Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery Off the Southern Atlantic Region; Regulatory Amendment 29, 36166-36171 [2020-11916]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 115 (Monday, June 15, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36166-36171]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-11916]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 200528-0150]
RIN 0648-BI81


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

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: NMFS issues regulations to implement Regulatory Amendment 29 
to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the 
South Atlantic Region (FMP) (Regulatory Amendment 29), as prepared and 
submitted by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council). 
This final rule requires descending devices to be on board vessels and 
requires the use of specific fish hook types while fishing for or 
possessing snapper-grouper species. This rule also allows the use of 
powerheads in Federal waters off South Carolina to harvest snapper-
grouper species. The purpose of this 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: This final rule is effective on July 15, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of Regulatory Amendment 29 may be obtained 
from www.regulations.gov or the NMFS Southeast Regional Office website 
at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/regulatory-amendment-29-gear-requirements-south-atlantic-snapper-grouper-species. Regulatory 
Amendment 29 includes an environmental assessment, a Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (RFA) analysis, and a regulatory impact review.

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 FMP. The 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.).
    On April 21, 2020, NMFS published a proposed rule for Regulatory 
Amendment 29 in the Federal Register and requested public comment (85 
FR 22118, April 21, 2020). The proposed rule and Regulatory Amendment 
29 outline the rationale for the actions contained in this final rule. 
A summary of the management measures described in Regulatory Amendment 
29 and implemented by this final rule is provided below.

Management Measures Contained in This Final Rule

    This final rule requires: 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; the use of non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks when

[[Page 36167]]

fishing for snapper-grouper species with hook-and-line gear and natural 
baits north of 28[deg] N latitude; and all hooks be non-stainless steel 
when fishing for snapper-grouper species with hook-and-line gear and 
natural baits throughout South Atlantic Federal waters. This rule also 
allows the use of powerheads in Federal waters off South Carolina to 
harvest snapper-grouper species. This rule and Regulatory Amendment 29 
encourage the use of best fishing practices that aim to reduce the 
negative impacts to live fish released after capture to improve the 
survivorship of the released snapper-grouper species. This rule and 
Regulatory Amendment 29 also increase the consistency of regulations 
for the dive component of the snapper-grouper fishery.

Descending Devices

    This final rule requires at least one descending device to be on 
board and ready for use on any commercial, for-hire, or private 
recreational vessel while fishing for or possessing South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper. As described in Regulatory Amendment 29, studies have 
shown that if properly used and maintained, descending devices may 
relieve symptoms of barotrauma and can decrease discard mortality of 
released fish. Barotrauma is the injury caused by internal gas 
expansion when a fish is retrieved from depth. This final 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 60 ft (18.3 m) attached 
to a descending device will better ensure fish are released at a 
minimum depth of 50 ft (15.2 m) while fishermen using the descending 
device are 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.
    This final rule does not specifically require the use of a 
descending device because it may not be needed every time a fish is 
caught; however, the device is required to be readily available on a 
vessel for use when a fish may be experiencing barotrauma.

Non-Offset, Non-Stainless Steel Circle Hooks

    This final rule requires 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, which is 
approximately 25 miles (40 km) south of Cape Canaveral, Florida. A non-
offset hook has the point and barb in-line with the hook shank. 
Commercial and recreational fishermen in the South Atlantic have 
reported to the Council that some released snapper-grouper die due to 
foul-hooking, e.g., when hooked in the stomach or outside of the mouth. 
Previous to this rule, offset circle hooks were allowed under the same 
conditions; however, the Council determined that 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 snapper-grouper species.

Non-Stainless Steel Hooks

    This final rule requires 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 requirement to use non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks 
north of 28[deg] N latitude, this measure is expected to provide 
biological benefits to snapper-grouper species in South Atlantic 
Federal waters. Because non-stainless steel hooks degrade faster than 
stainless steel hooks, any fish released with an embedded non-stainless 
steel hook could have a greater chance of survival.

Powerhead Use Off South Carolina

    This final rule removes the powerhead prohibition in Federal waters 
off South Carolina, allowing a powerhead to be used to harvest South 
Atlantic snapper-grouper. 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 previously 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 were 
prohibited from using a powerhead, while that was an allowable gear to 
harvest snapper-grouper species in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) 
off the other South Atlantic states. The Council determined that 
because the commercial and recreational dive components of the snapper-
grouper fishery only constitute approximately 5 percent of the landings 
from South Atlantic Federal waters, any impacts on snapper-grouper 
species from removing the powerhead prohibition would be minimal. This 
rule increases consistency in regulations throughout South Atlantic 
Federal waters, reduces regulatory confusion among commercial and 
recreational dive fishermen, and aids in compliance and enforcement 
efforts.

Comments and Responses

    NMFS received 27 comments from individuals, commercial and 
recreational fishermen, environmental non-governmental organizations, 
and fishing organizations during the public comment period on the 
proposed rule for Regulatory Amendment 29. Most comments supported the 
actions in the proposed rule and Regulatory Amendment 29, particularly 
the descending device action. NMFS acknowledges the comments in favor 
of all or part of the actions in the proposed rule and agrees with 
them. Comments that were beyond the scope of the proposed rule are not 
responded to in this final rule. Comments that opposed an action 
contained in Regulatory Amendment 29 and the proposed rule are 
summarized below, along with NMFS' responses.
    Comment 1: Requiring descending devices to be on board vessels will 
cost fishermen more money with little benefit to the snapper-grouper 
fishery, and the use of descending devices will increase predation by 
predator fish and dolphins as released fish are descended.
    Response: NMFS agrees that requiring descending devices to be on 
board vessels could result in additional cost to participants. However, 
a range of cost options are available to purchase or fabricate a 
descending device, including some low cost options. As discussed in the 
proposed rule, NMFS estimated the 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). Fishermen that already own a suitable descending device 
would not need to purchase a new one.
    NMFS disagrees that descending devices will result in little 
benefit to the species in the snapper-grouper fishery. The use of 
descending devices may reduce predation on released snapper-grouper 
species by allowing a more rapid return to depth, thereby making them 
less vulnerable to predators. Discarded fish stranded at the surface 
may become prey for marine mammals, sea birds, and other large 
predators,

[[Page 36168]]

such as amberjack, barracuda, and sharks. Studies referenced in 
Regulatory Amendment 29 have shown that relieving the symptoms of 
barotrauma of released snapper-grouper species reduced discard 
mortality rates when compared to fish released with the use of 
descending devices.
    Comment 2: Because of the ease of use and their historical use in 
the snapper-grouper fishery, venting tools should be required instead 
of descending devices.
    Response: NMFS disagrees. Recent studies referenced in Regulatory 
Amendment 29 have recommended the use of descending devices over 
venting tools for treating fish experiencing symptoms of barotrauma. 
Though faster to use, venting tools also have the potential to damage 
vital organs and cause additional stress to a fish if not used 
correctly. Also, this final rule does not prohibit the use of venting 
tools for those individuals that know how to use them properly (e.g., 
trained crew on for-hire vessels).
    Comment 3: Extensive outreach on the new gear requirements should 
be conducted in conjunction with this final rule.
    Response: NMFS will work with the Council to conduct an education 
and outreach effort to ensure fishermen participating in the fishery 
understand the new regulations and how to properly use descending 
devices. The Council will utilize information already developed by 
other entities (state-agencies, non-profits) about descending devices 
to avoid duplication in effort or conflicting information. Web-based 
outreach materials designed to educate recreational and commercial 
snapper-grouper fishermen on barotrauma, descending devices, and the 
proper technique for releasing snapper-grouper species, as well as 
other best fishing practices, has been posted to the Council website, 
https://safmc.net.
    Comment 4: NMFS should proceed with approval of the final rule for 
Regulatory Amendment 29 without delay to ensure the regulations are in 
place for the 2020 summer fishing season.
    Response: NMFS is proceeding to implement Regulatory Amendment 29 
as quickly as possible. In the proposed rule for Regulatory Amendment 
29, NMFS requested public comment on an appropriate effective date for 
a final rule because new gear requirements were proposed. NMFS 
typically applies a 30-day delay in the effective date for management 
actions published in a final rule. However, NMFS has used longer delays 
in some other final rules that contain gear requirements, particularly 
when requiring new types of gear. NMFS wants to ensure fishermen have 
sufficient time to construct or purchase the required devices given 
potential supply issues, and specifically asked the public in the 
proposed rule for Regulatory Amendment 29 whether a delay of 30 days 
would provide sufficient time to comply with the new requirements. NMFS 
received no other comment about an alternative effective date, 
therefore this final rule is effective as stated in the DATES section, 
i.e., 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.

Classification

    The Regional Administrator for the NMFS Southeast Region has 
determined that this final rule is consistent with Regulatory Amendment 
29, the FMP, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable laws.
    This final rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866. This final rule is not an Executive 
Order 13771 regulatory action because this action is not significant 
under Executive Order 12866.
    A Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) was prepared 
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 604(a) of the RFA. The FRFA incorporates the 
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA), a summary of the 
significant issues raised by the public comments in response to the 
IRFA, NMFS' responses to those comments, and a summary of the analyses 
completed to support the action. The FRFA follows.
    The Magnuson-Stevens Act provides the statutory basis for this 
final rule. A description of this final rule, why it is being 
implemented, and the purpose of this final rule are contained in the 
SUMMARY and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION sections of this final rule.
    Public comments relating to socio-economic implications and 
potential impacts on small businesses are addressed in the response to 
Comment 1 in the Comments and Responses section of this final rule. No 
changes to this final rule were made in response to these public 
comments. No comments were received from the Office of Advocacy for the 
Small Business Administration (SBA).
    This final rule applies 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 May 8, 2020, there were 525 valid or renewable South Atlantic 
snapper-grouper unlimited permits and 102 valid or renewable 225-lb 
(102-kg) 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 May 8, 2020, there were 1,680 vessels with valid Federal 
charter vessel/headboat permits for South Atlantic snapper-grouper. 
Although the NMFS 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 February 18, 2020, 65 South 
Atlantic headboats were registered in the SRHS. As a result, of the 
1,680 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

[[Page 36169]]

operations worldwide. All of the commercial fishing businesses that 
will be directly regulated by this final rule are believed to be small 
entities based on the NMFS size standard.
    The 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 will be directly regulated by this final 
rule are believed to be small entities based on the SBA size criteria.
    No other small entities that will be directly affected by this 
final rule have been identified.
    This final rule will 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 also requires 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 EEZ north of 28[deg] N latitude. Finally, 
it requires 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 final rule will 
require for-hire businesses to purchase, and ensure the use of, such 
hooks as described previously. No special professional skills are 
necessary for compliance with this final 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, is approximately $19 (2018 dollars). 
Commercial and for-hire businesses that already own suitable descending 
devices will not need to purchase new ones.
    The 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 will 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 
will depend on how many hooks each commercial or for-hire fishing 
business needs, 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 circle hook requirement. Any change in for-hire anglers' demand 
for for-hire fishing trips (and associated economic effects) as a 
result of the new hook requirement would be secondary to any direct 
effect on anglers and, therefore, would be an indirect effect of this 
final rule. Indirect effects are not relevant to the RFA.
    In addition, this final rule will 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 28[deg] N latitude will 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 will depend on how many hooks each 
commercial or for-hire fishing business needs 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 is not be expected to affect the harvest of 
snapper-grouper species and, therefore, no reduction in commercial ex-
vessel revenue is expected.
    Finally, this final rule will allow federally permitted commercial 
fishermen and for-hire anglers to use powerheads to harvest snapper-
grouper species in the EEZ off South Carolina. This will 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 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, will 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

[[Page 36170]]

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, will 
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, applies 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 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, requires 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 modify 
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, the 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 will allow private recreational, for-hire, and commercial 
vessels to use powerheads for the harvest of snapper-grouper species in 
the EEZ off South Carolina.
    The third alternative would prohibit the use of a powerhead for the 
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.
    Section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness 
Act of 1996 states that, for each rule or group

[[Page 36171]]

of related rules for which an agency is required to prepare a FRFA, the 
agency shall publish one or more guides to assist small entities in 
complying with the rule, and shall designate such publications as 
``small entity compliance guides.'' The agency shall explain the 
actions a small entity is required to take to comply with a rule or 
group of rules. As part of this rulemaking process, NMFS prepared a 
fishery bulletin, which also serves as a small entity compliance guide. 
The fishery bulletin will be sent to all interested parties.
    This final rule does not establish any new reporting or record-
keeping requirements. Accordingly, the Paperwork Reduction Act does not 
apply to this final rule.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 622

    Fisheries, Fishing, Grouper, Snapper, South Atlantic.

    Dated: May 28, 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 amended 
as follows:

PART 622--FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF MEXICO, 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).

0
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. 2020-11916 Filed 6-12-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P