[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 10 (Friday, January 14, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2665-2672]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-712]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA146


Caribbean Fishery Management Council; Scoping Meetings

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

ACTION: Notice of Scoping Meetings.

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SUMMARY: The Caribbean Fishery Management Council will hold scoping 
meetings to obtain input from fishers, the general public, and the 
local agencies representatives on the Options Paper for the 
Comprehensive Annual Catch Limit (ACL) Amendment for the U.S. Caribbean 
including Amendment 6 to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan of 
Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; Amendment 2 to the Fishery 
Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates 
of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; Amendment 5 to the Fishery 
Management Plan for the Spiny Lobster Fishery of Puerto Rico and the 
U.S. Virgin Islands; Amendment 3 to the Fishery Management Plan for the 
Queen Conch Fishery of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

DATES AND ADDRESSES: The scoping meetings will be held on the following 
dates and locations:

For Puerto Rico,
    February 7, 2011, DoubleTree by Hilton San Juan, De Diego Avenue, 
San Juan, Puerto Rico
    February 9, 2011, Mayag[uuml]ez Holiday Inn, 2701 Hostos Avenue, 
Mayag[uuml]ez, Puerto Rico
    February 10, 2011, Holiday Inn Ponce & Tropical Casino, 3315 Ponce 
By Pass, Ponce, Puerto Rico
For the U.S. Virgin Islands,
    February 16, 2011, The Buccaneer Hotel, Estate Shoys, 
Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.
    February 17, 2011, Holiday Inn (Windward Passage Hotel) Charlotte 
Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

    All meetings will be held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Caribbean Fishery Management Council, 
268 Mu[ntilde]oz Rivera Avenue, Suite 1108, San Juan, Puerto Rico 
00918-1920, telephone (787) 766-5926.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Caribbean Fishery Management Council 
will hold Scoping meetings to receive public input on the following 
management options. The complete Options Paper is available at: http://caribbeanfmc.com/pdfs/2011%20ACL%20Amendment%20Options%20Paper%20December%2022%202010.pdf:

Management Options

Action 1. Management Reference Points

    Action 1a: Establish a year sequence for determining average annual 
landings that can be applied to each island group for both the 
commercial and recreational sectors.
    Option 1: No action. Retain current management reference points or 
proxies for species/species groups within the reef fish, queen conch, 
lobster, and corals FMUs.
    Option 2: Establish a year sequence for determining average annual 
landings for each species or species group within Puerto Rico.
    Sub-option A: Establish a start year for the year sequence.
    Sub-sub-option i: Use 1983 as the start date for determining 
average annual landings for each species or species group within Puerto 
Rico.
    Sub-sub-option ii: Use 1998 as the start date for determining 
average annual landings for each species or species group within Puerto 
Rico.
    Sub-sub-option iii: Use 1999 as the start date for determining 
average annual landings for each species or species group within Puerto 
Rico.
    Sub-sub-option iv: Use 2000 as the start date for determining 
average annual landings for each species or species group within Puerto 
Rico.
    Sub-sub-option v: Use 2003 as the start date for determining 
average annual landings for each species or species group within Puerto 
Rico.
    Sub-sub-option vi: Use 2004 as the start date for determining 
average annual landings for each species or species group within Puerto 
Rico.
    Sub-option B: Establish an end year for the year sequence.
    Sub-sub-option i: Use 2005 as the end date for determining average 
annual landings for each species or species group within Puerto Rico.
    Sub-sub-option ii: Use 2007 as the end date for determining average 
annual landings for each species or species group within Puerto Rico.
    Sub-sub-option iii: Use 2008 as the end date for determining 
average annual landings for each species or species group within Puerto 
Rico.
    Option 3: Establish a year sequence for determining average annual 
landings for each species or species group within St. Thomas and St. 
John.
    Sub-option A: Establish a start year for the year sequence.

[[Page 2666]]

    Sub-sub-option i: Use 2000 as the start date for determining 
average annual landings for each species or species group within St. 
Thomas and St. John.
    Sub-sub-option ii: Use 2003 as the start date for determining 
average annual landings for each species or species group within St. 
Thomas and St. John.
    Sub-option B: Establish an end year for the year sequence.
    Sub-sub-option i: Use 2005 as the end date for determining average 
annual landings for each species or species group within St. Thomas and 
St. John.
    Sub-sub-option ii: Use 2007 as the end date for determining average 
annual landings for each species or species group within St. Thomas and 
St. John.
    Option 4: Establish a year sequence for determining average annual 
landings for each species or species group within St. Croix.
    Sub-option A: Establish a start year for the year sequence.
    Sub-sub-option i: Use 1998 as the start date for determining 
average annual landings for each species or species group within St. 
Croix.
    Sub-sub-option ii: Use 1999 as the start date for determining 
average annual landings for each species or species group within St. 
Croix.
    Sub-sub-option iii: Use 2000 as the start date for determining 
average annual landings for each species or species group within St. 
Croix.
    Sub-sub-option iv: Use 2003 as the start date for determining 
average annual landings for each species or species group within St. 
Croix.
    Sub-option B: Establish an end year for the year sequence.
    Sub-sub-option i: Use 2005 as the end date for determining average 
annual landings for each species or species group within St. Croix.
    Sub-sub-option ii: Use 2007 as the end date for determining average 
annual landings for each species or species group within St. Croix.
    Action 1b. Establish MSY proxy.
    The MSA requires that FMPs specify a number of reference points for 
managed fish stocks, including:
    <bullet> Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY)--The greatest amount or 
yield that can be sustainably harvested under prevailing environmental 
conditions.
    <bullet> Overfishing Threshold--The maximum rate of fishing a stock 
can withstand (MFMT) or maximum yield a stock can produce (OFL), 
annually, while still providing MSY on a continuing basis.
    <bullet> Overfished Threshold (MSST)--The biomass level below which 
a stock would not be capable of producing MSY.
    <bullet> Annual Catch Limit (ACL)--The annual level to which catch 
is limited in order to prevent overfishing from occurring.
    <bullet> Optimum Yield (OY)--The amount or yield that provides the 
greatest overall benefit to the Nation, taking into account food 
production, recreational opportunities and the protection of marine 
ecosystems.
    Together, these parameters are intended to provide the means to 
measure the status and performance of fisheries relative to established 
goals. Available data in the U.S. Caribbean are not sufficient to 
support direct estimation of MSY and other key parameters. In such 
cases, the National Standard 1 (NS1) guidelines direct regional fishery 
management councils to adopt other measures of productive capacity, 
including long-term average catch, which can serve as reasonable 
proxies.
    Option 1: No action. Retain current management reference points or 
proxies for species/species groups.
    Discussion: This alternative would retain the present MSY proxy, 
OY, and overfishing threshold definitions specified in the 
Comprehensive SFA Amendment for species/species groups. These 
definitions are detailed in Table 6.
    The current MSY proxy is based on average catch (C) and on 
estimates of where stock biomass and fishing mortality rates are in 
relation to MSY levels during the period over which catches are 
averaged. The overfishing threshold (MFMT) is defined as a rate of 
fishing which exceeds that which would produce MSY. And OY is defined 
as the amount of fish produced by fishing at a rate equal to 75% of 
that which would produce MSY. The numerical values associated with 
these parameters are provided in Table 6.

Table 6--Current MSY Proxy, OY and Overfishing Threshold Definitions for
                         Species/Species Groups
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Reference point                   Status quo definition
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sustainable Yield..............  MSY proxy = C/[(FCURR/FMSY) x
                                          (BCURR/BMSY)]; where C is
                                          calculated based on commercial
                                          landings for the years 1997-
                                          2001 for Puerto Rico and 1994-
                                          2002 for the USVI, and on
                                          recreational landings for the
                                          years 2000-2001.
Overfishing Threshold..................  MFMT = FMSY.
Optimum Yield..........................  OY = average yield associated
                                          with fishing on a continuing
                                          basis at FOY; where FOY =
                                          0.75FMSY.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Comprehensive SFA Amendment in which these reference points 
were established pre-dated the MSRA provisions requiring FMPs to 
specify ACLs; consequently, the Comprehensive SFA Amendment did not 
explicitly specify this parameter for managed species/species groups. 
However, the ABC estimates derived from the Council's MSY control rule 
could be considered to represent the ACLs if no additional action were 
taken to revise management reference points in this amendment.
    Option 2: Redefine management reference points or proxies based on 
the time series of catch data that is considered to be consistently 
reliable across all islands as defined in Action 1a.
    Discussion: Option 2 would define aggregate management reference 
points or proxies based on what the Council considers to be the longest 
time series of catch data that is consistently reliable across all 
islands. Specific definitions are detailed in Table 7.
    The MSY proxy specified by Option 2 would equate to average catch, 
calculated using commercial landings data and recreational landings 
data defined in Action 1a. Commercial data would be derived from trip 
ticket reports collected by the state governments. Recreational data 
would be derived from the MRFSS.
    The overfishing threshold (OFL) would be defined as the amount of 
catch corresponding to the MSY proxy, and overfishing would be 
determined to occur if annual catches exceeded the overfishing 
threshold (Option 2(a)) or if annual catches exceeded the overfishing 
threshold and scientists (in consultation with managers) attributed the 
overage to increased catches versus improved data collection and 
monitoring (Option 2(b)).

[[Page 2667]]



     Table 7--Management Reference Points or Proxies Proposed Under
                              Alternative 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Reference point                          Option 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Sustainable Yield..............  MSY proxy = average annual
                                          commercial catch selected by
                                          Council in Action 1a.
Overfishing Threshold:
    Option 2(a)........................  OFL = MSY proxy; overfishing
                                          occurs when annual catches
                                          exceed the OFL.
    Option 2(b)........................  OFL = MSY proxy; overfishing
                                          occurs when annual catches
                                          exceed the OFL, unless NMFS'
                                          Southeast Fisheries Science
                                          Center (in consultation with
                                          the Caribbean Fishery
                                          Management Council and its
                                          Scientific and Statistical
                                          Committee) determines the
                                          overage occurred because data
                                          collection/monitoring
                                          improved, rather than because
                                          catches actually increased.
Optimum Yield/Annual Catch Limit:
    Option 2(c)........................  OY = ACL = OFL.
    Option 2(d)........................  OY = ACL = OFL x (0.85).
    Option 2(e)........................  OY = ACL = OFL x (0.75).
    Option 2(f)........................  OY = ACL = OFL x (0.50).
    Option 2(g)........................  OY = ACL = ABC specified by
                                          Scientific and Statistical
                                          Committee.
    Option 2(h)........................  OY = ACL = 0.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The OY and ACL would be equal values, and the same socioeconomic 
and ecological tradeoffs would be considered in the determination of 
where to set both of these parameters. Most of the alternative ACL 
definitions considered here are more restrictive than the current OY 
definition and would prevent the fishery from achieving OY as currently 
defined. ACL (= OY) Options 2(c) through 2(f) would set those 
parameters equal to some proportion (100-50%) of the OFL to take into 
account uncertainty, ecological factors, and other concerns. Option 
2(g) would set the ACL (= OY) equal to the ABC recommended by the 
Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee. Option 2(h) would set 
the ACL (= OY) equal to zero for surgeonfish.

Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY)

    The MSY proxy defined by no action Option 1 averages catches over 
the longest time period during which data were considered to be 
relatively stable at the time the Council approved the Comprehensive 
SFA Amendment. Because the Council had fewer years of catch data to 
work with at that time, that proxy incorporated Puerto Rico and USVI 
catch data prior to 1999. The MSY proxies evaluated in Option 2 does 
not use pre-1999 data in average catch calculations because those data 
were collected by gear type rather than by family group. The Council 
instead prefers to use data from more recent years, when the data were 
collected by family group and therefore provide a relatively consistent 
baseline among all of the islands.
    Additionally, in contrast to the no action Option 1, Option 2 does 
not attempt to incorporate information on recreational catches in the 
USVI because the MRFSS does not provide this information and no 
alternative data are available to reliably estimate these landings. As 
a result, the MSYs specified by these alternative proxies are expected 
to be underestimated to some unknown degree. In general, 
underestimating MSY can result in foregone yield, whereas 
overestimating MSY can lead to overfishing.

Overfishing Threshold (MFMT/OFL)

    The overfishing threshold defined by Option 1 is a maximum fishing 
mortality threshold (MFMT) equal to the fishing mortality rate at MSY. 
Because this fishing mortality rate is unknown for U.S. Caribbean 
species, the Comprehensive SFA Amendment adopted natural mortality rate 
as a proxy for this parameter. However, data are insufficient to 
evaluate the sustainability of current fishing mortality rates relative 
to this proxy and make a determination as to whether overfishing is or 
is not occurring. To remedy this, Option 2 proposes to specify a catch-
based, rather than fishing mortality-based, overfishing threshold, 
called the overfishing limit (OFL). Annual catches would be evaluated 
relative to the OFL to determine whether overfishing is or is not 
occurring. This approach is consistent with the NS1 guidelines, which 
provide fishery managers the flexibility to determine if overfishing 
occurs based on either fishing mortality rates or actual annual catch.
    Option 2 would essentially maintain the same relationship as the no 
action alternative between the overfishing threshold and MSY. MSY 
represents the maximum yield a species complex can provide in the long 
term, while OFL estimates the amount of annual catch above which 
overfishing is occurring. In theory, the annual OFL would vary above 
and below the MSY level depending on fluctuations in stock size. Since 
both MSY and OFL are related to the highest fishing mortality rate that 
will not result in overfishing, the long-term average of OFLs would be 
expected to equate to MSY, provided that stock abundance is high enough 
to support MSY. But, in practice, the annual OFL proposed in Option 2 
would remain constant at the MSY level until stock biomass can be 
estimated.
    Sub-option (a) would result in an automatic overfishing 
determination if annual catch exceeded the OFL in any given year, 
whereas Option (b) would provide scientists (in consultation with 
managers) the flexibility to evaluate the cause of the reported catch 
increase prior to making a determination that a species complex is 
undergoing overfishing. Specifically, they would consider whether the 
reported increase represents an actual increase in landings or just 
improved data collection and monitoring. The intent of this sub-option 
is to eliminate any incentive for fishermen to under-report or 
misreport catches to avoid exceeding ACLs and triggering associated 
AMs.

Optimum Yield (OY) and Annual Catch Limits (ACLs)

    The current OY defined by no action Option 1 is derived from the 
technical guidance provided by Restrepo et al. (1998), which recommends 
the target fishing mortality rate be set equal to the average yield 
available on a continuing basis from fishing at 75% of the fishing 
mortality rate that would produce MSY. The authors of that guidance 
indicate that fishing at this level adds precaution and maintains 
stocks at higher biomass levels, while sacrificing only a small amount 
(~ 6.25%) of catch. Because data are insufficient to estimate the 
fishing mortality rate that would produce MSY, the Comprehensive SFA 
Amendment estimated the OY of each species/species group to equal 
93.75% of MSY.
    While the no action Option 1 does not explicitly define ACLs for 
the target

[[Page 2668]]

species, the ABC estimates specified by the Council's MSY control rule 
could be considered to represent the ACLs of these species/species 
groups if no additional action were taken through this amendment to 
revise management reference points. However, these ABC values are very 
uncertain as they were calculated using natural mortality rate as a 
proxy for the fishing mortality rate that would produce MSY and 
informed judgment regarding stock biomass. And, because these values 
were set well below MSY values to address SFA Working Group 
determinations regarding overfishing, they would prevent the fishery 
from achieving OY; even though recent landings data indicate that, in 
most cases, management controls appear to have effectively reduced 
catch rates below the overfishing threshold.
    To remedy this, Option 2 would set the OY and ACL as equal values, 
requiring the Council to consider the socioeconomic and ecological 
components of OY when determining how far ACLs should be reduced below 
the overfishing threshold to account for scientific uncertainty in 
estimating the OFL and management uncertainty in effectively 
constraining harvest over time. This approach leads to OY estimates for 
the target species that are below those estimated in the Comprehensive 
SFA Amendment, regardless of the OY (= ACL) alternative selected. In 
contrast, most of the OY alternatives would result in larger OY 
estimates for the grouper and parrotfish complexes relative to the no 
action alternative.
    Action 1c. Allocation of ACLs among island groups.
    Option 1: No Action. Maintain U.S. Caribbean-wide reference points.
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

[[Page 2669]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN14JA11.000


[[Page 2670]]


BILLING CODE 3510-22-C
Action 2: Management of Aquarium Trade Species
    Option 1: No action. Do not re-evaluate and revise management of 
aquarium trade species.
    Option 2: Consolidate all aquarium trade species listed in the 
Fishery Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and 
Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and Reef Fish 
Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands into 
a single Fishery Management Plan.
    Sub-option A: Move all aquarium trade species listed in the Fishery 
Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates 
of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands into the Reef Fish Fishery 
Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    Sub-option B: Move all of the aquarium trade species listed in the 
Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin 
Islands into the Fishery Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated 
Plants and Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    Sub-option C: Move all of the aquarium trade species listed in both 
the Fishery Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and 
Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and in the 
Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin 
Islands, into a separate Fishery Management Plan specific to aquarium 
trade species.
    Option 3: Remove aquarium trade species from both the Fishery 
Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates 
of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Reef Fish Fishery 
Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    Sub-option A: Remove all aquarium trade species from the Fishery 
Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates 
of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and from the Reef Fish 
Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and 
no longer track their landings.
    Sub-option B: Move all aquarium trade species listed in the Fishery 
Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates 
of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Reef Fish Fishery 
Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands into the 
`data collection only' category.
    Sub-option C: Move only those aquarium trade species listed in 
either the Fishery Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated 
Plants and Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands or 
the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. 
Virgin Islands, and for which landings data are available during the 
year sequence chosen in Action 1 above, into the `data collection only' 
category. Remove all remaining aquarium trade species from either the 
Fishery Management Plan for Corals and Reef Associated Plants and 
Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands or the Reef 
Fish Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands 
and no longer track their landings.
    Option 4: Transfer management authority, for all aquarium trade 
species listed in either the Fishery Management Plan for Corals and 
Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and the U.S. 
Virgin Islands or the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan of Puerto Rico 
and the U.S. Virgin Islands, to the jurisdiction of the appropriate 
commonwealth or territory as defined by Action 3(c) of Amendment 2 to 
the Fishery Management Plan for the Queen Conch Fishery of Puerto Rico 
and the U.S. Virgin Islands and Amendment 5 to the Reef Fish Fishery 
Management Plan of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    Table 8. List of all species included in the Aquarium Trade 
category in both the Reef Fish and Coral FMPs. Table contents are 
extracted from Table 8 of the Comprehensive Amendment to the Fishery 
Management Plans (FMPs) of the U.S. Caribbean to Address Required 
Provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (a.k.a. the Comprehensive Sustainable Fisheries Act Amendment).

Reef Fish FMP

Clepticus parrae, Creole wrasse
Halichoeres garnoti, Yellowhead wrasse
Halichoeres cyanocephalus, Yellowcheek wrasse
Halichoeres maculipinna, Clown wrasse
Thalassoma bifasciatum, Bluehead wrasse
Liopropoma rubre, Swissguard basslet
Gramma loreto, Royal gramma
Microspathodon chrysurus, Yellowtail damselfish
Stegastes adustus, Dusky damselfish
Stegastes partitus, Bicolor damselfish
Stegastes planifrons, Threespot damselfish
Stegastes leucostictus, Beaugregory
Chaetodon capistratus, Foureye butterflyfish
Chaetodon aculeatus, Longsnout butterflyfish
Chaetodon ocellatus, Spotfin butterflyfish
Chaetodon striatus, Banded butterflyfish
Serranus baldwini, Lantern bass
Serranus annularis, Orangeback bass
Serranus tabacarius, Tobaccofish
Serranus tigrinus, Harlequin bass
Serranus tortugarum, Chalk bass
Opistognathus aurifrons, Yellowhead jawfish
Opistognathus whitehursti, Dusky jawfish
Xyrichtys novacula, Pearly razorfish
Xyrichtys splendens, Green razorfish
Echidna catenata, Chain moray
Gymnothorax funebris, Green moray
Gymnothorax miliaris, Goldentail moray
Elacatinus oceanops, Neon goby
Priolepis hipoliti, Rusty goby
Equetus lanceolatus, Jackknife-fish
Equetus punctatus, Spotted drum
Chromis cyanea, Blue chromis
Chromis insolata, Sunshinefish
Abudefduf saxatilis, Sergeant major
Astrapogon stellatus, Conchfish
Apogon maculatua, Flamefish
Amblycirrhitus pinos, Redspotted hawkfish
Antennarius spp., Frogfish
Bothus lunatus, Peacock flounder
Chaetodipterus faber, Atlantic spadefish
Canthigaster rostrata, Sharpnose puffer
Centropyge argi, Cherubfish
Diodon hystrix, Porcupinefish
Dactylopterus volitans, Flying gurnard
Heteropriacanthus cruentatus, Glasseye snapper
Hypoplectrus unicolor, Butter hamlet
Holocanthus tricolor, Rock beauty
Myrichthys ocellatus, Goldspotted eel
Ophioblennius macclurei, Redlip blenny
Pareques acuminatus, High-hat
Rypticus saponaceus, Greater sopafish
Synodus intermedius, Sand diver
Symphurus diomedianus, Caribbean tonguefish
Family Syngnathidae, Pipefishes and Seahorses
Family Ogcocephalidae, Batfish
Family Scorpaenidae, Scorpionfish

    Table 8 (continued). List of all species included in the Aquarium 
Trade category in both the Reef Fish and Coral FMPs. Table contents are 
extracted from Table 8 of the Comprehensive Amendment to the Fishery 
Management Plans (FMPs) of the U.S. Caribbean to Address Required 
Provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (a.k.a. the Comprehensive Sustainable Fisheries Act Amendment).

Coral FMP

Aphimedon compressa, Erect rope sponge
Astrophyton muricatum, Giant basket star

[[Page 2671]]

Alpheaus armatus, Snapping shrimp
Aiptasia tagetes, Pale anemone
Astropecten spp., Sand stars
Analcidometra armata, Swimming crinoid
Bartholomea annulata, Corkscrew anemone
Cynachirella alloclada, sponge (no common name)
Condylactis gigantea, Giant pink-tipped anemone
Cyphoma gibbosum, Flamingo tongue
Chondrilla nucula, Chicken liver sponge
Diadema antillarum, Long-spined urchin
Davidaster spp., Crinoids
Discosoma spp., False coral
Echinometra spp., Purple urchin
Eucidaris tribuloides, Pencil urchin
Gonodactylus (Neogonodactylus) spp., Smashing mantis shrimp
Geodia neptuni, Potato sponge
Haliclona sp., Finger sponge
Holothuria spp., Sea cucumbers
Hereractis lucida, Knobby anemone
Lima spp., Fileclams
Lima scabra, Rough fileclam
Lytechinus spp., Pin cushion urchin
Lysmata spp., Peppermint shrimp
Linckia guildingii, Common comet star
Lysiosquilla spp., Spearing mantis shrimp
Lebrunia spp., Staghorn anemone
Mithrax spp., Clinging crabs
Mithrax cinctimanus, Banded clinging crab
Mithrax sculptus, Green clinging crab
Myriastra sp., sponge (no common name)
Niphates digitalis, Pink vase sponge
Niphates erecta, Lavender rope sponge
Nemaster spp., Crinoids
Ophiocoma spp., Brittlestars
Ophioderma spp., Brittlestars
Ophioderma rubicundum, Ruby brittlestar
Oreaster reticulatus, Cushion sea star
Ophidiaster guildingii, Comet star
Oliva reticularis, Netted olive
Octopus spp. (except the Common octopus, O. vulgaris)
Paguristes spp., Hermit crabs
Paguristes cadenati, Red reef hermit crab
Percnon gibbesi, Nimble spray crab
Periclimenes spp., Cleaner shrimp
Ricordia florida, Florida false coral
Stichodactyla helianthus, Sun anemone
Spirobranchus giganteus, Christmas tree worm
Sabellastarte magnifica, Magnificent duster
Sabellastarte spp., Tube worms
Stenopus scutellatus, Golden shrimp
Stenopus hispidus, Banded shrimp
Stenorhynchus seticornis, Yellowline arrow crab
Spondylus americanus, Atlantic thorny oyster
Spinosella plicifera, Iridescent tube sponge
Spinosella vaginalis, Lavendar tube sponge
Tripneustes ventricosus, Sea egg urchin
Thor amboinensis, Anemone shrimp
Tectitethya (Tethya) crypta, sponge (no common name)
    Subphylum Urochordata, Tunicates
Tridachia crispata, Lettuce sea slug
Zoanthus spp., Sea mat

    Action 3. Recreational fishery management.
    Action 3a. Separation of recreational and commercial sectors.
    Option 1: No action. Do not specify sector-specific annual catch 
limits.
    Option 2: Specify separate commercial and recreational annual catch 
limits based on the preferred management reference point time series.
Action 3b. Recreational Bag Limits
    Option 1: No action. Do not establish bag limit restrictions on 
recreational harvest.
    Option 2: Specify a 5-fish aggregate bag limit per person (would 
not apply to a fisherman who has a valid commercial fishing license 
issued by Puerto Rico or the USVI).
    Option 3: Specify a 2-fish aggregate bag limit per person (would 
not apply to a fisherman who has a valid commercial fishing license 
issued by Puerto Rico or the USVI).
    Option 4: Establish a 0-fish aggregate bag limit per person (would 
not apply to a fisherman who has a valid commercial fishing license 
issued by Puerto Rico or the USVI) for species in the surgeonfish FMU.
    Option 5: Establish an aggregate bag limit of: 10 per fisher 
including not more than two surgeonfish per fisher or six surgeonfish 
per boat, and 30 aggregate fish per boat on a fishing day (would not 
apply to a fisherman who has a valid commercial fishing license issued 
by Puerto Rico or the USVI).
    Option 6: Establish an aggregate bag limit of: Five per fisher 
including not more than two surgeonfish per fisher or six surgeonfish 
per boat, and 15 aggregate fish per boat on a fishing day (would not 
apply to a fisherman who has a valid commercial fishing license issued 
by Puerto Rico or the USVI).
    Action 4: Accountability Measures.
    Action 4a: Triggering Accountability Measures.
    Option 1: No Action. Do not trigger AMs.
    Option 2: Trigger AMs if the Annual Catch Limit is exceeded based 
upon:
    Sub-option A: A single year of landings beginning with landings 
from 2011.
    Sub-option B: A single year of landings beginning with landings 
from 2011, then a 2-year running average of landings in 2012 (average 
of 2011+2012) and thereafter (i.e., 2011, 2011-2012, 2012-2013, etc.).
    Sub-option C: A single year of landings beginning with landings 
from 2011, a 2-year average of landings in 2012 (average of 2011+2012), 
then a 3-year running average of landings in 2013 (average of 
2011+2012+2013) and thereafter (i.e., 2011, 2011-2012, 2011-2013, 2012-
2014, etc.).
    Option 3: Trigger AMs if the annual catch limit is exceeded as 
defined below and NMFS' SEFSC (in consultation with the Caribbean 
Fishery Management Council and its Scientific and Statistical 
Committee) determines the overage occurred because catches increased 
versus data collection/monitoring improved:
    Sub-option A: A single year of landings effective beginning 2011.
    Sub-option B: A single year of landings effective beginning 2011, 
then a 2-year running average of landings effective 2012 and thereafter 
(i.e., 2011, 2011-2012, 2012-2013, etc.).
    Sub-option C: A single year of landings effective beginning 2011, a 
2-year running average of landings effective 2012, then a 3-year 
running average of landings effective 2013 and thereafter (i.e., 2011, 
2011-2012, 2011-2013, 2012-2014, etc.).
    Action 4b: Apply Accountability Measures.
    Option 1: No Action. Do not apply AMs.
    Option 2: If AMs are triggered, then reduce the length of the 
fishing season for that species or species group the year following the 
trigger determination by the amount needed to prevent such an overage 
from occurring again. The needed changes will remain in effect until 
modified.
    Option 3: If AMs are triggered, then reduce the length of the 
fishing season for that species or species group the year following the 
trigger determination by the amount needed to prevent such an overage 
from occurring again and to pay back the overage. The needed changes 
will remain in effect until modified.
    Action 5: Framework Measures.
    Action 5a: Establish Framework Measures for the Spiny Lobster FMP.
    Option 1: No Action. Do not amend the framework measures for the 
Spiny Lobster FMP.
    Option 2: Amend the framework procedures for the Spiny Lobster FMP 
to provide a mechanism to expeditiously adjust the following reference 
points and management measures through framework action:

a. Quota Requirements

[[Page 2672]]

b. Seasonal Closures
c. Area Closures
d. Fishing Year
e. Trip/Bag Limit
f. Size Limits
g. Gear Restrictions or Prohibitions
h. Total Allowable Catch (TAC)
i. Annual Catch Limits (ACLs)
j. Accountability Measures (AMs)
k. Annual Catch Targets (ACTs)
l. Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY)
m. Optimum Yield (OY)
n. Minimum Stock Size Threshold (MSST)
o. Maximum Fishing Mortality Threshold (MFMT)
p. Overfishing Limit (OFL)
q. Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) control rules
r. Actions to Minimize the Interaction of Fishing Gear with Endangered 
Species or Marine Mammals

    Option 3: Amend the framework procedures for the Spiny Lobster FMP 
to provide the Council with a mechanism to expeditiously adjust a 
subset of management measures outlined in Option 2.
    Action 5b: Establish Framework Measures for the Corals and Reef 
Associated Plants and Invertebrates FMP.
    Option 1: No Action. Do not amend the framework measures for the 
Corals and Reef Associated Plants and Invertebrates FMP.
    Option 2: Amend the framework procedures for the Corals and Reef 
Associated Plants and Invertebrates FMP to provide a mechanism to 
expeditiously adjust the following reference points and management 
measures through framework action:

a. Quota Requirements
b. Seasonal Closures
c. Area Closures
d. Fishing Year
e. Trip/Bag Limit
f. Size Limits
g. Gear Restrictions or Prohibitions
h. Fishery Management Units (FMUs)
i. Total Allowable Catch (TAC)
j. Annual Catch Limits (ACLs)
k. Accountability Measures (AMs)
l. Annual Catch Targets (ACTs)
m. Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY)
n. Optimum Yield (OY)
o. Minimum Stock Size Threshold (MSST)
p. Maximum Fishing Mortality Threshold (MFMT)
q. Overfishing Limit (OFL)
r. Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) control rules
s. Actions to Minimize the Interaction of Fishing Gear with Endangered 
Species or Marine Mammals

    Option 3: Amend the framework procedures for the Corals and Reef 
Associated Plants and Invertebrates FMP to provide the Council with a 
mechanism to expeditiously adjust a subset of management measures 
outlined in Option 2.

Special Accommodations

    These meetings are physically accessible to people with 
disabilities. For more information or request for sign language 
interpretation and other auxiliary aids, please contact Mr. Miguel A. 
Rol[oacute]n, Executive Director, Caribbean Fishery Management Council, 
268 Mu[ntilde]oz Rivera Avenue, Suite 1108, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 
00918-1920, telephone (787) 766-5926, at least five days prior to the 
meeting date.

    Dated: January 11, 2011.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-712 Filed 1-13-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P