National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration January 3, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS issues this final rule to implement a regulatory amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP) prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). This final rule reduces the minimum size limit for vermilion snapper to 10 inches (25.4 cm) total length (TL), eliminates the 10-fish recreational bag limit for vermilion snapper within the existing 20-fish aggregate reef fish bag limit, and eliminates the 40-day commercial closed season for vermilion snapper (from April 22 through May 31 each year). NMFS is also implementing through this rule clarifications for the Gulf of Mexico red snapper individual fishing quota (IFQ) program, as well as non-substantive changes to codified text, including removing obsolete language regarding the use of fish traps in the Gulf of Mexico, removing outdated and redundant language, revising phone numbers and an outdated definition, and revising incorrect references. The intended effects of this final rule are to help achieve optimum yield (OY) by reducing vermilion snapper harvest limitations consistent with the findings of the recent stock assessment and to clarify and update existing regulations.

Notice is hereby given that the National Marine Mammal Laboratory, 7600 Sand Point Way N.E., Seattle, WA, 98115 has been issued an amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 782-1676-01, for research on marine mammals.

NMFS announces the availability of a Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and a final decision to issue an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) to conduct research in portions of the East Florida Coast (EFC) and Charleston Bump closed areas using a limited number of pelagic longline (PLL) vessels. Given the nearly rebuilt status of north Atlantic swordfish (B = 0.99BMSY) and bycatch reduction measures that were implemented throughout the U.S. PLL fishery in 2004, NMFS is authorizing the collection of baseline PLL fishery data in the closed areas to evaluate the effectiveness of existing bycatch reduction measures. The Final EA analyzes monthly and annual PLL logbook and pelagic observer program (POP) data on catch and bycatch rates of all species in the proposed research area from 1995- 2000 to determine potential impacts of the research programfishery on target and non-target species. The Final EA includes additional analyses of catch rates for all species based on 18/0 circle hooks. NMFS will require the use of 18/0 non-offset circle hooks in the research project to minimize bycatch and bycatch mortality and 100 percent observer coverage to ensure scientific rigor.