Department of Commerce March 25, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS proposes approval of, and regulations to implement, measures in Framework Adjustment 48 to the NE Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Framework 48 is the first of two parallel actions developed by the New England Fishery Management Council (Council) as part of the biennial review process to respond to updated stock information and to adjust other management measures in the NE multispecies (groundfish) fishery. Framework 48 proposes new status determination criteria for Gulf of Maine (GOM) cod, Georges Bank (GB) cod, and Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic (SNE/MA) yellowtail flounder, based on new benchmark assessments completed for these stocks in 2012 and 2013. Framework 48 would also establish allocations of SNE/ MA windowpane flounder and GB yellowtail flounder for exempted fisheries, and modify the allocation of GB yellowtail flounder to the scallop fishery, to address increased bycatch of these species. In addition, Framework 48 would amend existing accountability measures (AMs) for GOM/GB and SNE/MA windowpane flounders, ocean pout, and Atlantic halibut and establish new ``reactive'' AMs for Atlantic wolffish and SNE/MA winter flounder. These measures would make way for the other parallel action, Framework 50, which would set acceptable biological catches (ABCs) and annual catch limits (ACLs) for fishing years (FY) 2013-2015. Framework 48 also contains several measures intended to improve the administration of the fishery and enhance fishing opportunities for groundfish vessels to mitigate potential negative economic impacts from reductions in catch limits proposed by Framework 50. These measures include: Clarification of the goals and performance standard for sector monitoring programs; elimination of dockside monitoring requirements; cost-sharing of monitoring costs between the industry and NMFS; reduction of the minimum fish size for several stocks; and allowing groundfish sectors to petition the Regional Administrator for limited access to groundfish mortality closures. This rule also proposes several regulatory changes to correct inadvertent errors in the NE multispecies regulations.

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels (CVs) less than 50 feet (15.2 meters (m)) in length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2013 Pacific cod total allowable catch apportioned to CVs less than 50 feet (15.2 m) LOA using hook-and-line gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.

NMFS is opening directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) for 96 hours. This action is necessary to fully use the 2013 total allowable catch of pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA.

NMFS is opening directed fishing for pollock in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully use the 2013 pollock total allowable catch in the West Yakutat District of the GOA.