99-28477. Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Fishery Management Plans of the Gulf of Mexico; Addition to FMP Framework Provisions; Stone Crab Gear Requirements  

  • [Federal Register Volume 64, Number 211 (Tuesday, November 2, 1999)]
    [Proposed Rules]
    [Pages 59153-59155]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 99-28477]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
    
    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    
    50 CFR Parts 622 and 654
    
    [Docket No. 991021283-9283-01; I.D. 072699D]
    RIN 0648-AL81
    
    
    Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
    Fishery Management Plans of the Gulf of Mexico; Addition to FMP 
    Framework Provisions; Stone Crab Gear Requirements
    
    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 regulations to implement those provisions of the 
    Generic Sustainable Fisheries Act Amendment to the Fishery Management 
    Plans (FMPs) of the Gulf of Mexico (SFA Amendment) that would modify 
    the framework regulatory adjustment procedures in the FMPs for reef 
    fish, red drum, and coastal migratory pelagics. These FMP framework 
    modifications would allow timely addition of various stock population 
    parameters to the appropriate FMP(s), including biomass-based estimates 
    of minimum stock size thresholds (MSSTs), optimum yield (OY), maximum 
    sustainable yield (MSY), stock biomass that would be achieved by 
    fishing at MSY (BMSY), and maximum fishing mortality 
    thresholds (MFMTs). These regulations also would revise the stone crab 
    trap construction requirements, as proposed by the SFA Amendment. The 
    intended effects are to provide a more timely mechanism for 
    incorporating stock population parameters into the applicable FMPs when 
    such information becomes available and to establish stone crab trap 
    construction regulations that are compatible with those of the State of 
    Florida and that will reduce finfish bycatch.
    
    DATES: Written comments must be received on or before December 17, 
    1999.
    
    ADDRESSES: Comments on this proposed rule must be sent to the Southeast 
    Regional Office, NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive N., St. Petersburg, 
    FL 33702.
        Requests for copies of the SFA Amendment, which includes an 
    environmental assessment and a regulatory impact review, should be sent 
    to the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 3018 U.S. Highway 301 
    North, Suite 1000, Tampa, FL 33619-2266; Phone: 813-228-2815; Fax: 813-
    225-7015; E-mail: gulf.council@noaa.gov.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roy Crabtree, 727-570-5305.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The SFA Amendment addresses fisheries under 
    the FMPs for coral and coral reef resources, coastal migratory 
    pelagics, red drum, reef fish, shrimp, spiny lobster, and stone crab. 
    The FMPs were prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council 
    (Council), except for the FMPs for coastal migratory pelagics and spiny 
    lobster that were prepared jointly by the South Atlantic and Gulf of 
    Mexico Fishery Management Councils. All of these FMPs, except the spiny 
    lobster and stone crab FMPs, are implemented under the authority of the 
    Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-
    Stevens Act) by regulations at 50 CFR part 622. The Fishery Management 
    Plan for the Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of
    
    [[Page 59154]]
    
    Mexico and South Atlantic is implemented by regulations at 50 CFR part 
    640; the Fishery Management Plan for the Stone Crab Fishery of the Gulf 
    of Mexico is implemented by regulations at 50 CFR part 654.
        In 1998, NMFS published revised national standard guidelines to 
    implement the October 1996 amendments to the Magnuson-Stevens Act, 
    which resulted from the Sustainable Fisheries Act of 1996 (SFA). The 
    revised guidelines are intended to assist regional fishery management 
    councils in developing amendments to their fishery management plans to 
    meet SFA requirements including the description of fisheries and 
    fishing communities, setting criteria to determine when a stock is 
    overfished, establishing measures to prevent or end overfishing and 
    rebuild overfished stocks, assessing the amount and type of bycatch, 
    and establishing measures to minimize bycatch (63 FR 24212, May 1, 
    1998).
        Using these revised guidelines, the Council developed its SFA 
    Amendment. Two measures in the SFA amendment, the modification of the 
    framework procedures and the changes to stone crab trap construction 
    requirements, would be implemented by regulation. The SFA Amendment 
    would modify the framework procedures for adjustments in the measures 
    of FMPs for reef fish, red drum, and coastal migratory pelagics to 
    allow timely addition/modification of biomass-based estimates of MSST, 
    OY, MSY, BMSY, estimates of MFMT, and rebuilding schedules 
    for overfished species, with regard to the subject FMPs. The proposed 
    revisions to the FMPs' framework procedures would allow more timely 
    incorporation of these population parameters and rebuilding schedules 
    into the appropriate FMP, and subsequent modification, as new 
    scientific information becomes available. These proposed regulations 
    simply reflect the SFA Amendment's modification of the existing 
    framework procedures in the Council's FMPs to allow incorporation of 
    the aforementioned population parameters and their subsequent 
    modification.
        Although the framework procedures of the Council's FMPs generally 
    refer to rulemaking, NMFS does not intend to specify the actual values 
    of these population parameters in codified text. However, NMFS would 
    publish notification of such Council-proposed additions/modifications 
    of these parameters with regard to an FMP in the Federal Register and 
    would solicit public comment in accordance with the applicable FMP 
    framework procedure. After considering the public comment and the 
    Council's proposal, NMFS would take final action to approve/disapprove 
    the proposed parameters. Approved population parameters would be 
    considered legitimate measures of the applicable FMP but would not 
    appear in codified text. This process should allow more timely 
    incorporation/modification of such parameters with regard to an FMP, 
    while ensuring the opportunity for adequate public review and comment.
        This proposed rule also would implement stone crab trap 
    construction requirements compatible with those set forth in Chapter 
    46-13.002(2)(a) of Florida law. The stone crab fishery is prosecuted 
    almost exclusively off Florida. Compatible regulations enhance 
    compliance and enforceability. Since the Council's decision to adopt 
    stone crab trap construction requirements compatible with Florida's, 
    Florida has revised its requirements by providing additional options 
    for complying with the degradable panel specifications. Because it was 
    the Council's intent to adopt measures compatible with Florida's and 
    because Florida's revisions, effective June 1, 1999, relieve a 
    restriction by providing additional options for compliance, NMFS 
    proposes to revise Sec. 654.22(a)(6)(ii) consistent with Florida's June 
    1, 1999, revisions. Comments are invited regarding that additional 
    change.
        In addition to the two measures that would be implemented by this 
    rule, the SFA Amendment includes several measures that are not being 
    implemented through regulatory text. It describes Gulf of Mexico 
    fishing communities using existing U.S. census data and information 
    about regional landings and about fishing participants in various 
    fisheries for each of the Gulf of Mexico coastal states. It briefly 
    addresses the Magnuson-Stevens Act requirement to describe fishing 
    sectors and quantify trends in landings by sector. It defines bycatch 
    and concludes that, with the addition of changes in the construction of 
    stone crab pots proposed in this rule, conservation and management 
    measures currently in place under Council FMPs minimize bycatch and 
    bycatch mortality to the extent practicable. It also discusses measures 
    to improve the assessment of the type, amount, and mortality of fish 
    caught and released alive in recreational catch-and-release programs.
        The SFA Amendment specifies status determination criteria and 
    overfishing thresholds for each FMP that are intended to meet the 
    appropriate requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and establishes 
    stock rebuilding schedules for overfished red snapper (1999-2033) and 
    Gulf-group king mackerel (1999-2009). Stock rebuilding schedules for 
    Nassau grouper, jewfish, or red drum (also overfished) would be 
    specified and implemented through the framework procedures of FMPs as 
    such schedules are developed.
    
    Availability of Comprehensive Amendment
    
        Additional background and rationale for the measures discussed 
    above are contained in the SFA Amendment, the availability of which was 
    announced in the Federal Register (64 FR 44884, August 18, 1999). The 
    public comment period on the SFA Amendment expired on October 18, 1999. 
    All comments received on the SFA Amendment or on this proposed rule 
    during their respective comment periods will be addressed in the 
    preamble to the final rule.
    
    Classification
    
        At this time, NMFS has not determined that the SFA Amendment that 
    this rule would implement is consistent with the national standards of 
    the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable laws. NMFS, in making 
    that determination, will take into account the data, views, and 
    comments received during the comment period on the SFA Amendment, as 
    well as the administrative record.
        This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for 
    purposes of E.O. 12866.
        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 basis for this certification follows:
    
        The SFA Amendment would modify the existing framework regulatory 
    adjustment procedures in the FMPs for coastal migratory pelagics, 
    reef fish, and red drum to allow timely incorporation into the FMPs 
    of biomass-based population parameters, such as status determination 
    criteria (e.g., minimum stock size thresholds) and overfishing 
    thresholds (e.g., maximum fishing mortality thresholds), as soon as 
    the necessary scientific information becomes available. The proposed 
    rule simply reflects the SFA Amendment's proposed modifications in 
    the FMPs' framework measures. These modifications would have no 
    immediate economic impacts. Ultimately, these new biological 
    population parameters, as required by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
    Conservation and Management Act, may provide the basis for 
    additional future management actions. The impacts of such future 
    actions would be evaluated at that
    
    [[Page 59155]]
    
    time in the appropriate supporting regulatory impact analysis.
        This proposed rule would also revise the trap construction 
    requirements for the stone crab fishery to make them compatible with 
    the requirements established by the State of Florida, where the 
    majority of the fishery is prosecuted. These changes in trap 
    construction are intended to minimize the bycatch of finfish in 
    stone crab traps. The economic impact on affected fishermen will be 
    very small, almost negligible, because the changes are minor and 
    because the majority of stone crab traps used in Federal waters 
    already conform to the Florida requirements for trap design.
    
        As a result, a regulatory flexibility analysis was not required.
    
    List of Subjects
    
    50 CFR Part 622
    
        Fisheries, Fishing, Puerto Rico, Reporting and recordkeeping 
    requirements, Virgin Islands.
    
    50 CFR Part 654
    
        Fisheries, Fishing.
    
        Dated: October 26, 1999.
    Andrew A. Rosenberg,
    Deputy Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
    Service.
        For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR parts 622 and 654 
    are proposed to be amended as follows:
    
    PART 622--FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC
    
        1. The authority citation for part 622 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    
        2. In Sec. 622.48, paragraphs (c) and (d) are revised, and 
    paragraph (j) is added to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 622.48  Adjustment of management measures.
    
    * * * * *
        (c) Coastal migratory pelagic fish. For a species or species group: 
    Target date for rebuilding an overfished species, MSY (or proxy), stock 
    biomass achieved by fishing at MSY (BMSY) (or proxy), 
    maximum fishing mortality threshold (MFMT), minimum stock size 
    threshold (MSST), OY, TAC, quota (including a quota of zero), bag limit 
    (including a bag limit of zero), minimum size limit, vessel trip 
    limits, closed seasons or areas and reopenings, gear restrictions 
    (ranging from regulation to complete prohibition), reallocation of the 
    commercial/recreational allocation of Atlantic group Spanish mackerel, 
    and permit requirements.
        (d) Gulf reef fish. (1) For a species or species group: Target date 
    for rebuilding an overfished species, TAC, bag limits, size limits, 
    vessel trip limits, closed seasons or areas, gear restrictions, quotas, 
    MSY (or proxy), OY, and estimates of stock biomass achieved by fishing 
    at MSY (BMSY), minimum stock size threshold (MSST), and 
    maximum fishing mortality threshold (MFMT).
        (2) SMZs and the gear restrictions applicable in each.
    * * * * *
        (j) Gulf red drum. Target date for rebuilding an overfished 
    species, MSY (or proxy), stock biomass achieved by fishing at MSY 
    (BMSY), OY, TAC, minimum stock size threshold (MSST), 
    maximum fishing mortality threshold (MFMT), escapement rates for 
    juvenile fish, bag limits, size limits, gear harvest limits, and other 
    restrictions required to prevent exceeding allocations or quotas.
    
    PART 654--STONE CRAB FISHERY OF THE GULF OF MEXICO
    
        3. The authority citation for part 654 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    
        4. In Sec. 654.22, paragraph (a) is revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 654.22  Gear restrictions.
    
        (a) Trap construction requirements. No person fishing for stone 
    crab may transport on the water or fish with any trap which does not 
    meet the following requirements:
        (1) Each trap must be constructed of wood, plastic, or wire.
        (2) A trap may be no larger in dimension than 24 by 24 by 24 inches 
    (61 by 61 by 61 cm) or 8.0 ft3 (0.23 m3).
        (3) The throats (entrances) to all wood and plastic traps must be 
    located on the top horizontal section of the trap. If the throat is 
    longer in one dimension, the throat size in the longer dimension must 
    not exceed 5\1/2\ inches (14.0 cm) and in the shorter dimension must 
    not exceed 3\1/2\ inches (9.0 cm). If the throat is round, the throat 
    size must not exceed 5 inches (12.7 cm) in diameter.
        (4) In any wire trap used to harvest stone crabs, each throat must 
    be horizontally oriented. The width of the opening where the throat 
    meets the vertical wall of the trap and the opening of the throat at 
    its farthest point from the vertical wall, inside the trap, must be 
    greater than the height of any such opening. No such throat may extend 
    farther than 6 inches (15.2 cm) into the inside of any trap, measured 
    from where the throat opening meets the vertical wall of the trap to 
    the throat opening at its farthest point from the vertical wall, inside 
    the trap.
        (5) A wire trap must have at least three unobstructed escape rings 
    installed, each with a minimum inside diameter of 2 3/8 inches (6.0 
    cm). One such escape ring must be located on a vertical outer surface 
    adjacent to each crab retaining chamber.
        (6) A plastic or wire trap must have a degradable panel.
        (i) A plastic trap will be considered to have degradable panel if 
    it contains at least one sidewall with a rectangular opening no smaller 
    in either dimension than that of the throat. This opening may be 
    obstructed only with a cypress or untreated pine slat or slats no 
    thicker than 3/4 inch (1.9 cm) such that when the slat degrades, the 
    opening in the sidewall of the trap will no longer be obstructed.
        (ii) A wire trap will be considered to have a degradable panel if 
    one of the following methods is used in construction of the trap:
        (A) The trap lid tie-down strap is secured to the trap at one end 
    by a single loop of untreated jute twine, a corrodible loop composed of 
    non-coated steel wire measuring 24 gauge or thinner, or an untreated 
    pine dowel no larger than 2 inches (5.1 cm) in length by 3/8 inch (0.95 
    cm) in diameter. The trap lid must be secured so that when the jute, 
    corrodible loop, or pine dowel degrades, the lid will no longer be 
    securely closed.
        (B) The trap contains at least one sidewall with a vertical 
    rectangular opening no smaller in either dimension than 6 inches (15.2 
    cm) in height by 3 inches (7.6 cm) in width. This opening may be laced, 
    sewn, or otherwise obstructed by--
        (1) A single length of untreated jute twine knotted only at each 
    end and not tied or looped more than once around a single mesh bar;
        (2) Untreated pine slat(s) no thicker than 3/8 inch (0.95 cm);
        (3) Non-coated steel wire measuring 24 gauge or thinner;
        (4) A panel of ferrous single-dipped galvanized wire mesh made of 
    24 gauge or thinner wire; or
        (5) A rectangular panel made of any material, fastened to the trap 
    at each of the four corners of the rectangle by rings made of non-
    coated 24 gauge or thinner wire or single strands of untreated jute 
    twine. When the jute, untreated pine slat(s), non-coated steel wire, 
    wire mesh panel, or corner fasteners degrade, the opening in the 
    sidewall of the trap must no longer be obstructed.
    * * * * *
    [FR Doc. 99-28477 Filed 11-1-99; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
11/02/1999
Department:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Proposed rule; request for comments.
Document Number:
99-28477
Dates:
Written comments must be received on or before December 17, 1999.
Pages:
59153-59155 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 991021283-9283-01, I.D. 072699D
RINs:
0648-AL81: Generic Sustainable Fisheries Act Amendment (SFA) to the FMPs for the Gulf of Mexico Addressing Requirements Regarding Overfishing, Bycatch, Fishing Communities, and other SFA Provisions
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/0648-AL81/generic-sustainable-fisheries-act-amendment-sfa-to-the-fmps-for-the-gulf-of-mexico-addressing-requir
PDF File:
99-28477.pdf
CFR: (2)
50 CFR 622.48
50 CFR 654.22