Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fisheries; Framework Adjustment 14, 38919-38926 [2019-16980]
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 153 / Thursday, August 8, 2019 / Proposed Rules
takes further action,’’ to correct the
dates.
Dated: August 5, 2019.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019–16996 Filed 8–7–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 648
[Docket No. 190802–0010]
RIN 0648–BI93
Fisheries of the Northeastern United
States; Summer Flounder, Scup, and
Black Sea Bass Fisheries; Framework
Adjustment 14
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule; request for
comments.
AGENCY:
NMFS proposes
modifications to aspects of the
commercial and recreational summer
flounder, scup, and black sea bass
management program, as recommended
by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery
Management Council. NMFS proposes
these management measure adjustments
to provide an opportunity for public
comment. The intent of this action is to
allow for more flexibility in the
management of these species.
DATES: Comments must be received by
September 9, 2019.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
on this document, identified by NOAA–
NMFS–2019–0049, by either of the
following methods:
Electronic submission: Submit all
electronic public comments via the
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.
• Go to www.regulations.gov/
#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-20190049,
• Click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon,
complete the required fields
• Enter or attach your comments.
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SUMMARY:
OR
Mail: Submit written comments to
Michael Pentony, Regional
Administrator, Greater Atlantic Region,
55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester,
MA 01930.
Instructions: Comments sent by any
other method, to any other address or
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individual, or received after the end of
the comment period, may not be
considered by NMFS. All comments
received are a part of the public record
and will generally be posted for public
viewing on www.regulations.gov
without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address, etc.),
confidential business information, or
otherwise sensitive information
submitted voluntarily by the sender will
be publicly accessible. NMFS will
accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/
A’’ in the required fields if you wish to
remain anonymous).
An environmental assessment (EA)
was prepared for this action that
describes the proposed measures and
other considered alternatives, and
provides an analysis of the impacts of
the proposed measures and alternatives.
Copies of the EA are available on
request from Dr. Christopher M. Moore,
Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic
Fishery Management Council, Suite 201,
800 North State Street, Dover, DE 19901.
These documents are also accessible via
the internet at https://www.mafmc.org/s/
SFSBSB_Framework14_EA.pdf.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Emily Gilbert, Fishery Policy Analyst,
(978) 281–9244.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
General Background
The summer flounder, scup, and
black sea bass fisheries are managed
cooperatively under the provisions of
the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black
Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan
(FMP) developed by the Mid-Atlantic
Fishery Management Council and the
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries
Commission, in consultation with the
New England and South Atlantic
Fishery Management Councils. The
management units specified in the FMP
include summer flounder (Paralichthys
dentatus) in U.S. waters of the Atlantic
Ocean from the southern border of
North Carolina northward to the U.S./
Canada border, and scup (Stenotomus
chrysops) and black sea bass
(Centropristis striata) in U.S. waters of
the Atlantic Ocean from 35°13.3′ N lat.
(the approximate latitude of Cape
Hatteras, North Carolina). States manage
these three species within 3 nautical
miles (4.83 km) of their coasts, under
the Commission’s management plan for
summer flounder, scup, and black sea
bass. The applicable species-specific
Federal regulations govern vessels and
individual fishermen commercially
fishing in Federal waters of the
exclusive economic zone, as well as
vessels possessing a summer flounder,
scup, or black sea bass Federal charter/
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party vessel permit, regardless of where
they fish. This rule proposes
management measures intended to
provide more flexibility in the
commercial and recreational fisheries
for these species and includes the
following modifications to the FMP:
• Include conservation equivalency
as an annual management consideration
for the black sea bass recreational
fishery;
• Create a Federal waters transit zone
for non-federally permitted vessels
fishing in state waters around Block
Island Sound; and
• Incorporate a maximum
recreational size limit in the list of
potential specification measures for
summer flounder and black sea bass.
These measures, which are further
explained below, are consistent with the
recommendations of the Council and
the Commission’s Summer Flounder,
Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management
Board for this action.
Proposed Management Measures
Black Sea Bass Conservation
Equivalency
This action proposes to allow
conservation equivalency for future use
in the recreational black sea bass fishery
based on the process currently used for
summer flounder. Under conservation
equivalency, the Council and Board
would decide each year whether to use
Federal coastwide measures or
conservation equivalency to manage the
recreational black sea bass fishery.
Conservation equivalency would waive
Federal measures so long as the states
implement appropriate measures. If they
agree to use conservation equivalency,
they must also develop a set of nonpreferred coastwide measures
(minimum and/or maximum fish size
limit, possession limit, and season) that
would be expected to prevent harvest
from exceeding the annual recreational
harvest limit. The Council and Board
must also recommend a suite of
precautionary default measures that
would apply to all recreational anglers
and Federal party/charter permit
holders fishing in Federal waters and
landing black sea bass in states that do
not develop and implement
Commission-approved conservationally
equivalent measures.
If the Council and Board agree to use
conservation equivalency in a given
year, the Board would determine the
states’ management program to
implement conservation equivalency for
black sea bass in any given year through
a separate action. After reviewing and
approving the state/regional proposals,
the Commission would submit a letter
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to us certifying that the combination of
state and regional measures is expected
to prevent black sea bass harvest from
exceeding that year’s recreational
harvest limit. Based on the
Commission’s certification, we would
be able to approve conservation
equivalency and waive Federal
measures for the remainder of the
calendar year in favor of the state or
regional conservation equivalency
measures. Federally-permitted vessels
and vessels fishing in Federal waters
would then be subject to the regulations
in the states where they land their catch.
If the Commission submits a letter to us
announcing that a state or states have
not implemented appropriate measures,
the state(s) would be required to
implement precautionary default
measures in state waters through the
Commission, and we would similarly
apply those precautionary default
measures to recreational anglers and
Federal party/charter permit holders
landing black sea bass in applicable
states. If a state or region implements
measures which are not approved, the
Commission would require the
precautionary default measures to be
enforced in that state or region and
would request NMFS to apply those
measures to recreational anglers and
federally permitted party/charter vessels
fishing in Federal waters and landing
black sea bass in those states as well.
Table 1 outlines the conservation
equivalency timeline for management
decisions, based on the current process
for summer flounder. Non-preferred
coastwide measures would be
implemented (1) if we do not approve
conservation equivalency, or (2) at the
start of the next fishing year (i.e., when
conservation equivalency for a given
year has expired).
TABLE 1—APPROXIMATE TIMELINE FOR IMPLEMENTING CONSERVATION EQUIVALENCY
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August:
• Council recommends the recreational harvest limit to NMFS. Board takes final action on recreational harvest limit for state waters.
October:
• Preliminary Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) data for waves 1–4 (i.e., January–August) of the current year are available.
November:
• Monitoring Committee reviews MRIP data through wave 4 and recommends overall percent reduction required or liberalization allowed
and use of coastwide measures or conservation equivalency (including non-preferred coastwide and precautionary default measures).
December:
• Council/Board recommend conservation equivalency or coastwide measures for the following year. If they select conservation equivalency, they also recommend non-preferred coastwide and precautionary default measures.
• NMFS publishes final rule announcing subsequent year’s recreational harvest limit.
If conservation equivalency is recommended
If coastwide measures are recommended
January:
• States/regions submit conservation equivalency proposals to
Commission staff.
• Technical Committee evaluates proposals.
February:
• Board reviews and approves/disapproves proposals.
February/March:
• Council staff submits recreational measure package to
NMFS. Package includes:
Æ Overall percent reduction required or liberalization allowed;
Æ Non-preferred coastwide and precautionary default
measures; and
Æ Recommendation to implement conservation equivalency.
April:
• NMFS publishes proposed rule for recreational measures announcing the overall percent reduction required or liberalization allowed and the non-preferred coastwide and precautionary default measures.
• Board submits letter to NMFS certifying that the combination
of state/regional measures is not expected to result in harvest exceeding the recreational harvest limit.
May:
• NMFS publishes final rule announcing overall percent reduction required or liberalization allowed and coastwide measures.
February/March:
• Council staff submits recreational measure package to NMFS.
Package includes:
Æ Overall percent reduction required or liberalization allowed; and
Æ Coastwide measures.
April:
• NMFS publishes proposed rule for recreational measures announcing the overall percent reduction required or liberalization allowed
and coastwide measures.
May:
• NMFS publishes final rule announcing overall percent reduction required or liberalization allowed and approval of conservation equivalency; or coastwide measures.
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Block Island Sound Transit Zone
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This action also proposes a transit
area for state-only permitted vessels
fishing around Block Island to address
issues when Federal and state
management measures differ. The
transit zone would mirror the current
transit area for striped bass and allow
for transit by state-only permitted
commercial and party/charter vessels
and private recreational anglers with
summer flounder, scup, and black sea
Inclusion of Maximum Size Limit
Although the states are able to set a
maximum size limit for fish caught in
state waters, only a minimum size can
be specified in the current Federal
regulations. By including a maximum
size, the Council could recommend both
a minimum and maximum recreational
size limit to allow for consideration of
regular slot limits, split slot limits, and
trophy fish when setting recreational
measures each year. The proposed
measure would only be for summer
flounder and black sea bass. The
Commission already has the flexibility
to develop slot limits in state waters.
This measure does not make any
immediate adjustments to any current
Federal recreational measures, but
would add flexibility in specifying
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bass on board that were legally
harvested in state waters (Figure 1).
These vessels could transit between the
Rhode Island state waters surrounding
Block Island and the coastal state waters
of Rhode Island, New York,
Connecticut, or Massachusetts while
complying with the state waters
measures for those species. Transit
through the defined area would be
allowed, provided that fishermen and
harvest are compliant with all
applicable state regulations, gear is
stowed in accordance with Federal
regulations, no fishing takes place from
the vessel while in Federal waters, and
the vessel is in continuous transit.
This transit provision does not apply
to federally permitted vessels. There
would be no change to current Federal
regulations requiring all federally
permitted vessels to abide by the
measures of the state(s) in which they
harvest or land their catch, or the
Federal waters measures, whichever are
more restrictive.
recreational management measures and
would allow for future consideration by
the Council.
This proposed rule has been
determined to be not significant for
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
The Chief Counsel for Regulation of
the Department of Commerce certified
to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the
Small Business Administration that this
proposed rule, if adopted, would not
have a significant economic impact on
a substantial number of small entities.
The Council conducted an evaluation of
the potential socioeconomic impacts of
the proposed measures. According to
the commercial ownership database,
869 for-hire affiliate firms generated
revenues from recreational fishing for
various species during the 2015–2017
period. All of those business affiliates
are categorized as small businesses. A
similar affiliate database is not available
Classification
Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act, the Assistant
Administrator has determined that this
proposed rule is consistent with the
Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea
Bass FMP, other provisions of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other
applicable law, subject to further
consideration after public comment.
The Council reviewed the proposed
regulations for this action and deemed
them necessary and appropriate to
implement consistent with section
303(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens
Conservation and Management Act.
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for non-federally permitted vessels. As
previously stated, the transit provision
for Block Island Sound applies only to
non-federally permitted commercial and
recreational vessels. The number of
commercial and recreational affiliates
which are legally authorized to fish in
Rhode Island state waters and do not
hold Federal commercial or party/
charter permits for summer flounder,
scup, and black sea bass has not been
assessed. However, based on the
federally permitted recreational fishing
fleet, it is expected that most, if not all,
of these entities would be classified as
small businesses.
This action would include
conservation equivalency as an annual
management consideration for the black
sea bass fishery, incorporate a maximum
recreational size limit in the list of
potential specifications measures for
summer flounder and black sea bass,
and create a Federal water transit area
for non-federally permitted vessels
fishing in state waters around Block
Island Sound. The first two management
measures are administrative in nature
and make no immediate changes to the
fisheries, but are expected to result in
increased angler satisfaction by allowing
for consistency of measures in state and
Federal waters. If the Council and Board
utilize these provisions when setting
recreational specifciations in the future,
those impacts will be evaluated. The
last management measure, which would
allow non-federally permitted
recreational and commercial vessels to
transit a defined area in Block Island
Sound while complying with the state
regulations for summer flounder, scup,
and black sea bass, only applies to stateonly permitted vessels and does not
impact federally permitted vessels. This
transit area would likely result in a
slight increase in fishing activity in
Rhode Island state waters around Block
Island by state-only permitted
commercial and recreational vessels, but
landings will still be constrained by
annual harvest limits.
Because this action would either
implement administrative measures or
allow for a slight increase in fishing
opportunities and revenues, this rule
will not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small
entities. Therefore, an initial regulatory
flexibility analysis is not required and
none has been prepared.
There are no new reporting or
recordkeeping requirements contained
in this action.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 648
Fisheries, Fishing, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
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Dated: August 8, 2019.
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
1. The authority citation for part 648
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
2. In § 648.14, revise paragraphs
(n)(1)(i), (o)(1) introductory text, (p)(1)
introductory text, (p)(1)(i) and (v), and
(p)(2) introductory text, to read as
follows:
■
§ 648.14
Prohibitions.
*
*
*
*
*
(n) * * *
(1) * * *
(i) Permit requirement. Possess
summer flounder in or harvested from
the EEZ, either in excess of the
possession limit specified in § 648.106,
or before or after the time period
specified in § 648.105, unless the vessel
was issued a summer flounder
moratorium permit and the moratorium
permit is on board the vessel and has
not been surrendered, revoked, or
suspended. However, possession of
summer flounder harvested from state
waters is allowed for state-only
permitted vessels when transiting
Federal waters within the Block Island
Sound Transit Area provided they
follow the provisions at § 648.111.
*
*
*
*
*
(o) * * *
(1) All persons. Unless a vessel is
participating in a research activity as
described in § 648.122(e) or unless a
vessel has no Federal scup permit,
possesses scup caught exclusively in
state waters, and is transiting Federal
waters within the Block Island Sound
Transit Area in accordance with the
provisions at § 648.131, it is unlawful
for any person to do any of the
following:
*
*
*
*
*
(p) * * *
(1) All persons. Unless participating
in a research activity as described in
§ 648.142(e), it is unlawful for any
person to do any of the following:
(i) Permit requirement. Possess black
sea bass in or harvested from the EEZ
north of 35°15.3′ N lat., either in excess
of the possession limit established
pursuant to § 648.145, or before or after
the time period established pursuant to
§ 648.146, unless the person is operating
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a vessel issued a moratorium permit
under § 648.4 and the moratorium
permit is on board the vessel. However,
possession of black sea bass harvested
from state waters is allowed for stateonly permitted vessels when transiting
Federal waters within the Block Island
Sound Transit Area provided they
follow the provisions at § 648.151.
*
*
*
*
*
(v) Size limits. Fish for, possess, land,
or retain black sea bass in or from the
EEZ that does not comply with the
minimum or maximum (as applicable)
fish size specified in § 648.147.
*
*
*
*
*
(2) Vessel and operator permit
holders. Unless participating in a
research activity as described in
§ 648.142(e), it is unlawful for any
person owning or operating a vessel
issued a black sea bass permit
(including a moratorium permit) to do
any of the following:
*
*
*
*
*
■ 3. In § 648.102, revise paragraphs
(a)(7), and (d)(2)(ii) through (iv) to read
as follows:
§ 648.102
Summer flounder specifications.
(a) * * *
(7) Recreational minimum and/or
maximum fish size.
*
*
*
*
*
(d) * * *
(2) * * *
(ii) The ASMFC will review
conservation equivalency proposals and
determine whether or not they achieve
the necessary adjustment to recreational
landings. The ASMFC will provide the
Regional Administrator with the
individual state and/or multi-state
region conservation measures for the
approved state and/or multi-state region
proposals and, in the case of
disapproved state and/or multi-state
region proposals, the precautionary
default measures that should be applied
to a state or region. At the request of the
ASMFC, precautionary default measures
would apply to federally permitted
party/charter vessels and other
recreational fishing vessels harvesting
summer flounder in or from the EEZ
when landing in a state that implements
measures not approved by the ASMFC.
(iii) After considering public
comment, the Regional Administrator
will publish a final rule in the Federal
Register to implement either the state
specific conservation equivalency
measures or coastwide measures to
ensure that the applicable specified
target is not exceeded.
(iv) The ASMFC may allow states
assigned the precautionary default
measures to resubmit revised
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management measures. The ASMFC
will detail the procedures by which the
state can develop alternate measures.
The ASMFC will notify the Regional
Administrator of any resubmitted state
proposals approved subsequent to
publication of the final rule and the
Regional Administrator will publish a
notice in the Federal Register to notify
the public.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 4. In § 648.104, revise the section
heading and paragraphs (b) and (c) to
read as follows:
§ 648.104 Summer flounder size
requirements.
*
*
*
*
*
(b) Party/charter permitted vessels
and recreational fishery participants.
The minimum size for summer flounder
is 19 inches (48.3 cm) TL for all vessels
that do not qualify for a moratorium
permit under § 648.4(a)(3), and charter
boats holding a moratorium permit if
fishing with more than three crew
members, or party boats holding a
moratorium permit if fishing with
passengers for hire or carrying more
than five crew members, unless
otherwise specified in the conservation
equivalency regulations at § 648.107. If
conservation equivalency is not in effect
in any given year, possession of smaller
(or larger, if applicable) summer
flounder harvested from state waters is
allowed for state-only permitted vessels
when transiting Federal waters within
the Block Island Sound Transit Area
provided they follow the provisions at
§ 648.111 and abide by state regulations.
(c) The size limits in this section
apply to whole fish or to any part of a
fish found in possession, e.g., fillets,
except that party and charter vessels
possessing valid state permits
authorizing filleting at sea may possess
fillets smaller than the size specified if
all state requirements are met.
■ 5. Revise § 648.105 to read as follows:
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§ 648.105 Summer flounder recreational
fishing season.
No person may fish for summer
flounder in the EEZ from May 15
through September 15 unless that
person is the owner or operator of a
fishing vessel issued a commercial
summer flounder moratorium permit, or
is issued a summer flounder dealer
permit, or unless otherwise specified in
the conservation equivalency measures
at § 648.107. Persons aboard a
commercial vessel that is not eligible for
a summer flounder moratorium permit
are subject to this recreational fishing
season. This time period may be
adjusted pursuant to the procedures in
§ 648.102. Possession of summer
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flounder harvested from state waters
during this time is allowed for stateonly permitted vessels when transiting
Federal waters within the Block Island
Sound Transit Area provided they
follow the provisions at § 648.111 and
abide by state regulations.
■ 6. In § 648.106, revise paragraph (a) to
read as follows:
§ 648.106 Summer flounder possession
restrictions.
(a) Party/charter and recreational
possession limits. No person shall
possess more than four summer
flounder in, or harvested from, the EEZ,
per trip unless that person is the owner
or operator of a fishing vessel issued a
summer flounder moratorium permit, or
is issued a summer flounder dealer
permit, or unless otherwise specified in
the conservation equivalency measures
at § 648.107. Persons aboard a
commercial vessel that is not eligible for
a summer flounder moratorium permit
are subject to this possession limit. The
owner, operator, and crew of a charter
or party boat issued a summer flounder
moratorium permit are subject to the
possession limit when carrying
passengers for hire or when carrying
more than five crew members for a party
boat, or more than three crew members
for a charter boat. This possession limit
may be adjusted pursuant to the
procedures in § 648.102. Possession of
summer flounder harvested from state
waters above this possession limit is
allowed for state-only permitted vessels
when transiting Federal waters within
the Block Island Sound Transit Area
provided they follow the provisions at
§ 648.111 and abide by state regulations.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 7. In § 648.107, revise paragraph (a)
introductory text and paragraph (b) to
read as follows:
§ 648.107 Conservation equivalent
measures for the summer flounder fishery.
(a) The Regional Administrator has
determined that the recreational fishing
measures proposed to be implemented
by the states of Maine through North
Carolina for 2019 are the conservation
equivalent of the season, size limits, and
possession limit prescribed in
§§ 648.104(b), 648.105, and 648.106.
This determination is based on a
recommendation from the Summer
Flounder Board of the Atlantic States
Marine Fisheries Commission.
*
*
*
*
*
(b) Federally permitted vessels subject
to the recreational fishing measures of
this part, and other recreational fishing
vessels registered in states and subject
to the recreational fishing measures of
this part, whose fishery management
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38923
measures are not determined by the
Regional Administrator to be the
conservation equivalent of the season,
size limits and possession limit
prescribed in §§ 648.102, 648.103(b),
and 648.105(a), respectively, due to the
lack of, or the reversal of, a conservation
equivalent recommendation from the
Summer Flounder Board of the Atlantic
States Marine Fisheries Commission
shall be subject to the following
precautionary default measures:
Season—July 1 through August 31;
minimum size—20 inches (50.8 cm);
and possession limit—two fish.
■ 8. Add § 648.111 to read as follows:
§ 648.111
Block Island Sound Transit Area.
(a) Vessels not issued a Federal
moratorium or party/charter permit, and
recreational fishing participants fishing
exclusively in state waters may transit
with summer flounder harvested from
state waters on board through Federal
waters of the EEZ within Block Island
Sound, north of a line connecting
Montauk Light, Montauk Point, NY, and
Block Island Southeast Light, Block
Island, RI; and west of a line connecting
Point Judith Light, Point Judith, RI, and
Block Island Southeast Light, Block
Island, RI. Within this area, possession
of summer flounder is permitted
regardless of the minimum or maximum
size (as applicable), possession limit,
and seasons outlined in §§ 648.104,
648.105, and 648.106, provided no
fishing takes place from the vessel while
in Federal waters of the EEZ, the vessel
complies with state regulations, and is
in continuous transit. During such
transit through this area, commercial
gear must be stowed in accordance with
the definition of ‘‘not available for
immediate use’’ found at § 648.2, and
party/charter vessels and recreational
participants must have all bait and
hooks removed from fishing rods, and
any summer flounder on board must be
stored in a cooler or container.
(b) The requirements of this transit
zone are not necessary or applicable for
recreational fishery participants during
years when conservation equivalency
has been adopted under § 648.107
conservation equivalency measures and
recreational Federal measures are
waived.
■ 9. In § 648.126, revise paragraph (b) to
read as follows:
§ 648.126
Scup minimum fish sizes.
*
*
*
*
*
(b) Party/Charter permitted vessels
and recreational fishery participants.
The minimum size for scup is 9 inches
(22.9 cm) TL for all vessels that do not
have a moratorium permit, or for party
and charter vessels that are issued a
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moratorium permit but are fishing with
passengers for hire, or carrying more
than three crew members if a charter
boat, or more than five crew members if
a party boat. However, possession of
smaller scup harvested from state waters
is allowed for state-only permitted
vessels when transiting Federal waters
within the Block Island Sound Transit
Area provided they follow the
provisions at § 648.131 and abide by
state regulations.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 10. Revise § 648.127 to read as
follows:
§ 648.127
season.
Scup recreational fishing
Fishermen and vessels that are not
eligible for a moratorium permit under
§ 648.4(a)(6), may possess scup yearround, subject to the possession limit
specified in § 648.128(a). The
recreational fishing season may be
adjusted pursuant to the procedures in
§ 648.122. Should the recreational
fishing season be modified, nonfederally permitted vessels abiding by
state regulations may transit with scup
harvested from state waters on board
through the Block Island Sound Transit
Area following the provisions outlined
in § 648.131.
■ 11. In § 648.128, revise paragraph (a)
to read as follows:
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§ 648.128
Scup possession restrictions.
(a) Party/Charter and recreational
possession limits. No person shall
possess more than 50 scup in, or
harvested from, per trip the EEZ unless
that person is the owner or operator of
a fishing vessel issued a scup
moratorium permit, or is issued a scup
dealer permit. Persons aboard a
commercial vessel that is not eligible for
a scup moratorium permit are subject to
this possession limit. The owner,
operator, and crew of a charter or party
boat issued a scup moratorium permit
are subject to the possession limit when
carrying passengers for hire or when
carrying more than five crew members
for a party boat, or more than three crew
members for a charter boat. This
possession limit may be adjusted
pursuant to the procedures in § 648.122.
However, possession of scup harvested
from state waters above this possession
limit is allowed for state-only permitted
vessels when transiting Federal waters
within the Block Island Sound Transit
Area provided they follow the
provisions at § 648.131 and abide by
state regulations.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 12. Add § 648.131 to read as follows:
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§ 648.131
Block Island Sound Transit Area.
(a) Vessels not issued a Federal
moratorium or party/charter permit, and
recreational fishing participants fishing
exclusively in state waters may transit
with scup harvested from state waters
on board through Federal waters of the
EEZ within Block Island Sound, north
of a line connecting Montauk Light,
Montauk Point, NY, and Block Island
Southeast Light, Block Island, RI; and
west of a line connecting Point Judith
Light, Point Judith, RI, and Block Island
Southeast Light, Block Island, RI.
Within this area, possession of scup is
permitted regardless of the minimum
size, possession limit, and seasons
outlined in §§ 648.126, 648.127, and
648.128, provided no fishing takes place
from the vessel while in Federal waters
of the EEZ, the vessel complies with
state regulations, and is in continuous
transit. During such transit through this
area, commercial gear must be stowed in
accordance with the definition of ‘‘not
available for immediate use’’ found at
§ 648.2, and party/charter vessels and
recreational participants must have all
bait and hooks removed from fishing
rods, and any scup on board must be
stored in a cooler or container.
■ 13. Revise § 648.142 to read as
follows:
§ 648.142
Black sea bass specifications.
(a) Commercial quota, recreational
landing limit, research set-aside, and
other specification measures. The Black
Sea Bass Monitoring Committee will
recommend to the Demersal Species
Committee of the MAFMC and the
ASMFC, through the specification
process, for use in conjunction with the
ACL and ACT, sector-specific research
set-asides, estimates of the sector-related
discards, a recreational harvest limit, a
commercial quota, along with other
measures, as needed, that are projected
to ensure the sector-specific ACL for an
upcoming year or years will not be
exceeded. The following measures are to
be considered by the Black Sea Bass
Monitoring Committee:
(1) Research quota set from a range of
0 to 3 percent of the maximum allowed.
(2) A commercial quota, allocated
annually.
(3) A commercial possession limit for
all moratorium vessels, with the
provision that these quantities be the
maximum allowed to be landed within
a 24-hour period (calendar day).
(4) Commercial minimum fish size.
(5) Minimum mesh size in the codend
or throughout the net and the catch
threshold that will require compliance
with the minimum mesh requirement.
(6) Escape vent size.
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(7) A recreational possession limit set
after the reduction for research quota.
(8) Recreational minimum and/or
maximum fish size.
(9) Recreational season.
(10) Recreational state conservation
equivalent and precautionary default
measures utilizing possession limits,
minimum fish sizes, and/or seasons set
after reductions for research quota.
(11) Restrictions on gear other than
otter trawls and pots or traps.
(12) Total allowable landings on an
annual basis for a period not to exceed
3 years.
(13) Changes, as appropriate, to the
SBRM, including the CV-based
performance standard, the means by
which discard data are collected/
obtained, fishery stratification, the
process for prioritizing observer sea-day
allocations, reports, and/or industryfunded observers or observer set aside
programs.
(14) Modification of the existing AM
measures and ACT control rules utilized
by the Black Sea Bass Monitoring
Committee.
(b) Specification fishing measures.
The Demersal Species Committee shall
review the recommendations of the
Black Sea Bass Monitoring Committee.
Based on these recommendations and
any public comment, the Demersal
Species Committee shall make its
recommendations to the MAFMC with
respect to the measures necessary to
assure that the sector-specific ACLs for
an upcoming fishing year or years will
not be exceeded. The MAFMC shall
review these recommendations and,
based on the recommendations and
public comment, make
recommendations to the Regional
Administrator with respect to the
measures necessary to assure that sector
ACLs are not exceeded. Included in the
recommendation will be supporting
documents, as appropriate, concerning
the environmental and economic
impacts of the final rule. The Regional
Administrator will review these
recommendations and any
recommendations of the ASMFC. After
such review, the Regional Administrator
will publish a proposed rule in the
Federal Register to implement a
commercial quota, a recreational harvest
limit, and additional management
measures for the commercial fishery.
(c) Distribution of annual commercial
quota. The black sea bass commercial
quota will be allocated on a coastwide
basis.
(d) Recreational specification
measures. The Demersal Species
Committee shall review the
recommendations of the Black Sea Bass
Monitoring Committee. Based on these
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 153 / Thursday, August 8, 2019 / Proposed Rules
recommendations and any public
comment, the Demersal Species
Committee shall recommend to the
MAFMC and ASMFC measures that are
projected to ensure the recreational ACL
for an upcoming fishing year or years
will not be exceeded. The MAFMC shall
review these recommendations and,
based on the recommendations and any
public comment, recommend to the
Regional Administrator measures that
are projected to ensure the recreational
ACL for an upcoming fishing year or
years will not be exceeded. The
MAFMC’s recommendations must
include supporting documentation, as
appropriate, concerning the
environmental and economic impacts of
the recommendations. The MAFMC and
the ASMFC will recommend that the
Regional Administrator implement
either:
(1) Coastwide measures. Annual
coastwide management measures that
constrain the recreational black sea bass
fishery to the recreational harvest limit,
or
(2) Conservation equivalent measures.
Individual states, or regions formed
voluntarily by adjacent states (i.e.,
multi-state conservation equivalency
regions), may implement different
combinations of minimum and/or
maximum fish sizes, possession limits,
and closed seasons that achieve
equivalent conservation as the
coastwide measures established under
paragraph (e)(1) of this section. Each
state or multi-state conservation
equivalency region may implement
measures by mode or area only if the
proportional standard error of
recreational landing estimates by mode
or area for that state is less than 30
percent.
(i) After review of the
recommendations, the Regional
Administrator will publish a proposed
rule in the Federal Register as soon as
possible to implement the overall
percent adjustment in recreational
landings required for the fishing year,
and the ASMFC’s recommendation
concerning conservation equivalency,
the precautionary default measures, and
coastwide measures.
(ii) The ASMFC will review
conservation equivalency proposals and
determine whether or not they achieve
the necessary adjustment to recreational
landings. The ASMFC will provide the
Regional Administrator with the
individual state and/or multi-state
region conservation measures for the
approved state and/or multi-state region
proposals and, in the case of
disapproved state and/or multi-state
region proposals, the precautionary
default measures that should be applied
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to a state or region. At the request of the
ASMFC, precautionary default measures
would apply to federally permitted
party/charter vessels and other
recreational fishing vessels harvesting
summer flounder in or from the EEZ
when landing in a state that implements
measures not approved by the ASMFC.
(iii) After considering public
comment, the Regional Administrator
will publish a final rule in the Federal
Register to implement either the state
specific conservation equivalency
measures or coastwide measures to
ensure that the applicable specified
target is not exceeded.
(iv) The ASMFC may allow states
assigned the precautionary default
measures to resubmit revised
management measures. The ASMFC
will detail the procedures by which the
state can develop alternate measures.
The ASMFC will notify the Regional
Administrator of any resubmitted state
proposals approved subsequent to
publication of the final rule and the
Regional Administrator will publish a
notice in the Federal Register to notify
the public.
(e) Research quota. See § 648.22(g).
■ 14. In § 648.144, revise paragraph
(a)(1)(ii) to read as follows:
§ 648.144
Black sea bass gear restrictions.
(a) * * *
(1) * * *
(ii) Mesh sizes shall be measured
pursuant to the procedure specified in
§ 648.108(a)(2).
*
*
*
*
*
■ 15. In § 648.145, revise paragraph (a)
to read as follows:
§ 648.145
Black sea bass possession limit.
(a) During the recreational fishing
season specified at § 648.146, no person
shall possess more than 15 black sea
bass in, or harvested from, per trip the
EEZ unless that person is the owner or
operator of a fishing vessel issued a
black sea bass moratorium permit, or is
issued a black sea bass dealer permit,
unless otherwise specified in the
conservation equivalent measures at
§ 648.150. Persons aboard a commercial
vessel that is not eligible for a black sea
bass moratorium permit may not retain
more than 15 black sea bass during the
recreational fishing season specified at
§ 648.146. The owner, operator, and
crew of a charter or party boat issued a
black sea bass moratorium permit are
subject to the possession limit when
carrying passengers for hire or when
carrying more than five crew members
for a party boat, or more than three crew
members for a charter boat. This
possession limit may be adjusted
pursuant to the procedures in § 648.142.
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38925
However, possession of black sea bass
harvested from state waters above this
possession limit is allowed for stateonly permitted vessels when transiting
Federal waters within the Block Island
Sound Transit Area provided they
follow the provisions at § 648.151 and
abide by state regulations.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 16. Revise § 648.146 to read as
follows:
§ 648.146 Black sea bass recreational
fishing season.
Vessels that are not eligible for a
moratorium permit under § 648.4(a)(7),
and fishermen subject to the possession
limit specified in § 648.145(a), may only
possess black sea bass from February 1
through February 28, May 15 through
December 31, unless otherwise specified
in the conservation equivalent measures
at § 648.150 or unless this time period
is adjusted pursuant to the procedures
in § 648.142. However, possession of
black sea bass harvested from state
waters outside of this season is allowed
for state-only permitted vessels when
transiting Federal waters within the
Block Island Sound Transit Area
provided they follow the provisions at
§ 648.151 and abide by state regulations.
■ 17. In § 648.147, revise the section
heading and paragraphs (b) and (c) to
read as follows:
§ 648.147 Black sea bass size
requirements.
*
*
*
*
*
(b) Party/Charter permitted vessels
and recreational fishery participants.
The minimum fish size for black sea
bass is 12.5 inches (31.75 cm) TL for all
vessels that do not qualify for a
moratorium permit, and for party boats
holding a moratorium permit, if fishing
with passengers for hire or carrying
more than five crew members, and for
charter boats holding a moratorium
permit, if fishing with more than three
crew members, unless otherwise
specified in the conservation equivalent
measures at § 648.150. However,
possession of smaller black sea bass
harvested from state waters is allowed
for state-only permitted vessels when
transiting Federal waters within the
Block Island Sound Transit Area
provided they follow the provisions at
§ 648.151 and abide by state regulations.
(c) The size limits in this section
applies to the whole fish or any part of
a fish found in possession (e.g., fillets),
except that party or charter vessels
possessing valid state permits
authorizing filleting at sea may possess
fillets smaller than the size specified if
skin remains on the fillet and all other
state requirements are met.
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§ 648.150
■
■
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 153 / Thursday, August 8, 2019 / Proposed Rules
[Reserved]
18. Add and reserve § 648.150.
19. Add § 648.151 to read as follows:
§ 648.151
Zone.
Block Island Sound Transit
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(a) Vessels not issued a Federal
moratorium or party/charter permit, and
recreational fishing participants fishing
exclusively in state waters may transit
with black sea bass harvested from state
waters on board through Federal waters
of the EEZ within Block Island Sound,
north of a line connecting Montauk
Light, Montauk Point, NY, and Block
Island Southeast Light, Block Island, RI;
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and west of a line connecting Point
Judith Light, Point Judith, RI, and Block
Island Southeast Light, Block Island, RI.
Within this area, possession of black sea
bass is permitted regardless of the
minimum and/or maximum (as
applicable) size, possession limit, and
seasons outlined in §§ 648.145, 648.146,
and 648.147, provided no fishing takes
place from the vessel while in Federal
waters of the EEZ, the vessel complies
with state regulations, and is in
continuous transit. During such transit
through this area, commercial gear must
be stowed in accordance with the
definition of ‘‘not available for
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immediate use’’ found at § 648.2, and
party/charter vessels and recreational
participants must have all bait and
hooks removed from fishing rods, and
any black sea bass on board must be
stored in a cooler or container.
(b) The requirements of this transit
zone are not necessary or applicable for
recreational fishery participants during
years when conservation equivalency
has been adopted under § 648.150
conservation equivalency measures and
recreational Federal measures are
waived.
[FR Doc. 2019–16980 Filed 8–7–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 153 (Thursday, August 8, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38919-38926]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-16980]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 648
[Docket No. 190802-0010]
RIN 0648-BI93
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder,
Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fisheries; Framework Adjustment 14
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS proposes modifications to aspects of the commercial and
recreational summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass management
program, as recommended by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council.
NMFS proposes these management measure adjustments to provide an
opportunity for public comment. The intent of this action is to allow
for more flexibility in the management of these species.
DATES: Comments must be received by September 9, 2019.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by
NOAA-NMFS-2019-0049, by either of the following methods:
Electronic submission: Submit all electronic public comments via
the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.
Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2019-
0049,
Click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required
fields
Enter or attach your comments.
OR
Mail: Submit written comments to Michael Pentony, Regional
Administrator, Greater Atlantic Region, 55 Great Republic Drive,
Gloucester, MA 01930.
Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period,
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain
anonymous).
An environmental assessment (EA) was prepared for this action that
describes the proposed measures and other considered alternatives, and
provides an analysis of the impacts of the proposed measures and
alternatives. Copies of the EA are available on request from Dr.
Christopher M. Moore, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery
Management Council, Suite 201, 800 North State Street, Dover, DE 19901.
These documents are also accessible via the internet at https://www.mafmc.org/s/SFSBSB_Framework14_EA.pdf.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Emily Gilbert, Fishery Policy Analyst,
(978) 281-9244.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
General Background
The summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries are managed
cooperatively under the provisions of the Summer Flounder, Scup, and
Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) developed by the Mid-
Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine
Fisheries Commission, in consultation with the New England and South
Atlantic Fishery Management Councils. The management units specified in
the FMP include summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus) in U.S. waters
of the Atlantic Ocean from the southern border of North Carolina
northward to the U.S./Canada border, and scup (Stenotomus chrysops) and
black sea bass (Centropristis striata) in U.S. waters of the Atlantic
Ocean from 35[deg]13.3' N lat. (the approximate latitude of Cape
Hatteras, North Carolina). States manage these three species within 3
nautical miles (4.83 km) of their coasts, under the Commission's
management plan for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass. The
applicable species-specific Federal regulations govern vessels and
individual fishermen commercially fishing in Federal waters of the
exclusive economic zone, as well as vessels possessing a summer
flounder, scup, or black sea bass Federal charter/party vessel permit,
regardless of where they fish. This rule proposes management measures
intended to provide more flexibility in the commercial and recreational
fisheries for these species and includes the following modifications to
the FMP:
Include conservation equivalency as an annual management
consideration for the black sea bass recreational fishery;
Create a Federal waters transit zone for non-federally
permitted vessels fishing in state waters around Block Island Sound;
and
Incorporate a maximum recreational size limit in the list
of potential specification measures for summer flounder and black sea
bass.
These measures, which are further explained below, are consistent
with the recommendations of the Council and the Commission's Summer
Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board for this action.
Proposed Management Measures
Black Sea Bass Conservation Equivalency
This action proposes to allow conservation equivalency for future
use in the recreational black sea bass fishery based on the process
currently used for summer flounder. Under conservation equivalency, the
Council and Board would decide each year whether to use Federal
coastwide measures or conservation equivalency to manage the
recreational black sea bass fishery. Conservation equivalency would
waive Federal measures so long as the states implement appropriate
measures. If they agree to use conservation equivalency, they must also
develop a set of non-preferred coastwide measures (minimum and/or
maximum fish size limit, possession limit, and season) that would be
expected to prevent harvest from exceeding the annual recreational
harvest limit. The Council and Board must also recommend a suite of
precautionary default measures that would apply to all recreational
anglers and Federal party/charter permit holders fishing in Federal
waters and landing black sea bass in states that do not develop and
implement Commission-approved conservationally equivalent measures.
If the Council and Board agree to use conservation equivalency in a
given year, the Board would determine the states' management program to
implement conservation equivalency for black sea bass in any given year
through a separate action. After reviewing and approving the state/
regional proposals, the Commission would submit a letter
[[Page 38920]]
to us certifying that the combination of state and regional measures is
expected to prevent black sea bass harvest from exceeding that year's
recreational harvest limit. Based on the Commission's certification, we
would be able to approve conservation equivalency and waive Federal
measures for the remainder of the calendar year in favor of the state
or regional conservation equivalency measures. Federally-permitted
vessels and vessels fishing in Federal waters would then be subject to
the regulations in the states where they land their catch. If the
Commission submits a letter to us announcing that a state or states
have not implemented appropriate measures, the state(s) would be
required to implement precautionary default measures in state waters
through the Commission, and we would similarly apply those
precautionary default measures to recreational anglers and Federal
party/charter permit holders landing black sea bass in applicable
states. If a state or region implements measures which are not
approved, the Commission would require the precautionary default
measures to be enforced in that state or region and would request NMFS
to apply those measures to recreational anglers and federally permitted
party/charter vessels fishing in Federal waters and landing black sea
bass in those states as well. Table 1 outlines the conservation
equivalency timeline for management decisions, based on the current
process for summer flounder. Non-preferred coastwide measures would be
implemented (1) if we do not approve conservation equivalency, or (2)
at the start of the next fishing year (i.e., when conservation
equivalency for a given year has expired).
Table 1--Approximate Timeline for Implementing Conservation Equivalency
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
August:
Council recommends the recreational harvest limit to NMFS.
Board takes final action on recreational harvest limit for state
waters.
October:
Preliminary Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP)
data for waves 1-4 (i.e., January-August) of the current year are
available.
November:
Monitoring Committee reviews MRIP data through wave 4 and
recommends overall percent reduction required or liberalization
allowed and use of coastwide measures or conservation equivalency
(including non-preferred coastwide and precautionary default
measures).
December:
Council/Board recommend conservation equivalency or
coastwide measures for the following year. If they select
conservation equivalency, they also recommend non-preferred
coastwide and precautionary default measures.
NMFS publishes final rule announcing subsequent year's
recreational harvest limit.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If conservation equivalency is If coastwide measures are
recommended recommended
------------------------------------------------------------------------
January: February/March:
States/regions submit Council staff
conservation equivalency submits recreational measure
proposals to Commission staff. package to NMFS. Package
includes:
Technical Committee [cir] Overall percent
evaluates proposals. reduction required or
liberalization allowed;
and
February: [cir] Coastwide measures.
Board reviews and April:
approves/disapproves proposals.
February/March: NMFS publishes
Council staff submits proposed rule for
recreational measure package to NMFS. recreational measures
Package includes: announcing the overall
[cir] Overall percent reduction percent reduction required
required or liberalization allowed; or liberalization allowed
[cir] Non-preferred coastwide and and coastwide measures.
precautionary default measures; and May:
[cir] Recommendation to implement NMFS publishes final
conservation equivalency. rule announcing overall percent
reduction required or
liberalization allowed and
approval of conservation
equivalency; or coastwide
measures.
April:
NMFS publishes proposed
rule for recreational measures
announcing the overall percent
reduction required or
liberalization allowed and the
non-preferred coastwide and
precautionary default measures.
Board submits letter to
NMFS certifying that the
combination of state/regional
measures is not expected to
result in harvest exceeding the
recreational harvest limit.
May:
NMFS publishes final rule
announcing overall percent
reduction required or
liberalization allowed and
coastwide measures.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 38921]]
Block Island Sound Transit Zone
This action also proposes a transit area for state-only permitted
vessels fishing around Block Island to address issues when Federal and
state management measures differ. The transit zone would mirror the
current transit area for striped bass and allow for transit by state-
only permitted commercial and party/charter vessels and private
recreational anglers with summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass on
board that were legally harvested in state waters (Figure 1). These
vessels could transit between the Rhode Island state waters surrounding
Block Island and the coastal state waters of Rhode Island, New York,
Connecticut, or Massachusetts while complying with the state waters
measures for those species. Transit through the defined area would be
allowed, provided that fishermen and harvest are compliant with all
applicable state regulations, gear is stowed in accordance with Federal
regulations, no fishing takes place from the vessel while in Federal
waters, and the vessel is in continuous transit.
This transit provision does not apply to federally permitted
vessels. There would be no change to current Federal regulations
requiring all federally permitted vessels to abide by the measures of
the state(s) in which they harvest or land their catch, or the Federal
waters measures, whichever are more restrictive.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP08AU19.028
Inclusion of Maximum Size Limit
Although the states are able to set a maximum size limit for fish
caught in state waters, only a minimum size can be specified in the
current Federal regulations. By including a maximum size, the Council
could recommend both a minimum and maximum recreational size limit to
allow for consideration of regular slot limits, split slot limits, and
trophy fish when setting recreational measures each year. The proposed
measure would only be for summer flounder and black sea bass. The
Commission already has the flexibility to develop slot limits in state
waters. This measure does not make any immediate adjustments to any
current Federal recreational measures, but would add flexibility in
specifying recreational management measures and would allow for future
consideration by the Council.
Classification
Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the
Assistant Administrator has determined that this proposed rule is
consistent with the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass FMP,
other provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable law,
subject to further consideration after public comment.
The Council reviewed the proposed regulations for this action and
deemed them necessary and appropriate to implement consistent with
section 303(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Conservation and Management Act.
This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business
Administration that this proposed rule, if adopted, would not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
The Council conducted an evaluation of the potential socioeconomic
impacts of the proposed measures. According to the commercial ownership
database, 869 for-hire affiliate firms generated revenues from
recreational fishing for various species during the 2015-2017 period.
All of those business affiliates are categorized as small businesses. A
similar affiliate database is not available
[[Page 38922]]
for non-federally permitted vessels. As previously stated, the transit
provision for Block Island Sound applies only to non-federally
permitted commercial and recreational vessels. The number of commercial
and recreational affiliates which are legally authorized to fish in
Rhode Island state waters and do not hold Federal commercial or party/
charter permits for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass has not
been assessed. However, based on the federally permitted recreational
fishing fleet, it is expected that most, if not all, of these entities
would be classified as small businesses.
This action would include conservation equivalency as an annual
management consideration for the black sea bass fishery, incorporate a
maximum recreational size limit in the list of potential specifications
measures for summer flounder and black sea bass, and create a Federal
water transit area for non-federally permitted vessels fishing in state
waters around Block Island Sound. The first two management measures are
administrative in nature and make no immediate changes to the
fisheries, but are expected to result in increased angler satisfaction
by allowing for consistency of measures in state and Federal waters. If
the Council and Board utilize these provisions when setting
recreational specifciations in the future, those impacts will be
evaluated. The last management measure, which would allow non-federally
permitted recreational and commercial vessels to transit a defined area
in Block Island Sound while complying with the state regulations for
summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass, only applies to state-only
permitted vessels and does not impact federally permitted vessels. This
transit area would likely result in a slight increase in fishing
activity in Rhode Island state waters around Block Island by state-only
permitted commercial and recreational vessels, but landings will still
be constrained by annual harvest limits.
Because this action would either implement administrative measures
or allow for a slight increase in fishing opportunities and revenues,
this rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. Therefore, an initial regulatory flexibility
analysis is not required and none has been prepared.
There are no new reporting or recordkeeping requirements contained
in this action.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 648
Fisheries, Fishing, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: August 8, 2019.
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. 648.14, revise paragraphs (n)(1)(i), (o)(1) introductory
text, (p)(1) introductory text, (p)(1)(i) and (v), and (p)(2)
introductory text, to read as follows:
Sec. 648.14 Prohibitions.
* * * * *
(n) * * *
(1) * * *
(i) Permit requirement. Possess summer flounder in or harvested
from the EEZ, either in excess of the possession limit specified in
Sec. 648.106, or before or after the time period specified in Sec.
648.105, unless the vessel was issued a summer flounder moratorium
permit and the moratorium permit is on board the vessel and has not
been surrendered, revoked, or suspended. However, possession of summer
flounder harvested from state waters is allowed for state-only
permitted vessels when transiting Federal waters within the Block
Island Sound Transit Area provided they follow the provisions at Sec.
648.111.
* * * * *
(o) * * *
(1) All persons. Unless a vessel is participating in a research
activity as described in Sec. 648.122(e) or unless a vessel has no
Federal scup permit, possesses scup caught exclusively in state waters,
and is transiting Federal waters within the Block Island Sound Transit
Area in accordance with the provisions at Sec. 648.131, it is unlawful
for any person to do any of the following:
* * * * *
(p) * * *
(1) All persons. Unless participating in a research activity as
described in Sec. 648.142(e), it is unlawful for any person to do any
of the following:
(i) Permit requirement. Possess black sea bass in or harvested from
the EEZ north of 35[deg]15.3' N lat., either in excess of the
possession limit established pursuant to Sec. 648.145, or before or
after the time period established pursuant to Sec. 648.146, unless the
person is operating a vessel issued a moratorium permit under Sec.
648.4 and the moratorium permit is on board the vessel. However,
possession of black sea bass harvested from state waters is allowed for
state-only permitted vessels when transiting Federal waters within the
Block Island Sound Transit Area provided they follow the provisions at
Sec. 648.151.
* * * * *
(v) Size limits. Fish for, possess, land, or retain black sea bass
in or from the EEZ that does not comply with the minimum or maximum (as
applicable) fish size specified in Sec. 648.147.
* * * * *
(2) Vessel and operator permit holders. Unless participating in a
research activity as described in Sec. 648.142(e), it is unlawful for
any person owning or operating a vessel issued a black sea bass permit
(including a moratorium permit) to do any of the following:
* * * * *
0
3. In Sec. 648.102, revise paragraphs (a)(7), and (d)(2)(ii) through
(iv) to read as follows:
Sec. 648.102 Summer flounder specifications.
(a) * * *
(7) Recreational minimum and/or maximum fish size.
* * * * *
(d) * * *
(2) * * *
(ii) The ASMFC will review conservation equivalency proposals and
determine whether or not they achieve the necessary adjustment to
recreational landings. The ASMFC will provide the Regional
Administrator with the individual state and/or multi-state region
conservation measures for the approved state and/or multi-state region
proposals and, in the case of disapproved state and/or multi-state
region proposals, the precautionary default measures that should be
applied to a state or region. At the request of the ASMFC,
precautionary default measures would apply to federally permitted
party/charter vessels and other recreational fishing vessels harvesting
summer flounder in or from the EEZ when landing in a state that
implements measures not approved by the ASMFC.
(iii) After considering public comment, the Regional Administrator
will publish a final rule in the Federal Register to implement either
the state specific conservation equivalency measures or coastwide
measures to ensure that the applicable specified target is not
exceeded.
(iv) The ASMFC may allow states assigned the precautionary default
measures to resubmit revised
[[Page 38923]]
management measures. The ASMFC will detail the procedures by which the
state can develop alternate measures. The ASMFC will notify the
Regional Administrator of any resubmitted state proposals approved
subsequent to publication of the final rule and the Regional
Administrator will publish a notice in the Federal Register to notify
the public.
* * * * *
0
4. In Sec. 648.104, revise the section heading and paragraphs (b) and
(c) to read as follows:
Sec. 648.104 Summer flounder size requirements.
* * * * *
(b) Party/charter permitted vessels and recreational fishery
participants. The minimum size for summer flounder is 19 inches (48.3
cm) TL for all vessels that do not qualify for a moratorium permit
under Sec. 648.4(a)(3), and charter boats holding a moratorium permit
if fishing with more than three crew members, or party boats holding a
moratorium permit if fishing with passengers for hire or carrying more
than five crew members, unless otherwise specified in the conservation
equivalency regulations at Sec. 648.107. If conservation equivalency
is not in effect in any given year, possession of smaller (or larger,
if applicable) summer flounder harvested from state waters is allowed
for state-only permitted vessels when transiting Federal waters within
the Block Island Sound Transit Area provided they follow the provisions
at Sec. 648.111 and abide by state regulations.
(c) The size limits in this section apply to whole fish or to any
part of a fish found in possession, e.g., fillets, except that party
and charter vessels possessing valid state permits authorizing
filleting at sea may possess fillets smaller than the size specified if
all state requirements are met.
0
5. Revise Sec. 648.105 to read as follows:
Sec. 648.105 Summer flounder recreational fishing season.
No person may fish for summer flounder in the EEZ from May 15
through September 15 unless that person is the owner or operator of a
fishing vessel issued a commercial summer flounder moratorium permit,
or is issued a summer flounder dealer permit, or unless otherwise
specified in the conservation equivalency measures at Sec. 648.107.
Persons aboard a commercial vessel that is not eligible for a summer
flounder moratorium permit are subject to this recreational fishing
season. This time period may be adjusted pursuant to the procedures in
Sec. 648.102. Possession of summer flounder harvested from state
waters during this time is allowed for state-only permitted vessels
when transiting Federal waters within the Block Island Sound Transit
Area provided they follow the provisions at Sec. 648.111 and abide by
state regulations.
0
6. In Sec. 648.106, revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:
Sec. 648.106 Summer flounder possession restrictions.
(a) Party/charter and recreational possession limits. No person
shall possess more than four summer flounder in, or harvested from, the
EEZ, per trip unless that person is the owner or operator of a fishing
vessel issued a summer flounder moratorium permit, or is issued a
summer flounder dealer permit, or unless otherwise specified in the
conservation equivalency measures at Sec. 648.107. Persons aboard a
commercial vessel that is not eligible for a summer flounder moratorium
permit are subject to this possession limit. The owner, operator, and
crew of a charter or party boat issued a summer flounder moratorium
permit are subject to the possession limit when carrying passengers for
hire or when carrying more than five crew members for a party boat, or
more than three crew members for a charter boat. This possession limit
may be adjusted pursuant to the procedures in Sec. 648.102. Possession
of summer flounder harvested from state waters above this possession
limit is allowed for state-only permitted vessels when transiting
Federal waters within the Block Island Sound Transit Area provided they
follow the provisions at Sec. 648.111 and abide by state regulations.
* * * * *
0
7. In Sec. 648.107, revise paragraph (a) introductory text and
paragraph (b) to read as follows:
Sec. 648.107 Conservation equivalent measures for the summer
flounder fishery.
(a) The Regional Administrator has determined that the recreational
fishing measures proposed to be implemented by the states of Maine
through North Carolina for 2019 are the conservation equivalent of the
season, size limits, and possession limit prescribed in Sec. Sec.
648.104(b), 648.105, and 648.106. This determination is based on a
recommendation from the Summer Flounder Board of the Atlantic States
Marine Fisheries Commission.
* * * * *
(b) Federally permitted vessels subject to the recreational fishing
measures of this part, and other recreational fishing vessels
registered in states and subject to the recreational fishing measures
of this part, whose fishery management measures are not determined by
the Regional Administrator to be the conservation equivalent of the
season, size limits and possession limit prescribed in Sec. Sec.
648.102, 648.103(b), and 648.105(a), respectively, due to the lack of,
or the reversal of, a conservation equivalent recommendation from the
Summer Flounder Board of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries
Commission shall be subject to the following precautionary default
measures: Season--July 1 through August 31; minimum size--20 inches
(50.8 cm); and possession limit--two fish.
0
8. Add Sec. 648.111 to read as follows:
Sec. 648.111 Block Island Sound Transit Area.
(a) Vessels not issued a Federal moratorium or party/charter
permit, and recreational fishing participants fishing exclusively in
state waters may transit with summer flounder harvested from state
waters on board through Federal waters of the EEZ within Block Island
Sound, north of a line connecting Montauk Light, Montauk Point, NY, and
Block Island Southeast Light, Block Island, RI; and west of a line
connecting Point Judith Light, Point Judith, RI, and Block Island
Southeast Light, Block Island, RI. Within this area, possession of
summer flounder is permitted regardless of the minimum or maximum size
(as applicable), possession limit, and seasons outlined in Sec. Sec.
648.104, 648.105, and 648.106, provided no fishing takes place from the
vessel while in Federal waters of the EEZ, the vessel complies with
state regulations, and is in continuous transit. During such transit
through this area, commercial gear must be stowed in accordance with
the definition of ``not available for immediate use'' found at Sec.
648.2, and party/charter vessels and recreational participants must
have all bait and hooks removed from fishing rods, and any summer
flounder on board must be stored in a cooler or container.
(b) The requirements of this transit zone are not necessary or
applicable for recreational fishery participants during years when
conservation equivalency has been adopted under Sec. 648.107
conservation equivalency measures and recreational Federal measures are
waived.
0
9. In Sec. 648.126, revise paragraph (b) to read as follows:
Sec. 648.126 Scup minimum fish sizes.
* * * * *
(b) Party/Charter permitted vessels and recreational fishery
participants. The minimum size for scup is 9 inches (22.9 cm) TL for
all vessels that do not have a moratorium permit, or for party and
charter vessels that are issued a
[[Page 38924]]
moratorium permit but are fishing with passengers for hire, or carrying
more than three crew members if a charter boat, or more than five crew
members if a party boat. However, possession of smaller scup harvested
from state waters is allowed for state-only permitted vessels when
transiting Federal waters within the Block Island Sound Transit Area
provided they follow the provisions at Sec. 648.131 and abide by state
regulations.
* * * * *
0
10. Revise Sec. 648.127 to read as follows:
Sec. 648.127 Scup recreational fishing season.
Fishermen and vessels that are not eligible for a moratorium permit
under Sec. 648.4(a)(6), may possess scup year-round, subject to the
possession limit specified in Sec. 648.128(a). The recreational
fishing season may be adjusted pursuant to the procedures in Sec.
648.122. Should the recreational fishing season be modified, non-
federally permitted vessels abiding by state regulations may transit
with scup harvested from state waters on board through the Block Island
Sound Transit Area following the provisions outlined in Sec. 648.131.
0
11. In Sec. 648.128, revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:
Sec. 648.128 Scup possession restrictions.
(a) Party/Charter and recreational possession limits. No person
shall possess more than 50 scup in, or harvested from, per trip the EEZ
unless that person is the owner or operator of a fishing vessel issued
a scup moratorium permit, or is issued a scup dealer permit. Persons
aboard a commercial vessel that is not eligible for a scup moratorium
permit are subject to this possession limit. The owner, operator, and
crew of a charter or party boat issued a scup moratorium permit are
subject to the possession limit when carrying passengers for hire or
when carrying more than five crew members for a party boat, or more
than three crew members for a charter boat. This possession limit may
be adjusted pursuant to the procedures in Sec. 648.122. However,
possession of scup harvested from state waters above this possession
limit is allowed for state-only permitted vessels when transiting
Federal waters within the Block Island Sound Transit Area provided they
follow the provisions at Sec. 648.131 and abide by state regulations.
* * * * *
0
12. Add Sec. 648.131 to read as follows:
Sec. 648.131 Block Island Sound Transit Area.
(a) Vessels not issued a Federal moratorium or party/charter
permit, and recreational fishing participants fishing exclusively in
state waters may transit with scup harvested from state waters on board
through Federal waters of the EEZ within Block Island Sound, north of a
line connecting Montauk Light, Montauk Point, NY, and Block Island
Southeast Light, Block Island, RI; and west of a line connecting Point
Judith Light, Point Judith, RI, and Block Island Southeast Light, Block
Island, RI. Within this area, possession of scup is permitted
regardless of the minimum size, possession limit, and seasons outlined
in Sec. Sec. 648.126, 648.127, and 648.128, provided no fishing takes
place from the vessel while in Federal waters of the EEZ, the vessel
complies with state regulations, and is in continuous transit. During
such transit through this area, commercial gear must be stowed in
accordance with the definition of ``not available for immediate use''
found at Sec. 648.2, and party/charter vessels and recreational
participants must have all bait and hooks removed from fishing rods,
and any scup on board must be stored in a cooler or container.
0
13. Revise Sec. 648.142 to read as follows:
Sec. 648.142 Black sea bass specifications.
(a) Commercial quota, recreational landing limit, research set-
aside, and other specification measures. The Black Sea Bass Monitoring
Committee will recommend to the Demersal Species Committee of the MAFMC
and the ASMFC, through the specification process, for use in
conjunction with the ACL and ACT, sector-specific research set-asides,
estimates of the sector-related discards, a recreational harvest limit,
a commercial quota, along with other measures, as needed, that are
projected to ensure the sector-specific ACL for an upcoming year or
years will not be exceeded. The following measures are to be considered
by the Black Sea Bass Monitoring Committee:
(1) Research quota set from a range of 0 to 3 percent of the
maximum allowed.
(2) A commercial quota, allocated annually.
(3) A commercial possession limit for all moratorium vessels, with
the provision that these quantities be the maximum allowed to be landed
within a 24-hour period (calendar day).
(4) Commercial minimum fish size.
(5) Minimum mesh size in the codend or throughout the net and the
catch threshold that will require compliance with the minimum mesh
requirement.
(6) Escape vent size.
(7) A recreational possession limit set after the reduction for
research quota.
(8) Recreational minimum and/or maximum fish size.
(9) Recreational season.
(10) Recreational state conservation equivalent and precautionary
default measures utilizing possession limits, minimum fish sizes, and/
or seasons set after reductions for research quota.
(11) Restrictions on gear other than otter trawls and pots or
traps.
(12) Total allowable landings on an annual basis for a period not
to exceed 3 years.
(13) Changes, as appropriate, to the SBRM, including the CV-based
performance standard, the means by which discard data are collected/
obtained, fishery stratification, the process for prioritizing observer
sea-day allocations, reports, and/or industry-funded observers or
observer set aside programs.
(14) Modification of the existing AM measures and ACT control rules
utilized by the Black Sea Bass Monitoring Committee.
(b) Specification fishing measures. The Demersal Species Committee
shall review the recommendations of the Black Sea Bass Monitoring
Committee. Based on these recommendations and any public comment, the
Demersal Species Committee shall make its recommendations to the MAFMC
with respect to the measures necessary to assure that the sector-
specific ACLs for an upcoming fishing year or years will not be
exceeded. The MAFMC shall review these recommendations and, based on
the recommendations and public comment, make recommendations to the
Regional Administrator with respect to the measures necessary to assure
that sector ACLs are not exceeded. Included in the recommendation will
be supporting documents, as appropriate, concerning the environmental
and economic impacts of the final rule. The Regional Administrator will
review these recommendations and any recommendations of the ASMFC.
After such review, the Regional Administrator will publish a proposed
rule in the Federal Register to implement a commercial quota, a
recreational harvest limit, and additional management measures for the
commercial fishery.
(c) Distribution of annual commercial quota. The black sea bass
commercial quota will be allocated on a coastwide basis.
(d) Recreational specification measures. The Demersal Species
Committee shall review the recommendations of the Black Sea Bass
Monitoring Committee. Based on these
[[Page 38925]]
recommendations and any public comment, the Demersal Species Committee
shall recommend to the MAFMC and ASMFC measures that are projected to
ensure the recreational ACL for an upcoming fishing year or years will
not be exceeded. The MAFMC shall review these recommendations and,
based on the recommendations and any public comment, recommend to the
Regional Administrator measures that are projected to ensure the
recreational ACL for an upcoming fishing year or years will not be
exceeded. The MAFMC's recommendations must include supporting
documentation, as appropriate, concerning the environmental and
economic impacts of the recommendations. The MAFMC and the ASMFC will
recommend that the Regional Administrator implement either:
(1) Coastwide measures. Annual coastwide management measures that
constrain the recreational black sea bass fishery to the recreational
harvest limit, or
(2) Conservation equivalent measures. Individual states, or regions
formed voluntarily by adjacent states (i.e., multi-state conservation
equivalency regions), may implement different combinations of minimum
and/or maximum fish sizes, possession limits, and closed seasons that
achieve equivalent conservation as the coastwide measures established
under paragraph (e)(1) of this section. Each state or multi-state
conservation equivalency region may implement measures by mode or area
only if the proportional standard error of recreational landing
estimates by mode or area for that state is less than 30 percent.
(i) After review of the recommendations, the Regional Administrator
will publish a proposed rule in the Federal Register as soon as
possible to implement the overall percent adjustment in recreational
landings required for the fishing year, and the ASMFC's recommendation
concerning conservation equivalency, the precautionary default
measures, and coastwide measures.
(ii) The ASMFC will review conservation equivalency proposals and
determine whether or not they achieve the necessary adjustment to
recreational landings. The ASMFC will provide the Regional
Administrator with the individual state and/or multi-state region
conservation measures for the approved state and/or multi-state region
proposals and, in the case of disapproved state and/or multi-state
region proposals, the precautionary default measures that should be
applied to a state or region. At the request of the ASMFC,
precautionary default measures would apply to federally permitted
party/charter vessels and other recreational fishing vessels harvesting
summer flounder in or from the EEZ when landing in a state that
implements measures not approved by the ASMFC.
(iii) After considering public comment, the Regional Administrator
will publish a final rule in the Federal Register to implement either
the state specific conservation equivalency measures or coastwide
measures to ensure that the applicable specified target is not
exceeded.
(iv) The ASMFC may allow states assigned the precautionary default
measures to resubmit revised management measures. The ASMFC will detail
the procedures by which the state can develop alternate measures. The
ASMFC will notify the Regional Administrator of any resubmitted state
proposals approved subsequent to publication of the final rule and the
Regional Administrator will publish a notice in the Federal Register to
notify the public.
(e) Research quota. See Sec. 648.22(g).
0
14. In Sec. 648.144, revise paragraph (a)(1)(ii) to read as follows:
Sec. 648.144 Black sea bass gear restrictions.
(a) * * *
(1) * * *
(ii) Mesh sizes shall be measured pursuant to the procedure
specified in Sec. 648.108(a)(2).
* * * * *
0
15. In Sec. 648.145, revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:
Sec. 648.145 Black sea bass possession limit.
(a) During the recreational fishing season specified at Sec.
648.146, no person shall possess more than 15 black sea bass in, or
harvested from, per trip the EEZ unless that person is the owner or
operator of a fishing vessel issued a black sea bass moratorium permit,
or is issued a black sea bass dealer permit, unless otherwise specified
in the conservation equivalent measures at Sec. 648.150. Persons
aboard a commercial vessel that is not eligible for a black sea bass
moratorium permit may not retain more than 15 black sea bass during the
recreational fishing season specified at Sec. 648.146. The owner,
operator, and crew of a charter or party boat issued a black sea bass
moratorium permit are subject to the possession limit when carrying
passengers for hire or when carrying more than five crew members for a
party boat, or more than three crew members for a charter boat. This
possession limit may be adjusted pursuant to the procedures in Sec.
648.142. However, possession of black sea bass harvested from state
waters above this possession limit is allowed for state-only permitted
vessels when transiting Federal waters within the Block Island Sound
Transit Area provided they follow the provisions at Sec. 648.151 and
abide by state regulations.
* * * * *
0
16. Revise Sec. 648.146 to read as follows:
Sec. 648.146 Black sea bass recreational fishing season.
Vessels that are not eligible for a moratorium permit under Sec.
648.4(a)(7), and fishermen subject to the possession limit specified in
Sec. 648.145(a), may only possess black sea bass from February 1
through February 28, May 15 through December 31, unless otherwise
specified in the conservation equivalent measures at Sec. 648.150 or
unless this time period is adjusted pursuant to the procedures in Sec.
648.142. However, possession of black sea bass harvested from state
waters outside of this season is allowed for state-only permitted
vessels when transiting Federal waters within the Block Island Sound
Transit Area provided they follow the provisions at Sec. 648.151 and
abide by state regulations.
0
17. In Sec. 648.147, revise the section heading and paragraphs (b) and
(c) to read as follows:
Sec. 648.147 Black sea bass size requirements.
* * * * *
(b) Party/Charter permitted vessels and recreational fishery
participants. The minimum fish size for black sea bass is 12.5 inches
(31.75 cm) TL for all vessels that do not qualify for a moratorium
permit, and for party boats holding a moratorium permit, if fishing
with passengers for hire or carrying more than five crew members, and
for charter boats holding a moratorium permit, if fishing with more
than three crew members, unless otherwise specified in the conservation
equivalent measures at Sec. 648.150. However, possession of smaller
black sea bass harvested from state waters is allowed for state-only
permitted vessels when transiting Federal waters within the Block
Island Sound Transit Area provided they follow the provisions at Sec.
648.151 and abide by state regulations.
(c) The size limits in this section applies to the whole fish or
any part of a fish found in possession (e.g., fillets), except that
party or charter vessels possessing valid state permits authorizing
filleting at sea may possess fillets smaller than the size specified if
skin remains on the fillet and all other state requirements are met.
[[Page 38926]]
Sec. 648.150 [Reserved]
0
18. Add and reserve Sec. 648.150.
0
19. Add Sec. 648.151 to read as follows:
Sec. 648.151 Block Island Sound Transit Zone.
(a) Vessels not issued a Federal moratorium or party/charter
permit, and recreational fishing participants fishing exclusively in
state waters may transit with black sea bass harvested from state
waters on board through Federal waters of the EEZ within Block Island
Sound, north of a line connecting Montauk Light, Montauk Point, NY, and
Block Island Southeast Light, Block Island, RI; and west of a line
connecting Point Judith Light, Point Judith, RI, and Block Island
Southeast Light, Block Island, RI. Within this area, possession of
black sea bass is permitted regardless of the minimum and/or maximum
(as applicable) size, possession limit, and seasons outlined in
Sec. Sec. 648.145, 648.146, and 648.147, provided no fishing takes
place from the vessel while in Federal waters of the EEZ, the vessel
complies with state regulations, and is in continuous transit. During
such transit through this area, commercial gear must be stowed in
accordance with the definition of ``not available for immediate use''
found at Sec. 648.2, and party/charter vessels and recreational
participants must have all bait and hooks removed from fishing rods,
and any black sea bass on board must be stored in a cooler or
container.
(b) The requirements of this transit zone are not necessary or
applicable for recreational fishery participants during years when
conservation equivalency has been adopted under Sec. 648.150
conservation equivalency measures and recreational Federal measures are
waived.
[FR Doc. 2019-16980 Filed 8-7-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P