Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Lane Snapper Management Measures and Proposed Rule, 57629-57632 [2021-22509]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 198 (Monday, October 18, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57629-57632]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-22509]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 211006-0204]
RIN 0648-BK36


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Lane Snapper Management 
Measures and Proposed Rule

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 a 
framework action to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish 
Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP) as prepared by the Gulf of Mexico 
Fishery Management Council (Council). For Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) lane 
snapper, this proposed rule would modify the annual catch limit (ACL) 
and revise an accountability measure (AM). The purposes of this 
proposed rule are to prevent overfishing of lane snapper and achieve 
optimum yield (OY). This proposed rule would also make minor 
administrative changes to replace outdated NMFS website addresses and 
language about required software for the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) 
programs.

DATES: Written comments must be received by November 2, 2021.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the proposed rule identified by 
``NOAA-NMFS-2021-0073'' by any of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov 
and enter [NOAA-NMFS-2021-0073] in the Search box. Click on the 
``Comment'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach 
your comments.
     Mail: Submit all written comments to Dan Luers, 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), 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).
    Electronic copies of the framework action, which includes an 
environmental assessment, a fishery impact statement, a Regulatory 
Flexibility Act analysis, and a regulatory impact review, may be 
obtained from the Southeast Regional Office website at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS and the Council manage the Gulf reef 
fish fishery, which includes lane snapper, under the FMP. The Council 
prepared the FMP and NMFS implements the FMP through regulations at 50 
CFR part 622 under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).

Background

    The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires NMFS and regional fishery 
management councils to prevent overfishing and achieve, on a continuing 
basis, the OY from federally managed fish stocks. These mandates are 
intended to ensure fishery resources are managed for the greatest 
overall benefit to the nation, particularly with respect to providing 
food production and recreational opportunities, and protecting marine 
ecosystems.
    Unless otherwise noted, all weights in this proposed rule are in 
round weight.
    Lane snapper occur in estuaries and shelf waters of the Gulf, and 
are particularly abundant off south and southwest Florida. Lane snapper 
in the Gulf exclusive economic zone (EEZ) are managed as a single stock 
with a stock ACL of 301,000 lb (136,531 kg) that was implemented in 
2012 (76 FR 82044; December 29, 2011). This stock ACL is based on 
average landings from 1999 through 2008. The Council has also 
established a stock annual catch target (ACT) that is set 14 percent 
below the ACL, at 259,000 lb (117,480 kg), but the ACT is not codified 
in the regulations and is not linked to any specific management action, 
such as a closure. The fishing season is open year-round, January 1 
through December 31. However, the current AM for lane snapper specifies 
that if combined commercial and recreational landings exceed the stock 
ACL in a fishing year, then during the following fishing year, if the 
stock ACL is reached or is projected to be reached, the commercial and 
recreational sectors will be closed for the remainder of the fishing 
year.
    In 2016, a Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) stock 
assessment (SEDAR 49 2016, ``SEDAR 49'') was completed for lane snapper 
and determined that the size of the lane snapper stock was similar to 
previous estimates. The Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee 
(SSC) reviewed SEDAR 49, accepted the assessment as the best scientific 
information available, and made recommendations to the Council to 
revise the catch limits. However, because the catch limits based on 
SEDAR 49 were similar to the established catch limits, the Council 
decided not to act on the SSC's recommendation.
    As described in this framework action, Gulf lane snapper landings 
exceeded the stock ACL each year from 2016 through 2019. In 2017, NMFS 
notified the Council that landings in 2017 exceeded the overfishing 
limit (OFL), resulting in overfishing. Subsequently, NMFS estimated 
that 2018 landings did not exceed the 2018 OFL, but did exceed the ACL, 
and that a closure would be needed in 2019 should the ACL be projected 
to be met. On December 13, 2019, NMFS closed fishing for lane snapper 
for the remainder of the year based on a projection that the ACL would 
be caught. Despite this closure, the ACL was exceeded in 2019. Review 
of recent landings data indicate this ACL was also exceeded in 2020.
    In 2019, in response to landings data that indicated lane snapper 
experienced overfishing in 2017 and exceeded its ACL in 2018, the 
Council requested that the NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Center 
provide an updated, interim analysis to include landings data from 
2015-2018 (SEDAR 49 Update 2019). However, the updated analysis used 
recreational catch estimate values that were calculated using landings 
from the previous Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) 
Coastal Household Telephone Survey rather than the newer MRIP Fishing 
Effort Survey (FES). Thus, the Council's SSC requested that the 
recreational data used to calculate the estimated catch limits for lane 
snapper be converted to values directly comparable to those collected

[[Page 57630]]

in the new MRIP-FES as recommended by NMFS. This updated analysis was 
provided in 2020.
    The SEDAR 49 Update indicated that the Gulf lane snapper stock size 
had increased. In addition, the OFL and acceptable biological catch 
(ABC) for lane snapper had previously been calculated using 
recreational data from the Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics 
Survey (MRFSS). MRFSS was replaced by MRIP, and the conversion to MRIP-
FES values resulted in an approximate doubling of recreational catch 
and effort estimates. Thus, based on the results of the SEDAR 49 Update 
and the conversion of the recreational survey from MRFSS to MRIP-FES, 
the SSC recommended an increase in the lane snapper OFL and ABC.
    The increases recommended by the SSC were from 358,000 lb (162,386 
kg) to 1,053,834 lb (478,011 kg) for the OFL, and from 301,000 lb 
(135,531 kg) to 1,028,973 lb (466,734 kg) for the ABC. In the framework 
action, the Council adopted the SSC's recommendations. The Council also 
decided to set the ACL be equal to the new ABC, and remove the ACT 
because it has not been used for management since its implementation.
    Despite landings exceeding the lane snapper ACL each year from 2016 
through 2019, NMFS closed the harvest of lane snapper only once under 
the current AM, which requires a closure when the ACL is met or 
projected to be met during the year following an ACL overage. Thus, the 
Council decided to modify the AM to require an in-season closure in any 
year during which NMFS projects that the ACL is met. However, the 
proposed increase in the Gulf lane snapper ACL may be substantial 
enough to allow harvest through the full year.

Management Measures Contained in This Proposed Rule

    If implemented, this proposed rule would revise the ACL for the 
Gulf lane snapper stock. The framework would also modify the AM to 
require NMFS to implement a closure during the current fishing year if 
landings meet or are projected to meet the revised ACL.

Annual Catch Limit

    This proposed rule would increase the lane snapper stock ACL from 
301,000 lb (136, 531 kg) to 1,028,973 lb (466,734 kg).

Accountability Measure

    If implemented, this proposed rule would modify the AM such that if 
annual landings in a given year reach or are projected to reach the 
revised ACL, NMFS would implement a seasonal closure to prohibit 
harvest of lane snapper by the commercial and recreational sectors for 
the remainder of the fishing year.

Management Measures Contained in This Proposed Rule Not in the 
Framework Action

    In addition to the measures described in the lane snapper framework 
action, this proposed rule would correct the NMFS Southeast Regional 
Office (SERO) website address in the two sections of the regulations 
that specify permit requirements and make several administrative 
changes to NMFS's IFQ Program regulations.
    Current regulations at 50 CFR 622.4 and 622.20 have an obsolete 
website address that may prevent the public from accessing information 
about fishing permits, including the forms to obtain necessary permits. 
This proposed rule would update this website address in the 
regulations.
    To manage the Gulf red snapper and Gulf grouper-tilefish IFQ 
programs (also called the SERO Catch Share Programs), NMFS hosts a 
public-facing website to display information, including landings. The 
website also provides customer support through online applications to 
join the SERO Catch Share Programs, and allows the public to 
participate in the programs. As part of a recent update to the internet 
platform used by NMFS, the website address for the SERO Catch Share 
Programs changed, making the website address listed in the Code of 
Federal Regulations incorrect. Thus, the previous website address will 
be replaced by the updated SERO Catch Share Programs website address, 
which is listed for Gulf red snapper in 50 CFR 622.21(b)(11)(i) and 
622.21(b)(11)(i)(A), and for Gulf grouper-tilefish species, at 50 CFR 
622.22(b)(11)(i) and 622.22(b)(11)(i)(A) of this proposed rule.
    In addition, current regulations at 50 CFR 622.21(a)(3)and 
622.22(a)(3), specify particular internet browser software that IFQ 
participants may use. Because technology changes quickly, NMFS has 
determined that it is impracticable to require named versions of 
software. To address this issue, NMFS proposes to replace the 
references to the specific software in 50 CFR 622.21(a)(3)and 
622.22(a)(3) with a general requirement that the internet browser 
software used be up-to-date, no matter the brand (e.g., Microsoft Edge, 
Google Chrome, Apple Safari).

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 the framework action, the FMP, other provisions of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable law, subject to further 
consideration after public comment.
    This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    The public comment period will be open for 15 days to accelerate 
the rulemaking process while allowing the public adequate time to 
comment on the proposed measures. NMFS has determined that a 15-day 
comment period is appropriate because components of this proposed rule, 
if adopted, should be made effective as soon as possible in order for 
fishermen to reap the benefits of the increase in the ACL for lane 
snapper in the Gulf.
    Pursuant to section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), 
the Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce has 
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 factual basis for this determination follows.
    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 provides the statutory basis for this proposed 
rule.
    This proposed rule would apply to all federally-permitted 
commercial vessels and recreational anglers that fish for or harvest 
lane snapper in Federal waters of the Gulf. It would not directly apply 
to or regulate charter vessels and headboats (for-hire vessels). For-
hire vessels sell fishing services to recreational anglers. The 
proposed changes to the lane snapper management measures would not 
directly alter the services sold by these vessels. Any change in demand 
for these fishing services, and associated economic effects, as a 
result of this proposed rule would be a consequence of a behavioral 
change by anglers, secondary to any direct effect on anglers and, 
therefore, an indirect effect of the proposed rule. Because the effects 
on for-hire vessels would be indirect, they fall outside the scope of 
the RFA. Furthermore, for-hire captains and crew are allowed to retain 
lane snapper under the recreational bag limit; however, they are not 
allowed to sell these fish. As such, for-hire captains and crew would 
be directly affected only as recreational anglers. Recreational anglers 
who would be directly affected by this proposed rule are not considered 
small entities under the RFA and are, therefore,

[[Page 57631]]

outside the scope of this analysis (5 U.S.C. 603). Small entities 
include small businesses, small organizations, and small governmental 
jurisdictions (5 U.S.C. 601(6) and 601(3)-(5)). Recreational anglers 
are not businesses, organizations, or governmental jurisdictions. In 
summary, only the impacts on commercial vessels will be further 
discussed.
    As of April 26, 2021, there were 827 limited access valid or 
renewable commercial Gulf reef fish permits. On average from 2014 
through 2018, there were 315 federally permitted commercial vessels 
each year with reported landings of lane snapper in the Gulf. Their 
average annual vessel-level gross revenue from all species for 2014 
through 2018 was approximately $154,000 (2018 dollars) and lane snapper 
accounted for less than 0.2 percent of this revenue. The maximum annual 
revenue from all species reported by a single one of the commercial 
vessels that landed Gulf lane snapper from 2014 through 2018 was 
approximately $2.33 million (2018 dollars).
    For RFA purposes, 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 small entities 
based on the NMFS size standard. No other small entities would be 
directly affected by this proposed rule.
    This proposed rule would modify the stock ACL for lane snapper 
based on the March 2020 SEDAR 49 assessment update, corresponding 
recommendations from the Council's SSC, and determinations by the 
Council. The new ACL of 1,028,973 lb (466,734 kg), would be managed 
using recreational catch and effort data from MRIP-FES as opposed to 
MRFSS. Additionally, the framework action would remove the ACT for lane 
snapper. Under this proposed rule, NMFS projects that the lane snapper 
fishing season in future years would be year-round; a substantial 
increase in season length relative to an estimated closure date of 
August 19 under the status quo (in years that AM closures are in effect 
and timely). A longer season would be expected to provide commercial 
fishing businesses greater fishing opportunities throughout the year. 
In addition, the increase in the ACL, and corresponding projected 
increase in the season length, would be expected to increase commercial 
landings by 12,362 lb (5,607 kg), per year, resulting in an annual 
increase in ex-vessel revenue of $30,658 (2018 dollars). Divided by the 
number of commercial vessels with reported landings of lane snapper 
from 2014 through 2018, this would be an average increase of 
approximately $97 per vessel per year.
    This proposed rule would also modify the closure AM such that, if 
annual landings in a given year meet or are projected to meet the ACL, 
NMFS would prohibit harvest of lane snapper by the commercial and 
recreational sectors for the remainder of the fishing year. Currently, 
if the ACL is exceeded in a given fishing year, NMFS will prohibit 
harvest of lane snapper in the subsequent fishing year if landings meet 
or are projected to meet the stock ACL. This proposed change to the 
lane snapper AM could affect the timing of closures, potentially 
increasing their frequency and forgoing some commercial harvest that 
may have occurred in excess of the lane snapper stock ACL under the 
status quo. However, because the proposed stock ACL is approximately 
double the size of the current ACL (ignoring the influence of the 
adjustment in the recreational data collection from MRFSS to MRIP-FES 
because this just accounts for the difference in recreational 
reporting), no fishing season closure would be expected to occur. As a 
result, the proposed change in the AM will likely result in slightly 
positive economic impacts (with an average increase in ex-vessel 
revenue of $97 per vessel per year, as noted above) for the affected 
small entities in the fishing year. In addition, should any negative 
economic effects associated with closures that result from application 
of the proposed change in the AM arise in future fishing years, NMFS 
expects that would be offset by the benefits of the increased catch 
limits proposed in this rulemaking. In addition, lane snapper comprises 
only a small percentage of the aggregate ex-vessel revenue earned by 
those small entities directly affected by this proposed rule. 
Therefore, this proposed rule would not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities.
    Several administrative items contained in this proposed rule, which 
are not part of the proposed framework action, are as follows: (1) 
Updates to the IFQ portal website address, (2) updates to the website 
address listed in 50 CFR 622.21(b)(11)(i), 622.21(b)(11)(i)(A), 
622.22(b)(1), and 622.22(b)(11)(i) to access the online application for 
the IFQ program, (3) updates to the SERO website address in 50 CFR 
622.4 and 622.20, and (4) changes to web browser requirements in 50 CFR 
622.21(a)(3) and 622.22(a)(3). These proposed changes are being made in 
order to replace obsolete website addresses with new website addresses 
and to correct outdated information related to web browser 
requirements. All of these are administrative changes only and are not 
expected to have any direct economic effects on any small entities.
    In summary, the information provided above supports a determination 
that this proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on 
a substantial number of small entities. As a result, an initial 
regulatory flexibility analysis is not required and none has been 
prepared.
    No duplicative, overlapping, or conflicting Federal rules have been 
identified. In addition, no new reporting, record-keeping, or other 
compliance requirements are introduced by this proposed rule.
    This proposed rule contains no information collection requirements 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 622

    Annual catch limit, Fisheries, Fishing, Gulf, Individual fishing 
quota, Lane snapper, Reef fish.

    Dated: October 12, 2021.
Samuel D. Rauch, III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, NOAA proposes to amend 50 
CFR part 622 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.

0
2. In Sec.  622.4, revise the fifth sentence in paragraph (g)(1) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  622.4  Permits and fees--general.

* * * * *
    (g) * * *
    (1) * * * Application forms and instructions for renewal are 
available online at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/southeast/resources-
fishing/permits-applications-

[[Page 57632]]

and-forms-southeast or from the RA (Southeast Permits Office) at 1-877-
376-4877, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., eastern 
time. * * *
* * * * *
0
3. In Sec.  622.20, revise the third sentence in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) 
to read as follows:


Sec.  622.20  Permits and endorsements.

    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (ii) * * * The application form and instructions are available 
online at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/southeast/resources-fishing/permits-applications-and-forms-southeast. * * *
* * * * *
0
4. Amend Sec.  622.21 by:
0
a. Revising the second sentence in paragraph (a)(3)(i);
0
b. Revising the third sentence in paragraph (b)(1); and
0
c. Revising the first sentence in paragraphs (b)(11)(i) and 
(b)(11)(ii)(A).
    The revisions read as follows:


Sec.  622.21  Individual fishing quota (IFQ) program for Gulf red 
snapper.

    (a) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (i) * * * The computer must have current, up-to-date browser 
software installed, which may be downloaded from the internet for free. 
* * *
* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) * * * An owner of a vessel with a commercial vessel permit for 
Gulf reef fish, who has established an IFQ account for Gulf red snapper 
as specified in paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section, online via the 
NMFS IFQ website https://secatchshares.fisheries.noaa.gov/, may 
establish a vessel account through that IFQ account for that permitted 
vessel. * * *
* * * * *
    (11) * * *
    (i) * * * A current participant in the red snapper IFQ program must 
complete and submit the application for an IFQ Account that is 
available on the website https://secatchshares.fisheries.noaa.gov, to 
certify status as a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien. * * *
    (ii) * * *
    (A) To establish an IFQ account, a person must first complete the 
application for an IFQ Account that is available on the website https://secatchshares.fisheries.noaa.gov. * * *
* * * * *
0
5. Amend Sec.  622.22 by:
0
a. Revising the second sentence in paragraph (a)(3)(i);
0
b. Revising the third sentence in paragraph (b)(1); and
0
c. Revising the first sentence in paragraph (b)(11)(i).
    The revisions read as follows:


Sec.  622.22  Individual fishing quota (IFQ) program for Gulf groupers 
and tilefishes.

    (a) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (i) * * * The computer must have current, up-to-date browser 
software installed, which may be downloaded from the internet for free. 
* * *
* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) * * * An owner of a vessel with a commercial vessel permit for 
Gulf reef fish, who has established an IFQ account for the applicable 
species, as specified in paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section, online 
via the NMFS IFQ website https://secatchshares.fisheries.noaa.gov, may 
establish a vessel account through that IFQ account for that permitted 
vessel. * * *
* * * * *
    (11) * * *
    (i) A current participant in the Gulf grouper and tilefish IFQ 
program must complete and submit the application for an IFQ Account 
that is available on the website https://secatchshares.fisheries.noaa.gov, to certify status as a U.S. citizen 
or permanent resident alien. * * *
* * * * *
0
6. In Sec.  622.41, revise paragraph (k) to read as follows:


Sec.  622.41  Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), 
and accountability measures (AMs).

* * * * *
    (k) Lane snapper. If the sum of the commercial and recreational 
landings, as estimated by the SRD, reaches or is projected to reach the 
stock ACL, as specified in this paragraph (k), the AA will file a 
notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close the 
commercial and recreational sectors for the remainder of the fishing 
year. The stock ACL for lane snapper is 1,028,973 lb (466,734 kg), 
round weight.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2021-22509 Filed 10-15-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P