Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; American Lobster Fishery; Removal of American Lobster Effort Control Measures, 46825-46829 [2024-11453]
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 105 / Thursday, May 30, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
Corrections
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Season Dates
On page 22967 of the final rule,
NMFS inadvertently excluded 2 days
the Washington Department of Fish and
Wildlife (WDFW) and the Council
intended the fishery to be open in the
Washington South Coast subarea: May
28 and 30. At its November meeting, the
Council recommended NMFS
implement specific season dates for
fishing in the Washington South Coast
subarea. These dates were developed
through public meetings held by
WDFW, as well as at the Council’s
September and November meetings.
Specifically, the Council recommended
to NMFS, based on WDFW’s
recommendation, that fishing days in
the Washington South Coast subarea be
‘‘Open May 2 through May 30, three
days per week, Thursday, Sunday, and
Tuesday. Memorial Day weekend: open
Thursday, May 23. If sufficient quota
remains, open June 13, 16, 18, 20, 23,
25, 27, 30. If quota remains after June
30, open up to seven days per week in
August and September.’’ However, the
final rule inadvertently excluded the
last Tuesday and Thursday in May: May
28 and 30.
As such, consistent with the intent of
the Council, the corrected season dates
for the Washington South Coast subarea
in May are: May 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16,
19, 21, 23, 28, and 30. Closed May 25,
26 and 27.
Subarea Allocation
Under the allocation framework the
Council adopted in the Catch Sharing
Plan, the Oregon recreational fishery is
allocated 29.7 percent of the non-tribal
share of the FCEY. The Oregon
recreational fishery allocation is further
allocated to two subareas; the Oregon
Central Coast receiving 93.79 percent
and Southern Oregon receiving 3.91
percent (up to 8,000 pounds (lb) [3.6
metric tons [mt]] with the remainder
going to the Columbia River subarea).
The Oregon Central Coast subarea
allocation is further divided into the
nearshore fishery receiving 12 percent,
the spring all-depth fishery receiving 63
percent, and the summer all-depth
fishery receiving 25 percent. Consistent
with the allocation the IPHC set for Area
2A in 2024 (89 FR 19275, March 18,
2024) and this framework, the overall
Oregon Central Coast subarea allocation
is 266,161 lb (120.7 mt) and the
nearshore fishery allocation should
therefore be 31,939 lb (14.5 mt).
However, page 22968 of the final rule
incorrectly states the pounds allocated
to the nearshore fishery as 31,393 lb
(14.5 mt). Therefore, this action corrects
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that value and establishes the Oregon
Central Coast nearshore fishery
allocation at 31,939 lb (14.5 mt). The
amount in metric tons of 14.5 mt was
stated correctly in the original final rule.
Classification
Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the
Administrative Procedure Act (APA)
authorizes agencies to dispense with
notice and comment procedures for
rules when the agency for ‘‘good cause’’
finds that those procedures are
‘‘impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary
to the public interest.’’ The Assistant
Administrator for Fisheries determined
there is good cause to waive prior notice
and an opportunity for public comment
on this action as notice and comment
would be impracticable and contrary to
the public interest because this action is
necessary to correct an inadvertent error
in a final rule (89 FR 22966).
Immediate correction of the error is
necessary to prevent confusion among
participants in the fishery and to ensure
that management of the fishery is
consistent with State Fish and Wildlife
agency recommendations, which were
developed with stakeholder feedback,
and the Council’s intent for the
regulations, as developed over two
public meetings. The proposed
regulations were available for public
review during a 30-day public comment
period in the proposed rule (89 FR 9105,
February 9, 2024), and the final rule (89
FR 22966, April 3, 2024) provided
responses to the comments received.
Therefore, there is good cause to waive
additional public comment and
immediate correction of the error is
needed to meet the public’s
expectations based on recommendations
made in the Council’s 2024 Catch
Sharing Plan and in outreach materials
distributed by the States of Washington
and Oregon. Delaying this correction to
engage in notice-and-comment
rulemaking would be contrary to the
public interest because it would
undermine the intent of the rule.
Under section 553(d) of the APA, an
agency must delay the effective date of
regulations for 30 days after publication,
unless the agency finds good cause to
make the regulations effective sooner.
For the same reasons stated above, the
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries
has determined good cause exists to
waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness.
This rule makes only two minor
corrections to the final rule, which
became effective April 4, 2024. Delaying
effectiveness of these corrections would
result in conflicts in the regulations and
confusion among fishery participants,
and would therefore be contrary to the
public interest. Additionally, without
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46825
waiving the 30-day delay in
effectiveness, this correction to the
season dates would not be effective by
May 28 and 30, which the final rule
inadvertently omitted as open fishing
days in the Washington South Coast
subarea, but which were intended to be
included.
The Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5
U.S.C. 603 and 604, requires an agency
to prepare an initial and a final
regulatory flexibility analysis whenever
an agency is required by section 553 of
the APA, or any other law, to publish
a general notice of proposed
rulemaking. Because NMFS found good
cause under section 553(b)(3)(B) of the
APA to forgo publication of a notice of
proposed rulemaking, the regulatory
flexibility analyses described in 5 U.S.C.
603 and 604 are not required for this
rulemaking.
This final rule is not significant under
Executive Order 12866.
This final rule contains no
information collection requirements
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: May 24, 2024.
Samuel D. Rauch, III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024–11866 Filed 5–29–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 697
[Docket No. 240520–0141]
RIN 0648–BM92
Fisheries of the Northeastern United
States; Atlantic Coastal Fisheries
Cooperative Management Act
Provisions; American Lobster Fishery;
Removal of American Lobster Effort
Control Measures
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
Following the Atlantic States
Marine Fisheries Commission’s
(Commission) withdrawal of Lobster
Conservation Management Area 2 and 3
ownership caps and Area 3 maximum
trap cap reductions from its Interstate
Fishery Management Plan for American
Lobster (Lobster Plan), this action
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 105 / Thursday, May 30, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
removes those requirements from
Federal regulations and clarifies that all
other measures included in the October
2, 2023, interim final rule (IFR) remain
in effect. This action is intended to
support the Commission’s management
of the lobster fishery and eliminate the
potential for inconsistent State and
Federal regulations that risk
undermining management of the fishery
and is necessary to ensure that fishery
regulations for the lobster fishery in
Federal waters remain compatible with
the Lobster Plan and consistent with the
Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative
Management Act (Atlantic Coastal Act).
DATES: As of July 1, 2024, the revision
to § 697.19(c) and (m) in amendatory
instruction 6 of the IFR, 88 FR 67667,
67687–67679 (October 2, 2023), is
withdrawn.
You may request copies of
the supplemental information report
prepared for this action at: National
Marine Fisheries Service, 55 Great
Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930–
2276 or by calling (978) 281–9315. The
supporting document is also accessible
via the internet at: https://
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about/greateratlantic-regional-fisheries-office or
https://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Allison Murphy, Fishery Policy Analyst,
(978) 281–9122.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
ADDRESSES:
Statutory Authority
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Purpose and Need for Management
The purpose of this action is to
manage the American lobster fishery to
maximize resource sustainability,
recognizing that Federal management
occurs in concert with State
management and compatibility between
State and Federal measures is crucial to
the overall success of American lobster
management and required by the
Atlantic Coastal Act. NMFS indicated
that the agency could make changes to
the IFR measures and requested
comment on that possibility in the IFR,
see 88 FR at 67669; see also 87 FR 41084
(July 11, 2022) (proposed rule
requesting comments on measures
ultimately included in the IFR); 82 FR
52871 (November 15, 2017) (advance
notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR)
requesting comments on change to
control date for trap limits in Areas 2
and 3); 79 FR 4319 (January 27, 2014)
(ANPR establishing control date and
requesting comments). In light of public
comments received and to achieve the
purpose of the Atlantic Coastal Act, we
are withdrawing the Area 2 and 3
ownership caps and Area 3 maximum
trap cap reductions that we
implemented in the IFR.
Management Measures
Area 2 and 3 Measures
Background
These regulations modify Federal
lobster fishery management measures in
the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
under the authority of section 803(b) of
the Atlantic Coastal Act. This authority
states that, in the absence of an
approved and implemented Fishery
Management Plan under the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens
Act; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) and, after
consultation with the appropriate
fishery management council(s), the
Secretary of Commerce may implement
regulations to govern fishing in the EEZ,
from 3 to 200 nautical miles offshore.
The regulations must be: (1) compatible
with the effective implementation of an
Interstate Fishery Management Plan
developed by the Atlantic States Marine
Fisheries Commission; and (2)
consistent with the National Standards
set forth in section 301 of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act. See 16 U.S.C.
5103(b)(1)(A) (establishing Secretary’s
authority to issue Federal regulations
that are compatible with a coastal
management plan and consistent with
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Standards), 16 U.S.C. 1502(1) (defining
‘‘coastal management plan’’).
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The IFR implemented ownership caps
in Areas 2 and 3 and maximum trap cap
reductions in Area 3, effective May 1,
2025. These measures complemented
the Commission’s Addenda XXI and
XXII to Amendment 3 to the Lobster
Plan, both of which were approved by
the Commission in 2013. The objective
of these addenda was to scale the
southern New England lobster fishery to
the diminished size of the resource by
addressing latent effort in the fishery
and reducing trap limits in an attempt
to control harvest to allow for potential
stock rebuilding. A full description of
those measures is included in the IFR
and not repeated here.
During the proposed rule (87 FR
41084, July 11, 2022) comment period,
we received several comments stating
that our management partners and
industry needed additional time to
understand these measures, consider
them in the current context of the
fishery, and provide adequate comment.
We delayed implementation of the
measures until May 1, 2025, while we
accepted additional public comments
on these measures as provided in the
IFR, which indicated that we would
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consider any additional comments
received and would, if necessary and
appropriate, publish a subsequent rule
to address any changes. See 88 FR at
67669.
On January 23, 2024, the
Commission’s Lobster Board withdrew
its prior recommendation for
implementation of Area 2 and 3
ownership caps and Area 3 maximum
trap cap reductions, determining that
these measures are no longer relevant in
the current context of the fishery. On
February 12, 2024, the Commission
confirmed the decision of the Lobster
Board in a letter to NMFS, citing
numerous ways in which the fishery in
these Areas has changed. The
Commission noted that while the
Addenda that originally called for the
Area 2 and 3 measures attempted to
prevent consolidation, the lag time
between Commission approval and
NMFS implementation has allowed for
consolidation to occur, removing the
need for these specific measures. In
addition, the Commission expressed
concern that the implementation of
these measures would change how
permits and traps will be bought and
sold. The Commission also explained
the economics of the fishery in these
areas and changing operational needs of
harvesters to maintain their businesses,
citing increased costs, loss of fishing
grounds due to other ocean uses,
additional management measures on the
American lobster fishery to reduce the
risk to North Atlantic right whales
posed by the fishery, and the evolution
of the fishery in these areas from a
lobster fishery to a mixed-crustacean
fishery targeting both lobsters and Jonah
crabs.
The Atlantic Coastal Act provides that
the Secretary ‘‘may implement
regulations’’ affecting fisheries also
regulated by the Commission if no
fishery management plan exists
pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Act
and the regulations are ‘‘compatible
with the effective implementation of a
coastal fishery management plan.’’ 16
U.S.C. 5103(b)(1)(A). Removing the Area
2 and 3 measures ensures that Federal
regulations continue to complement the
Commission’s Lobster Plan. Further,
this action will minimize confusion
between State and Federal
requirements. If we do not remove these
Area 2 and 3 measures, there would be
inconsistent State and Federal lobster
regulations, potentially undermining
management of the fishery.
Other Management Measures
The IFR also implemented mandatory
electronic harvester reporting
requirements and corrections. This final
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rule makes no changes to those
measures, which have already become
effective.
Comments and Responses
As noted above, the IFR delayed
implementation of certain measures and
solicited public comment on them. The
comment period ended on December 1,
2023. We received comments from 10
groups: The Atlantic Offshore
Lobstermen’s Association (AOLA), the
Animal Welfare Institute, a group of
environmental organizations, 6
members of the fishing industry, and 1
member of the public. Only comments
that were applicable to the proposed
measures are addressed below.
Comment 1: AOLA stated that the
Area 3 maximum trap reductions are
inconsistent with the National
Standards and are purely an economic
reallocation, which is specifically
prohibited; that the analysis in the
environmental assessment did not rely
on the best available science; and that
the economic analysis was insufficient
because it did not discuss impacts to
crew, communities, shoreside
employees, and owners.
Response: The commenter’s assertions
are the same arguments made in AOLA
v. Raimondo, an active lawsuit in the
Federal Court for the District of New
Hampshire. When developed, the IFR
measures reflected the best scientific
information available and appropriate
consideration of economic and social
impacts and was supported by the
regulated community, including AOLA.
However, NOAA is withdrawing the
relevant measures because of changed
circumstances in the fishery as
articulated by the public and the
Commission and because the
maintaining the measures would create
incompatibility between state and
Federal management of the fishery.
Comment 2: AOLA commented
against the ownership caps and
maximum trap cap reductions, stating
that it is unlikely that the level of
fishing necessary to harvest optimum
yield could be maintained, as these
measures seem to encourage the
downsizing of offshore vessels.
Response: The 2022 environmental
assessment accompanying the IFR noted
that it was difficult to predict industry
response to these measures, specifically
whether traps would be reduced or
whether owners would attempt to
transfer traps in an attempt to recoup
costs. Likewise, it was difficult to assess
how fishing practices would have
changed. NOAA is withdrawing the
Area 2 and 3 IFR measures because of
changed circumstances in the fishery
and the need for Federal regulations to
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be compatible with the Commission’s
Lobster Plan as discussed in the
response to comment 1.
Comment 3: AOLA stated that there is
no justification for the Area 3 measures,
citing multiple reasons. First, the
commenter asserted that the majority of
fishing effort in Area 3 is on the Gulf of
Maine/Georges Bank stock, not the
southern New England stock that these
measures were intended to conserve.
Second, the commenter cited economic
impacts, predicting loss in profits and
the potential for effort shifts. Third, the
commenter discussed how Area 3
permit holders have appropriately
scaled their businesses for their trap
allocations and lack the ability to
consolidate effort. Finally, the
commenter stated that they are not
aware of any concerns from the fishing
industry about the existing level of
consolidation in the fishery.
Response: As discussed above, NOAA
is withdrawing the Area 3 measures
because of changed circumstances in the
fishery and the need for Federal
regulations to be compatible with the
Commission’s Lobster Plan. On
February 12, 2024, the Commission
notified NOAA that the lobster fishery’s
circumstances had changed and that it
no longer supported certain measures in
the IFR. Accordingly, the purpose and
need for the involved Federal measures
no longer exists and NOAA is
withdrawing those measures to avoid
incompatibility with the Commission
Lobster Plan. See 16 U.S.C.
5103(b)(1)(A).
Comment 4: Environmental
organizations indicated general support
for measures that reduce risk to
protected species. These organizations
urged us to implement all possible
measures as soon as possible and to
continue the development of ondemand (or ropeless) gear to minimize
risk from persistent vertical buoy lines.
Response: NOAA takes its
responsibilities to protect North Atlantic
right whales seriously and has
expended great effort and resources in
doing so. Recent or ongoing efforts
include: (1) continued trial and testing
of on-demand gear, as facilitated by the
approval of several exempted fishing
permits and the Northeast Fisheries
Science Center’s on-demand gear
library; (2) support of and participation
on the New England Fishery
Management Council’s On-Demand
Gear Conflict Working Group; (3)
hosting various on-demand workshops
in late 2023; and (4) the February 7,
2024, final rule (89 FR 8333) to close
portions of Federal waters north of Cape
Cod Bay to lobster fishing every year
from February 1 through April 30 to
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protect right whales on their way to and
from their feeding grounds in Cape Cod
Bay. This February 7, 2024 final rule is
currently in litigation. Our whale
protection efforts are continuous and
ongoing.
Comment 5: A group of
environmental organizations indicated
that the maximum trap cap reductions
will reduce trap fishing effort thus
benefiting both the lobster stock, by
reducing the number of traps fished,
and whales, by reducing the number of
associated fishing lines in the water.
Response: The maximum trap cap
reduction would have been unlikely to
reduce the number of traps fished due
to the Area 3 trap allocation and trap
transfer program and the financial
incentive for lobster businesses to
maximize profits by transferring
(selling) unused trap allocation. On
March 27, 2003, we published a final
rule (68 FR 14902) that established a
program to set the total number of Area
3 traps per permit. On April 7, 2014, we
published a final rule (79 FR 19015) that
established a trap transfer program,
allowing lobster businesses to transfer
(sell) these allocated traps to other
lobster businesses. These allocated traps
remain an asset of the lobster permit
regardless of the permit holder’s ability
to use any excess allocation created by
the lowering of the Area 3 trap cap. In
such a trap cap adjustment, there is
economic incentive for a permit holder
to transfer (sell) this now unusable
excess allocation to a lobster business
that can use it because their allocation
is under the cap. Such a transfer would
be subject to a 10-percent conservation
tax, which somewhat decreases the
overall Area 3 trap allocation with every
transfer. Recent public commentary and
debate at the Lobster Board, however,
suggested that consolidation has already
taken place in response to other
management measures. Consequently,
the actual result of the maximum trap
cap reduction would be more of a
redistribution than a reduction of trap
allocation and, as such, the reduction in
traps being fished, and the reduction of
lines in the water, would have been
expected to be minimal. For more detail
on this issue, please see NOAA’s
Environmental Assessment, section
7.2.2, December 2022, as well as the
Supplemental Information Report,
section 6.
Comment 6: A group of
environmental organizations expressed
surprise that comments submitted at the
proposed rule stage of this rulemaking
that referenced measures to reduce risk
to North Atlantic right whales
implemented by a September 17, 2021,
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final rule (86 FR 51970) were described
as not relevant to the action.
Response: The purpose and need of
the IFR was not to implement whale
protection measures but rather to
complement lobster management
measures outlined in Addenda XXI,
XXII, and XXVI to Amendment 3 to the
Lobster Plan (see Lobster EA, section 1.0
Executive Summary—Purpose and Need
(August 2022)). All of those Addenda
pre-date the September 17, 2021, final
rule (86 FR 51970), some by as much as
eight years. As such, the IFR did not
implement protections for the North
Atlantic right whale pursuant to the
Marine Mammal Protection Act. Instead,
the IFR was promulgated under the
Atlantic Coastal Act, which mandates
that Federal lobster regulations be
compatible with the Commission’s
Lobster Plan and requires the
withdrawal of the IFR that we are
announcing today.
Comment 7: Two environmental
organizations supported the IFR,
requesting whale protection measures to
be put into place as soon as possible.
One of the organizations indicated that
industry has had ample time to
understand and come into compliance
with these requirements.
Response: Similar to comment 6, this
comment conflates NOAA’s whale
protection efforts and rulemakings with
this rulemaking, which implements the
agency’s responsibilities pursuant to the
Atlantic Coastal Act. The purpose of the
IFR was to implement lobster
management measures outlined in
Addenda XXI, XXII and XXVI. The
Commission, however, rescinded their
request for us to implement these
measures by vote on January 23, 2024,
and by letter to NOAA on February 12,
2024. We are likewise rescinding the
Federal regulations to ensure
compatibility with the Commission’s
Lobster Plan as required by the Atlantic
Coastal Act. Management measures for
the purposes of reducing the risk from
lobster fishing on protected species are
implemented through other processes,
as described in the response to comment
4. Whether the affected industry had
sufficient time to comply with this
action is moot, given that, for the
reasons stated above, we are removing
these requirements.
Comment 8: One member of the
fishing industry stated that the Gulf of
Maine/Georges Bank stock remains at
high levels of abundance and not in
need of trap reductions. That industry
member also stated that there is no
evidence that reducing fishing effort of
the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank lobster
stock will address the deterioration of
the southern New England lobster stock.
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Another member of the industry stated
that these measures are unnecessary, as
juvenile and egg-bearing female lobster
are abundant on Georges Bank.
Response: The best available science
from the 2020 benchmark stock
assessment indicates that the Gulf of
Maine/Georges Bank stock remains in
favorable condition based on the
reference points. The 2020 assessment
concluded that the stock is not depleted
and overfishing is not occurring, though
more recent information made available
since both the assessment and the
publication of the interim final rule
indicates a decline in recruit
abundance, triggering other
management actions for those fishing on
the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank stock.
The decision whether to apply Area 3
measures to all of Area 3 (i.e., harvesters
fishing on both the Gulf of Maine/
Georges Bank and southern New
England lobster stocks), was debated
and decided upon by the Lobster Board.
Draft Addendum XXI, released for
public comment in May 2013, included
options for a southern New England
permit designation, which would have
allowed for the trap reductions to only
apply to harvesters fishing on the
southern New England stock. The
Lobster Board did not select permit
designations as a final management
measure, thus applying management
measures to the entirety of Area 3,
including the portion of Area 3 that
fishes on the Gulf of Maine/Georges
Bank lobster stock. We proposed and
implemented these measures based on
the Commission’s original request for
complementary measures in Federal
waters. Given their more recent request
to withdraw the measures, we are now
acting accordingly.
Comment 9: One member of the
fishing industry contends that the
declines of the southern New England
stock are being driven by climate
change, not overfishing or excessive
fishing pressure, as supported by the
action’s environmental assessment.
Further, the member of the fishing
industry stated that we did not establish
an adequate link between fishing effort
and stock depletion.
Response: The best available science
suggests that environmental factors are
a significant factor in the decline of the
southern New England stock. The 2020
American Lobster Benchmark Stock
Assessment made major advances in
considering the impact of changing
environmental conditions on lobster
population dynamics. Environmental
factors contributed to the assessment’s
analysis of regime shifts and associated
thresholds by which stock health is now
measured. While this information was
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not directly discussed in the
environmental assessment, it was the
foundation for stock status discussed in
section 6.2.3 of the environmental
assessment. While not available to the
Commission during the development of
Addenda XXI and XXII, a 2016
American Lobster Technical Committee
analysis suggests that, despite
overfishing not occurring, stabilization
of the southern New England lobster
stock was only possible with a
reduction in exploitation. This analysis
thus links fishing effort and recovery of
the southern New England lobster stock.
Comment 10: One member of the
fishing industry stated that the analysis
included in the environmental
assessment was out of date, as it relied
on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries
commission’s 2009 and 2015 benchmark
American lobster stock assessments.
Response: The environmental
assessment accompanying the IFR made
reference to several recent benchmark
American lobster stock assessments. At
the time the Commission considered
and approved Addenda XXI and XXII,
the 2009 stock assessment was
considered the best available science.
Since that time, the 2015 and 2020
assessments have confirmed the
continued downward trend in the
southern New England lobster stock.
Section 6.2.3 of the environmental
assessment accompanying the IFR
which discusses stock status, uses the
best available scientific information
from the 2020 benchmark stock
assessment.
Comment 11: Five members of the
fishing industry commented in
opposition to the Area 3 measures,
citing changes to the fishery over the
last 10 years and financial issues. Two
industry members stated that these
regulations will create inefficiencies for
current fishery participants, with one
arguing that these measures would be
detrimental to owners with multiple
vessels. A third industry member
suggested freezing the number of traps
at current levels. Other commenters
cited the increased cost of fuel and bait,
previous investments made to maintain
higher allocations following the 2016–
2020 trap reductions, and the difficulty
of paying and retaining crew members.
Response: We agree with the
commenters that imposing the IFR
measures could have had some negative
impacts to Area 3 harvesters, although
we assessed them as slight in the short
term when the IFR was released. See 88
FR at 67674–67675. We acknowledge
that each business is different, thus
impacts are not uniform, with some
businesses potentially being more
affected by the measures than others. As
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 105 / Thursday, May 30, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1
discussed in the response to comment 5,
the environmental assessment
acknowledged that permit holders may
respond to these measures differently,
by either selling off or redistributing
traps. Following requests during the
proposed rule comment period, we
provided additional time for
management partners and industry to
understand these measures, consider
them in the current context of the
fishery, and provide additional
comment. Comments by these and other
commenters and the recommendation
from the Commission confirm that the
fishery has changed, and these measures
no longer make sense, resulting in the
Commission’s withdrawal of these
measures. We are now withdrawing the
Area 3 measures because of changed
circumstances in the fishery and the
need for Federal regulations to be
compatible with the Commission’s
Lobster Plan. As part of its
recommendation to withdraw these
measures, the Commission stated that it
also intends to evaluate potential
replacement measures. We intend to
support the Commission during that
process.
Comment 12: One industry member
and one fishery organization stated that
the economic impacts in the
environmental assessment were
underestimated. In particular, the
fishery organization questioned our
assumption of a 5-percent profit loss
when the Area 3 maximum trap cap
reduction may affect up to 18 percent of
Area 3 traps.
Response: Based on the input
received from comments and the
Lobster Board and discussed in greater
detail in response to comment 5,
consolidation at some level had already
taken place. Additional input received
indicated that permit holders would be
likely to sell traps through the trap
transfer program to recoup individual
losses. At the fishery level, nearly the
same number of traps could be expected
to be fished, resulting in similar
landings and, therefore, revenue for the
fishery overall. That said, as discussed
in response to other comments above,
given the Commission’s more recent
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:52 May 29, 2024
Jkt 262001
request to withdraw the measures, we
are now rescinding the Federal
regulations to ensure compatibility with
the Commission’s Plan.
Classification
The NMFS Assistant Administrator
has determined that this final rule is
consistent with the Atlantic Coastal
Fisheries Cooperative Management Act,
applicable provisions of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act, and other applicable
law. The agency finds public comment
is unnecessary under the Administrative
Procedure Act. See 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B).
The Atlantic Coastal Act requires
Federal regulations to be ‘‘compatible
with the effective implementation of a
coastal fishery management plan,’’ 16
U.S.C. 5103(b)(1)(A), and following the
Commission’s modification of the
Lobster Plan, the only regulatory option
to ensure the regulations are compatible
with the revised plan is to maintain the
status quo, i.e., to withdraw the relevant
provisions of the IFR. If those provisions
were to go into effect, the result would
be inconsistent management of State
and Federal waters, creating confusion
for the regulated industry and potential
harm to the resource. Moreover, the
public has had multiple opportunities to
comment on the relevant measures, see
88 FR at 67669 (IFR), 87 FR 41084
(proposed rule), 82 FR 52871 (ANPR),
79 FR 4319 (ANPR), and has done so.
This final rule has been determined to
not be significant for purposes of
Executive Order 12866.
A final regulatory flexibility analysis
(FRFA) was prepared for this action and
described in the IFR. The FRFA
incorporated the initial regulatory
flexibility analysis (IRFA), a summary of
the significant issues raised by the
public comments in response to the
IRFA and NMFS responses to those
comments, and a summary of the
analyses completed to support the
action. The IRFA and FRFA analyzed
the suite of measures considered during
this rulemaking, including actions that
minimize impacts to small entities.
Therefore, the analysis included in the
FRFA remains valid. This final rule
PO 00000
Frm 00033
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
46829
would remove some of the measures in
the IFR, and will, therefore, reduce the
overall costs of this action.
Section 212 of the Small Business
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of
1996 states that, for each rule or group
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, letters to permit
holders that also serves as this small
entity compliance guide were prepared
at both the interim final rule and this
final rule stage. Copies of these guide
and this rule are available upon request
from the Greater Atlantic Regional
Office (see ADDRESSES), and the guide/
permit holder bulletin will be sent to all
holders of lobster permits.
This final rule contains no
information collection requirements
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 697
Fisheries, Fishing.
Dated: May 20, 2024.
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 697 is amended
as follows:
PART 697—ATLANTIC COASTAL
FISHERIES COOPERATIVE
MANAGEMENT
1. The authority citation for part 697
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.
2. Effective July 1, 2024, NMFS
withdraws amendatory instruction 6 of
the interim final rule published at 88 FR
67667, on October 2, 2023.
■
[FR Doc. 2024–11453 Filed 5–29–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
E:\FR\FM\30MYR1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 105 (Thursday, May 30, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46825-46829]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-11453]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 697
[Docket No. 240520-0141]
RIN 0648-BM92
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Coastal
Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; American Lobster
Fishery; Removal of American Lobster Effort Control Measures
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Following the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's
(Commission) withdrawal of Lobster Conservation Management Area 2 and 3
ownership caps and Area 3 maximum trap cap reductions from its
Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Lobster (Lobster Plan),
this action
[[Page 46826]]
removes those requirements from Federal regulations and clarifies that
all other measures included in the October 2, 2023, interim final rule
(IFR) remain in effect. This action is intended to support the
Commission's management of the lobster fishery and eliminate the
potential for inconsistent State and Federal regulations that risk
undermining management of the fishery and is necessary to ensure that
fishery regulations for the lobster fishery in Federal waters remain
compatible with the Lobster Plan and consistent with the Atlantic
Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act (Atlantic Coastal Act).
DATES: As of July 1, 2024, the revision to Sec. 697.19(c) and (m) in
amendatory instruction 6 of the IFR, 88 FR 67667, 67687-67679 (October
2, 2023), is withdrawn.
ADDRESSES: You may request copies of the supplemental information
report prepared for this action at: National Marine Fisheries Service,
55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2276 or by calling (978)
281-9315. The supporting document is also accessible via the internet
at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about/greater-atlantic-regional-fisheries-office or https://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Allison Murphy, Fishery Policy
Analyst, (978) 281-9122.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Statutory Authority
These regulations modify Federal lobster fishery management
measures in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) under the authority of
section 803(b) of the Atlantic Coastal Act. This authority states that,
in the absence of an approved and implemented Fishery Management Plan
under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
(Magnuson-Stevens Act; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) and, after consultation
with the appropriate fishery management council(s), the Secretary of
Commerce may implement regulations to govern fishing in the EEZ, from 3
to 200 nautical miles offshore. The regulations must be: (1) compatible
with the effective implementation of an Interstate Fishery Management
Plan developed by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission; and
(2) consistent with the National Standards set forth in section 301 of
the Magnuson-Stevens Act. See 16 U.S.C. 5103(b)(1)(A) (establishing
Secretary's authority to issue Federal regulations that are compatible
with a coastal management plan and consistent with Magnuson-Stevens Act
National Standards), 16 U.S.C. 1502(1) (defining ``coastal management
plan'').
Purpose and Need for Management
The purpose of this action is to manage the American lobster
fishery to maximize resource sustainability, recognizing that Federal
management occurs in concert with State management and compatibility
between State and Federal measures is crucial to the overall success of
American lobster management and required by the Atlantic Coastal Act.
NMFS indicated that the agency could make changes to the IFR measures
and requested comment on that possibility in the IFR, see 88 FR at
67669; see also 87 FR 41084 (July 11, 2022) (proposed rule requesting
comments on measures ultimately included in the IFR); 82 FR 52871
(November 15, 2017) (advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR)
requesting comments on change to control date for trap limits in Areas
2 and 3); 79 FR 4319 (January 27, 2014) (ANPR establishing control date
and requesting comments). In light of public comments received and to
achieve the purpose of the Atlantic Coastal Act, we are withdrawing the
Area 2 and 3 ownership caps and Area 3 maximum trap cap reductions that
we implemented in the IFR.
Management Measures
Area 2 and 3 Measures
The IFR implemented ownership caps in Areas 2 and 3 and maximum
trap cap reductions in Area 3, effective May 1, 2025. These measures
complemented the Commission's Addenda XXI and XXII to Amendment 3 to
the Lobster Plan, both of which were approved by the Commission in
2013. The objective of these addenda was to scale the southern New
England lobster fishery to the diminished size of the resource by
addressing latent effort in the fishery and reducing trap limits in an
attempt to control harvest to allow for potential stock rebuilding. A
full description of those measures is included in the IFR and not
repeated here.
During the proposed rule (87 FR 41084, July 11, 2022) comment
period, we received several comments stating that our management
partners and industry needed additional time to understand these
measures, consider them in the current context of the fishery, and
provide adequate comment. We delayed implementation of the measures
until May 1, 2025, while we accepted additional public comments on
these measures as provided in the IFR, which indicated that we would
consider any additional comments received and would, if necessary and
appropriate, publish a subsequent rule to address any changes. See 88
FR at 67669.
On January 23, 2024, the Commission's Lobster Board withdrew its
prior recommendation for implementation of Area 2 and 3 ownership caps
and Area 3 maximum trap cap reductions, determining that these measures
are no longer relevant in the current context of the fishery. On
February 12, 2024, the Commission confirmed the decision of the Lobster
Board in a letter to NMFS, citing numerous ways in which the fishery in
these Areas has changed. The Commission noted that while the Addenda
that originally called for the Area 2 and 3 measures attempted to
prevent consolidation, the lag time between Commission approval and
NMFS implementation has allowed for consolidation to occur, removing
the need for these specific measures. In addition, the Commission
expressed concern that the implementation of these measures would
change how permits and traps will be bought and sold. The Commission
also explained the economics of the fishery in these areas and changing
operational needs of harvesters to maintain their businesses, citing
increased costs, loss of fishing grounds due to other ocean uses,
additional management measures on the American lobster fishery to
reduce the risk to North Atlantic right whales posed by the fishery,
and the evolution of the fishery in these areas from a lobster fishery
to a mixed-crustacean fishery targeting both lobsters and Jonah crabs.
The Atlantic Coastal Act provides that the Secretary ``may
implement regulations'' affecting fisheries also regulated by the
Commission if no fishery management plan exists pursuant to the
Magnuson-Stevens Act and the regulations are ``compatible with the
effective implementation of a coastal fishery management plan.'' 16
U.S.C. 5103(b)(1)(A). Removing the Area 2 and 3 measures ensures that
Federal regulations continue to complement the Commission's Lobster
Plan. Further, this action will minimize confusion between State and
Federal requirements. If we do not remove these Area 2 and 3 measures,
there would be inconsistent State and Federal lobster regulations,
potentially undermining management of the fishery.
Other Management Measures
The IFR also implemented mandatory electronic harvester reporting
requirements and corrections. This final
[[Page 46827]]
rule makes no changes to those measures, which have already become
effective.
Comments and Responses
As noted above, the IFR delayed implementation of certain measures
and solicited public comment on them. The comment period ended on
December 1, 2023. We received comments from 10 groups: The Atlantic
Offshore Lobstermen's Association (AOLA), the Animal Welfare Institute,
a group of environmental organizations, 6 members of the fishing
industry, and 1 member of the public. Only comments that were
applicable to the proposed measures are addressed below.
Comment 1: AOLA stated that the Area 3 maximum trap reductions are
inconsistent with the National Standards and are purely an economic
reallocation, which is specifically prohibited; that the analysis in
the environmental assessment did not rely on the best available
science; and that the economic analysis was insufficient because it did
not discuss impacts to crew, communities, shoreside employees, and
owners.
Response: The commenter's assertions are the same arguments made in
AOLA v. Raimondo, an active lawsuit in the Federal Court for the
District of New Hampshire. When developed, the IFR measures reflected
the best scientific information available and appropriate consideration
of economic and social impacts and was supported by the regulated
community, including AOLA. However, NOAA is withdrawing the relevant
measures because of changed circumstances in the fishery as articulated
by the public and the Commission and because the maintaining the
measures would create incompatibility between state and Federal
management of the fishery.
Comment 2: AOLA commented against the ownership caps and maximum
trap cap reductions, stating that it is unlikely that the level of
fishing necessary to harvest optimum yield could be maintained, as
these measures seem to encourage the downsizing of offshore vessels.
Response: The 2022 environmental assessment accompanying the IFR
noted that it was difficult to predict industry response to these
measures, specifically whether traps would be reduced or whether owners
would attempt to transfer traps in an attempt to recoup costs.
Likewise, it was difficult to assess how fishing practices would have
changed. NOAA is withdrawing the Area 2 and 3 IFR measures because of
changed circumstances in the fishery and the need for Federal
regulations to be compatible with the Commission's Lobster Plan as
discussed in the response to comment 1.
Comment 3: AOLA stated that there is no justification for the Area
3 measures, citing multiple reasons. First, the commenter asserted that
the majority of fishing effort in Area 3 is on the Gulf of Maine/
Georges Bank stock, not the southern New England stock that these
measures were intended to conserve. Second, the commenter cited
economic impacts, predicting loss in profits and the potential for
effort shifts. Third, the commenter discussed how Area 3 permit holders
have appropriately scaled their businesses for their trap allocations
and lack the ability to consolidate effort. Finally, the commenter
stated that they are not aware of any concerns from the fishing
industry about the existing level of consolidation in the fishery.
Response: As discussed above, NOAA is withdrawing the Area 3
measures because of changed circumstances in the fishery and the need
for Federal regulations to be compatible with the Commission's Lobster
Plan. On February 12, 2024, the Commission notified NOAA that the
lobster fishery's circumstances had changed and that it no longer
supported certain measures in the IFR. Accordingly, the purpose and
need for the involved Federal measures no longer exists and NOAA is
withdrawing those measures to avoid incompatibility with the Commission
Lobster Plan. See 16 U.S.C. 5103(b)(1)(A).
Comment 4: Environmental organizations indicated general support
for measures that reduce risk to protected species. These organizations
urged us to implement all possible measures as soon as possible and to
continue the development of on-demand (or ropeless) gear to minimize
risk from persistent vertical buoy lines.
Response: NOAA takes its responsibilities to protect North Atlantic
right whales seriously and has expended great effort and resources in
doing so. Recent or ongoing efforts include: (1) continued trial and
testing of on-demand gear, as facilitated by the approval of several
exempted fishing permits and the Northeast Fisheries Science Center's
on-demand gear library; (2) support of and participation on the New
England Fishery Management Council's On-Demand Gear Conflict Working
Group; (3) hosting various on-demand workshops in late 2023; and (4)
the February 7, 2024, final rule (89 FR 8333) to close portions of
Federal waters north of Cape Cod Bay to lobster fishing every year from
February 1 through April 30 to protect right whales on their way to and
from their feeding grounds in Cape Cod Bay. This February 7, 2024 final
rule is currently in litigation. Our whale protection efforts are
continuous and ongoing.
Comment 5: A group of environmental organizations indicated that
the maximum trap cap reductions will reduce trap fishing effort thus
benefiting both the lobster stock, by reducing the number of traps
fished, and whales, by reducing the number of associated fishing lines
in the water.
Response: The maximum trap cap reduction would have been unlikely
to reduce the number of traps fished due to the Area 3 trap allocation
and trap transfer program and the financial incentive for lobster
businesses to maximize profits by transferring (selling) unused trap
allocation. On March 27, 2003, we published a final rule (68 FR 14902)
that established a program to set the total number of Area 3 traps per
permit. On April 7, 2014, we published a final rule (79 FR 19015) that
established a trap transfer program, allowing lobster businesses to
transfer (sell) these allocated traps to other lobster businesses.
These allocated traps remain an asset of the lobster permit regardless
of the permit holder's ability to use any excess allocation created by
the lowering of the Area 3 trap cap. In such a trap cap adjustment,
there is economic incentive for a permit holder to transfer (sell) this
now unusable excess allocation to a lobster business that can use it
because their allocation is under the cap. Such a transfer would be
subject to a 10-percent conservation tax, which somewhat decreases the
overall Area 3 trap allocation with every transfer. Recent public
commentary and debate at the Lobster Board, however, suggested that
consolidation has already taken place in response to other management
measures. Consequently, the actual result of the maximum trap cap
reduction would be more of a redistribution than a reduction of trap
allocation and, as such, the reduction in traps being fished, and the
reduction of lines in the water, would have been expected to be
minimal. For more detail on this issue, please see NOAA's Environmental
Assessment, section 7.2.2, December 2022, as well as the Supplemental
Information Report, section 6.
Comment 6: A group of environmental organizations expressed
surprise that comments submitted at the proposed rule stage of this
rulemaking that referenced measures to reduce risk to North Atlantic
right whales implemented by a September 17, 2021,
[[Page 46828]]
final rule (86 FR 51970) were described as not relevant to the action.
Response: The purpose and need of the IFR was not to implement
whale protection measures but rather to complement lobster management
measures outlined in Addenda XXI, XXII, and XXVI to Amendment 3 to the
Lobster Plan (see Lobster EA, section 1.0 Executive Summary--Purpose
and Need (August 2022)). All of those Addenda pre-date the September
17, 2021, final rule (86 FR 51970), some by as much as eight years. As
such, the IFR did not implement protections for the North Atlantic
right whale pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Instead, the
IFR was promulgated under the Atlantic Coastal Act, which mandates that
Federal lobster regulations be compatible with the Commission's Lobster
Plan and requires the withdrawal of the IFR that we are announcing
today.
Comment 7: Two environmental organizations supported the IFR,
requesting whale protection measures to be put into place as soon as
possible. One of the organizations indicated that industry has had
ample time to understand and come into compliance with these
requirements.
Response: Similar to comment 6, this comment conflates NOAA's whale
protection efforts and rulemakings with this rulemaking, which
implements the agency's responsibilities pursuant to the Atlantic
Coastal Act. The purpose of the IFR was to implement lobster management
measures outlined in Addenda XXI, XXII and XXVI. The Commission,
however, rescinded their request for us to implement these measures by
vote on January 23, 2024, and by letter to NOAA on February 12, 2024.
We are likewise rescinding the Federal regulations to ensure
compatibility with the Commission's Lobster Plan as required by the
Atlantic Coastal Act. Management measures for the purposes of reducing
the risk from lobster fishing on protected species are implemented
through other processes, as described in the response to comment 4.
Whether the affected industry had sufficient time to comply with this
action is moot, given that, for the reasons stated above, we are
removing these requirements.
Comment 8: One member of the fishing industry stated that the Gulf
of Maine/Georges Bank stock remains at high levels of abundance and not
in need of trap reductions. That industry member also stated that there
is no evidence that reducing fishing effort of the Gulf of Maine/
Georges Bank lobster stock will address the deterioration of the
southern New England lobster stock. Another member of the industry
stated that these measures are unnecessary, as juvenile and egg-bearing
female lobster are abundant on Georges Bank.
Response: The best available science from the 2020 benchmark stock
assessment indicates that the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank stock remains
in favorable condition based on the reference points. The 2020
assessment concluded that the stock is not depleted and overfishing is
not occurring, though more recent information made available since both
the assessment and the publication of the interim final rule indicates
a decline in recruit abundance, triggering other management actions for
those fishing on the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank stock. The decision
whether to apply Area 3 measures to all of Area 3 (i.e., harvesters
fishing on both the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank and southern New England
lobster stocks), was debated and decided upon by the Lobster Board.
Draft Addendum XXI, released for public comment in May 2013, included
options for a southern New England permit designation, which would have
allowed for the trap reductions to only apply to harvesters fishing on
the southern New England stock. The Lobster Board did not select permit
designations as a final management measure, thus applying management
measures to the entirety of Area 3, including the portion of Area 3
that fishes on the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank lobster stock. We
proposed and implemented these measures based on the Commission's
original request for complementary measures in Federal waters. Given
their more recent request to withdraw the measures, we are now acting
accordingly.
Comment 9: One member of the fishing industry contends that the
declines of the southern New England stock are being driven by climate
change, not overfishing or excessive fishing pressure, as supported by
the action's environmental assessment. Further, the member of the
fishing industry stated that we did not establish an adequate link
between fishing effort and stock depletion.
Response: The best available science suggests that environmental
factors are a significant factor in the decline of the southern New
England stock. The 2020 American Lobster Benchmark Stock Assessment
made major advances in considering the impact of changing environmental
conditions on lobster population dynamics. Environmental factors
contributed to the assessment's analysis of regime shifts and
associated thresholds by which stock health is now measured. While this
information was not directly discussed in the environmental assessment,
it was the foundation for stock status discussed in section 6.2.3 of
the environmental assessment. While not available to the Commission
during the development of Addenda XXI and XXII, a 2016 American Lobster
Technical Committee analysis suggests that, despite overfishing not
occurring, stabilization of the southern New England lobster stock was
only possible with a reduction in exploitation. This analysis thus
links fishing effort and recovery of the southern New England lobster
stock.
Comment 10: One member of the fishing industry stated that the
analysis included in the environmental assessment was out of date, as
it relied on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries commission's 2009 and
2015 benchmark American lobster stock assessments.
Response: The environmental assessment accompanying the IFR made
reference to several recent benchmark American lobster stock
assessments. At the time the Commission considered and approved Addenda
XXI and XXII, the 2009 stock assessment was considered the best
available science. Since that time, the 2015 and 2020 assessments have
confirmed the continued downward trend in the southern New England
lobster stock. Section 6.2.3 of the environmental assessment
accompanying the IFR which discusses stock status, uses the best
available scientific information from the 2020 benchmark stock
assessment.
Comment 11: Five members of the fishing industry commented in
opposition to the Area 3 measures, citing changes to the fishery over
the last 10 years and financial issues. Two industry members stated
that these regulations will create inefficiencies for current fishery
participants, with one arguing that these measures would be detrimental
to owners with multiple vessels. A third industry member suggested
freezing the number of traps at current levels. Other commenters cited
the increased cost of fuel and bait, previous investments made to
maintain higher allocations following the 2016-2020 trap reductions,
and the difficulty of paying and retaining crew members.
Response: We agree with the commenters that imposing the IFR
measures could have had some negative impacts to Area 3 harvesters,
although we assessed them as slight in the short term when the IFR was
released. See 88 FR at 67674-67675. We acknowledge that each business
is different, thus impacts are not uniform, with some businesses
potentially being more affected by the measures than others. As
[[Page 46829]]
discussed in the response to comment 5, the environmental assessment
acknowledged that permit holders may respond to these measures
differently, by either selling off or redistributing traps. Following
requests during the proposed rule comment period, we provided
additional time for management partners and industry to understand
these measures, consider them in the current context of the fishery,
and provide additional comment. Comments by these and other commenters
and the recommendation from the Commission confirm that the fishery has
changed, and these measures no longer make sense, resulting in the
Commission's withdrawal of these measures. We are now withdrawing the
Area 3 measures because of changed circumstances in the fishery and the
need for Federal regulations to be compatible with the Commission's
Lobster Plan. As part of its recommendation to withdraw these measures,
the Commission stated that it also intends to evaluate potential
replacement measures. We intend to support the Commission during that
process.
Comment 12: One industry member and one fishery organization stated
that the economic impacts in the environmental assessment were
underestimated. In particular, the fishery organization questioned our
assumption of a 5-percent profit loss when the Area 3 maximum trap cap
reduction may affect up to 18 percent of Area 3 traps.
Response: Based on the input received from comments and the Lobster
Board and discussed in greater detail in response to comment 5,
consolidation at some level had already taken place. Additional input
received indicated that permit holders would be likely to sell traps
through the trap transfer program to recoup individual losses. At the
fishery level, nearly the same number of traps could be expected to be
fished, resulting in similar landings and, therefore, revenue for the
fishery overall. That said, as discussed in response to other comments
above, given the Commission's more recent request to withdraw the
measures, we are now rescinding the Federal regulations to ensure
compatibility with the Commission's Plan.
Classification
The NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that this final
rule is consistent with the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative
Management Act, applicable provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act, and other applicable law. The agency
finds public comment is unnecessary under the Administrative Procedure
Act. See 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). The Atlantic Coastal Act requires Federal
regulations to be ``compatible with the effective implementation of a
coastal fishery management plan,'' 16 U.S.C. 5103(b)(1)(A), and
following the Commission's modification of the Lobster Plan, the only
regulatory option to ensure the regulations are compatible with the
revised plan is to maintain the status quo, i.e., to withdraw the
relevant provisions of the IFR. If those provisions were to go into
effect, the result would be inconsistent management of State and
Federal waters, creating confusion for the regulated industry and
potential harm to the resource. Moreover, the public has had multiple
opportunities to comment on the relevant measures, see 88 FR at 67669
(IFR), 87 FR 41084 (proposed rule), 82 FR 52871 (ANPR), 79 FR 4319
(ANPR), and has done so.
This final rule has been determined to not be significant for
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
A final regulatory flexibility analysis (FRFA) was prepared for
this action and described in the IFR. The FRFA incorporated the initial
regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA), a summary of the significant
issues raised by the public comments in response to the IRFA and NMFS
responses to those comments, and a summary of the analyses completed to
support the action. The IRFA and FRFA analyzed the suite of measures
considered during this rulemaking, including actions that minimize
impacts to small entities. Therefore, the analysis included in the FRFA
remains valid. This final rule would remove some of the measures in the
IFR, and will, therefore, reduce the overall costs of this action.
Section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness
Act of 1996 states that, for each rule or group 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, letters to permit holders that also serves as
this small entity compliance guide were prepared at both the interim
final rule and this final rule stage. Copies of these guide and this
rule are available upon request from the Greater Atlantic Regional
Office (see ADDRESSES), and the guide/permit holder bulletin will be
sent to all holders of lobster permits.
This final rule contains no information collection requirements
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 697
Fisheries, Fishing.
Dated: May 20, 2024.
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 697 is amended
as follows:
PART 697--ATLANTIC COASTAL FISHERIES COOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT
0
1. The authority citation for part 697 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.
0
2. Effective July 1, 2024, NMFS withdraws amendatory instruction 6 of
the interim final rule published at 88 FR 67667, on October 2, 2023.
[FR Doc. 2024-11453 Filed 5-29-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P