[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 208 (Wednesday, October 28, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57620-57622]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-28826]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Parts 217 and 227
[I.D. 102098A]
RIN 0648-AH97
Sea Turtle Conservation; Shrimp Trawling Requirements
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notification of an exemption and request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS issues this rule to allow the use of limited tow times by
shrimp trawlers in the inshore waters of Mississippi and in the inshore
waters of Louisiana, north and east of the Mississippi River to its
terminus at the South Pass, as an alternative to the requirement to use
Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs). This area was affected by Hurricane
Georges on and about September 27 to 29, 1998. NMFS has been notified
by the Director of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources that
large amounts of debris in Mississippi Sound in the aftermath of the
hurricane are causing difficulty with the performance of TEDs. NMFS has
been notified by the Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife
and Fisheries that his department had received documentation that
hurricane-related debris was interfering with TED performance in their
shrimping grounds east of the river. NMFS will monitor the situation to
ensure there is adequate protection for sea turtles in this area and to
determine whether impacts from the hurricane continue to make TED use
impracticable.
DATES: This rule is effective from October 23, 1998, through October
31, 1998, when tow times must be limited to no more than 55 minutes
measured from the time trawl doors enter the water until they are
retrieved from the water, and from November 1, 1998, until November 23,
1998, when tow times must be limited to no more than 75 minutes.
Comments on this rule are requested, and must be received by November
23, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Comments on this action should be addressed to the Chief,
Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315
East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles A. Oravetz, 813-570-5312, or
Barbara A. Schroeder, 301-713-1401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
All sea turtles that occur in U.S. waters are listed as either
endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973
(ESA). The Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), leatherback
(Dermochelys coriacea), and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) are
listed as endangered. Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia
mydas) turtles are listed as threatened, except for populations of
green turtles in Florida and on the Pacific coast of Mexico, which are
listed as endangered.
The incidental take of these species, as a result of shrimp
trawling activities, have been documented in the Gulf of Mexico and
along the Atlantic. Under the ESA and its implementing regulations,
taking sea turtles is prohibited, with exceptions identified in 50 CFR
227.72. Existing sea turtle conservation regulations (50 CFR part 227,
subpart D) require most shrimp trawlers operating in the Gulf and
Atlantic areas to have a NMFS-approved TED installed in each net rigged
for fishing, year round.
The regulations provide for the use of limited tow times as an
alternative to the use of TEDs for vessels with certain specified
characteristics or under certain special circumstances. The provisions
of 50 CFR 227.72 (e)(3)(ii) specify that the Assistant Administrator
for Fisheries, NOAA (Assistant Administrator), may authorize
``compliance with tow time restrictions as an alternative to the TED
requirement, if [he] determines that the presence of algae, seaweed,
debris or other special environmental conditions in a particular area
makes trawling with TED-equipped nets impracticable.'' The provisions
of 50 CFR 227.72(e)(3)(i) specify the maximum tow times that may be
used when authorized as an alternative to the use of TEDs. The tow
times may be no more than 55 minutes from April 1 through October 31
and no more than 75 minutes from November 1 through March 31. NMFS has
selected these tow time limits to minimize the level of mortality of
sea turtles that are captured by trawl nets that are not equipped with
TEDs.
Recent Events
On September 27, Hurricane Georges made landfall on the Mississippi
coast.
[[Page 57621]]
The hurricane remained stationary over the Mississippi coast for over
24 hours and deposited as much as 30 inches (76 cm) of rain on some
areas. The combination of heavy rains and 10-12 foot (3.0 m-3.7 m)
hurricane storm surge produced severe flooding in all three Mississippi
coastal counties. The Director of the Mississippi Department of Marine
Resources (Mississippi Director) sent an October 13 letter to the NMFS
Southeast Regional Administrator stating, ``Most of the coastal rivers
in Mississippi exceeded flood stage and deposited large amounts of
debris into [Mississippi Sound], which has resulted in problems for
shrimpers.'' He further stated that the ``debris...is having a negative
impact on trawl and TED performance'' and that ``[w]hen TEDs become
clogged they can no longer effectively exclude sea turtles, possibly
increasing the chance of mortality to these endangered animals.'' His
letter requested that NMFS use its authority to allow the use of 55-
minute tow times as an alternative to TEDs for a 30-day period in
Mississippi's inshore waters.
Flooding, high winds, and storm surge also affected areas in
eastern Louisiana. The Secretary of the Louisiana Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries (Louisiana Secretary) sent an October 20 letter
to the NMFS Southeast Regional Administrator stating, ``We have
acquired documentation that debris caused by Hurricane Georges is
interfering with TED performance in [Louisiana waters east of the
Mississippi River].'' His letter requested that an exemption from the
required use of TEDs be granted immediately in the affected area.
Coastal areas of Alabama were also affected by Hurricane Georges.
NMFS has already authorized the use of limited tow times, as an
alternative to the required use of TEDs, in Alabama inshore waters (63
FR 55053; October 14, 1998).
Special Environmental Conditions
The Assistant Administrator finds that the impacts of Hurricane
Georges have created special environmental conditions in some areas
that may make trawling with TED-equipped nets impracticable. Therefore,
the Assistant Administrator issues this rule to authorize the use of
restricted tow times as an alternative to the use of TEDs in the
inshore waters of Mississippi, and in the inshore waters of Louisiana,
north and east of the Mississippi River to its terminus at South Pass.
The States of Mississippi and Louisiana are continuing to monitor the
situation and are cooperating with NMFS in determining the ongoing
extent of the debris problem. Moreover, the Mississippi Director has
stated that Marine Enforcement Division of the Mississippi Department
of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks has agreed to assist with the
enforcement of the restricted tow times, and the Louisiana Secretary
has pledged that his department will enforce tow time restrictions for
the duration of any exemption period. Ensuring compliance with tow time
restrictions is critical to effective sea turtle protection, and the
commitments from the Mississippi Director and the Louisiana Secretary
to provide additional enforcement of the tow time restrictions is an
important factor enabling NMFS to issue this authorization.
Continued Use of TEDs
NMFS encourages shrimp trawlers in Mississippi and Louisiana
inshore waters who are authorized under this rule to use restricted tow
times to continue to use TEDs if possible. NMFS studies have shown that
the problem of clogging by seagrass, algae or by other debris is not
unique to TED-equipped nets. When fishermen trawl in problem areas,
they may experience clogging with or without TEDs. A particular concern
of fishermen, however, is that clogging in a TED-equipped net may hold
open the turtle escape opening and increase the risk of shrimp loss. On
the other hand, TEDs also help exclude certain types of debris and
allow shrimpers to conduct longer tows.
NMFS' gear experts provide several operational recommendations to
fishermen to maximize the debris exclusion ability of TEDs that may
allow some fishermen to continue using TEDs without resorting to
restricted tow times. NMFS has had good experience with hard TEDs made
of either solid rod or hollow pipe that incorporate a bent angle at the
escape opening and recommends use of this type of TED, in a bottom-
opening configuration, to help exclude debris. In addition, the
installation angle of a hard TED in the trawl extension is an important
performance element in excluding debris from the trawl. High
installation angles can result in debris clogging the bars of the TED;
NMFS recommends an installation angle of 45 deg., relative to the
normal horizontal flow of water through the trawl, to optimize the
TED's ability to exclude turtles and debris. Furthermore, the use of
accelerator funnels, which are allowable modifications to hard TEDs, is
not recommended in areas with heavy amounts of debris or vegetation.
Lastly, the webbing flap that is usually installed to cover the turtle
escape opening may be modified to help exclude debris quickly: the
webbing flap can either be cut horizontally to shorten it so that it
does not overlap the frame of the TED or be slit in a fore-and-aft
direction to facilitate the exclusion of debris.
All of the preceding recommendations represent legal configurations
of TEDs for shrimpers in the inshore areas of Mississippi and eastern
Louisiana (not subject to special requirements effective in the Gulf
Shrimp Fishery-Sea Turtle Conservation area). This rule authorizes the
use of restricted tow times as an alternative to the required use of
TEDs. This rule does not authorize any other departure from the TED
requirements, including any illegal modifications to TEDs. In
particular, if TEDs are installed in trawl nets, they may not be sewn
shut.
Alternative to Required Use of TEDs
The authorization provided by this rule applies to all shrimp
trawlers that would otherwise be required to use TEDs in accordance
with the requirements of 50 CFR 227.72(e)(2) who are operating in all
inshore waters of the State of Mississippi and in the inshore waters of
the State of Louisiana, north and east of the Mississippi River to its
terminus at South Pass, in areas which the states have opened to
shrimping. ``Inshore waters'', as defined at 50 CFR 217.12, means the
marine and tidal waters landward of the 72 COLREGS demarcation line
(International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972), as
depicted or noted on nautical charts published by NOAA (Coast Charts,
1:80,000 scale) and as described in 33 CFR part 80. Instead of the
required use of TEDs, shrimp trawlers may comply with the sea turtle
conservation regulations by using restricted tow times. Through October
31, 1998, a shrimp trawler utilizing this authorization must limit tow
times to no more than 55 minutes, measured from the time trawl doors
enter the water until they are retrieved from the water. From November
1, 1998 until November 23, 1998, tow times must be limited to no more
than 75 minutes measured from the time trawl doors enter the water
until they are retrieved from the water.
Additional Conditions
NMFS expects that shrimp trawlers operating in Mississippi or
eastern Louisiana inshore waters without TEDs in accordance with this
authorization will retrieve debris that is caught in their nets and
return it to shore for disposal or to other locations defined by
[[Page 57622]]
the Mississippi Director or the Louisiana Secretary, rather than simply
disposing of the debris at sea. Proper disposal of debris should help
the restoration of the shrimping grounds in the wake of the hurricane.
Shrimp trawlers are reminded that regulations under 33 U.S.C. 1901 et
seq. (Act to Prevent Pollution From Ships) may apply to disposal at
sea.
Alternative to Required Use of TEDs; Termination
The Assistant Administrator, at any time, may modify the
alternative conservation measures through publication in the Federal
Register, if necessary to ensure adequate protection of endangered and
threatened sea turtles. Under this procedure, the Assistant
Administrator may modify the affected area or impose any necessary
additional or more stringent measures, including more restrictive tow
times or synchronized tow times, if the Assistant Administrator
determines that the alternative authorized by this rule is not
sufficiently protecting turtles, as evidenced by observed lethal takes
of turtles aboard shrimp trawlers, elevated sea turtle strandings, or
insufficient compliance with the authorized alternative. The Assistant
Administrator may also terminate this authorization for these same
reasons, or if compliance cannot be monitored effectively, or if
conditions do not make trawling with TEDs impracticable. The Assistant
Administrator may modify or terminate this authorization, as
appropriate, at any time. A document will be published in the Federal
Register announcing any additional sea turtle conservation measures or
the termination of the tow time option in Mississippi inshore waters.
This authorization will expire automatically on November 23, 1998,
unless it is explicitly extended through another notification to be
published in the Federal Register.
Classification
This action has been determined to be not significant for purposes
of E.O. 12866.
The AA has determined that this action is necessary to respond to
an emergency situation to allow more efficient fishing for shrimp,
while providing adequate protection for endangered and threatened sea
turtles pursuant to the ESA and other applicable law.
Pursuant to section 553(b)(B) of the Administrative Procedures Act
(APA), the Assistant Administrator finds that there is good cause to
waive prior notice and opportunity to comment on this rule. It is
impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to the public interest to
provide prior notice and opportunity for comment. The Assistant
Administrator finds that an unusually large amount of debris exists in
the aftermath of Hurricane George, creating special environmental
conditions that may make trawling with TED-equipped nets impracticable.
The Assistant Administrator has determined that the use of limited tow
times for the described area and time would not result in a significant
impact to sea turtles. Notice and comment are contrary to the public
interest in this instance because providing notice and comment would
prevent the agency from providing relief within the necessary
timeframe. Furthermore, the public had notice and an opportunity to
comment on 50 CFR 227.72(e)(3)(ii) when that regulation was finalized.
Pursuant to section 553(d)(1) of the APA, for the reasons cited
above, and because this action relieves a restriction, this rule is
effective immediately. As prior notice and an opportunity for public
comment are not required to be provided for this rule by 5 U.S.C. 553,
or any other law, the analytical requirements of 5 U.S.C. 601 et. seq.
are inapplicable.
The Assistant Administrator prepared an Environmental Assessment
(EA) for the final rule (57 FR 57348, December 4, 1992) requiring TED
use in shrimp trawls and creating the regulatory framework for the
issuance of actions such as this. Copies of the EA are available (see
ADDRESSES).
Dated: October 22, 1998.
Gary C. Matlock,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-28826 Filed 10-23-98; 3:31 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
