2012-8474. Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries

AGENCY:

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION:

Temporary rule; inseason Angling category retention limit adjustment; southern area trophy fishery closure.

SUMMARY:

NMFS has determined that the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) daily retention limit that applies to vessels permitted in the Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Charter/Headboat category (when fishing recreationally for BFT) should be adjusted for the remainder of 2012, based on consideration of the regulatory determination criteria regarding inseason adjustments and based on preliminary 2012 landings data. NMFS also closes the southern area Angling category fishery for large medium and giant (“trophy”) BFT. These actions are being taken consistent with the BFT fishery management objectives of the 2006 Consolidated HMS Fishery Management Plan (Consolidated HMS FMP) and to prevent overharvest of the 2012 Angling category quota.

DATES:

Effective April 7, 2012, through December 31, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Sarah McLaughlin or Brad McHale, 978-281-9260.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulations implemented under the authority of the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) governing the harvest of BFT by persons and vessels subject to U.S. jurisdiction are found at 50 CFR part 635. Section 635.27 subdivides the U.S. BFT quota allocated by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) among the various domestic fishing categories, per the allocations established in the Consolidated HMS FMP (71 FR 58058, October 2, 2006) and in accordance with implementing regulations.

The 2012 BFT fishing year, which is managed on a calendar-year basis and subject to an annual calendar-year quota, began January 1, 2012. The Angling category season opened January 1, 2012, and continues through December 31, 2012. Currently, the default Angling category daily retention limit of one school, large school, or small medium BFT (measuring 27 to less than 73 inches (68.5 to less than 185 cm)) applies (§ 635.23(b)(2)). An annual limit of one large medium or giant BFT (73 inches or greater) per vessel also applies (§ 635.23(b)(1)). These retention limits apply to HMS Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat category permitted vessels (when fishing recreationally for BFT).

The currently codified Angling category quota is 182 mt (94.9 mt for school BFT, 82.9 mt for large school/small medium BFT, and 4.2 mt for large medium/giant BFT).

Adjustment of Angling Category Daily Retention Limit

Under § 635.23(b)(3), NMFS may increase or decrease the retention limit for any size class of BFT based on consideration of the criteria provided under § 635.27(a)(8), which include:

• The usefulness of information obtained from catches in the particular category for biological sampling and monitoring of the status of the stock;
• The catches of the particular category quota to date and the likelihood of closure of that segment of the fishery if no adjustment is made;
• The projected ability of the vessels fishing under the particular category quota to harvest the additional amount of BFT before the end of the fishing year;
• The estimated amounts by which quotas for other gear categories of the fishery might be exceeded; effects of the adjustment on BFT rebuilding and overfishing;
• Effects of the adjustment on accomplishing the objectives of the fishery management plan;
• Variations in seasonal distribution, abundance, or migration patterns of BFT;
• Effects of catch rates in one area precluding vessels in another area from having a reasonable opportunity to harvest a portion of the category's quota; and
• Review of dealer reports, daily landing trends, and the availability of the BFT on the fishing grounds.

Retention limits may be adjusted separately for specific vessel type, such as private vessels, headboats, or charterboats.

NMFS has considered the set of criteria cited above and their applicability to the Angling category BFT retention limit for the 2012 Angling category fishery. NMFS examined the results of the 2008 through 2011 fishing seasons under the applicable daily retention limits, as well as the observed trend in the recreational fishery over that time period toward heavier fish, particularly in the small medium size range (59 to less than 73 inches). Data and dockside observations from 2008 through 2011 indicated a shift in availability to the large school/small medium size class (47 to less than 73 inches (119 to less than 185 cm)), particularly to large school BFT (47 to less than 59 inches (119 to less than 150 cm)) in 2008 and to small medium BFT in 2009 through 2011. Large school and small medium BFT traditionally have been managed as one size class (47 to less than 73 inches). Over the last 5 years, NMFS has found that as this cohort of fish aged and grew in weight but remained under 73 inches (i.e., the upper range of the large school/small medium size class), the large school/small medium subquota was attained with fewer fish landed.

In 2010 and in 2011, based on considerations of the available quota, fishery performance in recent years, and the availability of BFT on the fishing grounds, NMFS adjusted the Angling category retention limit from the default level to prohibit the retention of small medium BFT for the remainder of the respective fishing years (75 FR 33531, June 14, 2010, and 76 FR 18416, April 4, 2011). Recognizing the different nature, socio-economic needs, and recent landings results of private and charter/headboat vessels, NMFS implemented separate limits for each. Effective June 12 through December 31, 2010, and effective April 2 through December 31, 2011, the limit was one school or large school BFT per vessel per day/trip for private vessels (i.e., those with HMS Angling category permits), and was one school BFT and one large school BFT per vessel per day/trip for charter vessels (i.e., those with HMS Charter/Headboat permits, when fishing recreationally for BFT).

It is important that NMFS constrain landings to BFT subquotas both to adhere to the current FMP quota allocations and to ensure that landings are as consistent as possible with the pattern of fishing mortality (e.g., fish caught at each age) that was assumed in the projections of stock rebuilding. However, based on the annual growth rate of BFT and preliminary 2012 recreational catch information, it is reasonable to assume that the cohort of fish described above largely has grown to greater than 73 inches, i.e., has moved through the recreational large school/small medium size class.

Based on current considerations of the available quota, fishery performance in recent years, and the availability of BFT on the fishing grounds, NMFS has determined that the Angling category retention limit applicable to HMS Charter/Headboat category participants (when fishing recreationally) should be adjusted from the default level, and that implementation of separate limits for private and charter/headboat vessels is appropriate, recognizing the different nature, socio-economic needs, and recent landings results of the two components of the recreational BFT fishery. For example, charter operators historically have indicated that a multi-fish retention limit is vital to their ability to attract customers. In addition, 2011 Large Pelagics Survey estimates indicate that charter/headboat BFT landings constitute approximately 35 percent of recent recreational landings, with the remaining 65 percent landed by private vessels.

Therefore, for private vessels (i.e., those with HMS Angling category permits), the limit is maintained at one school, large school, or small medium BFT per vessel per day/trip (i.e., one BFT measuring 27 to less than 73 inches). For charter vessels (i.e., those with HMS Charter/Headboat permits), the limit is one school BFT and one large school/small medium BFT per vessel per day/trip when fishing recreationally for BFT (i.e., one BFT measuring 27 to less than 47 inches, and one BFT measuring 47 to less than 73 inches). These retention limits are effective in all areas, except for the Gulf of Mexico, where NMFS prohibits targeted fishing for BFT. Regardless of the duration of a fishing trip, the daily retention limit applies upon landing.

NMFS anticipates that the BFT daily retention limits in this action will result in landings during 2012 that would not exceed the available subquotas as codified in 2011. However, NMFS will monitor 2012 landings closely and will adjust the daily retention limit further through additional inseason actions if warranted.

The determination to adjust the daily retention limit is based primarily on: the usefulness of information obtained from recreational BFT catches for biological sampling and monitoring of the status of the stock (§ 635.27(a)(8)(i)); catch to date and the likelihood of closure of the Angling category if no adjustment is made (§ 635.27(a)(8)(ii)); the effects of the adjustment on accomplishing the objectives of the Consolidated HMS FMP (§ 635.27(a)(8)(vi)); variations in seasonal distribution, abundance, or migration patterns of BFT (§ 635.27(a)(8)(vii)); and the anticipated availability of school, large school, and small medium BFT on the fishing grounds (§ 635.27(a)(8)(ix)).

Angling Category Large Medium and Giant “Trophy” Fishery Closure

The codified BFT quotas provide for 4.2 mt of large medium and giant (trophy) BFT (measuring greater than 73 inches) to be harvested from the regulatory area by vessels fishing under the Angling category quota, with 1.4 mt for the area north of 39°18′ N. lat. (off Great Egg Inlet, NJ) and 2.8 mt for the area south of 39°18′ N. lat.

Based on information from the NMFS Automated Landings Reporting System and the North Carolina Tagging Program, NMFS has determined that the codified Angling category trophy BFT subquota has been taken and that a closure of the southern area trophy BFT fishery is warranted at this time. Therefore, fishing for, retaining, possessing, or landing large medium or giant (“trophy”) BFT south of 39°18′ N. lat. by persons aboard vessels permitted in the HMS Angling category and the HMS Charter/Headboat category (when fishing recreationally) must cease at 11:30 p.m. local time on April 7, 2012. This action is taken consistent with the regulations at § 635.28(a)(1).

These Angling category actions are intended to provide a reasonable opportunity to harvest the U.S. quota of BFT without exceeding it, while maintaining an equitable distribution of fishing opportunities; and to be consistent with the objectives of the Consolidated HMS FMP.

HMS Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat category permit holders may catch and release (or tag and release) BFT of all sizes, subject to the requirements of the catch-and-release and tag-and-release programs at § 635.26. Anglers are also reminded that all BFT that are released must be handled in a manner that will maximize survivability, and without removing the fish from the water, consistent with requirements at § 635.21(a)(1). For additional information on safe handling, see the Careful Catch and Release brochure available at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/​sfa/​hms/​.

If needed, subsequent Angling category adjustments will be published in the Federal Register. In addition, fishermen may call the Atlantic Tunas Information Line at [phone] or [phone], or access www.hmspermits.gov,, for updates.

Classification

The Assistant Administrator for NMFS (AA) finds that it is impracticable and contrary to the public interest to provide prior notice of, and an opportunity for public comment on, this action for the following reasons:

The regulations implementing the Consolidated HMS FMP provide for inseason retention limit adjustments to respond to the unpredictable nature of BFT availability on the fishing grounds, the migratory nature of this species, and the regional variations in the BFT fishery. Based on available BFT quotas, fishery performance in recent years, the availability of BFT on the fishing grounds, among other considerations, an adjustment to the recreational BFT daily retention limit is warranted. Analysis of available data shows that adjustment to the BFT daily retention limit from the default level would result in minimal risks of exceeding the ICCAT-allocated quota.

Furthermore, closure of the southern area Angling category trophy fishery is necessary to ensure sufficient quota remains available to ensure overall 2012 fishing year landings are consistent with ICCAT recommendations and the Consolidated HMS FMP. NMFS provides notification of closures and retention limit adjustments by publishing the notice in the Federal Register, emailing individuals who have subscribed to the Atlantic HMS News electronic newsletter, and updating the information posted on the Atlantic Tunas Information Line and on www.hmspermits.gov.

These fisheries are currently underway and delaying this action would be contrary to the public interest as it could result in excessive trophy BFT landings that potentially could result in future quota reductions for the Angling category and other BFT quota categories, depending on the magnitude of any Angling category overharvest. NMFS must close the southern area trophy BFT fishery before additional landings of these sizes of BFT accumulate. Delays in increasing the daily recreational BFT retention limits would adversely affect those Charter/Headboat category vessels that would otherwise have an opportunity to harvest more than the default retention limit of one school, large school, or small medium BFT per day/trip and may exacerbate the problem of low catch rates and quota rollovers. Therefore, the AA finds good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) to waive prior notice and the opportunity for public comment. For all of the above reasons, there is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d) to waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness.

This action is being taken under §§ 635.23(b)(3) and 635.28(a)(1), and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801 et seq.

Dated: April 3, 2012.

Carrie Selberg,

Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.