.             72[deg]24.1' W.                         (*)
156..................................  39[deg]32.07' N.             72[deg]22.77' W.                        (*)
157..................................  39[deg]32.17' N.             72[deg]22.08' W.                        (*)
158..................................  39[deg]30.3' N.              72[deg]15.71' W.                        (*)
159..................................  39[deg]29.49' N.             72[deg]14.3' W.                         (*)
160..................................  39[deg]29.44' N.             72[deg]13.24' W.                        (*)
161..................................  39[deg]27.63' N.             72[deg]5.87' W.                         (*)
162..................................  39[deg]28.26' N.             72[deg]2.2' W.                          (*)
163..................................  39[deg]29.88' N.             72[deg]3.51' W.                         (*)
164..................................  39[deg]30.57' N.             72[deg]3.47' W.                         (*)
165..................................  39[deg]31.28' N.             72[deg]2.63' W.                         (*)
166..................................  39[deg]31.46' N.             72[deg]1.41' W.                         (*)
167..................................  39[deg]37.15' N.             71[deg]55.85' W.                        (*)
168..................................  39[deg]39.77' N.             71[deg]53.7' W.                         (*)
169..................................  39[deg]41.5' N.              71[deg]51.89' W.
170..................................  39[deg]43.84' N.             71[deg]44.85' W.                        (*)
171..................................  39[deg]48.01' N.             71[deg]45.19' W.                        (*)
172..................................  39[deg]49.97' N.             71[deg]39.29' W.                        (*)
173..................................  39[deg]55.08' N.             71[deg]18.62' W.                        (*)
174..................................  39[deg]55.99' N.             71[deg]16.07' W.                        (*)
175..................................  39[deg]57.04' N.             70[deg]50.01' W.
176..................................  39[deg]55.07' N.             70[deg]32.42' W.
177..................................  39[deg]50.24' N.             70[deg]27.78' W.
178..................................  39[deg]42.18' N.             70[deg]20.09' W.
179..................................  39[deg]34.11' N.             70[deg]12.42' W.
180..................................  39[deg]26.04' N.             70[deg]4.78' W.
181..................................  39[deg]17.96' N.             69[deg]57.18' W.
182..................................  39[deg]9.87' N.              69[deg]49.6' W.
183..................................  39[deg]1.77' N.              69[deg]42.05' W.
184..................................  38[deg]53.66' N.             69[deg]34.53' W.
185..................................  38[deg]45.54' N.             69[deg]27.03' W.
186..................................  38[deg]37.42' N.             69[deg]19.57' W.
187..................................  38[deg]29.29' N.             69[deg]12.13' W.
188..................................  38[deg]21.15' N.             69[deg]4.73' W.
189..................................  38[deg]13' N.                68[deg]57.35' W.
190..................................  38[deg]4.84' N.              68[deg]49.99' W.
191..................................  38[deg]2.21' N.              68[deg]47.62' W.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (c) Discrete Deep-Sea Coral Zones. (1) Block Canyon. Block Canyon 
discrete deep-sea coral zone is defined by straight lines connecting 
the following points in the order stated (copies of a chart depicting 
this area are available from the Regional Administrator upon request). 
An asterisk (*) in the Broad Zone column means the point is shared with 
the Broad Deep-Sea Coral Zone, as defined in paragraph (b) of this 
section.

                                                  Block Canyon
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Point                            Latitude                    Longitude              Broad zone
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1....................................  39[deg]55.08' N.             71[deg]18.62' W.                        (*)
(2)..................................  39[deg]55.99' N.             71[deg]16.07' W.                        (*)
3....................................  39[deg]49.51' N.             71[deg]12.12' W.
4....................................  39[deg]38.09' N.             71[deg]9.5' W.
5....................................  39[deg]37.4' N.              71[deg]11.87' W.
6....................................  39[deg]47.26' N.             71[deg]17.38' W.
7....................................  39[deg]52.6' N.              71[deg]17.51' W.
1....................................  39[deg]55.08' N.             71[deg]18.62' W.                        (*)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 51518]]

    (2) Ryan and McMaster Canyons. Ryan and McMaster Canyons discrete 
deep-sea coral zone is defined by straight lines connecting the 
following points in the order stated (copies of a chart depicting this 
area are available from the Regional Administrator upon request). An 
asterisk (*) in the Broad Zone column means the point is shared with 
the Broad Deep-sea Coral Zone, as defined in paragraph (b) of this 
section.

                                            Ryan and McMaster Canyons
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Point                            Latitude                    Longitude              Broad zone
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1....................................  39[deg]43.84' N.             71[deg]44.85' W.                        (*)
2....................................  39[deg]48.01' N.             71[deg]45.19' W.                        (*)
3....................................  39[deg]49.97' N.             71[deg]39.29' W.                        (*)
4....................................  39[deg]48.29' N.             71[deg]37.18' W.
5....................................  39[deg]42.96' N.             71[deg]35.01' W.
6....................................  39[deg]33.43' N.             71[deg]27.91' W.
7....................................  39[deg]31.75' N.             71[deg]30.77' W.
8....................................  39[deg]34.46' N.             71[deg]35.68' W.
9....................................  39[deg]40.12' N.             71[deg]42.36' W.
1....................................  39[deg]43.84' N.             71[deg]44.85' W.                        (*)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Emery and Uchupi Canyons. Emery and Uchupi Canyons discrete 
deep-sea coral zone is defined by straight lines connecting the 
following points in the order stated (copies of a chart depicting this 
area are available from the Regional Administrator upon request). An 
asterisk (*) in the Broad Zone column means the point is shared with 
the Broad Deep-sea Coral Zone, as defined in paragraph (b) of this 
section.

                                            Emery and Uchupi Canyons
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Point                            Latitude                    Longitude              Broad zone
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1....................................  39[deg]37.15' N.             71[deg]55.85' W.                        (*)
2....................................  39[deg]39.77' N.             71[deg]53.7' W.                         (*)
3....................................  39[deg]39.55' N.             71[deg]47.68' W.
4....................................  39[deg]30.78' N.             71[deg]36.24' W.
5....................................  39[deg]27.26' N.             71[deg]39.13' W.
6....................................  39[deg]28.99' N.             71[deg]45.47' W.
7....................................  39[deg]33.91' N.             71[deg]52.61' W.
1....................................  39[deg]37.15' N.             71[deg]55.85' W.                        (*)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (4) Jones and Babylon Canyons. Jones and Babylon Canyons discrete 
deep-sea coral zone is defined by straight lines connecting the 
following points in the order stated (copies of a chart depicting this 
area are available from the Regional Administrator upon request). An 
asterisk (*) in the Broad Zone column means the point is shared with 
the Broad Deep-sea Coral Zone, as defined in paragraph (b) of this 
section.

                                            Jones and Babylon Canyons
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Point                            Latitude                    Longitude              Broad zone
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1....................................  39[deg]28.26' N.             72[deg]2.2' W.                          (*)
2....................................  39[deg]29.88' N.             72[deg]3.51' W.                         (*)
3....................................  39[deg]30.57' N.             72[deg]3.47' W.                         (*)
4....................................  39[deg]31.28' N.             72[deg]2.63' W.                         (*)
5....................................  39[deg]31.46' N.             72[deg]1.41' W.                         (*)
6....................................  39[deg]30.37' N.             71[deg]57.72' W.
7....................................  39[deg]30.63' N.             71[deg]55.13' W.
8....................................  39[deg]23.81' N.             71[deg]48.15' W.
9....................................  39[deg]23' N.                71[deg]52.48' W.
1....................................  39[deg]28.26' N.             72[deg]2.2' W.                          (*)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (5) Hudson Canyon. Hudson Canyon discrete deep-sea coral zone is 
defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order 
stated (copies of a chart depicting this area are available from the 
Regional Administrator upon request). An asterisk (*) in the Broad Zone 
column means the point is shared with the Broad Deep-Sea Coral Zone, as 
defined in paragraph (b) of this section.

                                                  Hudson Canyon
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Point                            Latitude                    Longitude              Broad zone
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1....................................  39[deg]19.08' N.             72[deg]9.56' W.                         (*)
2....................................  39[deg]25.17' N.             72[deg]13.03' W.                        (*)

[[Page 51519]]

 
3....................................  39[deg]28.8' N.              72[deg]17.39' W.                        (*)
4....................................  39[deg]30.16' N.             72[deg]20.41' W.                        (*)
5....................................  39[deg]31.38' N.             72[deg]23.86' W.                        (*)
6....................................  39[deg]32.55' N.             72[deg]25.07' W.                        (*)
7....................................  39[deg]34.57' N.             72[deg]25.18' W.                        (*)
8....................................  39[deg]34.53' N.             72[deg]24.23' W.                        (*)
9....................................  39[deg]33.17' N.             72[deg]24.1' W.                         (*)
10...................................  39[deg]32.07' N.             72[deg]22.77' W.                        (*)
11...................................  39[deg]32.17' N.             72[deg]22.08' W.                        (*)
12...................................  39[deg]30.3' N.              72[deg]15.71' W.                        (*)
13...................................  39[deg]29.49' N.             72[deg]14.3' W.                         (*)
14...................................  39[deg]29.44' N.             72[deg]13.24' W.                        (*)
15...................................  39[deg]27.63' N.             72[deg]5.87' W.                         (*)
16...................................  39[deg]13.93' N.             71[deg]48.44' W.
17...................................  39[deg]10.39' N.             71[deg]52.98' W.
18...................................  39[deg]14.27' N.             72[deg]3.09' W.
1....................................  39[deg]19.08' N.             72[deg]9.56' W.                         (*)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (6) Mey-Lindenkohl Slope. Mey-Lindenkohl Slope discrete deep-sea 
coral zone is defined by straight lines connecting the following points 
in the order stated (copies of a chart depicting this area are 
available from the Regional Administrator upon request). An asterisk 
(*) in the Broad Zone column means the point is shared with the Broad 
Deep-Sea Coral Zone, as defined in paragraph (b) of this section.

                                              Mey-Lindenkohl Slope
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Point                            Latitude                    Longitude              Broad zone
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1....................................  38[deg]43' N.                73[deg]1.24' W.                         (*)
2....................................  38[deg]43.66' N.             73[deg]0.36' W.                         (*)
3....................................  38[deg]45' N.                73[deg]0.27' W.                         (*)
4....................................  38[deg]46.68' N.             73[deg]1.07' W.                         (*)
5....................................  38[deg]47.54' N.             73[deg]2.24' W.                         (*)
6....................................  38[deg]47.84' N.             73[deg]2.24' W.                         (*)
7....................................  38[deg]49.03' N.             73[deg]1.53' W.                         (*)
8....................................  38[deg]48.45' N.             73[deg]1' W.                            (*)
9....................................  38[deg]49.15' N.             72[deg]58.98' W.                        (*)
10...................................  38[deg]48.03' N.             72[deg]56.7' W.                         (*)
11...................................  38[deg]49.84' N.             72[deg]55.54' W.                        (*)
12...................................  38[deg]52.4' N.              72[deg]52.5' W.                         (*)
13...................................  38[deg]53.87' N.             72[deg]53.36' W.                        (*)
14...................................  38[deg]54.17' N.             72[deg]52.58' W.                        (*)
15...................................  38[deg]54.7' N.              72[deg]50.26' W.                        (*)
16...................................  38[deg]57.2' N.              72[deg]47.74' W.                        (*)
17...................................  38[deg]58.64' N.             72[deg]48.35' W.                        (*)
18...................................  38[deg]59.3' N.              72[deg]47.86' W.                        (*)
19...................................  38[deg]59.22' N.             72[deg]46.69' W.                        (*)
20...................................  39[deg]0.13' N.              72[deg]45.47' W.                        (*)
21...................................  39[deg]1.69' N.              72[deg]45.74' W.                        (*)
22...................................  39[deg]1.49' N.              72[deg]43.67' W.                        (*)
23...................................  39[deg]3.9' N.               72[deg]40.83' W.                        (*)
24...................................  39[deg]7.35' N.              72[deg]41.26' W.                        (*)
25...................................  39[deg]7.16' N.              72[deg]37.21' W.                        (*)
26...................................  39[deg]6.52' N.              72[deg]35.78' W.                        (*)
27...................................  39[deg]11.73' N.             72[deg]25.4' W.                         (*)
28...................................  38[deg]58.85' N.             72[deg]11.78' W.
29...................................  38[deg]32.39' N.             72[deg]47.69' W.
30...................................  38[deg]34.88' N.             72[deg]53.78' W.
1....................................  38[deg]43' N.                73[deg]1.24' W.                         (*)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (7) Spencer Canyon. Spencer Canyon discrete deep-sea coral zone is 
defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order 
stated (copies of a chart depicting this area are available from the 
Regional Administrator upon request). An asterisk (*) in the Broad Zone 
column means the point is shared with the Broad Deep-Sea Coral Zone, as 
defined in paragraph (b) of this section.

[[Page 51520]]



                                                 Spencer Canyon
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Point                            Latitude                    Longitude              Broad zone
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1....................................  38[deg]34.14' N.             73[deg]11.14' W.                        (*)
2....................................  38[deg]35.1' N.              73[deg]10.43' W.                        (*)
3....................................  38[deg]35.94' N.             73[deg]11.25' W.                        (*)
4....................................  38[deg]37.57' N.             73[deg]10.49' W.                        (*)
5....................................  38[deg]37.21' N.             73[deg]9.41' W.                         (*)
6....................................  38[deg]36.72' N.             73[deg]8.85' W.                         (*)
7....................................  38[deg]36.59' N.             73[deg]8.25' W.
8....................................  38[deg]28.94' N.             72[deg]58.96' W.
9....................................  38[deg]26.45' N.             73[deg]3.24' W.
1....................................  38[deg]34.14' N.             73[deg]11.14' W.                        (*)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (8) Wilmington Canyon. Wilmington Canyon discrete deep-sea coral 
zone is defined by straight lines connecting the following points in 
the order stated (copies of a chart depicting this area are available 
from the Regional Administrator upon request). An asterisk (*) in the 
Broad Zone column means the point is shared with the Broad Deep-sea 
Coral Zone, as defined in paragraph (b) of this section.

                                                Wilmington Canyon
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Point                            Latitude                    Longitude              Broad zone
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1....................................  38[deg]19.04' N.             73[deg]33.02' W.                        (*)
2....................................  38[deg]25.08' N.             73[deg]34.99' W.                        (*)
3....................................  38[deg]26.32' N.             73[deg]33.44' W.                        (*)
4....................................  38[deg]29.72' N.             73[deg]30.65' W.                        (*)
5....................................  38[deg]28.65' N.             73[deg]29.37' W.                        (*)
6....................................  38[deg]25.53' N.             73[deg]30.94' W.                        (*)
7....................................  38[deg]25.26' N.             73[deg]29.97' W.                        (*)
8....................................  38[deg]23.75' N.             73[deg]30.16' W.                        (*)
9....................................  38[deg]23.47' N.             73[deg]29.7' W.                         (*)
10...................................  38[deg]22.76' N.             73[deg]29.34' W.                        (*)
11...................................  38[deg]22.5' N.              73[deg]27.63' W.                        (*)
12...................................  38[deg]21.59' N.             73[deg]26.87' W.                        (*)
13...................................  38[deg]18.52' N.             73[deg]22.95' W.                        (*)
14...................................  38[deg]14.41' N.             73[deg]16.64' W.                        (*)
15...................................  38[deg]13.23' N.             73[deg]17.32' W.                        (*)
16...................................  38[deg]15.79' N.             73[deg]26.38' W.                        (*)
1....................................  38[deg]19.04' N.             73[deg]33.02' W.                        (*)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (9) North Heyes and South Wilmington Canyons. North Heyes and South 
Wilmington Canyons discrete deep-sea coral zone is defined by straight 
lines connecting the following points in the order stated (copies of a 
chart depicting this area are available from the Regional Administrator 
upon request). An asterisk (*) in the Broad Zone column means the point 
is shared with the Broad Deep-Sea Coral Zone, as defined in paragraph 
(b) of this section.

                                    North Heyes and South Wilmington Canyons
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Point                            Latitude                    Longitude              Broad zone
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1....................................  38[deg]15.25' N.             73[deg]36.2' W.                         (*)
2....................................  38[deg]16.19' N.             73[deg]36.91' W.                        (*)
3....................................  38[deg]16.89' N.             73[deg]36.66' W.                        (*)
4....................................  38[deg]16.91' N.             73[deg]36.35' W.                        (*)
5....................................  38[deg]17.63' N.             73[deg]35.35' W.                        (*)
6....................................  38[deg]18.55' N.             73[deg]34.44' W.                        (*)
7....................................  38[deg]18.38' N.             73[deg]33.4' W.                         (*)
8....................................  38[deg]19.04' N.             73[deg]33.02' W.                        (*)
9....................................  38[deg]15.79' N.             73[deg]26.38' W.                        (*)
10...................................  38[deg]14.98' N.             73[deg]24.73' W.                        (*)
11...................................  38[deg]12.32' N.             73[deg]21.22' W.                        (*)
12...................................  38[deg]11.06' N.             73[deg]22.21' W.                        (*)
13...................................  38[deg]11.13' N.             73[deg]28.72' W.                        (*)
1....................................  38[deg]15.25' N.             73[deg]36.2' W.                         (*)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (10) South Vries Canyon. South Vries Canyon discrete deep-sea coral 
zone is defined by straight lines connecting the following points in 
the order stated (copies of a chart depicting this area are available 
from the Regional Administrator upon request). An asterisk (*) in the 
Broad Zone column means the point is shared with the

[[Page 51521]]

Broad Deep-Sea Coral Zone, as defined in paragraph (b) of this section.

                                               South Vries Canyon
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Point                            Latitude                    Longitude              Broad zone
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1....................................  38[deg]6.35' N.              73[deg]44.8' W.                         (*)
2....................................  38[deg]7.5' N.               73[deg]45.2' W.                         (*)
3....................................  38[deg]9.24' N.              73[deg]42.61' W.                        (*)
4....................................  38[deg]3.22' N.              73[deg]29.22' W.
5....................................  38[deg]2.38' N.              73[deg]29.78' W.
6....................................  38[deg]2.54' N.              73[deg]36.73' W.
1....................................  38[deg]6.35' N.              73[deg]44.8' W.                         (*)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (11) Baltimore Canyon. Baltimore Canyon discrete deep-sea coral 
zone is defined by straight lines connecting the following points in 
the order stated (copies of a chart depicting this area are available 
from the Regional Administrator upon request). An asterisk (*) in the 
Broad Zone column means the point is shared with the Broad Deep-Sea 
Coral Zone, as defined in paragraph (b) of this section.

                                                Baltimore Canyon
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Point                            Latitude                    Longitude              Broad zone
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1....................................  38[deg]3.29' N.              73[deg]49.1' W.                         (*)
2....................................  38[deg]6.19' N.              73[deg]51.59' W.                        (*)
3....................................  38[deg]7.67' N.              73[deg]52.19' W.                        (*)
4....................................  38[deg]9.04' N.              73[deg]52.39' W.                        (*)
5....................................  38[deg]10.1' N.              73[deg]52.32' W.                        (*)
6....................................  38[deg]11.98' N.             73[deg]52.65' W.                        (*)
7....................................  38[deg]13.74' N.             73[deg]50.73' W.                        (*)
8....................................  38[deg]13.15' N.             73[deg]49.77' W.                        (*)
9....................................  38[deg]10.92' N.             73[deg]50.37' W.                        (*)
10...................................  38[deg]10.2' N.              73[deg]49.63' W.                        (*)
11...................................  38[deg]9.26' N.              73[deg]49.68' W.                        (*)
12...................................  38[deg]8.38' N.              73[deg]49.51' W.                        (*)
13...................................  38[deg]7.59' N.              73[deg]47.91' W.                        (*)
14...................................  38[deg]6.96' N.              73[deg]47.25' W.                        (*)
15...................................  38[deg]6.51' N.              73[deg]46.99' W.                        (*)
16...................................  38[deg]5.69' N.              73[deg]45.56' W.                        (*)
17...................................  38[deg]6.35' N.              73[deg]44.8' W.                         (*)
18...................................  38[deg]2.54' N.              73[deg]36.73' W.
19...................................  37[deg]59.19' N.             73[deg]40.67' W.
1....................................  38[deg]3.29' N.              73[deg]49.1' W.                         (*)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (12) Warr and Phoenix Canyon Complex. Warr and Phoenix Canyon 
Complex discrete deep-sea coral zone is defined by straight lines 
connecting the following points in the order stated (copies of a chart 
depicting this area are available from the Regional Administrator upon 
request). An asterisk (*) in the Broad Zone column means the point is 
shared with the Broad Deep-Sea Coral Zone, as defined in paragraph (b) 
of this section.

                                         Warr and Phoenix Canyon Complex
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Point                            Latitude                    Longitude              Broad zone
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1....................................  37[deg]53.68' N.             73[deg]57.41' W.                        (*)
2....................................  37[deg]55.07' N.             73[deg]57.27' W.                        (*)
3....................................  38[deg]3.29' N.              73[deg]49.1' W.                         (*)
4....................................  37[deg]59.19' N.             73[deg]40.67' W.
5....................................  37[deg]52.5' N.              73[deg]35.28' W.
6....................................  37[deg]50.92' N.             73[deg]36.59' W.
7....................................  37[deg]49.84' N.             73[deg]47.11' W.
1....................................  37[deg]53.68' N.             73[deg]57.41' W.                        (*)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (13) Accomac and Leonard Canyons. Accomac and Leonard Canyons 
discrete deep-sea coral zone is defined by straight lines connecting 
the following points in the order stated (copies of a chart depicting 
this area are available from the Regional Administrator upon request). 
An asterisk (*) in the Broad Zone column means the point is shared with 
the Broad Deep-Sea Coral Zone, as defined in paragraph (b) of this 
section.

[[Page 51522]]



                                           Accomac and Leonard Canyons
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Point                            Latitude                    Longitude              Broad zone
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1....................................  37[deg]45.15' N.             74[deg]7.24' W.                         (*)
2....................................  37[deg]45.88' N.             74[deg]7.44' W.                         (*)
3....................................  37[deg]46.7' N.              74[deg]5.98' W.                         (*)
4....................................  37[deg]49.62' N.             74[deg]6.03' W.                         (*)
5....................................  37[deg]51.25' N.             74[deg]5.48' W.                         (*)
6....................................  37[deg]51.99' N.             74[deg]4.51' W.                         (*)
7....................................  37[deg]51.37' N.             74[deg]3.3' W.                          (*)
8....................................  37[deg]50.63' N.             74[deg]2.69' W.                         (*)
9....................................  37[deg]49.62' N.             74[deg]2.28' W.                         (*)
10...................................  37[deg]50.28' N.             74[deg]0.67' W.                         (*)
11...................................  37[deg]50.2' N.              74[deg]0.17' W.
12...................................  37[deg]50.52' N.             73[deg]58.59' W.
13...................................  37[deg]50.99' N.             73[deg]57.17' W.
14...................................  37[deg]50.4' N.              73[deg]52.35' W.
15...................................  37[deg]42.76' N.             73[deg]44.86' W.
16...................................  37[deg]39.96' N.             73[deg]48.32' W.
17...................................  37[deg]40.04' N.             73[deg]58.25' W.
18...................................  37[deg]44.14' N.             74[deg]6.96' W.
1....................................  37[deg]45.15' N.             74[deg]7.24' W.                         (*)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (14) Washington Canyon. Washington Canyon discrete deep-sea coral 
zone is defined by straight lines connecting the following points in 
the order stated (copies of a chart depicting this area are available 
from the Regional Administrator upon request). An asterisk (*) in the 
Broad Zone column means the point is shared with the Broad Deep-Sea 
Coral Zone, as defined in paragraph (b) of this section.

                                                Washington Canyon
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Point                            Latitude                    Longitude              Broad zone
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1....................................  37[deg]22.74' N.             74[deg]26.24' W.                        (*)
2....................................  37[deg]22.87' N.             74[deg]26.16' W.                        (*)
3....................................  37[deg]24.44' N.             74[deg]28.57' W.                        (*)
4....................................  37[deg]24.67' N.             74[deg]29.71' W.                        (*)
5....................................  37[deg]25.93' N.             74[deg]30.13' W.                        (*)
6....................................  37[deg]27.25' N.             74[deg]30.2' W.                         (*)
7....................................  37[deg]28.6' N.              74[deg]30.6' W.                         (*)
8....................................  37[deg]29.43' N.             74[deg]30.29' W.                        (*)
9....................................  37[deg]29.53' N.             74[deg]29.95' W.                        (*)
10...................................  37[deg]27.68' N.             74[deg]28.82' W.                        (*)
11...................................  37[deg]27.06' N.             74[deg]28.76' W.                        (*)
12...................................  37[deg]26.39' N.             74[deg]27.76' W.                        (*)
13...................................  37[deg]26.3' N.              74[deg]26.87' W.                        (*)
14...................................  37[deg]25.69' N.             74[deg]25.63' W.                        (*)
15...................................  37[deg]25.83' N.             74[deg]24.22' W.                        (*)
16...................................  37[deg]25.68' N.             74[deg]24.03' W.                        (*)
17...................................  37[deg]25.08' N.             74[deg]23.29' W.
18...................................  37[deg]16.81' N.             73[deg]52.13' W.
19...................................  37[deg]11.27' N.             73[deg]54.05' W.
20...................................  37[deg]15.73' N.             74[deg]12.2' W.
1....................................  37[deg]22.74' N.             74[deg]26.24' W.                        (*)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (15) Norfolk Canyon. Norfolk Canyon discrete deep-sea coral zone is 
defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order 
stated (copies of a chart depicting this area are available from the 
Regional Administrator upon request). An asterisk (*) in the Broad Zone 
column means the point is shared with the Broad Deep-Sea Coral Zone, as 
defined in paragraph (b) of this section.

                                                 Norfolk Canyon
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Point                            Latitude                    Longitude              Broad zone
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1....................................  36[deg]58.51' N.             74[deg]36.51' W.                        (*)
2....................................  36[deg]58.62' N.             74[deg]36.97' W.                        (*)
3....................................  37[deg]4.43' N.              74[deg]41.03' W.                        (*)
4....................................  37[deg]5.83' N.              74[deg]45.57' W.                        (*)
5....................................  37[deg]6.97' N.              74[deg]40.8' W.                         (*)
6....................................  37[deg]4.52' N.              74[deg]37.77' W.                        (*)
7....................................  37[deg]4.02' N.              74[deg]33.83' W.                        (*)

[[Page 51523]]

 
8....................................  37[deg]4.52' N.              74[deg]33.51' W.                        (*)
9....................................  37[deg]4.40' N.              74[deg]33.11' W.                        (*)
10...................................  37[deg]4.16' N.              74[deg]32.37' W.
11...................................  37[deg]4.40' N.              74[deg]30.58' W.
12...................................  37[deg]3.65' N.              74[deg]3.66' W.
13...................................  36[deg]57.75' N.             74[deg]3.61' W.
14...................................  36[deg]59.77' N.             74[deg]30' W.
15...................................  36[deg]58.23' N.             74[deg]32.95' W.
16...................................  36[deg]57.99' N.             74[deg]34.18' W.
1....................................  36[deg]58.51' N.             74[deg]36.51' W.                        (*)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (d) Transiting. Vessels may transit the Broad and Discrete Deep-Sea 
Coral Zones defined in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, provided 
bottom-tending trawl nets are out of the water and stowed on the reel 
and any other fishing gear that is prohibited in these areas is 
onboard, out of the water, and not deployed. Fishing gear is not 
required to meet the definition of ``not available for immediate use'' 
in Sec.  648.2, when a vessel transits the Broad and Discrete Deep-Sea 
Coral Zones.

[FR Doc. 2017-23752 Filed 11-3-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P