[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 131 (Monday, July 10, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35513-35521]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-16595]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Parts 650 and 651
[Docket No. 950622165-5165-01; I.D. 060595D]
RIN 0648-AI03
Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery; Framework Adjustment 6 and
Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Framework Adjustment 11; Modifies
Demarcation Line To Monitor Vessel Activity
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: NMFS issues this final rule to implement Framework Adjustment
11 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (Multispecies
FMP) and Framework Adjustment 6 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery
Management Plan (Scallop FMP). This action modifies a demarcation line
in the current regulations that is used to monitor vessel activity. The
intent of this action is to enhance enforcement capability.
EFFECTIVE DATE: August 9, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Copies of Framework Adjustments 6 to the Scallop FMP and 11
to the Multispecies FMP and copies of Amendment 4 to the Scallop FMP
and Amendment 5 to the Multispecies FMP, their regulatory impact
reviews, initial regulatory flexibility analyses (IRFA), and final and
supplemental environmental impact statements are available from Douglas
Marshall, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council
(Council), Suntaug Office Park, 5 Broadway (U.S. Rte. 1), Saugus, MA
01906-1097; telephone: 617-231-0422.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Myles Raizin, Resource Policy Analyst,
508-281-9104.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Final regulations implementing Amendment 5
to the Multispecies FMP and Amendment 4 to the Scallop FMP were
published on March 1, 1994 (59 FR 9872), and January 19, 1994 (59 FR
2757), respectively. These amendments established effort control
programs that allocated a certain number of days during which a vessel
may fish for regulated multispecies or scallops. These programs are
referred to as days-at-sea (DAS) programs. The DAS programs require a
demarcation line to determine when a vessel leaves port to initiate a
fishing trip so that the vessel's DAS can be traced electronically
using a vessel tracking device. The framework adjustments implemented
by this rule modify the existing vessel tracking system (VTS)
demarcation line which is based on the International Regulations for
Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) line. The modified line,
referred to as the Vessel Tracking System Demarcation Line (VTSDL), is
a continuous line formed by connecting 50 specified coordinates that
parallel the east coast of the United States from the Canadian border
to South Carolina.
NMFS' Office of Enforcement in the Northeast Region has the
responsibility for implementing, monitoring, and enforcing the DAS
program. During the development of this monitoring program, NMFS
enforcement discovered that the COLREGS demarcation line specified in
the regulations for multispecies and scallops would not be functional
in the electronic system because the line is discontinuous and often
described only in narrative terms.
The Council and NMFS initially believed that the COLREGS
demarcation line would be an optimal boundary for this purpose because
it was preexisting and appeared to be a reasonable distance from shore.
This line is used to delineate the waters upon which mariners must
comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at
Sea (33 CFR part 80), and those waters upon which mariners shall comply
with the Inland Navigation Rules. Since the COLREGS demarcation line is
actually a series of disjointed lines, a vessel could breach the
COLREGS line undetected.
NMFS determined that in order to be functional for the computerized
VTS, the line would have to be defined in terms of latitude/longitude
coordinates. The VTSDL forms a continuous line allowing NMFS
enforcement to monitor the entire coastline from Maine to South
Carolina. Therefore, a vessel embarking on or returning from a fishing
trip must cross the VTSDL, thus, triggering or ceasing a DAS.
Accordingly, NMFS requested that the Council modify the regulations to
define the line in terms of latitude/longitude coordinates.
Justification for Final Rule
The Council developed Framework Adjustment 11 to the Multispecies
FMP and Framework Adjustment 6 to the Scallop FMP to amend the
regulations. These adjustments comply with all procedural requirements
set forth in 50 CFR 650.40 and 651.40, which are the provisions of the
implementing regulations for the Scallop FMP and
[[Page 35514]]
Multispecies FMP governing framework modifications to management
measures. The Council requested publication of the management measures
as a final rule after considering the required factors set forth at
Secs. 650.40(d) and 651.40(d).
Public Comment
The framework adjustments were developed and analyzed at Council
meetings on March 29 and May 18, 1995. The Council provided the public
with advance notice of both the proposed change to the line and the
reasons for the change, and the opportunity to comment on them prior to
and at the Council meetings.
One comment was received at the March 29, 1995, meeting regarding
two coordinates off the coast of Maine. The commenter believed the
coordinates would allow excessive groundfishing inside the demarcation
line in down-east Maine. The Council concurred and revised the two
coordinates and added a third, so that the line is drawn closer to
shore. No comments were received at the May 18, 1995, meeting.
NMFS concurs with the framework adjustments because the replacement
of the COLREGS line with the VTSDL will enhance the ability to monitor
and enforce the DAS programs, thus providing immediate and increased
protection for the scallop and multispecies resources.
Classification
The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), finds there
is good cause to waive prior notice and opportunity for comments under
5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). Public meetings held by the Council to discuss the
management measures of Framework Adjustment 6 to the Scallop FMP and
Framework Adjustment 11 to the Multispecies FMP provided adequate prior
notice and opportunity for public comment to be made and considered,
making additional prior notice and opportunity for public comment
unnecessary.
Because no proposed rule is required, this action is exempt from
the requirements to prepare an IRFA under the Regulatory Flexibility
Act. As a result, a regulatory flexibility analysis was not prepared.
This final rule has been determined to be not significant for
purposes of E.O. 12866.
List of Subjects
50 CFR Part 650
Fisheries, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
50 CFR Part 651
Fisheries, Fishing, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: June 29, 1995.
Gary Matlock,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR parts 650 and 651
are amended as follows:
PART 650--ATLANTIC SEA SCALLOP FISHERY
1. The authority citation for part 650 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Sec. 650.2 [Amended]
2. In Sec. 650.2, the definition of ``COLREGS Demarcation Lines''
is removed.
3. In Sec. 650.24, existing paragraph (c)(2)(ii) is redesignated as
paragraph (c)(2)(iii); a new paragraph (c)(2)(ii) is added; and
paragraph (c)(2)(i) is revised to read as follows:
Sec. 650.24 Days-at-sea (DAS) allocations.
* * * * *
(c) * * *
(2) * * *
(i) DAS for vessels that are under the VTS monitoring system
described in Sec. 650.26(a) are counted beginning with the first hourly
location signal received showing that the vessel crossed the Vessel
Tracking System Demarcation Line leaving port and ending with the first
hourly location signal received showing that the vessel crossed the
Vessel Tracking System Demarcation Line upon its return to port.
(ii) Vessel Tracking System Demarcation Line. The Vessel Tracking
System Demarcation Line is defined by straight lines connecting the
following points in the order stated (See Figures 3 and 4 to part 650):
Vessel Tracking System Demarcation Line
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Description Longitude Latitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Northern terminus point 45 deg.03' N. 66 deg.47' W.
(Canada land mass).
2. A point east of West Quoddy 44 deg.48.9' N. 66 deg.56.1' W.
Head Light.
3. A point east of Little River 44 deg.39.0' N. 67 deg.10.5' W.
Light.
4. Whistle Buoy ``8BI'' (SSE of 44 deg.13.6' N. 68 deg.10.8' W.
Baker Island).
5. Isle au Haut Light............ 44 deg.03.9' N. 68 deg.39.1' W.
6. Pemaquid Point Light.......... 43 deg.50.2' N. 69 deg.30.4' W.
7. A point west of Halfway Rock.. 43 deg.38.0' N. 70 deg.05.0' W.
8. A point east of Cape Neddick 43 deg.09.9' N. 70 deg.34.5' W.
Light.
9. Merrimack River Entrance 42 deg.48.6' N. 70 deg.47.1' W.
``MR'' Whistle Buoy.
10. Halibut Point Gong Buoy 42 deg.42.0' N. 70 deg.37.5' W.
``1AHP''.
11. Connecting reference point.... 42 deg.40' N. 70 deg.30' W.
12. Whistle Buoy ``2'' off Eastern 42 deg.34.3' N. 70 deg.39.8' W.
Point.
13. The Graves Light (Boston)..... 42 deg.21.9' N. 70 deg.52.2' W.
14. Minots Ledge Light............ 42 deg.16.2' N. 70 deg.45.6' W.
15. Farnham Rock Lighted Bell Buoy 42 deg.05.6' N. 70 deg.36.5' W.
16. Cape Cod Canal Bell Buoy 41 deg.48.9' N. 70 deg.27.7' W.
``CC''.
17. A point inside Cape Cod Bay... 41 deg.48.9' N. 70 deg.05' W.
18. Race Point Lighted Bell Buoy 42 deg.04.9' N. 70 deg.16.8' W.
``RP''.
19. Peaked Hill Bar Whistle Buoy 42 deg.07.0' N. 70 deg.06.2' W.
``2PH''.
20. Connecting point, off Nauset 41 deg.50' N. 69 deg.53' W.
Light.
21. A point south of Chatham ``C'' 41 deg.38' N. 69 deg.55.2' W.
Whistle Buoy.
22. A point in eastern Vineyard 41 deg.30' N. 70 deg.33' W.
Sound.
23. A point east of Martha's 41 deg.22.2' N. 70 deg.24.6' W.
Vineyard.
24. A point east of Great Pt. 41 deg.23.4' N. 69 deg.57' W.
Light, Nantucket.
25. A point SE of Sankaty Head, 41 deg.13' N. 69 deg.57' W.
Nantucket.
26. A point west of Nantucket..... 41 deg.15.6' N. 70 deg.25.2' W.
27. Squibnocket Lighted Bell Buoy 41 deg.15.7' N. 70 deg.46.3' W.
``1''.
[[Page 35515]]
28. Wilbur Point (on Sconticut 41 deg.35.2' N. 70 deg.51.2' W.
Neck).
29. Mishaum Point (on Smith Neck). 41 deg.31.0' N. 70 deg.57.2' W.
30. Sakonnet Entrance Lighted 41 deg.25.7' N. 71 deg.13.4' W.
Whistle Buoy ``SR''.
31. Point Judith Lighted Whistle 41 deg.19.3' N. 71 deg.28.6' W.
Buoy ``2''.
32. A point off Block Island 41 deg.08.2' N. 71 deg.32.1' W.
Southeast Light.
33. Shinnecock Inlet Lighted 40 deg.49.0' N. 72 deg.28.6' W.
Whistle Buoy ``SH''.
34. Scotland Horn Buoy ``S'', off 40 deg.26.5' N. 73 deg.55.0' W.
Sandy Hook (NJ).
35. Barnegat Lighted Gong Buoy 39 deg.45.5' N. 73 deg.59.5' W.
``2''.
36. A point east of Atlantic City 39 deg.21.9' N. 74 deg.22.7' W.
Light.
37. A point east of Hereford Inlet 39 deg.00.4' N. 74 deg.46' W.
Light.
38. A point east of Cape Henlopen 38 deg.47' N. 75 deg.04' W.
Light.
39. A point east of Fenwick Island 38 deg.27.1' N. 75 deg.02' W.
Light.
40. A point NE of Assateague 38 deg.00' N. 75 deg.13' W.
Island (VA).
41. Wachapreague Inlet Lighted 37 deg.35.0' N. 75 deg.33.7' W.
Whistle Buoy ``A''.
42. A point NE of Cape Henry...... 36 deg.55.6' N. 75 deg.58.5' W.
43. A point east of Currituck 36 deg.22.6' N. 75 deg.48' W.
Beach Light.
44. Oregon Inlet (NC) Whistle Buoy 35 deg.48.5' N. 75 deg.30' W.
45. Wimble Shoals, east of 35 deg.36' N. 75 deg.26' W.
Chicamacomico.
46. A point SE of Cape Hatteras 35 deg.12.5' N. 75 deg.30' W.
Light.
47. Hatteras Inlet Entrance Buoy 35 deg.10' N. 75 deg.46' W.
``HI''.
48. Ocracoke Inlet Whistle Buoy 35 deg.01.5' N. 76 deg.00.5' W.
``OC''.
49. A point east of Cape Lookout 34 deg.36.5' N. 76 deg.30' W.
Light.
50. Southern terminus point....... 34 deg.35' N. 76 deg.41' W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
Figures 3 and 4 to Part 650 [Amended]
4. Figures 3 and 4 to part 650 are added to read as follows:
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PART 651--NORTHEAST MULTISPECIES FISHERY
5. The authority citation for part 651 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Sec. 651.2 [Amended]
6. In Sec. 651.2, the definition of ``COLREGS Demarcation Lines''
is removed.
7. In Sec. 651.22, paragraph (b)(3)(iv) is redesignated as
paragraph (b)(3)(v); a new paragraph (b)(3)(iv) is added; and paragraph
(b)(3)(iii) is revised to read as follows:
Sec. 651.22 Effort-control program for limited access vessels.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(3) * * *
(iii) Accrual of DAS. DAS for vessels that are under the VTS
monitoring system described in Sec. 651.29(a) are counted beginning
with the first hourly location signal received showing that the vessel
crossed the Vessel Tracking System Demarcation Line leaving port and
ending with the first hourly location signal received showing that the
vessel crossed the Vessel Tracking System Demarcation Line upon its
return to port.
(iv) Vessel Tracking System Demarcation Line. The Vessel Tracking
System Demarcation Line is defined as straight lines connecting the
following points in the order stated (See Figures 6 and 7 to part 651):
Vessel Tracking System Demarcation Line
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Description Longitude Latitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Northern terminus point (Canada 45 deg.03' N. 66 deg.47' W.
land mass).
2. A point east of West Quoddy 44 deg.48.9' N. 66 deg.56.1' W.
Head Light.
3. A point east of Little River 44 deg.39.0' N. 67 deg.10.5' W.
Light.
4. Whistle Buoy ``8BI'' (SSE of 44 deg.13.6' N. 68 deg.10.8' W.
Baker Island).
5. Isle au Haut Light............. 44 deg.03.9' N. 68 deg.39.1' W.
6. Pemaquid Point Light........... 43 deg.50.2' N. 69 deg.30.4' W.
7. A point west of Halfway Rock... 43 deg.38.0' N. 70 deg.05.0' W.
8. A point east of Cape Neddick 43 deg.09.9' N. 70 deg.34.5' W.
Light.
9. Merrimack River Entrance ``MR'' 42 deg.48.6' N. 70 deg.47.1' W.
Whistle Buoy.
10. Halibut Point Gong Buoy 42 deg.42.0' N. 70 deg.37.5' W.
``1AHP''.
11. Connecting reference point.... 42 deg.40' N. 70 deg.30' W.
12. Whistle Buoy ``2'' off Eastern 42 deg.34.3' N. 70 deg.39.8' W.
Point.
13. The Graves Light (Boston)..... 42 deg.21.9' N. 70 deg.52.2' W.
14. Minots Ledge Light............ 42 deg.16.2' N. 70 deg.45.6' W.
15. Farnham Rock Lighted Bell Buoy 42 deg.05.6' N. 70 deg.36.5' W.
16. Cape Cod Canal Bell Buoy 41 deg.48.9' N. 70 deg.27.7' W.
``CC''.
17. A point inside Cape Cod Bay... 41 deg.48.9' N. 70 deg.05' W.
18. Race Point Lighted Bell Buoy 42 deg.04.9' N. 70 deg.16.8' W.
``RP''.
19. Peaked Hill Bar Whistle Buoy 42 deg.07.0' N. 70 deg.06.2' W.
``2PH''.
20. Connecting point, off Nauset 41 deg.50' N. 69 deg.53' W.
Light.
21. A point south of Chatham ``C'' 41 deg.38' N. 69 deg.55.2' W.
Whistle Buoy.
22. A point in eastern Vineyard 41 deg.30' N. 70 deg.33' W.
Sound.
23. A point east of Martha's 41 deg.22.2' N. 70 deg.24.6' W.
Vineyard.
24. A point east of Great Pt. 41 deg.23.4' N. 69 deg.57' W.
Light, Nantucket.
25. A point SE of Sankaty Head, 41 deg.13' N. 69 deg.57' W.
Nantucket.
26. A point west of Nantucket..... 41 deg.15.6' N. 70 deg.25.2' W.
27. Squibnocket Lighted Bell Buoy 41 deg.15.7' N. 70 deg.46.3' W.
``1''.
28. Wilbur Point (on Sconticut 41 deg.35.2' N. 70 deg.51.2' W.
Neck).
29. Mishaum Point (on Smith Neck). 41 deg.31.0' N. 70 deg.57.2' W.
30. Sakonnet Entrance Lighted 41 deg.25.7' N. 71 deg.13.4' W.
Whistle Buoy ``SR''.
31. Point Judith Lighted Whistle 41 deg.19.3' N. 71 deg.28.6' W.
Buoy ``2''.
32. A point off Block Island 41 deg.08.2' N. 71 deg.32.1' W.
Southeast Light.
33. Shinnecock Inlet Lighted 40 deg.49.0' N. 72 deg.28.6' W.
Whistle Buoy ``SH''.
34. Scotland Horn Buoy ``S'', off 40 deg.26.5' N. 73 deg.55.0' W.
Sandy Hook (NJ).
35. Barnegat Lighted Gong Buoy 39 deg.45.5' N. 73 deg.59.5' W.
``2''.
36. A point east of Atlantic City 39 deg.21.9' N. 74 deg.22.7' W.
Light.
37. A point east of Hereford Inlet 39 deg.00.4' N. 74 deg.46' W.
Light.
38. A point east of Cape Henlopen 38 deg.47' N. 75 deg.04' W.
Light.
39. A point east of Fenwick Island 38 deg.27.1' N. 75 deg.02' W.
Light.
40. A point NE of Assateague 38 deg.00' N. 75 deg.13' W.
Island (VA).
41. Wachapreague Inlet Lighted 37 deg.35.0' N. 75 deg.33.7' W.
Whistle Buoy ``A''.
42. A point NE of Cape Henry...... 36 deg.55.6' N. 75 deg.58.5' W.
43. A point east of Currituck 36 deg.22.6' N. 75 deg.48' W.
Beach Light.
44. Oregon Inlet (NC) Whistle Buoy 35 deg.48.5' N. 75 deg.30' W.
45. Wimble Shoals, east of 35 deg.36' N. 75 deg.26' W.
Chicamacomico.
46. A point SE of Cape Hatteras 35 deg.12.5' N. 75 deg.30' W.
Light.
47. Hatteras Inlet Entrance Buoy 35 deg.10' N. 75 deg.46' W.
``HI''.
48. Ocracoke Inlet Whistle Buoy 35 deg.01.5' N. 76 deg.00.5' W.
``OC''.
49. A point east of Cape Lookout 34 deg.36.5' N. 76 deg.30' W.
Light.
50. Southern terminus point....... 34 deg.35' N. 76 deg.41' W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Figures 6 and 7 to Part 651 [Amended]
8. Figures 6 and 7 to part 651 are added and the caption is added
to Figure 4 to part 651 to read ``Figure 4 to part 651--Sink Gillnet
Closure Areas''.
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[FR Doc. 95-16595 Filed 7-7-95; 8:45 am]
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