Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region; Regulatory Amendment 29, 22118-22122 [2020-08093]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 77 (Tuesday, April 21, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 22118-22122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-08093]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 200408-0104]
RIN 0648-BI81


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region; Regulatory 
Amendment 29

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS proposes to implement management measures described in 
Regulatory Amendment 29 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-
Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (Snapper-Grouper FMP), as 
prepared and submitted by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council 
(Council). If implemented, this proposed rule would require descending 
devices be on board vessels and require the use of specific fish hook 
types while fishing for or possessing snapper-grouper species. The 
proposed rule would also allow the use of powerheads in Federal waters 
off South Carolina to harvest snapper-grouper species. The purpose of 
this proposed rule is to modify fishing gear requirements to promote 
best fishing practices and to ensure consistent regulations for the 
dive component of the snapper-grouper fishery.

DATES: Written comments on the proposed rule must be received by May 6, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the proposed rule, identified by 
``NOAA-NMFS-2020-0008,'' by either of the following methods:
     Electronic submission: Submit all electronic comments via 
the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=NOAA-NMFS-2020-0008, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, complete 
the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit all written comments to Frank Helies, NMFS 
Southeast Regional Office, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 
33701.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous).
    Electronic copies of Regulatory Amendment 29 may be obtained from 
www.regulations.gov or the Southeast Regional Office website at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/regulatory-amendment-29-gear-requirements-south-atlantic-snapper-grouper-species includes an 
environmental assessment, regulatory impact review, and Regulatory 
Flexibility Analysis (RFA).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Helies, NMFS Southeast Regional 
Office, telephone: 727-824-5305, or email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS and the Council manage the snapper-
grouper fishery under the Snapper-Grouper FMP. The Snapper-Grouper FMP 
was prepared by the Council and is implemented by NMFS through 
regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the authority of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) 
(16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.).

Background

    Commercial and recreational fishermen have expressed concern to the 
Council at their public meetings about regulations that result in 
released snapper-grouper species that do not survive, particularly 
South Atlantic red snapper. Fishermen have reported that some released 
fish die due to foul-hooking, e.g., when hooked in the stomach or 
outside of the mouth, or through barotrauma, which is injury caused by 
internal gas expansion when reeled up from depth. To improve the 
survivorship of released snapper-grouper species, the Council 
considered measures that would encourage the use of best fishing 
practices that aim to reduce the negative impacts to live fish released 
after capture. An example of a best fishing practice considered by the 
Council includes utilizing a barotrauma mitigation device such as a 
descending device or venting tool. Though venting tools may be faster 
to use than descending devices, venting tools have the potential to 
damage vital organs because they penetrate the abdomen of the fish, and 
therefore because it could cause additional stress to fish if not used 
correctly, the Council chose not to require venting tools in Regulatory 
Amendment 29.
    Regulatory Amendment 29 proposes measures that would apply to any 
commercial or recreational fishermen fishing for or possessing South 
Atlantic snapper-grouper, and include requiring that descending devices 
be on board vessels and encouraging their use when appropriate, as well 
as requiring the use of fish hooks that reduce or minimize gut-hooking 
or foul-hooking and increase the survivability of fish after release.
    As described in Regulatory Amendment 29, studies have shown that if 
properly used and maintained, descending devices relieve symptoms of 
barotrauma, and can decrease potential discard mortality of released 
fish. The proposed rule would not require the use of a descending 
device because it may not be needed every time; however, the gear would 
be required to be readily available on a vessel for use when fishing 
for or possessing snapper-grouper species. It is the Council's intent 
that fishermen use a descending device only when a fish may be 
experiencing barotrauma.
    Currently, fishermen must use non-stainless steel circle hooks when 
fishing for snapper-grouper species with hook-and-line gear and natural 
baits north of 28[deg] N latitude, which is the latitude line running 
east to west approximately 25 miles south of Cape Canaveral, Florida; 
fishermen are allowed to use either offset or non-offset circle hooks 
(50 CFR 622.188(a)(2)). A fish hook is offset if the front of the hook, 
which includes the hook point and barb, is not in-line with the hook 
shank. A non-offset hook has the point and barb in-line with the hook 
shank. The existing regulations require that circle hooks must be made 
of non-stainless steel, but other hook types, such as J-hooks, may be 
either stainless steel or non-stainless steel. Non-offset circle hooks 
can reduce the occurrence of hooking-related mortality (when compared 
to offset circle hooks and J-hooks) and can improve survivorship of 
released fish. Requiring their use as opposed to just requiring them to 
be on board ensures that full potential benefits of using this gear 
type are realized. Also, non-stainless steel hooks degrade faster than 
stainless steel hooks, so any fish released with an

[[Page 22119]]

embedded non-stainless steel hook would likely have a greater chance of 
survival.
    The final rule implementing Amendment 7 to the Snapper-Grouper FMP 
prohibited the use of powerheads to harvest snapper-grouper species in 
Federal waters off South Carolina due to concern for potential 
localized depletion of these species from divers using powerheads (59 
FR 66270, December 23, 1994); however, the use of powerheads is allowed 
in Federal waters off North Carolina, Georgia, and the east coast of 
Florida. A powerhead is a type of fishing gear that includes any device 
with an explosive charge, usually attached to a spear gun, spear, pole, 
or stick that fires a projectile upon contact with the fish. Fishermen 
have expressed concern to the Council at public meetings regarding 
inequitable access for the dive component of the snapper-grouper 
fishery off South Carolina because they are prohibited from using 
powerheads. The Council determined that because the commercial and 
recreational dive components of the snapper-grouper fishery only 
constitute approximately 5 percent landings from South Atlantic Federal 
waters, any impacts on snapper-grouper species from removing the 
powerhead prohibition would be minimal.

Management Measures Contained in This Proposed Rule

    This proposed rule would require descending devices be on board all 
commercial, charter vessels and headboats (for-hire), and private 
recreational vessels while fishing for or possessing snapper-grouper 
species, require the use of non-offset, non-stainless steel circle 
hooks when fishing for snapper-grouper species with hook-and-line gear 
and natural baits north of 28[deg] N latitude, require all hooks be 
non-stainless steel when fishing for snapper-grouper species with hook-
and-line gear and natural baits throughout the South Atlantic Federal 
waters, and allow the use of powerheads in Federal waters off South 
Carolina to harvest snapper-grouper species.

Descending Devices

    This proposed rule would require at least one descending device to 
be on board and ready for use on commercial, for-hire, and private 
recreational vessels while fishing for or possessing snapper-grouper 
species. Regulatory Amendment 29 describes a descending device as a 
tool to release a fish at the depth from which the fish was caught or 
at a minimum depth of 50 ft (15.2 m). Additionally, a 16-ounce (454-g) 
or heavier weight must be attached to the descending device. Because 
releasing a fish at a specific minimum depth would be difficult to 
comply with and enforce, this proposed rule defines a descending device 
as an instrument capable of releasing the fish at the depth from which 
the fish was caught and to which is attached a minimum of a 16-ounce 
(454-gram) weight and a minimum of a 60-ft (18.3-m) length of line. A 
16-ounce weight is available at many tackle shops and is heavy enough 
to descend a majority of snapper-grouper species subject to barotrauma. 
A minimum line length of 50 ft (15.2-m) was discussed by the Council 
because 50 ft is the standard minimum release depth setting on 
commercially available descending devices. After further consideration, 
and to achieve the Council's intent for depth of release, NMFS proposes 
that a minimum of 60 ft (18.3 m) of line be attached to a descending 
device to ensure fish are released at a minimum depth of 50 ft (15.2-m) 
while someone using the descending device is standing on the deck of a 
vessel, as well as to account for possible ocean current or swell.
    The descending device may either attach to the fish's mouth or it 
may be a container that will retain the fish while it is lowered to 
depth. The device must be capable of releasing the fish at depth 
automatically, by actions of the device operator, or by allowing the 
fish to escape on its own when at depth.

Non-Offset, Non-Stainless Steel Circle Hooks

    Currently, the use of non-stainless steel circle hooks is required 
when fishing for snapper-grouper species with hook-and-line gear and 
natural baits north of 28[deg] N latitude. This proposed rule would 
prohibit the use of offset circle hooks north of 28[deg] N latitude, 
and require the use of non-offset and non-stainless steel circle hooks 
when fishing for snapper-grouper species with hook-and-line gear and 
natural baits north of 28[deg] N latitude.
    As a result of public comment during the development of Regulatory 
Amendment 29, the Council determined that requiring non-offset circle 
hooks south of 28[deg] N latitude would result in negative economic and 
social effects to the for-hire industry because of the fishing methods 
in that area that rely on using J-hooks. For-hire fishermen were 
concerned that a requirement to use circle hooks south of 28[deg] N 
latitude would hinder their ability to produce fish for customers.

Non-Stainless Steel Hooks

    This proposed rule would require the use of non-stainless steel 
hooks when fishing for snapper-grouper species with hook-and-line gear 
and natural baits throughout Federal waters in the South Atlantic 
region. Similar to the proposed requirement to use non-offset, non-
stainless steel circle hooks north of 28[deg] N latitude, this proposed 
measure is expected to provide biological benefits as stated earlier to 
snapper-grouper species in South Atlantic Federal waters.

Powerhead Use Off South Carolina

    Currently, a powerhead may not be used to harvest snapper-grouper 
in Federal waters off South Carolina, but is allowed in Federal waters 
off North Carolina, Georgia, and the east coast of Florida. This 
proposed rule would remove the powerhead prohibition in Federal waters 
off South Carolina. The proposed rule would increase consistency in 
regulations throughout South Atlantic Federal waters, would be expected 
to reduce regulatory confusion among commercial and recreational dive 
fishermen, and aid in compliance and enforcement efforts.
    NMFS is also seeking public comment on an appropriate effective 
date for the measures proposed in this rule, if implemented via final 
rule. NMFS usually has the measures implemented in a final rule 
effective 30 days after publication of the rule in the Federal 
Register, and is seeking comment on whether this same delay in 
effectiveness would provide sufficient time to comply with the 
requirements as proposed in this rule.

Classification

    Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the 
NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that this proposed rule is 
consistent with Regulatory Amendment 29, the Snapper-Grouper FMP, other 
provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable laws, 
subject to further consideration after public comment.
    This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866. This proposed rule is not an 
Executive Order 13771 regulatory action because this rule is not 
significant under Executive Order 12866.
    NMFS prepared an initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA) for 
this proposed rule, as required by section 603 of the RFA (5 U.S.C. 
603). The IRFA describes the economic impact this proposed rule, if 
adopted, would have on small entities. A description of this proposed 
rule, why it is being considered, and the objectives of this proposed 
rule are contained in the preamble. The Magnuson-Stevens Act

[[Page 22120]]

provides the statutory basis for this proposed rule. A copy of the full 
analysis is available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES). A summary of the IRFA 
follows.
    This proposed rule would apply to all commercial vessels, for-hire 
vessels, and private recreational anglers that fish for or harvest 
snapper-grouper species in Federal waters of the South Atlantic. The 
RFA does not consider recreational anglers to be small entities, so 
they are outside the scope of this analysis and only the impacts on 
commercial and for-hire fishing businesses will be discussed.
    As of October 2, 2019, there were 527 valid or renewable South 
Atlantic snapper-grouper unlimited permits and 104 valid or renewable 
225-lb trip-limited permits. On average from 2013 through 2017, there 
were 568 federally permitted commercial vessels with reported landings 
of snapper-grouper species in the South Atlantic. Their average annual 
vessel-level gross revenue from all species for 2013 through 2017 was 
approximately $47,000 (2018 dollars) and snapper-grouper species 
accounted for 68 percent of this revenue. The maximum annual revenue 
from all species reported by a single one of the commercial vessels 
that landed South Atlantic snapper-grouper species from 2013 through 
2017 was approximately $1.5 million (2018 dollars).
    As of October 2, 2019, there were 1,751 vessels with valid Federal 
charter vessel/headboat permits for South Atlantic snapper-grouper. 
Although the for-hire permit application collects information on the 
primary method of operation, the permit itself does not identify the 
permitted vessel as either a charter vessel or a headboat. Operation as 
either a charter vessel or headboat is not restricted by permitting 
regulations and vessels may operate in both capacities on separate 
trips. However, only selected headboats are required to submit harvest 
and effort information to the NMFS Southeast Region Headboat Survey 
(SRHS). Participation in the SRHS is based on determination by the NMFS 
Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) that the vessel primarily 
operates as a headboat. As of August 20, 2019, 65 South Atlantic 
headboats were registered in the SRHS. As a result, of the 1,751 
vessels with Federal snapper-grouper for-hire permits, up to 65 may 
primarily operate as headboats and the remainder as charter vessels. 
The average South Atlantic charter vessel is estimated to receive 
approximately $123,000 (2018 dollars) in annual gross revenue. The 
average South Atlantic headboat is estimated to receive approximately 
$218,000 (2018 dollars) in annual gross revenue.
    For RFA purposes only, NMFS has established a small business size 
standard for businesses, including their affiliates, whose primary 
industry is commercial fishing (see 50 CFR 200.2). A business primarily 
engaged in commercial fishing (NAICS code 11411) is classified as a 
small business if it is independently owned and operated, is not 
dominant in its field of operation (including its affiliates), and has 
combined annual receipts not in excess of $11 million for all its 
affiliated operations worldwide. All of the commercial fishing 
businesses directly regulated by this proposed rule are believed to be 
small entities based on the NMFS size standard.
    The Small Business Administration (SBA) has established size 
standards for all major industry sectors in the U.S. including for-hire 
businesses (NAICS code 487210). A business primarily involved in the 
for-hire fishing industry is classified as a small business if it is 
independently owned and operated, is not dominant in its field of 
operation (including its affiliates), and has combined annual receipts 
not in excess of $8 million for all its affiliated operations 
worldwide. All of the for-hire fishing businesses that would be 
directly regulated by this proposed rule are believed to be small 
entities based on the SBA size criteria.
    No other small entities that would be directly affected by this 
propose rule have been identified.
    This proposed rule would not establish any new reporting or record-
keeping requirements. It would, however, require owners or operators of 
commercial and for-hire vessels to have a descending device on board 
when fishing for or possessing species in the snapper-grouper fishery 
management unit (FMU). It would also require that commercial fishermen 
and for-hire anglers use non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks 
when fishing for species in the snapper-grouper FMU with hook-and-line 
gear and natural baits in the South Atlantic exclusive economic zone 
(EEZ) north of 28[deg] N latitude (which is the latitude line running 
east to west approximately 25 miles south of Cape Canaveral, Florida). 
Finally, it would require that commercial fishermen and for-hire 
anglers use non-stainless steel hooks when fishing for species in the 
snapper-grouper FMU with hook-and-line gear and natural baits 
throughout the South Atlantic EEZ. To the extent that for-hire fishing 
businesses supply fishing tackle such as hooks to their customers, this 
proposed action would require for-hire businesses to purchase, and 
ensure the use of, such hooks as described above. No special 
professional skills would be necessary for compliance with this 
proposed rule.
    The estimated lower bound cost per vessel to purchase a descending 
device, based on advertised retail prices, plus the cost of a 
qualifying weight and line, would be approximately $19 (2018 dollars). 
Commercial and for-hire businesses that already own suitable descending 
devices would not need to purchase new ones.
    The proposed requirement for commercial fishermen and for-hire 
anglers to use non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks when 
fishing for snapper-grouper species with hook-and-line gear and natural 
baits in the EEZ north of 28[deg] N latitude (approximately 25 miles 
south of Cape Canaveral, Florida) would require some commercial fishing 
businesses and potentially some for-hire vessels to purchase these 
hooks. The cost of purchasing circle hooks is highly variable and would 
depend on how many hooks each commercial or for-hire fishing business 
would need, as well as the quantity of hooks included in each purchase. 
In general, the cost per hook may vary from approximately $0.30 per 
hook to $1.00 per hook. If for-hire anglers supply their own hooks, 
then the impact to for-hire fishing businesses would be reduced. 
Additionally, non-offset circle hooks may reduce the catchability of 
some species, which could negatively affect catch efficiency on some 
fishing trips. In turn, this could lead to a reduction in commercial 
ex-vessel revenue or increased trip costs. It is not possible to 
estimate the specific costs that each business would face as a result 
of the proposed circle hook requirement. Any change in for-hire 
anglers' demand for for-hire fishing trips (and associated economic 
effects) as a result of the proposed circle hook requirement would be 
secondary to any direct effect on anglers and, therefore, would be an 
indirect effect of the proposed rule. Indirect effects are not relevant 
to the RFA.
    In addition, this proposed rule would require the use of non-
stainless steel hooks when fishing for snapper-grouper species with 
hook-and-line gear and natural baits throughout the South Atlantic EEZ. 
Commercial and for-hire vessels fishing north of the 28[deg] N latitude 
would not be affected because there is already a non-stainless steel 
hook requirement in place there. The cost of purchasing non-stainless 
steel hooks is highly variable and would depend on how many hooks each 
commercial or for-hire fishing business

[[Page 22121]]

would need as well as the quantity of hooks in each purchase. In 
general, the cost per non-stainless steel hook may vary from 
approximately $0.30 per hook to $1.00 per hook. Switching from 
stainless to non-stainless steel would likely decrease the useful 
lifespan of hooks, leading to a small increase in operating costs in 
the long term for commercial and for-hire businesses. If for-hire 
anglers supply their own hooks, then the impact to for-hire fishing 
businesses would be reduced. Changing from stainless to non-stainless 
steel hooks would not be expected to affect the harvest of snapper-
grouper species and, therefore, no reduction in commercial ex-vessel 
revenue would be expected.
    Finally, this proposed rule would allow federally permitted 
commercial fishermen and for-hire anglers to use powerheads to harvest 
snapper-grouper species in the EEZ off South Carolina. This would 
increase the opportunity for harvest in some circumstances, potentially 
leading to greater commercial ex-vessel revenue or lower harvest costs. 
It is not possible to meaningfully estimate these potential economic 
effects with available data. Any economic effects on for-hire fishing 
businesses would be indirect and would depend on how anglers' demand 
for for-hire trips changes as a result of removing the restriction on 
powerhead usage. Again, indirect effects are not relevant to the RFA.
    The following discussion describes the alternatives that were not 
selected as preferred by the South Atlantic Council.
    Three alternatives were considered for the action to specify 
requirements for the use of descending devices or venting devices when 
fishing for or possessing snapper-grouper species. The first 
alternative, the no action alternative, would not require descending or 
venting devices to be on board when fishing for or possessing snapper-
grouper species. This alternative would not be expected to result in 
direct costs to any small entities. It was not selected by the Council 
because it would forgo any improvements to snapper-grouper fish stocks 
that could be achieved through the increased usage of descending or 
venting devices and resultant decreases in release mortality.
    The second alternative and three sub-alternatives, which were all 
selected as preferred by the Council, would require a descending device 
be on board private recreational, for-hire, and commercial vessels, 
respectively, when fishing for or possessing snapper-grouper species.
    The third alternative would require a venting device be on board a 
vessel when fishing for or possessing snapper-grouper species. The 
third alternative contained three sub-alternatives that would apply the 
venting device requirement to private recreational vessels, for-hire 
vessels, and commercial vessels, respectively. The estimated lower 
bound cost of purchasing a venting device, based on advertised retail 
prices, would be $6 (2018 dollars). This is slightly cheaper than the 
estimated cost of the preferred alternative. The third alternative was 
not selected by the Council because of the higher mortality risk to 
released fish associated with using venting devices incorrectly, versus 
using descending devices.
    Four alternatives were considered for the action to modify the 
requirement for the use of non-stainless steel circle hooks when 
fishing for or possessing snapper-grouper species with hook-and-line 
gear. The first alternative, the no action alternative, would not 
modify current gear requirements and therefore would not be expected to 
result in direct costs to any small entities. This alternative was not 
selected by the Council because it would forgo any improvements to 
snapper-grouper fish stocks that could be achieved through the use of 
non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks north of 28[deg] N 
latitude or increased usage of non-stainless steel hooks in general and 
resultant decreases in release mortality.
    The second alternative, selected as preferred by the Council, would 
require the use of non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks when 
fishing for snapper-grouper species with hook-and-line gear and natural 
baits within certain areas of the South Atlantic EEZ. The second 
alternative contained two sub-alternatives. The first sub-alternative, 
which was selected as preferred, would apply the non-offset, non-
stainless steel circle hook fishing requirement to South Atlantic 
Federal waters north of 28[deg] N latitude. The second sub-alternative 
would apply the non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hook fishing 
requirement throughout the extent of the Council's jurisdiction (from 
the North Carolina and Virginia border through Key West, Florida), 
except that other non-stainless steel hook types would be allowed to be 
used when fishing for yellowtail snapper with natural baits. The second 
sub-alternative would be expected to affect a greater number of 
commercial and for-hire fishing businesses because of the larger area 
to which it would apply and because there is currently no circle hook 
requirement in place when fishing for snapper-grouper species south of 
28[deg] N latitude. As discussed under the effects of the preferred 
sub-alternative, the cost of purchasing circle hooks would depend on 
how many hooks each commercial or for-hire fishing business would need, 
as well as the quantity of hooks included in each purchase. The effect 
of switching to circle hooks in the area south of 28[deg] N latitude 
may have a more pronounced effect on catch efficiency there than in the 
rest of the South Atlantic EEZ. Stakeholders have indicated that a 
circle hook requirement would negatively affect their ability to catch 
snapper-grouper species when drift fishing, which is a common practice 
in South Florida and the Florida Keys. The second sub-alternative was 
not selected because it would be expected to result in substantial 
negative economic and social effects, specifically to the for-hire 
industry that operates south of 28[deg] N latitude.
    The third alternative would require non-offset, non-stainless steel 
circle hooks be on board a vessel possessing snapper-grouper species 
when fishing with hook-and-line gear and natural baits within certain 
areas of the EEZ. The third alternative contained two sub-alternatives. 
The first sub-alternative would apply the non-offset, non-stainless 
steel circle hook on board requirement to vessels in Federal waters 
north of 28[deg] N latitude. Under this sub-alternative, some 
commercial and for-hire fishing businesses that fish for snapper-
grouper species north of 28[deg] N latitude would need to purchase non-
offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks to have on board. This sub-
alternative would be expected to result in lower direct costs to 
fishing businesses than the preferred alternative, as non-offset, non-
stainless steel circle hooks would only need to be on board the vessel 
and would likely not be used to the same extent as under the preferred 
alternative. Under such circumstances, multiple circle hook types and 
sizes would not be necessary to satisfy the circle hook requirement. 
Additionally, J-hooks or treble hooks could be used to harvest snapper-
grouper species, which may increase the catchability of some species in 
comparison to circle hooks. To the extent that catch efficiency 
increases on commercial fishing trips, this could result in an increase 
in commercial trip profitability. The second sub-alternative would 
apply the non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hook on board 
requirement throughout the extent of the Council's jurisdiction, except 
that other non-stainless steel hook types would be allowed to be used 
when fishing for yellowtail snapper with natural baits. The second sub-
alternative would require that

[[Page 22122]]

commercial and for-hire fishing businesses that fish for snapper-
grouper species anywhere in the South Atlantic EEZ purchase non-offset, 
non-stainless steel circle hooks to have on board. Because J-hooks and 
treble hooks may already be used while fishing for snapper-grouper 
species with natural bait south of 28[deg] N latitude, the second sub-
alternative would be expected to have comparable effects on catch 
efficiency as the first sub-alternative. The third alternative and two 
sub-alternatives were not selected by the Council, because they were 
expected to be less likely than the preferred alternative to reduce 
release mortality.
    The fourth alternative, also selected as preferred, would require 
the use of non-stainless steel hooks when fishing for snapper-grouper 
species with hook-and-line gear and natural baits in the South Atlantic 
EEZ.
    Three alternatives were considered for the action to adjust 
powerhead prohibitions in the South Atlantic region. The first 
alternative, the no action alternative, would not modify existing 
powerhead regulations or restrictions, and therefore, would not be 
expected to have direct economic effects on any small entities. Under 
the no action alternative, harvest of snapper-grouper species by 
powerhead in the EEZ off South Carolina would continue to be 
prohibited. This alternative was not selected by the Council because it 
would fail to ensure consistent regulations for the dive component of 
the South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery.
    The second alternative and two sub-alternatives were selected as 
preferred and would allow private recreational, for-hire, and 
commercial vessels to use powerheads for harvest of snapper-grouper 
species in the EEZ off South Carolina.
    The third alternative would prohibit the use of a powerhead for 
harvest of snapper-grouper species in the EEZ of the entire South 
Atlantic region. The third alternative contained two sub-alternatives. 
The first sub-alternative would apply the prohibition of powerheads in 
the EEZ to private recreational and for-hire vessels. This sub-
alternative would remove some opportunities to recreationally harvest 
snapper-grouper species in the EEZ of the South Atlantic, but would not 
be expected to have any direct effects on for-hire fishing businesses. 
Any effects on for-hire fishing businesses would be indirect and would 
depend on how anglers' demand for for-hire trips changes as a result of 
powerhead restrictions. The second sub-alternative would apply the 
prohibition of powerheads in the EEZ to commercial vessels. This would 
remove some opportunities to commercially harvest snapper-grouper 
species in the EEZ of the South Atlantic, which may lead to decreased 
trip profits for some commercial businesses. Using the average annual 
ex-vessel revenue estimates from powerhead fishing in the South 
Atlantic EEZ from 2013 through 2017, NMFS estimates the upper bound 
cost of this sub-alternative would be $261,000 (2018 dollars) per year 
or approximately $460 per commercial vessel. The true cost of this sub-
alternative would likely be much less, because commercial fishermen 
could substitute powerhead landings with landings by other gear types 
or in other areas. The third alternative and two sub-alternatives were 
not selected by the Council because they would unnecessarily reduce 
fishing opportunities in the South Atlantic EEZ and potentially result 
in negative economic effects to fishermen.
    No duplicative, overlapping, or conflicting Federal rules have been 
identified. In addition, because no new reporting or record-keeping 
requirements are introduced by this proposed rule, the Paperwork 
Reduction Act does not apply to this proposed rule.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 622

    Fisheries, Fishing, Grouper, Snapper, South Atlantic.

    Dated: April 13, 2020.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 622 is 
proposed to be amended as follows:

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

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

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


Sec.  622.182  [Amended]

0
2. In Sec.  622.182, remove and reserve paragraph (c).
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3. In Sec.  622.188, revise paragraph (a)(2) and add paragraphs (a)(3) 
and (4) to read as follows:


Sec.  622.188  Required gear, authorized gear, and unauthorized gear.

    (a) * * *
    (2) Non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks. Non-offset, non-
stainless steel circle hooks are required to be used when fishing for 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper with hook-and-line gear and natural 
baits north of 28[deg] N. lat.
    (3) Non-stainless steel hooks. Non-stainless steel hooks are 
required to be used when fishing for South Atlantic snapper-grouper 
with hook-and-line gear and natural baits south of 28[deg] N. lat.
    (4) Descending device. At least one descending device is required 
to be on board a vessel and be ready for use while fishing for or 
possessing South Atlantic snapper-grouper. Descending device means an 
instrument capable of releasing the fish at the depth from which the 
fish was caught and to which is attached a minimum of a 16-ounce (454-
gram) weight and a minimum of a 60-ft (15.2-m) length of line. The 
descending device may either attach to the fish's mouth or be a 
container that will retain the fish while it is lowered to depth. The 
device must be capable of releasing the fish automatically, by actions 
of the operator of the device, or by allowing the fish to escape on its 
own when at depth.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2020-08093 Filed 4-17-20; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P