Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish; Amendment 20, 44548-44561 [2018-18934]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 170 (Friday, August 31, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44548-44561]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18934]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 170828816-8714-01]
RIN 0648-BH16


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, 
Squid, and Butterfish; Amendment 20

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

ACTION: Proposed rule, request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS proposes regulations to implement measures in Amendment 
20 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management 
Plan and corrections to existing regulations. This action is necessary 
to prevent the reactivation of latent effort in the longfin squid 
fishery, preserve economic opportunities for more recently active 
participants in the longfin squid fishery, avoid overharvest during 
Trimester II (May-August) of the longfin squid fishery, and reduce 
potential negative impacts on inshore spawning longfin squid 
aggregations and squid egg masses. The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management 
Council intends that these proposed measures would

[[Page 44549]]

promote the sustainable utilization and conservation of the squid and 
butterfish resources, while promoting the sustained participation of 
fishing communities and minimizing adverse economic impacts on such 
communities.

DATES: Public comments must be received by October 1, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by 
NOAA-NMFS-2017-0110, by either of the following methods:
    Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via 
the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.
    1. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-0110,
    2. Click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, 
and
    3. Enter or attach your comments.
--OR--
    Mail: Submit written comments to Michael Pentony, 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 Squid Amendment 20.''
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are part of the 
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous).
    A draft environmental assessment (EA) has been prepared for this 
action that describes the proposed measures and other considered 
alternatives and the potential impacts of such measures and 
alternatives. Copies of the specifications document, including the EA 
and the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, are available on 
request from Dr. Christopher M. Moore, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic 
Fishery Management Council, 800 North State Street, Suite 201, Dover, 
DE 19901, telephone (302) 674-2331. The EA/Regulatory Impact Review 
(RIR)/Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) analysis is also accessible via 
the internet at https://www.mafmc.org/s/Squid-Amendment-Draft-EA.pdf.
    Written comments regarding the burden-hour estimates or other 
aspects of the collection-of-information requirements contained in this 
proposed rule may be submitted to the Greater Atlantic Regional 
Fisheries Office and by email to [email protected] or fax to 
(202) 395-5806.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Douglas Christel, Fishery Policy 
Analyst, (978) 281-9141, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    In 1995, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) 
adopted and NMFS approved a limited access permit system for longfin 
squid and butterfish as part of Amendment 5 to the Atlantic Mackerel, 
Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP) (April 2, 1996; 61 
FR 14465). Under Amendment 5, NMFS issued longfin squid/butterfish 
moratorium permits to vessels that landed a minimum amount of either 
species during a specified qualification period. Since then, the number 
of vessels landing longfin squid has decreased, with a relatively small 
portion of vessels issued longfin squid/butterfish moratorium permits 
landing the majority of longfin squid in recent years. The Council is 
concerned that unused longfin squid/butterfish moratorium permits could 
be activated, which could lead to excessive fishing effort and bycatch 
of both longfin squid and non-target species. This could cause negative 
biological impacts to these species. In addition, this increased effort 
could increase the race to fish and reduce access to available longfin 
squid quota by vessels with a continuous history of landings in recent 
years. Therefore, the Council developed Amendment 20 to consider 
adjusting the number of vessels qualified to fish in the directed and 
incidental longfin squid fishery and design appropriate measures to 
prevent unanticipated increases in fishing effort. The proposed 
measures described below could help prevent a race to fish, frequent 
and disruptive fishery closures, and reduced fishing opportunities for 
vessels that are more recently dependent upon longfin squid.
    Longfin squid spawning occurs year round but is most frequently 
observed inshore during the late spring through early fall. Spawning 
aggregations and associated egg masses (mops) that are attached to the 
bottom are vulnerable to bottom fishing activities during the summer 
months when longfin squid are easily accessible to the fishery in large 
concentrations. In 2007, the Council implemented reduced quotas during 
summer months (May through August, or Trimester II) as part of the 
trimester quota system (January 30, 2007; 71 FR 4211). The Council 
developed the trimester quota system to improve the monitoring and 
management of the longfin squid fishery and prevent allowable quotas 
from being exceeded. Once a trimester quota has been landed, possession 
limits are reduced to incidental levels for all longfin squid permits. 
The FMP currently includes a 2,500 lb (1,134 kg) possession limit per 
trip for incidental permits and for all longfin squid permits when the 
directed fishery has closed once a quota has been landed. However, this 
incidental limit has allowed vessels to continue to land large amounts 
of longfin squid even after the directed fishery is closed, and has 
contributed to the Trimester II quota being exceeded by large amounts 
in several years. The Council is concerned that excessive fishing 
effort inshore during Trimester II could negatively impact the stock, 
interrupting spawning activity, increasing the mortality of squid eggs, 
and reducing future recruitment. Measures developed by the Council 
under this action are intended to adjust the management of longfin 
squid during Trimester II primarily to reduce impacts to spawning squid 
and egg mops.
    From March through May 2015, the Council held scoping meetings from 
Rhode Island through New Jersey to discuss these issues and develop 
responsive measures. After further development and analysis, the 
Council conducted public hearings in April and May 2017 to solicit 
input on the range of alternatives under consideration by the Council. 
The Council accepted public comments through May 18, 2017. On June 7, 
2017, the Council adopted final measures as part of Amendment 20 to the 
Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish FMP. On March 21, 2018, the 
Council submitted the amendment and draft EA to NMFS for preliminary 
review, with submission of the final draft amendment on June 6, 2018. 
NMFS drafted the proposed regulations to implement these measures for 
Council review. The Council deemed the proposed regulations to be 
necessary and appropriate to implement Amendment 20 on April 27, 2018, 
as specified in section 303(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
    The purpose of Amendment 20 is to reduce latent (unused) effort in 
the longfin squid fishery and adjust the management of the longfin 
squid fishery during Trimester II (May through

[[Page 44550]]

August). These measures are intended to avoid overharvesting the 
longfin squid resource and harming squid egg masses. Although the 
Council considered reducing the number of Illex squid moratorium 
permits in the fishery, the Council decided a reduction in the number 
of Illex moratorium permits was not appropriate at this time given low 
Illex landings and limited vessel participation in the fishery in most 
years. Measures proposed under this action would promote the 
sustainable utilization and conservation of the longfin squid and 
butterfish resources, while promoting the sustained participation of 
fishing communities and minimizing adverse economic impacts on such 
communities.

Proposed Measures

    Under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, we are required to publish proposed 
rules for comment after preliminarily determining whether they are 
consistent with applicable law. The Magnuson-Stevens Act allows us to 
approve, partially approve, or disapprove measures that the Council 
proposes 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 comments on the 
Council's proposed measures in Amendment 20 described below and whether 
they are consistent with the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish 
FMP, the Magnuson-Stevens Act and its National Standards, and other 
applicable law.
    This proposed rule includes changes to existing FMP measures 
adopted by the Council under Amendment 20, but also several revisions 
to regulations that are not specifically identified in Amendment 20. 
These revisions are necessary to effectively implement the provisions 
in Amendment 20, or to correct errors in, or clarify, existing 
provisions. NMFS is proposing these latter changes under the authority 
of section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

1. Separate Butterfish Moratorium Permit

    Amendment 5 created a joint longfin squid/butterfish moratorium 
permit based on the historic overlap between the directed longfin squid 
and butterfish fisheries. NMFS issued moratorium permits to qualified 
vessels based on a minimum landings amount of either species during the 
qualification period. To reduce capacity in the longfin squid fishery 
without unintentionally reducing domestic fishing capacity for 
butterfish, Amendment 20 proposes to separate the longfin squid/
butterfish moratorium permit into two moratorium permits, one for each 
species. Amendment 20 would create a new butterfish moratorium permit 
and a separate, revised longfin squid moratorium permit, as described 
further below.
    Under Amendment 20, all entities currently issued a longfin squid/
butterfish moratorium permit would be automatically issued a new and 
separate butterfish moratorium permit. The existing permit restrictions 
and vessel trip report (VTR), observer, slippage, and transfers at sea 
requirements currently applicable to the existing longfin squid/
butterfish moratorium permit would apply to the proposed new butterfish 
moratorium permit. These permits would maintain the existing vessel 
permit baseline characteristics, vessel replacement and upgrade 
provisions, and the restriction on permit splitting; be required to 
submit vessel trip reports on a weekly basis; and be subject to 
measures to address slippage and transfers at sea specified at 50 CFR 
648.11(n)(3) and 648.13, respectively. Vessels issued a new butterfish 
moratorium permit would not be required to submit a specific butterfish 
trip declaration using the vessel monitoring system (VMS) or submit 
daily VMS catch reports of butterfish but would be required to maintain 
an operational VMS unit to provide NMFS with automatic position 
reports. Finally, the existing butterfish possession limits specified 
at Sec.  648.26(d)(1) and (2) (unlimited when fishing with a mesh size 
of three inches (76 mm) or greater, and 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) per trip 
when fishing with less than three-inch (76-mm) mesh) would remain the 
same for this new permit.

2. Tier 1 Longfin Squid Moratorium Permit

    Amendment 20 proposes to re-qualify current longfin squid 
moratorium permits based on recent landings history to reduce the 
potential for the reactivation of latent fishing permits. Under this 
measure, NMFS would issue a new Tier 1 longfin squid moratorium permit 
only to 2018 longfin squid/butterfish moratorium permits that landed at 
least 10,000 lb (4,536 kg) of longfin squid in any year from 1997-2013. 
The Regional Administrator would use fishing history, as documented 
through dealer reports, to re-qualify permits, including permits 
currently held in confirmation of permit history (CPH), and 
automatically issue Tier 1 longfin squid moratorium permits to 
qualified entities.
    Any vessel owner could apply for a Tier 1 longfin squid permit 
within one year of the effectiveness of this permit, if approved under 
Amendment 20. A vessel owner that does not qualify to be issued a new 
Tier 1 longfin squid moratorium permit would be notified by the 
Regional Administrator and could appeal that decision within 30 days of 
the denial notice. An appeal would require a written request to the 
Regional Admininstrator, and the appeal would be reviewed by the NOAA 
Fisheries National Appeals Office. Appeals could be based upon evidence 
that the information used in the original denial was incorrect. During 
an appeal, a vessel owner could request the Regional Administrator to 
authorize its vessel to continue fishing for longfin squid under the 
measures for a Tier 1 permit until that appeal is completed.
    A vessel issued a Tier 1 longfin squid moratorium permit would be 
subject to all measures applicable to the existing longfin squid/
butterfish moratorium permit, including, but not limited to, the vessel 
baseline and upgrade, VTR and VMS reporting, observer, slippage, and 
transfers at sea requirements. A Tier 1 longfin squid moratorium permit 
would be able to land an unlimited amount of longfin squid per trip, 
unless the directed longfin squid fishery is closed and incidental 
limits are implemented, as described further below. As currently 
allowed for longfin squid/butterfish moratorium permits, Tier 1 permits 
could also possess up to 15,000 lb (6,804 kg) of longfin squid per trip 
after the longfin squid fishery is closed in Trimester II, provided the 
vessel is declared into the Illex squid fishery, possesses at least 
10,000 lb (4,536 kg) of Illex squid, and is fishing offshore.

3. Tier 2 Longfin Squid Moratorium Permit

    Although the Council chose to reduce latent longfin squid permits, 
it also wanted to recognize the historic participation of permits that 
originally qualified for a longfin squid/butterfish moratorium permit. 
To do so, Amendment 20 would create a separate longfin squid moratorium 
permit with a moderate possession allowance. The Regional Administrator 
would automatically issue a Tier 2 longfin squid moratorium permit to 
any vessel currently issued a 2018 longfin squid/butterfish moratorium 
permit or an entity issued such a permit in CPH that does not qualify 
for a Tier 1 longfin squid moratorium permit described above. A Tier 2 
permit would be subject to all measures applicable to the

[[Page 44551]]

existing longfin squid/butterfish moratorium permit, including, but not 
limited to, the permit, VTR and VMS reporting, observer, slippage, and 
transfers at sea requirements. However, a Tier 2 permit would only be 
allowed to land up to 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) of longfin squid per trip, 
unless the directed longfin squid fishery is closed and incidental 
limits are implemented, as described further below. Similar to Tier 1 
permits, a vessel issued a longfin squid Tier 2 moratorium permit could 
continue to possess up to 5,000 lb (6,804 kg) of longfin squid per trip 
after the longfin squid fishery is closed in Trimester II. To do so, a 
Tier 2 moratorium permitwould have to declare into the Illex squid 
fishery, possess at least 10,000 lb (4,536 kg) of Illex squid, and fish 
offshore in the area specified at Sec.  548.23(a)(5).

4. Tier 3 Longfin Squid Incidental Permit

    Under Amendment 20, the Council wanted to reduce incentives to 
target longfin squid under an incidental permit, while still preserving 
more recent fishing patterns and minimizing discards of squid caught 
while targeting other species. Under this measure, NMFS would issue a 
new Tier 3 longfin squid moratorium permit to vessels previously issued 
an open access squid/butterfish incidental catch permit in any year 
that landed more than 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) of longfin squid in at least 
one calendar year from 1997-2013 based on dealer landings data. By 
limiting access to this incidental permit such that it could not be 
dropped and re-issued at any time, this measure would prevent a vessel 
owner from canceling his/her Federal permit to fish for longfin squid 
in state waters above Federal limits during the fishing year. This 
would better control longfin squid landings, particularly after a 
closure of the fishery in Trimester II.
    A vessel owner must apply for a Tier 3 longfin squid moratorium 
permit by submitting an application to the Regional Administrator 
within one year of the effectiveness of these permits, if approved 
under Amendment 20. The owner of a vessel permit that does not qualify 
for a new Tier 3 longfin squid moratorium permit would be notified by 
the Regional Administrator and could appeal that decision within 30 
days of the denial notice. An appeal would require a written request to 
the Regional Admininstrator, and the appeal would be reviewed by the 
NOAA Fisheries National Appeals Office. Appeals could be based upon 
evidence that the information used in the original denial was 
incorrect. During an appeal, a vessel owner could request the Regional 
Administrator to authorize its vessel to continue fishing for longfin 
squid under the measures for a Tier 3 longfin squid permit until that 
appeal is completed.
    A vessel issued a Tier 3 longfin squid permit would be subject to 
all measures applicable to the existing squid/butterfish incidental 
catch permit. Unlike Tier 1 or 2 longfin squid moratorium permits, Tier 
3 permits would not be issued a vessel baseline, and would not be 
subject to the vessel upgrade provisions. A Tier 3 longfin squid 
moratorium permit would be able to land up to 2,500 lb (1,134 kg) of 
longfin squid per trip, unless the directed longfin squid fishery is 
closed during Trimester II and incidental limits are implemented, as 
described further below.

5. Longfin Squid Moratorium Permit Swap

    Amendment 20 would allow an owner of more than one longfin squid/
butterfish moratorium permit as of May 26, 2017, a one-time opportunity 
to move longfin squid moratorium permits onto a different vessel that 
they own to optimize their fishing operations. Under this measure, a 
vessel owner could move a qualified Tier 1 longfin squid moratorium 
permit from one of his/her vessels and place it on another vessel that 
is owned by that same entity and also issued a Tier 2 longfin squid 
moratorium permit. In this exchange, the Tier 2 longfin squid 
moratorium permit would be moved onto the vessel originally issued the 
Tier 1 longfin squid moratorium permit. This allows a vessel owner to 
``swap'' Tier 1 and Tier 2 longfin squid moratorium permits among 
vessels owned by that entity such that the Tier 1 longfin squid 
moratorium permit is placed on a vessel that is better able to 
capitalize on the longfin squid fishing opportunities available to such 
a permit than the other vessel. This measure is intended to help 
maximize potential fishing opportunities and associated revenue for 
entities that have been issued multiple longfin squid moratorium 
permits on separate vessels and mitigate the loss of revenue potential 
associated with a permit that does not re-qualify for a Tier 1 longfin 
squid moratorium permit.
    Only permits issued to vessels owned by the same business entity as 
of May 26, 2017, would be able to participate in the permit swap; a 
permit held in CPH as of May 26, 2017, would not be eligible to 
participate. May 26, 2017, is the day that June 2017 Council meeting 
materials, including the description of proposed measures, were made 
available to the public. The Council chose this date to limit 
eligibility for permit swaps to reduce the potential that business 
entities would change permit ownership to take advantage of this 
measure and circumvent the purpose of this measure.
    Vessels involved in the swap would also need to be within 10 
percent of the baseline length overall and 20 percent of the baseline 
horsepower of the permit to be placed on that vessel. Only Tier 1 and 
Tier 2 longfin squid moratorium permits could be transferred as part of 
this permit swap; no other fishery permits could be swapped as part of 
this transaction. An owner interested in swapping permits would need to 
apply for the permit swap within one year of the issuance of the Tier 1 
or Tier 2 longfin squid moratorium permits. If approved, the Regional 
Administrator would distribute a permit swap application form to permit 
holders.

6. Incidental Longfin Squid Possession Limit

    Amendment 20 would reduce the longfin squid possession limit from 
2,500 lb (1,134 kg) per trip to 250 lb (113 kg) per trip for vessels 
issued an open access squid/butterfish incidental permit. A lower 
incidental possession limit would reduce incentives to target longfin 
squid and more effectively control fishing effort and landings in the 
fishery. This could reduce overall fishing effort and bycatch and 
associated mortality on longfin squid and other species.
    This action would also reduce the longfin squid incidental limit 
for all longfin squid permits from 2,500 lb (1,134 kg) per trip to 250 
lb (113 kg) per trip once the Trimester II quota has been landed. The 
longfin squid incidental limit would remain 2,500 lb (1,134 kg) per 
trip for any closure implemented during Trimesters I or III. In recent 
years, excessive landings under the current incidental trip limit 
(2,500 lb (1,134 kg)) following the closure of the directed fishery in 
Trimester II has resulted in substantial overages of the Trimester II 
quota. This measure would reduce incentives to target longfin squid 
after such a closure, reducing bycatch of longfin squid and other 
species and impacts to spawning squid and egg mops during Trimester II.

7. Corrections and Clarifications to Existing Regulations

    In Sec.  648.2, the term ``Northeast Regional Office'' in the 
definition of ``Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Monitoring 
Committee'' would be revised to ``Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries 
Office'' to accurately

[[Page 44552]]

reflect the current name of the facility. Definitions for ``Calendar 
day,'' ``Directed fishery,'' and ``Incidental catch'' would be added to 
clarify the application of these terms in the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, 
and Butterfish FMP regulations, and to eliminate repeated definition of 
these terms in the regulations.
    In Sec.  648.4(a)(5)(iii), paragraph (B) would be revised to 
reflect the mackerel landing limit in kg instead of mt, and paragraphs 
(C), (D), (E), (H) would be revised and paragraph (M) would be deleted 
to eliminate outdated and unnecessary permit eligibility, application, 
qualification, baseline, and appeal regulations, respectively, related 
to the 2011 qualification of limited access mackerel permits.
    In Sec.  648.7, text at (a)(1)(i) and (ii) that was inadvertently 
deleted in the final rule implementing the Mid-Atlantic Unmanaged 
Forage Omnibus Amendment (August 28, 2017; 82 FR 40721) would be 
reinserted.
    In Sec.  648.10(e)(5)(i), the phrase ``. . . or monkfish fishery'' 
would be replaced with ``monkfish, or any other fishery'' to maintain 
consistency with other language in this paragraph and related text in 
paragraph (e)(5)(ii). This revision is necessary to ensure that a 
vessel that is subject to VMS requirements in any fishery accurately 
declares its intended fishing operations before leaving port.
    In Sec.  648.13, paragraph (a) would be revised to clarify that 
longfin squid, Illex squid, and butterfish moratorium permits and 
squid/butterfish incidental catch permits must be issued a letter of 
authorization (LOA) by the Regional Administrator to transfer longfin 
squid, butterfish, or Illex squid at sea. This would make the 
regulations consistent with the LOA language and historic practice.
    In Sec.  648.14, five corrections are proposed, as follows:
    1. The introductory text to paragraph (g)(1)(i) would be revised to 
insert reference to the fishery closure and accountability measure 
regulations at Sec.  648.24(d) and to replace ``Take, retain . . .'' 
with ``Take and retain . . .'' The first correction is to ensure that 
this prohibition can be effectively administered and enforced and 
accurately reflects notifications associated with the implementation of 
specifications, closures, and accountability measures. The second 
correction restores the original language of this prohibition to 
accurately reflect its intent to allow vessels that may encounter these 
species during normal operations to interact with and discard these 
species, as appropriate.
    2. Paragraph (g)(1)(ii)(B) would be revised to use the term ``Illex 
squid'' consistent with the use of this term in other regulations and 
reflect the corrections to Sec.  648.13(a) described above.
    3. Paragraph (g)(2)(i) would be revised to reference Subpart B 
instead of Sec.  648.22 to ensure that the general prohibition applies 
to all Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish FMP measures, not just 
those implemented via the specifications process because FMP measures 
are implemented via framework adjustments, amendments, and 
specifications actions.
    4. Paragraphs (g)(2)(ii)(D) and (F) would be revised to read that 
it is unlawful for any person owning or operating a vessel issued a 
valid mackerel, squid, and butterfish fishery permit, or issued an 
operator's permit to ``Take and retain, possess, or land'' these 
species instead of ``Take, retain, possess, or land'' these species. 
This distinction is necessary to allow vessels that may encounter these 
species during normal operations to interact with and discard these 
species, as appropriate, consistent with Council intent.
    5. Paragraph (g)(2)(v) would be revised to replace ``limited 
access'' with ``directed'' to reference the Atlantic mackerel, longfin 
squid, and Illex squid fisheries. This is intentended to maintain 
consistency with the way in which these fisheries are referenced in 
other applicable regulations.
    In Sec.  648.22, several corrections are proposed. In paragraph 
(a), species headings would be added to clarify which elements are to 
be specified for each species during the specifications process and to 
spell out terms used for the first time in the regulations. The term 
``Illex squid'' would replace the term ``Illex'' for clarity in several 
paragraphs. Finally, in paragraph (c)(3), the reference to Sec.  
648.4(1)(5)(ii) would be replaced with reference to Sec.  
648.4(a)(5)(vi) to accurately reflect the correct regulation for the 
squid/butterfish incidental catch permit.
    In Sec.  648.25(a)(4)(i), the reference to paragraph (a)(2) would 
be replaced with the accurate reference to paragraph (a)(3) of that 
section.

Classification

    Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the 
NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that this proposed rule is 
consistent with Amendment 20 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and 
Butterfish FMP, other provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other 
applicable law, subject to further consideration after public comment.
    This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for 
the purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    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.
    The Council prepared a draft EA for this action that analyzes the 
impact of measures contained in this proposed rule. The EA includes an 
IRFA, as required by section 603 of the RFA, which is supplemented by 
information contained in the preamble of this proposed rule. The IRFA, 
as summarized below, describes the economic impact this proposed rule, 
if adopted, would have on small entities. A description of the action, 
why it is being considered, and the legal basis for this action are 
contained in the preamble to this proposed rule. A copy of the RFA 
analysis is available from the Mid-Atlantic Council (see ADDRESSES).

Description of the Reasons Why Action by the Agency Is Being Considered

    The purpose of this action is to optimize management measures in 
the squid fisheries by reducing latent (unused) effort in the longfin 
squid fishery and adjusting the management of the longfin squid fishery 
during Trimester II (May through August) to avoid overharvesting the 
longfin squid resource. Section 4.0 of the EA prepared for this action 
(see ADDRESSES) contains a more thorough description of the purpose and 
need for this action.

Statement of the Objectives of, and Legal Basis for, This Proposed Rule

    The legal basis and objectives for this action are contained in the 
preamble to this proposed rule, and are not repeated here. Sections 4.0 
and 5.0 of the EA prepared for this action (see ADDRESSES) contains a 
more thorough description of the purpose and need for this action and 
the rational for each measure considered.

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

    For the purposes of the RFA analysis, the ownership entities (or 
firms), not the individual vessels, are considered to be the regulated 
entities. Ownership entities are defined as those entities or firms 
with common ownership personnel as listed on the permit application. 
Because of this, some vessels with Federal longfin squid/butterfish 
permits may be considered to be part of the same firm because they may 
have the same owners. The North American Industry Classification

[[Page 44553]]

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. For purposes of the RFA, a business primarily engaged in 
commercial fishing activity is classified as a small business if it has 
combined annual gross receipts not in excess of $11 million (NAICS 
11411) for all its affiliated operations worldwide. A business 
primarily engaged in for-hire (charter/party) operations is 
characterized as annual gross receipts not in excess of $7.5 million. 
To identify these small and large firms, vessel ownership data from the 
permit database were grouped according to common owners and sorted by 
size. The current ownership data set used for this analysis is based on 
calendar year 2016 (the most recent complete year available).
    The proposed action would affect any vessel issued a valid Federal 
longfin squid/butterfish moratorium permit or an open access squid/
butterfish incidental permit. According to the commercial database, 295 
separate vessels were issued a longfin squid/butterfish moratorium 
permit in 2016. These vessels were owned by 222 entities, of which 214 
were categorized as small business entities using the definition 
specified above. In 2016, 1,528 vessels were issued an open access 
squid/butterfish incidental permit. These vessels were owned by 1,114 
entities, of which 1,105 were small business entities. In total, 1,319 
small business entities may be affected by this rule out of a potential 
1,336 entities (large and small) that may be affected by this action. 
Therefore, 99 percent of affected entities are categorized as small 
businesses.
    Not all entities potentially affected by this action landed fish 
for commercial sale in 2016. Nine small business entities issued a 
longfin squid/butterfish moratorium permit did not have any fishing 
revenue in 2016, while 274 small business entities issued an open 
access squid/butterfish incidental catch permit did not have any 
fishing revenue in 2016. Only 1,036 small business entities had fishing 
revenue in 2016, representing 79 percent of the small entities 
potentially affected by this action.

Description of the Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping, and Other 
Compliance Requirements of This Proposed Rule

    This proposed rule contains collection-of-information requirements 
subject to review and approval by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). This requirement has 
been submitted to OMB for approval. Public reporting burden and costs 
associated with these information collections, including the time for 
reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information, are estimated to average, as follows:
    1. Application for a longfin squid moratorium permit, OMB #0648-
0679 (60 min/response and an annual cost of $254.80 for postage);
    2. Appeal of the denial of a longfin squid moratorium permit, OMB 
#0648-0679 (120 min/response and an annual cost of $226.87 for 
postage); and
    3. Application for a longfin squid moratorium permit swap, OMB 
#0648-0679 (5 min/response and an annual cost of $1.63 for postage).
    Public comment is sought regarding: Whether this proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall 
have practical utility; the accuracy of the burden estimate; ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information, including through the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. Send comments on 
these or any other aspects of the collection of information to the 
Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office at the ADDRESSES above, and 
email to [email protected], or fax to (202) 395-5806.

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

    This proposed rule does not duplicate, overlap, or conflict with 
any other Federal rule.

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

    Section 7.5 of the EA estimates the number of vessel permits that 
would qualify under each alternative and the associated economic 
impacts to affected entities based on recent landings, with additional 
analysis provided in Section 12 of the EA. The text below summarizes 
the economic impacts for significant non-selected alternatives.
1. Longfin Squid Moratorium Permit Qualification
    Under Amendment 20, the Council considered five alternatives, 
including the no-action alternative, to reduce latent permits in the 
longfin squid fishery through the creation of a tiered permit system 
based on historical participation in the fishery. The alternatives 
included different combinations of qualifying years (1997-2013 or 1997-
2015) and minimum landings thresholds (10,000 lb (4,536 kg), 25,000 lb 
(11,340 kg), or 50,000 lb (22,680 kg)). Of these five alternatives, 
only Alternative 1B is considered a significant alternative because it 
meets the objectives of this action and minimizes adverse economic 
impacts compared to the proposed action (Alternative 1C); the no action 
alternative (Alternative 1A) would not meet the objectives of this 
action.
    Unlike the proposed action which is based on landings through 2013, 
Alternative 1B would re-qualify a vessel for a longfin squid moratorium 
permit if it landed more than 10,000 lb (4,536 kg) of longfin squid in 
any year during 1997-2015. Based on these criteria, 224 vessel permits 
currently issued a longfin squid/butterfish moratorium permit would 
qualify for and be issued a Tier 1 longfin squid moratorium permit 
under Amendment 20. The 159 vessels that would not qualify would be 
issued a Tier 2 longfin squid moratorium permit and be restricted to 
5,000 lb (2,268 kg) of longfin squid per trip. From 2014-2016, 80 
percent of these vessels (127) did not land any longfin squid. Of the 
32 vessels that landed some longfin squid during 2014 and 2016, 6 
vessels took 32 trips that landed more than 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) of 
longfin squid, all during 2016. If such trips would have been limited 
to 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) of longfin squid, foregone revenues would have 
totaled $438,835, or $73,139 annually per vessel. This amount 
represents 7 percent of their total average annual fishing revenues of 
$1,042,770 during 2014-2016. Given the increased availability of 
longfin squid during 2016, this is likely an upper bound estimate of 
the likely impacts to affected vessels, as availability fluctuates 
yearly and these vessels did not land more than 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) of 
longfin squid from any trip during 2014 or 2015.
    Alternative 1B was not selected by the Council for several reasons. 
The year range used to requalify permits under this alternative (1997-
2015) is not consistent with the May 16, 2013, control date specified 
by the Council for this action. This control date served as

[[Page 44554]]

public notice that the Council intended to further reduce capacity in 
the longfin squid fishery and that any fishing activity after this date 
may not qualify for future access to this fishery. The preferred 
alternative incorporates the control date and would only re-qualify 
permits based on landings through 2013. Alternative 1B would also re-
qualify ten more longfin squid moratorium permits than the preferred 
alternative. These additional permits have not been regular 
participants in the squid fishery. Considering the sum of their 
individual best years from 1994-2016, these vessels have the capacity 
to land an additional 500,000 lb (227 mt) of longfin squid compared to 
vesssels qualifying under the preferred alternative based on the 
highest landings of qualifying vessels under each alternative. This 
additional fishing capacity has the potential to exacerbate seasonal 
closures implemented in the longfin squid fishery in 2014 and 2016, and 
could lead to a race to fish; excess longfin squid catch and landings, 
particularly during the spawning season; and reduced fishing 
opportunities for permits that have been more dependent on longfin 
squid based on past operations. As noted above, the Council attempted 
to mitigate economic impacts by creating a Tier 2 longfin squid 
moratorium permit that allows for moderate possession limits to vessels 
that do not re-qualify. Therefore, the Council concluded that the 
preferred alternative represented the best balance of avoiding 
excessive landings and a race to fish by not allowing too many vessels 
to target longfin squid, while ensuring that enough vessels remain in 
the fishery to achieve optimum yield and minimizing economic impacts to 
vessels that do not re-qualify.
2. Longfin Squid Incidental Permit Qualification and Incidental 
Possession Limit
    Under Amendment 20, the Council considered three alternatives to 
reduce incidental catch permits in the longfin squid fishery, including 
the no-action alternative. Of these three alternatives, only 
Alternative 3B is considered a significant alternative because it meets 
the objectives of this action and minimizes adverse economic impacts 
compared to the preferred alternative (Alternative 3C); the no action 
alternative (Alternative 3A) would not meet the objectives of this 
action. Both Alternatives 3B and 3C used the same qualifying years 
(1997-2013), but different minimum landings thresholds (2,500 lb (1,134 
kg) for Alternative 3B and 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) for Alternative 3C). 
Under each alternative, the Council considered two options for 
incidental longfin squid possession limits--250 lb (113 kg) or 500 lb 
(227 kg) per trip.
    Under Alternative 3B, 385 vessels would qualify and be issued a 
Tier 3 longfin squid moratorium permit, allowing such vessels to 
continue landing up to 2,500 lb (1,134 kg) of longfin squid per trip. 
Out of the 1,143 vessels that would not qualify for a Tier 3 permit 
under Alternative 3B, 755 (66 percent) did not have any longfin squid 
landings during the qualifying period, while 388 (34 percent) landed 
less than 2,500 lb (1,134 kg) of longfin squid during the qualification 
period. Of these 388 permits with minimal longfin squid landings, 32 
permits took 101 trips during 2014-2016 that landed 250-2,500 lb (113-
1,134 kg) of longfin squid, resulting in nearly $270,000 in longfin 
squid revenue that averaged $1,120 per year for each permit. Twenty-one 
of these vessels took 52 trips during 2014-2016 that landed between 
500-2,500 lb (226-1,134 kg) of longfin squid, averaging $1,437 per 
permit per year. Under either trip limit option, each non-qualified 
vessel would lose, on average, $1,134-$1,437 per year under Alternative 
3B. These vessels earned an average of $683,723 from the landings of 
all species during 2014-2016. Therefore, longfin squid landings from 
trips affected by Alternative 3B represented only a small fraction 
(less than one quarter of one percent) of total fishing revenue for 
these vessels.
    The Council selected Alternative 3C over Alternative 3B because the 
preferred alternative would more effectively create a system where 
vessels with incidental permits that had substantial longfin squid 
landings would keep their current possession limit and not be forced to 
discard longfin squid. It would also limit vessels without a history of 
substantial landings to a smaller possession limit. The higher minimum 
landing threshold under Alternative 3C would only require vessels to 
have made two trips maximizing the current incidental catch limit to 
qualify compared to one trip under Alternative 3B. This very low 
qualification threshold minimizes the number of non-qualified vessels 
to those that were landing minimal amounts of longfin squid in the 
past, consistent with the Council's rationale for selecting a low, but 
not the lowest, landings threshold to retain the longfin squid 
moratorium permit described above. Input from the Council's Mackerel, 
Squid, and Butterfish Advisory Panel indicated that a low possession 
limit of 250-500 lb (226-452 kg) would strongly reduce incentives to 
target longfin squid. Consistent with the objectives of this action, 
the Council preferred the lowest possession limit for incidental 
permits to eliminate incentives to target longfin squid and to minimize 
discards of squid caught as bycatch in other fisheries.
3. Longfin Squid Incidental Posession Limit Following Trimester II 
Closure
    Under Amendment 20, the Council considered three alternatives to 
reduce the longfin squid incidental possession limit for all longfin 
squid permits once the available Trimester II quota was landed, 
including the no-action alternative. The no action alternative 
(Alternative 5A) would allow all permitted longfin squid vessels to 
continue to possess up to 2,500 lb (1,134 kg) of longfin squid after 
the Trimester II quota is caught and the directed fishery is closed, 
while Alternative 5B (the Council's preferred alternative) and 5C would 
allow vessels to retain up to 250 lb (113 kg) or 500 lb (226 kg) per 
trip, respectively, after such a closure. Alternatives 5A and 5C are 
both considered significant alternatives because they meet the 
objectives of this action and minimize adverse economic impacts 
compared to the preferred alternative.
    Longfin squid landings and revenue from 2016 provide a good 
indication of potential maximum economic impacts to vessels under 
Alternatives 5A, 5B, and 5C, as longfin squid landings continued after 
the Trimester II directed fishery was closed from June 29-August 31, 
2016. Assuming squid are similarly available in the future, 2016 
landings data indicate that Alternative 5A could allow the fishery to 
land up to 5.6 million lb (2,540 mt) of longfin squid under the current 
2,500 lb (1,134 kg) incidental possession limit following the closure 
of the directed fishery in Trimester II. Nearly all of these landings 
were from trips that landed more than 250 lb (113 kg), although not all 
landings occurred in Federal waters. Using 2016 prices, these landings 
were valued at $6.4 million, and represent an upper bound estimate of 
potential revenue under Alternative 5A that potentially would be lost 
under this action. Trips landing between 250-2,500 lb (113-1,134 kg) of 
longfin squid after the closure accounted for 3.4 million lb (1,542 mt) 
of longfin squid landings valued at $4.1 million. Average vessel 
revenue for the 129 vessels that took these trips was $31,444, 
representing just 4.8 percent of their total average longfin squid 
landing revenue ($649,473) during 2016. This approximates potential 
revenue losses under Alternative 5B. For a majority of these vessels, 
longfin squid was not a

[[Page 44555]]

substantial portion of total fishery revenue in 2016, with only 14 
percent of affected vessels relying on longfin squid for more than 20 
percent of total fishery revenue. Potential revenue lost under 
Alternative 5C is reflected by trips landing between 500-2,500 lb (226-
1,134 kg), which accounted for 3.4 million lb (1,542 mt) of landings 
valued at $4.0 million during 2016. Average vessel revenue for the 123 
vessels that took these trips was $32,303, representing 5.2 percent of 
their total average longfin squid landing revenue ($620,887) during 
2016.
    The Council preferred Alternative 5B because it would better 
achieve the objectives of this action. Alternative 5B would provide 
additional control over longfin squid catch following the closure of 
the directed fishery during Trimester II and reduce negative impacts to 
longfin squid and egg mops during the spawning season. Landings after 
the 2016 Trimester II closure accounted for 30 percent of overall 
landings during that period. Excessive landings during Trimester II 
could negatively affect squid productivity and have been shown to 
reduce longfin squid catch rates in subsequent seasons. Unlike the no 
action alternative (Alternative 5A) and Alternative 5C, the preferred 
alternative would help prevent excessive longfin catch by reducing 
incentives to target longfin squid under a very low incidental 
possession limit based on input from the Council's Advisory Panel. 
During 2016, only one percent of longfin squid landings after the 
Trimester II closure occurred on trips landing 250 lb (113 kg) or less, 
suggesting that the proposed action would essentially eliminate 
excessive catch and more effectively ensure that landings do not exceed 
allowable limits during Trimester II. Although Alternative 5B would 
result in the highest potential foregone revenues among alternatives 
considered, if longfin squid remain available into Trimester III or 
future longfin squid productivity increases due to reduced effort 
during the spawning season, the preferred alternative may produce 
higher future economic returns than other alternatives.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 648

    Fisheries, Fishing, Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

    Dated: August 27, 2018.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 648 is 
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.

0
2. In Sec.  648.2, revise the definition of ``Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, 
and Butterfish Monitoring Committee'' and add definitions for 
``Calendar day,'' ``Directed fishery,'' and ``Incidental catch'' in 
alphabetical order to read as follows:


Sec.  648.2  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Monitoring Committee means 
the committee made up of staff representatives of the MAFMC and the 
NEFMC, and the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office and NEFSC of 
NMFS. The MAFMC Executive Director or a designee chairs the Committee.
* * * * *
    Calendar day, with respect to the squid and butterfish fisheries, 
means the 24-hr period beginning at 0001 hours and ending at 2400 
hours,
* * * * *
    Directed fishery, with respect to the longfin squid, Illex squid, 
and butterfish fisheries, means commercial fishery operations in which 
more than an incidental catch of each species, as defined in this 
section, is retained by a vessel.
* * * * *
    Incidental catch, with respect to the longfin squid, Illex squid, 
and butterfish fisheries, means less than 250 lb (113 kg) of longfin 
squid, 10,000 lb (4,536 kg) of Illex squid, or 600 lb (272 kg) of 
butterfish retained on board the vessel.
* * * * *
0
3. In Sec.  648.4, revise paragraph (a)(5) to read as follows:


Sec.  648.4  Vessel permits.

    (a) * * *
    (5) Mackerel, squid, and butterfish vessels. Any vessel of the 
United States, including party and charter vessels, must have been 
issued and carry on board a valid vessel permit to fish for, possess, 
or land Atlantic mackerel, squid, or butterfish in or from the EEZ.
    (i) Longfin squid moratorium permits.
    (A) Eligibility. To be eligible to apply for a moratorium permit to 
fish for and retain longfin squid in excess of the incidental catch 
allowance in paragraph (a)(5)(vi) of this section in the EEZ, a vessel 
must have been issued a longfin squid moratorium permit for the 
preceding year, be replacing a vessel that was issued a moratorium 
permit for the preceding year, or be replacing a vessel that was issued 
a confirmation of permit history. Beginning in fishing year 2018, a 
vessel may be eligible for and could be issued a Tier 1, Tier 2, or 
Tier 3 longfin squid moratorium permit if the vessel and associated 
fishing history meet the criteria described under paragraphs 
(a)(5)(i)(A)(1) through (3) of this section.
    (1) Tier 1 longfin squid moratorium permit. Beginning on [date 90 
days after the date of publication of the final rule in the Federal 
Register], the Regional Administer shall automatically issue a Tier 1 
longfin squid moratorium permit to any vessel that is issued a longfin 
squid/butterfish moratorium permit or eligible to be issued such a 
permit held in confirmation of permit history (CPH) during calendar 
year 2018 that meets the eligibility criteria in this paragraph 
(a)(5)(i)(A)(1). To be eligible for a Tier 1 permit, a vessel must have 
been issued a valid longfin squid/butterfish moratorium permit and 
landed more than 10,000 lb (4,536 kg) of longfin squid in at least one 
calendar year between January 1, 1997, and December 31, 2013. Fishing 
history, including for a permit held in confirmation of permit history, 
can be used by a vessel to qualify for and be issued a Tier 1 longfin 
squid moratorium permit, provided the Regional Administrator has 
determined that the fishing and permit history of such vessel has been 
lawfully retained by the applicant. Landings data used in this 
qualification must be verified by dealer reports submitted to NMFS. A 
vessel that was not automatically issued a Tier 1 longfin squid 
moratorium permit may apply for such a permit in accordance with 
paragraph (a)(5)(i)(B) of this section.
    (2) Tier 2 longfin squid moratorium permit. Beginning on [date 90 
days after the date of publication of the final rule in the Federal 
Register], the Regional Administer shall automatically issue a Tier 2 
longfin squid moratorium permit to any vessel that is issued a longfin 
squid/butterfish moratorium permit or eligible to be issued such a 
permit held in CPH during fishing year 2018 that does not qualify for a 
Tier 1 longfin squid moratorium permit, as described in paragraph 
(a)(5)(i)(A)(1) of this section.

[[Page 44556]]

    (3) Tier 3 longfin squid moratorium permit. To be issued a Tier 3 
permit, a vessel must have been issued an open access squid/butterfish 
permit and landed more than 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) of longfin squid in at 
least one calendar year between January 1, 1997, and December 31, 2013. 
Landings data used in this qualification must be verified by dealer 
reports submitted to NMFS.
    (B) Application/renewal restriction. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(B) of 
this section. Unless automatically issued a Tier 1 or 2 longfin squid 
moratorium permit in accordance with paragraphs (a)(5)(i)(A)(1) or (2) 
of this section, beginning on [date 90 days after the date of 
publication of the final rule in the Federal Register], a vessel owner 
may submit an initial application for a longfin squid moratorium permit 
described in paragraph (a)(5)(i)(A)(1) through (3) of this section. The 
initial application must be received by NMFS or postmarked no later 
than [date 455 days after the date of publication of the final rule in 
the Federal Register]. An initial application for a longfin squid 
moratorium permit that is not postmarked before [date 455 days after 
the date of publication of the final rule in the Federal Register], 
will not be processed because of this regulatory restriction, and will 
be returned to the sender with a letter explaining the reason for its 
return.
    (C) Qualification restriction. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(C) of this 
section. Longfin squid landings history generated by separate owners of 
a single vessel at different times during the qualification period for 
a longfin squid moratorium permit may be used to qualify more than one 
vessel, provided that each owner applying for such a permit 
demonstrates that he/she created distinct fishing histories, that such 
histories have been retained, and if the vessel was sold, that each 
applicant's eligibility and fishing history is distinct.
    (D) Change in ownership. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(D) of this 
section.
    (E) Replacement vessels. With the exception of a vessel issued a 
longfin squid Tier 3 moratorium permit, to be eligible for a longfin 
squid moratorium permit, a replacement vessel must meet the criteria 
specified in paragraph (a)(1)(i)(E) of this section.
    (F) Upgraded vessel. With the exception of a vessel issued a 
longfin squid Tier 3 moratorium permit, the upgrade provisions in 
paragraph (a)(1)(i)(F) of this section apply to a vessel issued a 
longfin squid moratorium permit.
    (G) Consolidation restriction. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(G) of this 
section.
    (H) Vessel baseline specifications. With the exception of a vessel 
issued a longfin squid Tier 3 moratorium permit, the vessel baseline 
specification measures specified in paragraph (a)(3)(i)(H) of this 
section apply to a vessel issued a longfin squid moratorium permit.
    (I) One-time longfin squid moratorium permit swap. An entity that 
owns multiple vessels issued longfin squid/butterfish moratorium 
permits as of May 26, 2017, has a one-time opportunity to swap one Tier 
1 longfin squid moratorium permit issued to one of its vessels with a 
longfin squid Tier 2 moratorium permit issued to another of its 
vessels. No other fishery permits issued under this section may be 
transferred pursuant to this paragraph (a)(5)(i)(I). To be eligible for 
the one-time longfin squid moratorium permit swap, the following 
conditions must be met:
    (1) An application to swap longfin squid moratorium permits must be 
received by the Regional Administrator within one year of the Regional 
Administrator's final decision on the issuance of the longfin squid 
Tier 1 or Tier 2 moratorium permits to be exchanged;
    (2) At the time of the application, the owner of record for both 
vessels and permits involved in the permit swap must be identical to 
the owner of record of the same two vessels issued the associated 
longfin squid/butterfish moratorium permits as of May 26, 2017;
    (3) The length overall of the vessel upon which a longfin squid 
moratorium permit would be placed may not exceed the length overall 
associated with that individual permit's vessel baseline specifications 
by more than 10 percent; and
    (4) The horsepower of the vessel upon which a longfin squid 
moratorium permit would be placed may not exceed the horsepower 
associated with that individual permit's vessel baseline specifications 
by more than 20 percent.
    (J) Confirmation of permit history. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(J) of 
this section.
    (K) Abandonment or voluntary relinquishment of permits. See 
paragraph (a)(1)(i)(K) of this section.
    (L) Restriction on permit splitting. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(L) of 
this section.
    (M) Appeal of permit denial.
    (1) Eligibility. Any applicant eligible to apply for a longfin 
squid moratorium permit who is denied such permit by the Regional 
Administrator may appeal the denial to the Regional Administrator 
within 30 days of the notice of denial.
    (2) Appeal review. Review of the Regional Administrator's decisions 
on longfin squid moratorium permit issuance will be conducted by the 
NOAA Fisheries National Appeals Office pursuant to the procedures set 
forth in 15 CFR part 906, unless otherwise modified by the procedures 
described here. The National Appeals Office shall make findings and 
submit its decision to the Regional Administrator and the applicant. 
The Regional Administrator will review the National Appeals Office 
decision and make a final decision regarding any appeal in accordance 
with 15 CFR 906.17. The Regional Administrator's decision is the final 
decision of the Department of Commerce.
    (i) Appeal request. An appeal of the denial of an initial permit 
application must be made in writing and submitted to and received by 
the Regional Administrator or postmarked no later than 30 days after 
the denial of an initial longfin squid moratorium permit application. 
Upon receipt, the Regional Administrator shall forward each appeal 
request to the National Appeals Office. Appeals must be based on the 
grounds that the information used by the Regional Administrator in 
denying the original permit application was incorrect. Items subject to 
appeal include, but are not limited to, the accuracy of the amount of 
landings, the correct assignment of landings to a vessel and/or permit 
holder, and the issuance of a permit to a particular entity. The appeal 
request must state the specific grounds for the appeal, and include 
information to support the appeal. An appellant may request a hearing 
by including a concise statement raising genuine and substantial issues 
of a material fact or law that cannot be resolved based on the 
documentary evidence alone. An appellant may also request a letter of 
authorization (LOA), as described in paragraph (a)(5)(i)(M)(3) of this 
section, to continue to fish during an appeal. If the appeal of the 
denial of the permit application is not made within 30 days, the denial 
of the permit application shall constitute the final decision of the 
Department of Commerce. The appeal will not be reviewed without 
submission of information in support of the appeal.
    (ii) Reconsideration. Should the National Appeals Office deny an 
appeal request submitted according to paragraph (a)(5)(i)(M)(2)(i) of 
this section, the applicant may request a reconsideration of the appeal 
by the National Appeals Office. A reconsideration request must be made 
in writing and submitted to the National Appeals Office within 10 days 
of that office's decision on the appeal, as

[[Page 44557]]

instructed by the National Appeals Office.
    (3) Status of vessels pending appeal. A vessel denied a longfin 
squid moratorium permit may fish for longfin squid while the decision 
on the appeal is pending within NMFS, provided that the denial has been 
appealed, the appeal is pending, and the vessel has on board an LOA 
from the Regional Administrator authorizing the vessel to fish under 
the longfin squid moratorium permit category for which the applicant 
has submitted an appeal. A request for an LOA must be made when 
submitting an appeal of the denial of the permit application. The 
Regional Administrator will issue such a letter for the pending period 
of any appeal. The LOA must be carried on board the vessel. If the 
appeal is finally denied, the Regional Administrator shall send a 
notice of final denial to the vessel owner; the authorizing letter 
becomes invalid 5 days after the receipt of the notice of denial, but 
no later than 10 days from the date of the letter of denial.
    (ii) Illex squid and butterfish moratorium permits.
    (A) Eligibility. To be eligible to apply for a moratorium permit to 
fish for and retain Illex squid or butterfish in excess of the 
incidental catch allowance in paragraph (a)(5)(iv) of this section in 
the EEZ, a vessel must have been issued an Illex squid or butterfish 
moratorium permit for the preceding year, be replacing a vessel that 
was issued a moratorium permit for the preceding year, or be replacing 
a vessel that was issued a confirmation of permit history. Beginning on 
[date 90 days after the date of publication of the final rule in the 
Federal Register], a vessel that was previously issued a longfin squid/
butterfish moratorium permit during fishing year 2018 shall be 
automatically issued a separate butterfish moratorium permit.
    (B) Application/renewal restriction. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(B) of 
this section.
    (C) Qualification restriction. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(C) of this 
section.
    (D) Change in ownership. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(D) of this 
section.
    (E) Replacement vessels. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(E) of this 
section.
    (F) Upgraded vessel. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(F) of this section.
    (G) Consolidation restriction. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(G) of this 
section.
    (H) Vessel baseline specifications. See paragraph (a)(3)(i)(H) of 
this section.
    (I) [Reserved]
    (J) Confirmation of permit history. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(J) of 
this section.
    (K) Abandonment or voluntary relinquishment of permits. See 
paragraph (a)(1)(i)(K) of this section.
    (L) Restriction on permit splitting. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(L) of 
this section.
    (iii) Limited access Atlantic mackerel permits. (A) Vessel size 
restriction. A vessel of the United States is eligible for and may be 
issued an Atlantic mackerel permit to fish for, possess, or land 
Atlantic mackerel in or from the EEZ, except for any vessel that is 
greater than or equal to 165 ft (50.3 m) in length overall (LOA), or 
greater than 750 gross registered tons (680.4 mt), or the vessel's 
total main propulsion machinery is greater than 3,000 horsepower. 
Vessels that exceed the size or horsepower restrictions may seek to 
obtain an at-sea processing permit specified in Sec.  648.6(a)(2)(i).
    (B) Limited access mackerel permits. A vessel of the United States 
that fishes for, possesses, or lands more than 20,000 lb (9,072 kg) of 
mackerel per trip, except vessels that fish exclusively in state waters 
for mackerel, must have been issued and carry on board one of the 
limited access mackerel permits described in paragraphs 
(a)(5)(iii)(B)(1) through (3) of this section, including both vessels 
engaged in pair trawl operations.
    (1) Tier 1 Limited Access Mackerel Permit. A vessel may fish for, 
possess, and land mackerel not subject to a trip limit, provided the 
vessel qualifies for and has been issued this permit, subject to all 
other regulations of this part.
    (2) Tier 2 Limited Access Mackerel Permit. A vessel may fish for, 
possess, and land up to 135,000 lb (50 mt) of mackerel per trip, 
provided the vessel qualifies for and has been issued this permit, 
subject to all other regulations of this part.
    (3) Tier 3 Limited Access Mackerel Permit. A vessel may fish for, 
possess, and land up to 100,000 lb (37.3 mt) of mackerel per trip, 
provided the vessel qualifies for and has been issued this permit, 
subject to all other regulations of this part.
    (C) Eligibility criteria for mackerel permits. To be eligible to 
apply for a Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 3 limited access mackerel permit to 
fish for and retain Atlantic mackerel in excess of the incidental catch 
allowance in paragraph (a)(5)(vi) of this section in the EEZ, a vessel 
must have been issued a Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 3 limited access 
mackerel permit, as applicable, for the preceding year, be replacing a 
vessel that was issued a limited access permit for the preceding year, 
or be replacing a vessel that was issued a confirmation of permit 
history.
    (D) Application/renewal restrictions. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(B) of 
this section.
    (E) Qualification restrictions. (1) See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(C) of 
this section.
    (F) Change of ownership. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(D) of this 
section.
    (G) Replacement vessels. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(E) of this 
section.
    (H) Vessel baseline specification. (1) In addition to the baseline 
specifications specified in paragraph (a)(1)(i)(H) of this section, the 
volumetric fish hold capacity of a vessel at the time it was initially 
issued a Tier 1 or Tier 2 limited access mackerel permit will be 
considered a baseline specification. The fish hold capacity measurement 
must be certified by one of the following qualified individuals or 
entities: an individual credentialed as a Certified Marine Surveyor 
with a fishing specialty by the National Association of Marine 
Surveyors (NAMS); an individual credentialed as an Accredited Marine 
Surveyor with a fishing specialty by the Society of Accredited Marine 
Surveyors (SAMS); employees or agents of a classification society 
approved by the Coast Guard pursuant to 46 U.S.C. 3316(c); the Maine 
State Sealer of Weights and Measures; a professionally-licensed and/or 
registered Marine Engineer; or a Naval Architect with a professional 
engineer license. The fish hold capacity measurement submitted to NMFS 
as required in this paragraph (a)(5)(iii)(H)(1) must include a signed 
certification by the individual or entity that completed the 
measurement, specifying how they meet the definition of a qualified 
individual or entity.
    (2) If a mackerel CPH is initially issued, the vessel that provided 
the CPH eligibility establishes the size baseline against which future 
vessel size limitations shall be evaluated, unless the applicant has a 
vessel under contract prior to the submission of the mackerel limited 
access application. If the vessel that established the CPH is less than 
20 ft (6.09 m) in length overall, then the baseline specifications 
associated with other limited access permits in the CPH suite will be 
used to establish the mackerel baseline specifications. If the vessel 
that established the CPH is less than 20 ft (6.09 m) in length overall, 
the limited access mackerel eligibility was established on another 
vessel, and there are no other limited access permits in the CPH suite, 
then the applicant must submit valid documentation of the baseline 
specifications of the vessel that established the eligibility. The hold 
capacity baseline for such vessels will be the hold capacity of the 
first replacement vessel after the permits are removed from CPH. Hold 
capacity for the replacement vessel must be measured pursuant to 
paragraph (a)(5)(iii)(H)(1) of this section.

[[Page 44558]]

    (I) Upgraded vessel. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(F) of this section. In 
addition, for Tier 1 and Tier 2 limited access mackerel permits, the 
replacement vessel's volumetric fish hold capacity may not exceed by 
more than 10 percent the volumetric fish hold capacity of the vessel's 
baseline specifications. The modified fish hold, or the fish hold of 
the replacement vessel, must be resurveyed by a surveyor (accredited as 
in paragraph (a)(5)(iii)(H) of this section) unless the replacement 
vessel already had an appropriate certification.
    (J) Consolidation restriction. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(G) of this 
section.
    (K) Confirmation of permit history. See paragraph (a)(1)(i)(J) of 
this section.
    (L) Abandonment or voluntary relinquishment of permits. See 
paragraph (a)(1)(i)(K) of this section.
    (iv) Atlantic mackerel incidental catch permits. Any vessel of the 
United States may obtain a permit to fish for or retain up to 20,000 lb 
(9,072 kg) of Atlantic mackerel as an incidental catch in another 
directed fishery, provided that the vessel does not exceed the size 
restrictions specified in paragraph (a)(5)(iii)(A) of this section. The 
incidental catch allowance may be revised by the Regional Administrator 
based upon a recommendation by the Council following the procedure set 
forth in Sec.  648.21.
    (v) Party and charter boat permits. The owner of any party or 
charter boat must obtain a permit to fish for, possess, or retain in or 
from the EEZ mackerel, squid, or butterfish while carrying passengers 
for hire.
    (vi) Squid/butterfish incidental catch permit. Any vessel of the 
United States may obtain a permit to fish for or retain up to 250 lb 
(113 kg) of longfin squid, 600 lb (272 kg) of butterfish, or up to 
10,000 lb (4,536 kg) of Illex squid, as an incidental catch in another 
directed fishery. The incidental catch allowance may be revised by the 
Regional Administrator based upon a recommendation by the Council 
following the procedure set forth in Sec.  648.22.
* * * * *
0
4. In Sec.  648.7, revise paragraphs (a)(1), (b)(3)(iii), and (f)(2)(i) 
to read as follows:


Sec.  648.7   Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

    (a) * * *
    (1) Federally permitted dealers, and any individual acting in the 
capacity of a dealer, must submit to the Regional Administrator or to 
the official designee a detailed report of all fish purchased or 
received for a commercial purpose, other than solely for transport on 
land, within the time period specified in paragraph (f) of this 
section, by one of the available electronic reporting mechanisms 
approved by NMFS, unless otherwise directed by the Regional 
Administrator. The dealer reporting requirements specified in this 
paragraph (a)(1) for dealers purchasing or receiving for a commercial 
purpose Atlantic chub mackerel are effective through December 31, 2020. 
The following information, and any other information required by the 
Regional Administrator, must be provided in each report:
    (i) Required information. All dealers issued a dealer permit under 
this part must provide: Dealer name; dealer permit number; name and 
permit number or name and hull number (USCG documentation number or 
state registration number, whichever is applicable) of vessel(s) from 
which fish are purchased or received; trip identifier for each trip 
from which fish are purchased or received from a commercial fishing 
vessel permitted under this part; date(s) of purchases and receipts; 
units of measure and amount by species (by market category, if 
applicable); price per unit by species (by market category, if 
applicable) or total value by species (by market category, if 
applicable); port landed; cage tag numbers for surfclams and ocean 
quahogs, if applicable; disposition of the seafood product; and any 
other information deemed necessary by the Regional Administrator. If no 
fish are purchased or received during a reporting week, a report so 
stating must be submitted.
    (ii) Exceptions. The following exceptions apply to reporting 
requirements for dealers permitted under this part:
    (A) Inshore Exempted Species, as defined in Sec.  648.2, are not 
required to be reported under this part;
    (B) When purchasing or receiving fish from a vessel landing in a 
port located outside of the Greater Atlantic Region (Maine, New 
Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New 
Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and North Carolina), 
only purchases or receipts of species managed by the Greater Atlantic 
Region under this part, and American lobster, managed under part 697 of 
this chapter, must be reported. Other reporting requirements may apply 
to those species not managed by the Northeast Region, which are not 
affected by this provision; and
    (C) Dealers issued a permit for Atlantic bluefin tuna under part 
635 of this chapter are not required to report their purchases or 
receipts of Atlantic bluefin tuna under this part. Other reporting 
requirements, as specified in Sec.  635.5 of this chapter, apply to the 
receipt of Atlantic bluefin tuna.
* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (iii) Longfin squid moratorium permit owners or operators. The 
owner or operator of a vessel issued a longfin squid moratorium permit 
must report catch (retained and discarded) of longfin squid daily via 
VMS, unless exempted by the Regional Administrator. The report must 
include at least the following information, and any other information 
required by the Regional Administrator: Fishing Vessel Trip Report 
serial number; month, day, and year longfin squid was caught; total 
pounds longfin squid retained and total pounds of all fish retained. 
Daily longfin squid VMS catch reports must be submitted in 24-hr 
intervals for each day and must be submitted by 0900 hr on the 
following day. Reports are required even if longfin squid caught that 
day have not yet been landed. This report does not exempt the owner or 
operator from other applicable reporting requirements of this section.
* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (i) For any vessel not issued a NE multispecies; Atlantic herring 
permit; or any Atlantic mackerel, longfin squid, Illex squid, or 
butterfish permit; fishing vessel log reports, required by paragraph 
(b)(1)(i) of this section, must be postmarked or received by NMFS 
within 15 days after the end of the reporting month. For any vessel 
issued a NE multispecies permit; Atlantic herring permit; or any 
Atlantic mackerel, longfin squid, Illex squid, or butterfish permit; 
fishing vessel log reports must be postmarked or received by midnight 
of the first Tuesday following the end of the reporting week. For the 
purposes of this paragraph (f)(2)(i), the date when fish are offloaded 
will establish the reporting week or month the VTR must be submitted to 
NMFS, as appropriate.
* * * * *
0
5. In Sec.  648.10, revise paragraphs (b)(9) through (11), (e)(5)(i), 
(o), and (p); and add paragraph (b)(12) to read as follows:


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

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (9) A vessel issued a Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 3 limited access 
Atlantic mackerel permit;
    (10) A vessel issued a Tier 1 or Tier 2 longfin squid moratorium 
permit;
    (11) A vessel issued an Illex squid moratorium permit; or

[[Page 44559]]

    (12) A vessel issued a butterfish moratorium permit.
* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (5) * * *
    (i) A vessel subject to the VMS requirements of Sec.  648.9 and 
paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section that has crossed the VMS 
Demarcation Line under paragraph (a) of this section is deemed to be 
fishing under the DAS program, the Access Area Program, the LAGC IFQ or 
NGOM scallop fishery, or other fishery requiring the operation of VMS 
as applicable, unless prior to leaving port, the vessel's owner or 
authorized representative declares the vessel out of the scallop, NE 
multispecies, monkfish, or any other fishery, as applicable, for a 
specific time period. NMFS must be notified by transmitting the 
appropriate VMS code through the VMS, or unless the vessel's owner or 
authorized representative declares the vessel will be fishing in the 
Eastern U.S./Canada Area, as described in Sec.  648.85(a)(3)(ii), under 
the provisions of that program.
* * * * *
    (o) Longfin squid VMS notification requirement. A vessel issued a 
Tier 1 or Tier 2 longfin squid moratorium permit intending to harvest, 
possess, or land more than 2,500 lb (1.13 mt) of longfin squid on that 
trip must notify NMFS by declaring a longfin squid trip before leaving 
port at the start of each trip.
    (p) Illex squid VMS notification requirement. A vessel issued an 
Illex squid moratorium permit intending to harvest, possess, or land 
10,000 lb (4,536 kg) or more of Illex squid on that trip must notify 
NMFS by declaring an Illex squid trip before leaving port at the start 
of each trip.
* * * * *
0
6. In Sec.  648.11, revise the introductory text in paragraph (n)(2) 
and paragraphs (n)(3)(i) and (ii) to read as follows:


Sec.  648.11   At-sea sea sampler/observer coverage.

* * * * *
    (n) * * *
    (2) Sampling requirements for limited access Atlantic mackerel or 
Tier 1 or 2 longfin squid, or butterfish moratorium permit holders. In 
addition to the requirements in paragraphs (d)(1) through (7) of this 
section, an owner or operator of a vessel issued a limited access 
Atlantic mackerel or a longfin squid or butterfish moratorium permit on 
which a NMFS-approved observer is embarked must provide observers:
* * * * *
    (3) * * *
    (i) No vessel issued a limited access Atlantic mackerel permit or a 
longfin squid or butterfish moratorium permit may slip catch, as 
defined at Sec.  648.2, except in the following circumstances:
    (A) The vessel operator has determined, and the preponderance of 
available evidence indicates that, there is a compelling safety reason; 
or
    (B) A mechanical failure, including gear damage, precludes bringing 
some or all of the catch on board the vessel for sampling and 
inspection; or
    (C) The vessel operator determines that pumping becomes impossible 
as a result of spiny dogfish clogging the pump intake. The vessel 
operator shall take reasonable measures, such as strapping and 
splitting the net, to remove all fish that can be pumped from the net 
prior to release.
    (ii) If a vessel issued any limited access Atlantic mackerel permit 
slips catch, the vessel operator must report the slippage event on the 
Atlantic mackerel and longfin squid daily VMS catch report and indicate 
the reason for slipping catch. Additionally, for a vessel issued a 
limited Atlantic mackerel permit or a longfin squid or butterfish 
moratorium permit, the vessel operator must complete and sign a 
Released Catch Affidavit detailing: The vessel name and permit number; 
the VTR serial number; where, when, and the reason for slipping catch; 
the estimated weight of each species brought on board or slipped on 
that tow. A completed affidavit must be submitted to NMFS within 48 hr 
of the end of the trip.
* * * * *
0
7. In Sec.  648.13, revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:


Sec.  648.13  Transfers at sea.

    (a) Vessels issued a longfin squid, butterfish, or Illex squid 
moratorium permit and vessels issued a squid/butterfish incidental 
catch permit may transfer or attempt to transfer or receive longfin 
squid, Illex squid, or butterfish only if authorized in writing by the 
Regional Administrator through the issuance of a letter of 
authorization (LOA).
* * * * *
0
8. In Sec.  648.14, revise paragraphs (g)(1)(i), (g)(1)(ii)(B), 
(g)(2)(i), (g)(2)(ii)(A), (g)(2)(ii)(D) and (F), (g)(2)(iii)(A), 
introductory text for (g)(2)(v), (g)(2)(v)(A), and (g)(2)(vi); and add 
paragraph (g)(2)(ii)(H) to read as follows:


Sec.  648.14  Prohibitions.

    (g) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (i) Possession and landing. Take and retain, possess, or land more 
Atlantic mackerel, squid or butterfish than specified under, or after 
the effective date of, a notification issued under Sec. Sec.  648.22 or 
648.24(d).
    (ii) * * *
    (B) Transfer longfin squid, Illex squid, or butterfish within the 
EEZ, unless the vessels participating in the transfer have been issued 
the appropriate LOA from the Regional Administrator along with a valid 
longfin squid, butterfish, or Illex squid moratorium permit and are 
transferring species for which the vessels are permitted, or a valid 
squid/butterfish incidental catch permit.
* * * * *
    (2) * * *
    (i) General requirement. Fail to comply with any measures 
implemented pursuant to Subpart B.
    (ii) * * *
    (A) Possess more than the incidental catch allowance of longfin 
squid, unless issued a longfin squid moratorium permit.
* * * * *
    (D) Take and retain, possess, or land mackerel, squid, or 
butterfish in excess of a possession limit specified in Sec.  648.26.
* * * * *
    (F) Take and retain, possess, or land mackerel after a total 
closure specified under Sec.  648.24(b)(1).
* * * * *
    (H) Possess more than the incidental catch allowance of butterfish, 
unless issued a butterfish moratorium permit.
    (iii) * * *
    (A) Fish with or possess nets or netting that do not meet the gear 
requirements for Atlantic mackerel, longfin squid, Illex squid, or 
butterfish specified in Sec.  648.23(a); or that are modified, 
obstructed, or constricted, if subject to the minimum mesh 
requirements, unless the nets or netting are stowed and not available 
for immediate use as defined in Sec.  648.2 or the vessel is fishing 
under an exemption specified in Sec.  648.23(a)(5).
* * * * *
    (v) VMS reporting requirements in the directed Atlantic mackerel 
longfin squid, and Illex squid fisheries.
    (A) Fail to declare via VMS into the directed mackerel, longfin 
squid,, or Illex squid fisheries by entering the fishery code prior to 
leaving port at the start of each trip if the vessel will harvest, 
possess, or land more than an incidental catch of Atlantic mackerel, 
longfin squid, or Illex squid and is issued a Limited Access Atlantic 
mackerel permit, Tier 1 or Tier 2 longfin squid moratorium permit, or 
Illex squid moratorium permit.
* * * * *
    (vi) Slip catch, as defined at Sec.  648.2, unless for one of the 
reasons specified

[[Page 44560]]

at Sec.  648.11(n)(3)(i) if issued a limited access Atlantic mackerel 
permit, or a longfin squid or a butterfish moratorium permit.
* * * * *
0
9. In Sec.  648.22, revise paragraphs (a),(b)(1)(i)(B), (c)(3), and 
(c)(6) to read as follows:


Sec.  648.22   Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish specifications.

    (a) Initial recommended annual specifications. The Atlantic 
Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Monitoring Committee (Monitoring 
Committee) shall meet annually to develop and recommend the following 
specifications for consideration by the Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish 
Committee of the MAFMC:
    (1) Illex squid--Initial OY (IOY), including Research Set-Aside 
(RSA), domestic annual harvest (DAH), and domestic annual processing 
(DAP) for Illex squid, which, subject to annual review, may be 
specified for a period of up to 3 years;
    (2) Butterfish--ACL; ACT including RSA, DAH, DAP; bycatch level of 
the total allowable level of foreign fishing (TALFF), if any; and 
butterfish mortality cap for the longfin squid fishery for butterfish; 
which, subject to annual review, may be specified for a period of up to 
3 years;
    (3) Atlantic mackerel--ACL; commercial ACT, including RSA, DAH, 
mackerel Tier 3 allocation (up to 7 percent of the DAH), DAP; joint 
venture processing (JVP) if any; TALFF, if any; and recreational ACT, 
including RSA for mackerel; which, subject to annual review, may be 
specified for a period of up to 3 years. The Monitoring Committee may 
also recommend that certain ratios of TALFF, if any, for mackerel to 
purchases of domestic harvested fish and/or domestic processed fish be 
established in relation to the initial annual amounts.
    (4) Longfin squid -
    (i) IOY, including RSA, DAH, and DAP for longfin squid, which, 
subject to annual review, may be specified for a period of up to 3 
years; and
    (ii) Inseason adjustment, upward or downward, to the specifications 
for longfin squid, as specified in paragraph (e) of this section.
    (b) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (B) Illex squid--Catch associated with a fishing mortality rate of 
FMSY.
* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (3) The amount of longfin squid, Illex squid, and butterfish that 
may be retained and landed by vessels issued the incidental catch 
permit specified in Sec.  648.4(a)(5)(vi), and the amount of mackerel 
that may be retained, possessed and landed by any of the limited access 
mackerel permits described at Sec.  648.4(a)(5)(iii) and the incidental 
mackerel permit at Sec.  648.4(a)(5)(iv).
* * * * *
    (6) Commercial seasonal quotas/closures for longfin squid and Illex 
squid, and allocation for the Tier 3 Limited Access Mackerel permit.
* * * * *
0
10. In Sec.  648.24, revise paragraph (c)(1) to read as follows:


Sec.  648.24  Fishery closures and accountability measures.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (1) Directed butterfish fishery closure. When the butterfish catch 
reaches the butterfish closure threshold as determined in the annual 
specifications, NMFS shall implement a 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) possession 
limit for vessels issued a butterfish moratorium permit that are 
fishing with a minimum mesh size of 3 inches (76 mm). When NMFS 
projects that the butterfish catch has reached the butterfish DAH, as 
determined in the annual specifications, NMFS shall implement a 600 lb 
(272 kg) possession limit for all vessels issued a longfin squid or 
butterfish moratorium permit, or a squid/butterfish incidental catch 
permit.
* * * * *
0
11. In Sec.  648.25, revise paragraph (a)(4)(i) to read as follows:


Sec.  648.25   Atlantic Mackerel, squid, and butterfish framework 
adjustments to management measures.

    (a) * * *
    (4) * * *
    (i) If NMFS concurs with the MAFMC's recommended management 
measures and determines that the recommended management measures should 
be issued as a final rule based on the factors specified in paragraph 
(a)(3) of this section, the measures will be issued as a final rule in 
the Federal Register.
* * * * *
0
12. In Sec.  648.26, revise paragraphs (b) through (d) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  648.26   Mackerel, squid, and butterfish possession restrictions.

* * * * *
    (b) Longfin squid.
    (1) Directed fishery. A vessel must be issued a valid longfin squid 
moratorium permit to fish for, possess, or land more than 250 lb (113 
kg) of longfin squid from or in the EEZ per trip. Unless the directed 
fishery is closed pursuant to paragraph Sec.  648.24(a)(1), the 
following longfin squid possession limits apply:
    (i) Tier 1 moratorium permits. A vessel issued a Tier 1 longfin 
squid moratorium permit may possess an unlimited amount of longfin 
squid per trip.
    (ii) Tier 2 moratorium permits. A vessel issued a Tier 2 longfin 
squid moratorium permit may not fish for, possess, or land more than 
5,000 lb (2,268 kg) of longfin squid per trip, and may only land 
longfin squid once on any calendar day.
    (iii) Tier 3 moratorium permits. A vessel issued a Tier 3 longfin 
squid moratorium permit may not fish for, possess, or land more than 
2,500 lb (1,134 kg) of longfin squid per trip, and may only land 
longfin squid once on any calendar day.
    (2) Incidental fishery.
    (i) A vessel issued an open access squid/butterfish incidental 
catch permit may not fish for, possess, or land more than 250 lb (113 
kg) of longfin squid from or in the EEZ per trip, and may only land 
longfin squid once on any calendar day.
    (ii) During a closure of the directed longfin squid fishery in 
either Trimester I or III pursuant to paragraph Sec.  648.24(a)(1), a 
vessel may not fish for, possess, or land more than 2,500 lb (1,134 kg) 
of longfin squid at any time per trip, and may only land longfin squid 
once on any calendar day.
    (iii) Unless otherwise specified in paragraph (b)(2)(iv) of this 
section, during a closure of the directed longfin squid fishery in 
Trimester II pursuant to Sec.  648.24(a)(1), a vessel may not fish for, 
possess, or land more than 250 lb (113 kg) of longfin squid at any time 
per trip, and may only land longfin squid once on any calendar day.
    (iv) During a closure of the directed longfin squid fishery in 
Trimester II, a vessel issued either a Tier 1 or Tier 2 longfin squid 
moratorium permit may possess more than 250 lb (113 kg) of longfin 
squid per trip, provided the following conditions are met:
    (A) The vessel operator has declared into the directed Illex squid 
fishery via VMS, as specified in Sec.  648.10;
    (B) The vessel is seaward of the coordinates specified at Sec.  
648.23(a)(5);
    (C) The vessel possesses more than 10,000 lb (4,536 kg) of Illex 
squid on board;
    (D) The vessel possesses less than 15,000 lb (6,803 kg) of longfin 
squid if issued a Tier 1 longfin squid moratorium permit or 5,000 lb 
(2,268 kg) of longfin squid if issued a Tier 2 longfin squid moratorium 
permit; and

[[Page 44561]]

    (E) All fishing gear is stowed and rendered not available for 
immediate use, as defined in Sec.  648.2, once the vessel is landward 
of the coordinates specified at Sec.  648.23(a)(5).
    (c) Illex squid.
    (1) Directed fishery. A vessel must be issued a valid Illex squid 
moratorium permit to fish for, possess, or land more than 10,000 lb 
(4,536 kg) of Illex squid from or in the EEZ per trip. Unless the 
directed fishery is closed pursuant to paragraph Sec.  648.24(a)(2), a 
vessel issued an Illex moratorium permit may possess an unlimited 
amount of Illex squid per trip.
    (2) Incidental fishery. A vessel may not fish for, possess, or land 
more than 10,000 lb (4,536 kg) of Illex squid per trip at any time, and 
may only land Illex squid once on any calendar day if:
    (i) A vessel is issued an open access squid/butterfish incidental 
catch permit; or
    (ii) A vessel is issued an Illex moratorium permit and the directed 
fishery is closed pursuant to paragraph Sec.  648.24(a)(2).
    (d) Butterfish. Any vessel issued a butterfish permit under this 
part may only land butterfish once on any calendar day.
    (1) Directed fishery. A vessel must be issued a butterfish 
moratorium permit to fish for, possess, or land more than 600 lb (272 
kg) of butterfish per trip.
    (i) Vessels fishing with larger mesh. A vessel issued a butterfish 
moratorium permit fishing with a minimum mesh size of 3 inches (76 mm) 
is authorized to fish for, possess, or land butterfish with no 
possession restriction in the EEZ per trip, provided that directed 
butterfish fishery has not been closed and the reduced possession limit 
has not been implemented, as specified in Sec.  648.24(c)(1). When 
butterfish harvest is projected to reach the threshold for the 
butterfish fishery, as specified in Sec.  648.24(c)(1), these vessels 
may not fish for, possess, or land more than 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) of 
butterfish per trip at any time. When butterfish harvest is projected 
to reach the DAH limit, as specified in Sec.  648.24(c)(1), these 
vessels may not fish for, possess, or land more than 600 lb (272 kg) of 
butterfish per trip at any time.
    (ii) Vessels fishing with smaller mesh. A vessel issued a 
butterfish moratorium permit fishing with mesh less than 3 inches (76 
mm) may not fish for, possess, or land more than 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) of 
butterfish per trip at any time, provided that butterfish harvest has 
not reached the DAH limit and the reduced possession limit has not been 
implemented, as described in Sec.  648.24(c)(1). When butterfish 
harvest is projected to reach the DAH limit, as described in Sec.  
648.24(c)(1), these vessels may not fish for, possess, or land more 
than 600 lb (272 kg) of butterfish per trip at any time.
    (2) Incidental fishery. A vessel issued a squid/butterfish 
incidental catch permit, regardless of mesh size used, may not fish 
for, possess, or land more than 600 lb (272 kg) of butterfish per trip 
at any.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2018-18934 Filed 8-30-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P