[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 62 (Monday, April 2, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15617-15626]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-1605]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 061121304-7053-02; I.D. 112006B]
RIN 0648-AT87


Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; 
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Gulf Red Snapper Management 
Measures

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; interim measures.

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SUMMARY: This final rule implements interim measures to reduce 
overfishing of Gulf red snapper. This final rule reduces the commercial 
and recreational quotas for red snapper, reduces the commercial minimum 
size limit for red snapper, reduces the recreational bag limit for Gulf 
red snapper, prohibits the retention of red snapper under the bag limit 
for captain and crew of a vessel operating as a charter vessel or 
headboat, and establishes a target level of reduction of shrimp trawl 
bycatch mortality of red snapper. The intended effect is to reduce 
overfishing of red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico.

DATES: This final rule is effective May 2, 2007 through September 29, 
2007, except for amendments to Sec.  622.37, which are effective April 
2, 2007 through September 29, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Copies of documents supporting this final rule, including a 
final environmental impact statement (FEIS), a Record of Decision 
(ROD), and a final regulatory flexibility analysis (FRFA), may be 
obtained from Peter Hood, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13\th\ 
Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Hood, telephone: 727-551-5784, 
fax: 727-824-5308, e-mail: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8bfbeeffeef9a5e3e4e4efcbe5e4eaeaa5ece4fd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f28297869780dc9a9d9d96b29c9d9393dc959d84">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The red snapper fishery of the Gulf of 
Mexico is managed under the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Reef 
Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico, and the shrimp fishery is managed 
under the FMP for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico. The FMPs 
were prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council 
(Council) and are implemented under the authority of the Magnuson-

[[Page 15618]]

Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) 
by regulations at 50 CFR part 622.
    On October 13, 2006, NMFS published a notice of availability of the 
draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for this action (71 FR 
60509). The notice of availability of the final environmental impact 
statement (FEIS) was published on December 29, 2006 (71 FR 78427). On 
December 14, 2006, NMFS published the proposed rule and requested 
public comment. The rationale for these interim measures is provided in 
the FEIS and the preamble to the proposed rule and is not repeated 
here.

Comments and Responses

    The following is a summary of comments received on the proposed 
rule and NMFS' responses. A total of 6,403 comments were received from 
individuals and organizations. In addition to these comments, NMFS 
received two comment letters, with a total of 10,280 signatures, that 
opposed various provisions of the proposed rule. NMFS' response to 
comments on the proposed rule including the issues presented in the two 
comment letters is provided below.
    Comment 1: Many respondents asked NMFS not to implement the interim 
rule, but allow the Council to develop an amendment with updated data 
taking into account the effect of recent hurricanes on fishing.
    Response: The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires NMFS to develop a plan 
to end overfishing once such a determination has been made. The Council 
has developed, and the Secretary has approved, a red snapper rebuilding 
plan ending overfishing between 2009 and 2010. The red snapper harvest 
and bycatch reduction measures the Council is evaluating to achieve 
this goal cannot be implemented in time to address overfishing during 
2007. If overfishing continues in 2007, then substantially more severe 
harvest reductions will be required between 2008 and 2010 to end 
overfishing on schedule. Consequently, NMFS has determined interim 
measures are needed to address overfishing of red snapper during the 
2007-fishing year.
    The interim measures implemented through this final rule are 
designed to minimize to the extent practicable the unavoidable adverse 
impacts of ending overfishing during a time when Gulf of Mexico 
fisheries are recovering from the adverse effects of two particularly 
severe hurricane seasons. Additionally, the analyses underlying these 
measures assume effort in the red snapper and shrimp fisheries will be 
slightly below average during 2007 as a result of the hurricanes. NMFS 
has determined this rule is based on the best scientific information 
available. NMFS continues to actively monitor red snapper and shrimp 
effort data so this information can be taken into account in developing 
measures to achieve the additional, longer-term reductions in red 
snapper harvest and bycatch needed to end overfishing of red snapper.
    Comment 2: Many respondents suggested the rule violated national 
standard 2 of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. One respondent also suggested 
the rule violated national standards 4, 7, and 8. These national 
standards require fishery conservation and management measures be based 
upon the best scientific information available (national standard 2); 
be fair and equitable, promote conservation, and allow no one to have 
excessive shares in a fishery (national standard 4); minimize costs and 
avoid unnecessary duplication, where practicable (national standard 7); 
and, in achieving the conservation requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act, sustain the participation of and minimize adverse economic impacts 
to fishing communities to the extent practicable (national standard 8).
    Response: NMFS has determined these interim measures and associated 
analytical documents comply with all Magnuson-Stevens Act national 
standards, as well as with all other applicable laws and regulations. 
The scientific data and information underlying the need for action was 
independently peer reviewed through the Southeast Data and Assessment 
Review (SEDAR) process, and certified by NMFS Southeast Fisheries 
Science Center (SEFSC) and the Council's Scientific and Statistical 
Committee as the best scientific information available. The interim 
measures promote conservation by addressing overfishing for the 2007 
fishing season, and are fair and equitable because they apply to 
fishery participants in all coastal states of the Gulf of Mexico. 
Differences in the measures applicable to the commercial and 
recreational sectors of the directed red snapper fishery, and the bases 
for the measures applicable to the shrimp fishery, are discussed in 
further detail below. (See, e.g., responses to Comments 14 and 17-19.) 
These interim measures also minimize costs to fisheries participants to 
the extent practicable while meeting national standard 1 requirements 
to reduce overfishing, and minimize to the extent practicable the 
unavoidable costs and adverse economic impacts associated with reducing 
red snapper mortality in the Gulf of Mexico. Addressing overfishing in 
the 2007 season will help to avoid more severe harvest reductions to 
end overfishing between 2008 and 2010.
    Comment 3: Many respondents disagreed with the conclusions of the 
red snapper stock assessment on which the interim measures are based, 
stating red snapper fishing is improving and the stock appears healthy, 
particularly in the northeastern Gulf. Specific criticisms of the 
assessment stated the assessment does not take into account the full 
contribution of artificial reefs to stock productivity; overestimates 
bycatch in the recreational fishery; and does not account for post-
settlement, density-dependent mortality.
    Response: The 2005 red snapper stock assessment was conducted and 
reviewed using the SEDAR process, which is a cooperative fishery 
management council process initiated in 2002 to improve the quality and 
reliability of fishery stock assessments in the Gulf of Mexico and 
other Southeast fishery management council regions. SEDAR emphasizes 
constituent and stakeholder participation in assessment development, 
transparency in the assessment process, and a rigorous and independent 
scientific review of completed stock assessments. Council, NMFS, and 
state agency representatives, as well as affected fishermen, academics, 
and environmental non-governmental organizations participated in the 
2005 red snapper SEDAR process, and all decisions were reached by 
consensus. Each SEDAR involves a series of three workshops--data, 
assessment, and review. Each workshop is open to the public and noticed 
in advance through the Federal Register.
    The reports produced during the SEDAR workshops document in detail 
key findings regarding data usage and assessment methodology and were 
formally peer reviewed during the SEDAR Review Workshop in April 2005. 
The SEDAR Review panel identified the results of the red snapper stock 
assessment as the best scientific information available. Additionally, 
the SEDAR Review panel provided a series of recommendations including 
additional data needs to improve future assessments. An additional 
endorsement of the stock assessment came from the Gulf Council's Joint 
Standing and Special Reef Fish/Mackerel/Spiny Lobster Scientific and 
Statistical Committee who recognized the assessment as the best 
available science during their July 5-6, 2005, meeting.
    The 2005 red snapper SEDAR assessment supports the observation

[[Page 15619]]

made by fishermen that stock biomass is increasing in the eastern Gulf. 
However, stock biomass remains far below the minimum threshold (i.e., 
overfished) and fishing mortality continues to exceed the maximum 
sustainable level defined in the red snapper rebuilding plan (i.e., 
overfishing). The assessment examined differences in the eastern and 
western components of the fishery, which are divided by the Mississippi 
River delta, and found that, although the eastern portion of the stock 
is in slightly better condition than is the western portion, red 
snapper is still significantly overfished in both regions.
    SEDAR participants discussed and addressed, to the extent possible, 
the potential impacts of artificial reefs on stock productivity and 
recruitment, as well as issues related to each of the other criticisms 
described above. The rationale for their decisions on each of these 
issues is provided in the SEDAR 07 working papers and reports, which 
can be accessed online at: http://www.sefsc.noaa.gov/sedar/Sedar_Workshops.jsp?WorkshopNum=07.
    Comment 4: Several respondents suggested either the ``linked'' or 
``delinked'' bycatch reduction scenarios be used in determining the 
rebuilding strategy. Others indicated estimates of bycatch from the 
recreational fishery were overestimated by the stock assessment.
    Response: Estimates of maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and stock 
size that allows harvest at MSY, are contingent on mortality (including 
bycatch mortality) from the directed red snapper and shrimp trawl 
fisheries. The ``linked'' scenario requires an equal reduction in 
fishing mortality across all sources of mortality (i.e., directed 
fishery, closed season bycatch, and shrimp trawl bycatch), while the 
``de-linked'' scenario does not require an equal reduction and allows 
fishery managers to establish individual mortality reduction goals for 
one or more sources of mortality. These decisions then define how much 
of a reduction of mortality is required in the remaining sectors, and 
enable fishery managers to hold each sector accountable for achieving 
its specific mortality reduction objective. NMFS is encouraging the 
Council to explore the pros and cons of ``linking'' and ``de-linking'' 
the various sources of red snapper mortality. However, such a decision 
is beyond the scope of this temporary rule, the objective of which is 
to address overfishing on a temporary basis while the Council develops 
a strategy to end overfishing of the stock in compliance with the red 
snapper rebuilding plan and the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    Estimates of red snapper recreational fishery discards were 
reviewed through the SEDAR process and have been determined to be the 
best available science (see response to Comment 3). During the SEDAR 
data workshop, discard estimates based on the Marine Recreational 
Fishery Statistics Survey (MRFSS) were reviewed and considered to 
underestimate total recreational discards. Additionally, there were 
concerns about estimating discards for headboats and from Texas waters 
using MRFSS discard estimates or other studies. Therefore, the red 
snapper stock assessment estimated recreational and commercial discards 
using predicted length composition of the catch, and discards were 
primarily attributed to the minimum size limit.
    Comment 5: Many comments suggested the interim measures should 
reduce the total allowable catch (TAC) of red snapper to 6 million lb 
(2.72 million kg) or less to end overfishing as soon as possible.
    Response: The 6.5-million lb (2.95-million kg) TAC implemented 
through this final rule is intended to reduce overfishing of the red 
snapper stock on a temporary basis, specifically for the 2007 fishing 
season, while the Council develops a strategy to end overfishing of the 
stock in compliance with the red snapper rebuilding plan and the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act. The chosen TAC is designed to minimize to the 
extent practicable the unavoidable adverse impacts of reducing red 
snapper mortality during a time when Gulf fisheries are recovering from 
the adverse effects of two particularly severe hurricane seasons. While 
a lower TAC and more restrictive management measures will be required 
in the future to end overfishing on schedule, NMFS believes that a 6.0 
million-lb (2.7 million-kg) TAC is not necessary for purposes of this 
final rule and that longer-term management measures should, as 
appropriate, be developed through the Council process, which provides 
additional mechanisms for consulting with affected user groups.
    Comment 6: One comment suggested red snapper TAC reductions should 
be phased in to the level needed to end overfishing.
    Response: The red snapper TAC implemented through this final rule 
will reduce, rather than end, overfishing. The TAC will need to be 
reduced below 6.5 million lb (2.95 million kg) in the coming years to 
end overfishing on schedule.
    Comment 7: Some respondents suggested closing the directed red 
snapper (commercial and recreational) and shrimp fisheries to allow the 
red snapper stock to recover.
    Response: Closing the red snapper and shrimp fisheries would be 
inconsistent with the national standard 1 mandate to achieve the 
optimum yield from each U.S. fishery and the national standard 8 
mandate to minimize to the extent practicable adverse economic impacts 
on fishing communities because such action would exceed that required 
to meet the red snapper conservation objective.
    Comment 8: Some respondents questioned why TAC was being reduced in 
the final rule rather than creating seasonal or area closures to 
protect spawning aggregations. They indicated fishing for red snapper 
should be closed in areas and at those times when red snapper are known 
to spawn.
    Response: Area closures were considered but rejected by the Council 
as a management tool for Amendment 14/27 (a joint amendment to the 
Shrimp and Reef Fish FMPs). Using this management technique in this 
final rule would be limited to the 2007 fishing season and would 
therefore result in marginal gains for the stock should the Council not 
adopt these measures in future actions. The Council is considering 
reductions in length of the recreational fishing season in Amendment 
14/27. The final rule does not reduce the length of the fishing season 
because other management measures accomplish the necessary reductions 
in harvest. However, the Council may choose to reconsider seasonal and 
area closures if public comment or other information suggests these are 
the preferred management strategies.
    Comment 9: Several respondents suggested fishing seasons should be 
modified to one of the following: 1) a short time period for commercial 
and recreational fishermen that avoids the red snapper breeding season, 
2) alternating months or opening portions of months for the 
recreational fishery, 3) a shorter commercial season concurrent with 
the recreational season, or 4) different seasons between the eastern 
and western Gulf.
    Response: NMFS evaluated numerous alternatives, including various 
seasonal closures, to constrain the recreational red snapper fishery to 
the 2007 allocation implemented through this final rule. The range of 
alternative seasons considered was intended to preserve, if possible, a 
core season of May 15 to August 15. Many comments received on this rule 
during public testimony suggested that recreational fishermen would 
prefer methods other

[[Page 15620]]

than changing the current fishing season to reduce fishing effort.
    The Council will examine recreational fishing regulations in 
Amendment 14/27. Consequently, if the core season can no longer be 
preserved, or if public comments request the Council to preserve 
different core seasons in the eastern and western Gulf, then the 
Council could re-examine these and other seasonal closure alternatives 
in developing a plan to end overfishing of red snapper in compliance 
with the red snapper rebuilding plan and the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    NMFS did not evaluate seasonal closure alternatives for the 
commercial red snapper fishery because the mortality rate of that 
fishery is managed in season through an individual fishing quota (IFQ) 
program. This program was implemented in part to eliminate the derby 
fishery conditions that had developed in response to short fishing 
seasons. IFQ programs intend to control total annual harvest by 
enabling fishery managers to track and limit the landings of each 
individual program participant.
    Comment 10: Two respondents suggested that because red snapper have 
been successfully raised in captivity, aquaculture should be used to 
augment red snapper stocks, instead of implementing further harvest 
restrictions.
    Response: Because stock enhancement through aquaculture is a 
longer-term alternative to address overfishing, it is beyond the scope 
of this rule to reduce overfishing of the red snapper stock on a 
temporary basis, for the 2007 fishing season. However, NOAA supports 
creation of environmentally sound and economically sustainable 
aquaculture opportunities. The Generic Amendment for Offshore 
Aquaculture, currently under development by the Council, in 
collaboration with NMFS, would provide a similar framework for 
regulating offshore aquaculture of federally managed species, including 
red snapper, in Federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Additionally, a 
multi-year grant awarded to the Gulf of Mexico Marine Stock Enhancement 
Program by NMFS in 2003 is funding research for red snapper stock 
enhancement possibilities.
    Comment 11: Some respondents suggested the economic and social 
value of both the recreational and commercial sectors should be 
considered in setting TAC. Some comments indicated current allocation 
of TAC should be changed so the recreational fishery receives a higher 
percentage. Several respondents were concerned TAC reductions will have 
an adverse economic effect on charter fishermen and businesses 
dependent on offshore fishing.
    Response: Changes to the current methodology for allocating red 
snapper TAC between the commercial and recreational sectors are outside 
the scope of this rule, which is intended only to reduce overfishing of 
the red snapper stock on a temporary basis, for the 2007 fishing 
season. However, the Council is developing an amendment to address the 
allocation of different reef fish species and may include red snapper. 
The Council has established a working group with the SEFSC to examine 
harvest allocation between fishing sectors.
    Best available survey and modeling results indicate relatively few 
trip cancellations are expected to occur as a result of this action. 
Most survey respondents indicated when faced with a reduced red snapper 
bag limit, they would either continue fishing for red snapper or fish 
for another species. This change in fishing behavior may generate 
distributional effects (i.e., the substituted trip may occur from a 
different port, different mode, or in a different season, resulting in 
one port/season losing while another gains). These distributional 
effects, however, cannot be predicted with current data.
    Comment 12: Many respondents suggested the current four-fish bag 
limit should not be reduced because high fuel prices have reduced 
recreational fishing effort, and, therefore, no further actions need to 
be taken to constrain red snapper harvest. Other respondents suggested 
other alternatives to the two-fish bag limit should be considered to 
reduce bycatch and minimize adverse economic harm to the recreational 
fishery. Suggested measures included a bag limit of the first four or 
five red snapper of any size caught per day, a recreational IFQ 
program, eliminating fishing tournaments other than catch and release, 
developing a size-based daily points system, setting a red snapper slot 
limit, restricting the number of trips an angler may take, and 
establishing more artificial reefs.
    Response: In managing the recreational fishery so harvest is 
constrained to the recreational quota, NMFS has employed bag limits, 
size limits, and seasonal closures. Assuming some reduction in 
recreational effort due to hurricanes and increased fuel prices, the 
combined effect of reducing the recreational bag limit from four to two 
fish and prohibiting a captain and crew bag limit for for-hire vessels 
should control effort sufficiently to ensure the recreational fishery 
remains within the 2007 quota of 3.185 million lb (1.445 million kg). 
When combining these two measures, the recreational fishery would be 
allowed to maintain its current 194-day recreational fishing season 
(April 21 [dash] October 31). To maintain a four-fish bag limit, the 
fishing season would need to be reduced. Testimony from many fishermen 
suggested they would prefer a reduction to the bag limit than a 
reduction in season length.
    Alternative management strategies suggested above other than bag 
limits could create confusion for anglers should the Council adopt 
different measures in Amendment 14/27, which considers red snapper 
management beyond 2007. Other measures suggested above, such as 
retaining the first four or five fish caught, were considered but 
rejected because preliminary analyses indicated these regulations would 
increase total recreational fishing mortality Gulf-wide and across all 
modes, thus slowing recovery. Measures that slow recovery also have 
negative long-term economic consequences. However, the Council may 
choose to consider these alternatives in Amendment 14/27 to assist in 
ending overfishing and continue the recovery of the red snapper stock.
    Comment 13: Many respondents suggested that prohibiting the captain 
and crew of for-hire vessels from retaining the recreational bag limit 
contributes little to reductions in recreational fishing mortality, and 
the captain and crew should be able to keep a bag limit. One respondent 
suggested captain and crew bag limit reductions were already factored 
into the current fishing regulations when the season was reduced by six 
days to account for the cancellation of a zero-bag limit for captain 
and crew in 2000.
    Response: Analyses indicated that prohibiting captain and crew of 
for-hire vessels from retaining the recreational bag limit would reduce 
red snapper landings by approximately 2 percent. This action, coupled 
with the reduction in the recreational bag limit to two fish allows the 
fishing season to remain at its current length of 194 days (from April 
21-October 31). Many for-hire fishermen indicated they would be willing 
to give up their bag limit if the current season was maintained. 
Additionally, this measure would also increase consistency among 
regulations and make them more equitable. Within the reef fish fishery, 
captain and crew of for-hire vessels are not allowed to keep bag limits 
of grouper and captain and crew of commercial vessels are not allowed 
to keep reef fish bag limits if commercial quantities of reef fish are 
onboard.

[[Page 15621]]

    While NMFS did reduce the recreational fishing season by six days 
in 2000 to allow the captain and crew of for-hire vessels to maintain 
their bag limits, these measures were put in place based on a 1999 
stock assessment. The measures considered in this final rule are based 
on the 2005 stock assessment using new and updated data. Thus the 
condition of the stock has been reevaluated, and the measures in this 
final rule are based on this updated assessment.
    Comment 14: Many respondents indicated reducing the minimum size 
limit should also be applied to the recreational fishery. They 
suggested not doing so will adversely affect stock recovery, enhance 
user conflict, and would not be fair and equitable. Some suggested 
commercial fishermen should be restricted to fishing in deeper water to 
reduce conflict between fisheries. One respondent suggested data used 
to assess the potential commercial discard reductions was based on only 
one study having a limited sample size and geographic location, while 
others indicated more research on reduced minimum size limits is needed 
for the commercial and recreational fisheries to determine if in fact 
this type of measure decreases bycatch. Further, one respondent 
suggested reductions in bycatch resulting from lowering of the 
commercial minimum size to 13 inches (33 cm) will not work because 
commercial fishermen will not change their current fishing practices.
    Response: This final rule is implemented under the provision of 
section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act that provides for interim 
measures needed to reduce overfishing. Reducing the commercial minimum 
size limit from 15 to 13 inches (38 to 33 cm) reduces overfishing 
because 71-82 percent of the fish discarded by commercial fishermen do 
not survive. However, while reducing the recreational minimum size 
limit would reduce bycatch, it would not reduce overfishing, because 
the discard mortality rate in the recreational fishery is relatively 
low (15-40 percent); therefore, a greater proportion of the fish 
discarded by recreational fishermen survive. Thus, reductions in the 
recreational minimum size limit were not adopted in this rule. The 
Council is currently considering a reduction in the recreational size 
limit and other strategies to reduce bycatch in the recreational red 
snapper fishery while developing long-term measures to end overfishing 
of red snapper in compliance with the red snapper rebuilding plan and 
Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    Differences in minimum size limits may potentially result in user 
conflicts. Recreational fishermen have expressed concern commercial 
fishermen could reduce the number of fish available to anglers at known 
fishing areas. However, the interim measures in this rule are designed 
to reduce overfishing for the 2007 season. If the Council determines 
the difference in the commercial and recreational minimum size limit 
results in a conflict between the sectors, then the Council could 
explore alternatives, such as restrictions on depth fished, to minimize 
or eliminate that conflict. With respect to measures in this final rule 
not being fair and equitable between the recreational and commercial 
sectors, percent reductions in quota are equivalent. However, because 
the fisheries are prosecuted differently, alternative measures are 
needed to constrain harvest to each fishery's respective quota.
    For the commercial fishery, data used to assess the potential 
discard reductions was based on two studies. One was empirical sampling 
of 16 commercial vessels off Louisiana. The other used data from the 
2005 stock assessment, which was Gulf-wide. The trends from both 
studies were similar, with the results from the empirical study showing 
a slightly higher discard rate than the Gulf-wide study. However, in 
describing discard rates of undersized fish, results from both studies 
provided a potential range in discard reductions relative to different 
minimum size limits.
    More research is needed to evaluate discard mortality in both the 
commercial and recreational fisheries. Discussion in the SEDAR data 
workshop recognized the limitation of information on the fate of 
discarded red snapper. Rather than using direct estimates from the 
fishery, the SEDAR assessment panel chose to estimate recreational 
discards internally by the assessment model. Further, discard mortality 
research was identified in the SEDAR process as an important component 
for the next assessment.
    With regards to reducing discard mortality in the commercial 
fishery by changing fishing practices, reductions in minimum size do 
not affect discard mortality rates once fish have been released. 
However, reducing the commercial minimum size limit does reduce the 
overall number of discards by the fishery because a greater number of 
fish, which would have been discarded under the current 15-inch (38-cm) 
size limit, will be retained under the 13-inch (33-cm) size limit and 
counted against the commercial quota. If the Council determines further 
reductions in discard mortality may be achieved through changing 
fishing practices, the Council may evaluate alternatives in future 
actions.
    Comment 15: Several comments indicated NMFS should include in the 
temporary rule requirements for gear that would decrease reef fish 
fishery bycatch and mortality such as circle hooks, larger hooks, less 
hooks, venting tools, and de-hookers. Two respondents suggested 
mandatory classes should be taught to charter vessel captains and crew 
on how to properly de-hook, vent, and release fish to reduce bycatch 
mortality.
    Response: The rule addresses bycatch of red snapper to the extent 
practicable given the temporary duration of this final rule. NMFS 
evaluated alternative gear restrictions that could achieve additional 
bycatch reduction in the directed red snapper fisheries, but determined 
it is not practicable to implement, on an interim basis, measures that 
would require fishermen to invest in new gear or equipment, such as 
circle hooks and de-hooking devices. If such measures are adopted as 
part of the Council's longer-term strategy for ending overfishing, then 
NMFS will consider alternative strategies for educating fishermen about 
how to comply with these requirements, including public workshops.
    Comment 16: Two comments questioned economic analyses of the 
charter fishery in the EIS for the temporary rule. Specifically, these 
responders asked why there exists a wide variance of economic 
conditions between west Florida and other Gulf states (in particular 
Alabama), and why the analyses examine excess capacity when in all 
likelihood the fishery will never reach overcapacity.
    Response: There are several market characteristics that separate 
the charter fisheries in these two states. On average, Florida vessels 
are smaller, have smaller horsepower, have lower maximum passenger 
capacity, and take fewer passengers per trip than Alabama vessels. 
Additionally, increased competition created by the larger number of 
vessels in Florida may reduce profits. Because of the size and location 
of Alabama, in the event of closure of Federal waters off Alabama, 
anglers can easily relocate their fishing to another location (e.g., 
Florida or Mississippi). Relocation from Florida, however, would be 
much more costly for the average angler, other than those fishing from 
the Florida Panhandle near Alabama, because of the extensive coastline 
and distance required to fish an alternative site. Additionally, the

[[Page 15622]]

wider variety of species available to a Florida angler would be 
expected to make fishing in Florida more attractive than fishing in 
Alabama.
    The fact that bag limit reductions and seasonal restrictions are 
necessary to constrain the recreational sector to allowable harvest 
levels demonstrates that the recreational sector has the capacity to 
harvest more than the target threshold for this fishery.
    Comment 17: Many comments specified shrimp trawl bycatch must be 
minimized by 50 to 80 percent to allow red snapper stocks to recover.
    Response: This final rule will establish a target reduction goal 
for shrimp trawl bycatch mortality on red snapper that is 50 percent 
less than the benchmark years of 2001-2003. This target reflects the 
level of effort documented in 2005 in areas where red snapper are 
abundant in the western Gulf, compared to the level of effort during 
the benchmark years. It does not meet the 74-percent target mortality 
reduction level necessary to rebuild the red snapper stock to a 
spawning potential ratio of 26 percent. However, preliminary 
information for 2006 suggests shrimp trawl effort has continued to 
decline in offshore waters of the western Gulf. Therefore, similar to 
the directed red snapper fishery, shrimp trawl effort for 2006 and 2007 
is likely to be less than the level of effort documented during 2005 in 
areas where red snapper are commonly taken. Additional bycatch 
mortality reduction is expected from the introduction of new bycatch 
reduction devices (BRDs) under a pending revision to the certification 
criterion for BRDs. In combination, NMFS estimates red snapper bycatch 
mortality attributable to the shrimp fishery over the next few years 
may closely approximate the needed percent reductions in shrimp bycatch 
mortality from the benchmark years of 2001-2003.
    Comment 18: Several comments indicated that seasonal and area 
closures should be established for shrimp trawls to reduce juvenile red 
snapper bycatch in the shrimp fishery, particularly in the 10-30 fathom 
depth range. Several commenters desired the establishment of a red 
snapper conservation zone consisting of waters at 10-30 fathoms west of 
Cape San Blas, Florida, in which effort in the shrimp fishery would be 
capped at an appropriate level to reduce red snapper bycatch.
    Response: In addressing long-term management strategies to control 
shrimp trawl bycatch mortality of red snapper, the Council may choose 
seasonal or area closures in Amendment 14/27. However, the reduction 
target in the temporary rule discussed above will provide NMFS with 
interim means to immediately address shrimp trawl bycatch in 2007. NMFS 
intends to provide the Council with 2006 shrimp trawl effort 
information in 2007. If shrimp effort for 2006 is above the target, the 
Council could take further action in 2007, if necessary, to maintain 
the proposed reductions in shrimp effort in areas of the western Gulf 
where red snapper are most abundant.
    The EIS for this temporary rule evaluated a number of seasonal 
closure alternatives designed to reduce red snapper bycatch in the 
shrimp trawl fishery, but shrimp effort levels are such that they are 
unlikely to exceed the target reduction goal for 2007 set in this 
temporary rule. Therefore, they were not considered practicable for the 
temporary rule. The Council is currently evaluating the potential 
benefits of additional alternatives in Shrimp Amendment 15 that would 
establish seasonal or fixed closures in areas identified through a 
review of recent literature and ongoing research programs. Three of 
these areas are located off the coast of Texas, one is located south of 
Mobile, and one is located west of the Mississippi Delta.
    Comment 19: One comment suggested long-term measures to restrict 
shrimp bycatch should not be considered in the temporary rule, and 
long-term measures incorporating recommendations of the Council's Ad 
Hoc Shrimp Effort Advisory Panel should be followed and implemented 
through Joint Amendments 14/27 and 15/31.
    Response: Long-term measures to manage shrimp fishing effort in 
relation to the target red snapper bycatch mortality reduction goal are 
needed. For 2007, anticipated declines in effort from external factors 
are expected to meet or exceed the 50-percent reduction target level. 
However, should effort increase and exceed the 50-percent threshold, 
NMFS can implement, through future action, time or area closures or 
both. In developing Amendment 14/27, the Council will evaluate long-
term measures to restrict shrimp bycatch. The Council will take into 
consideration recommendations of the Council's Ad Hoc Shrimp Effort 
Advisory Panel.
    Comment 20: Several comments were received that were beyond the 
scope of the temporary rule, and, therefore, NMFS did not provide 
responses. However, NMFS will consider these comments, as appropriate, 
in evaluating the need for future rulemaking. The purpose of this 
temporary rule is to reduce overfishing of the red snapper stock on a 
temporary basis, for the 2007 fishing season, while the Council 
develops a strategy to end overfishing of the stock in compliance with 
the red snapper rebuilding plan and the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Comments 
outside the scope of the rule included the following suggestions for 
longer-term fisheries management: (1) create a voluntary buyout program 
to reduce overcapitalization in the commercial red snapper fishery; (2) 
increase enforcement in the commercial and recreational red snapper 
fisheries; (3) redistribute IFQ shares among commercial and 
recreational red snapper fishermen; (4) change fishing practices in the 
IFQ program; (5) create a buyout program for the shrimp fleet; (6) 
implement a moratorium on shrimp permits; and (7) close large areas of 
the Gulf to shrimp fishing.

Recent Court Ruling

    On March 12, 2007, the United States District Court for the 
Southern District of Texas, Houston Division, issued a ruling on legal 
challenges to the current red snapper rebuilding plan contained in 
Amendment 22 to the FMP for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of 
Mexico (Coastal Conservation Association v. Gutierrez et al., Case No. 
H-05-1214, consolidated with Gulf Restoration Network et al., v. 
Gutierrez et al., Case No. H-05-2998). The Court required a new 
rebuilding plan within the next 9 months. However, the Court also 
ordered that status quo, i.e., implementation of Amendment 22, be 
maintained during the pendancy of the remand. Amendment 22 explicitly 
stated that additional measures would likely be necessary to end 
overfishing of red snapper consistent with the then upcoming stock 
assessment. This rule implementing interim measures necessary to reduce 
overfishing as provided under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act would reduce overfishing for 2007 and increase the likelihood of 
achieving Amendment 22's target for ending overfishing.

Future Action

    NMFS finds that this temporary rule is necessary to reduce 
overfishing of red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico. NMFS issues this 
temporary rule, effective for not more than 180 days, as authorized by 
section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. This temporary rule may be 
extended for an additional 186 days, as authorized by section 305(c) of 
the Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act, provided the public has had 
an opportunity to comment on the rule and provided that the Council is 
actively preparing proposed regulations to address overfishing of Gulf 
red snapper on a permanent basis. Public comments

[[Page 15623]]

requested on the proposed temporary rule (71 FR 75220) will be 
considered in determining whether to maintain or extend this rule to 
address overfishing of red snapper. The Council is preparing an 
amendment to address, on a permanent basis, red snapper overfishing 
issues that are the subject of this rule.

Classification

    The Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS, (RA) has determined that 
the interim measures this final rule will implement are necessary for 
the conservation and management of the Gulf red snapper fishery. The RA 
has also determined that this rule is consistent with the national 
standards of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable laws.
    This final rule has been determined to be significant for purposes 
of Executive Order 12866.
    NMFS prepared an FEIS for this action. The FEIS was filed with the 
Environmental Protection Agency on December 22, 3006. A notice of 
availability was published on December 29, 2006 (71 FR 78427). NMFS 
issued a ROD on March 5, 2007. A copy of the ROD is available from NMFS 
(see ADDRESSES).
    NMFS prepared a FRFA, as required by section 604 of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act, for this final rule. The FRFA describes the economic 
impact this final rule is expected to have on small entities and 
incorporates the IRFA, comments received on the IRFA and the economic 
impact of the rule, and NMFS' responses to those comments. A succinct 
statement of the need for and objectives of the action are contained in 
the SUMMARY section of the preamble. A copy of the full analysis is 
available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES). A summary of the FRFA follows.
    This final rule will reduce total allowable catch (TAC) and the 
resultant commercial and recreational quotas in the red snapper 
fishery, lower the recreational red snapper bag limit to 2 fish, lower 
the red snapper bag limit for captain and crew of a vessel operating as 
a charter vessel or headboat to 0 fish, reduce the red snapper minimum 
size limit in the commercial fishery to 13 inches (33 cm), and 
establish a reduction goal for red snapper bycatch mortality in the 
commercial shrimp fishery. The purpose of this action is to reduce 
overfishing of the red snapper stock on a temporary basis, for the 2007 
fishing season, while the Council develops a comprehensive plan to 
reduce directed and incidental red snapper fishing mortality rates in 
the red snapper and shrimp fisheries. The Magnuson-Stevens Act provides 
the statutory basis for the final temporary rule.
    Several comments on the economic impact of the rule were received 
from the public in response to the proposed rule. For the reasons 
described in the responses to these comments above, no changes were 
made in the final rule as a result of these comments. These comments 
raised issues regarding the economic impacts of the proposed TAC 
reduction on the charter fishermen and businesses dependent on offshore 
fishing. Best available survey and modeling results indicate that 
relatively few trip cancellations are expected to occur as a result of 
this action. Most survey respondents indicated that when faced with a 
reduced red snapper bag limit, they would either continue fishing for 
red snapper or fish for another species. Fishing for other species may 
generate distributional effects (i.e., the trips may occur from 
different ports, modes, or seasons, resulting in one port/entity/season 
losing business while another gains). These distributional effects, 
however, cannot be predicted with current data.
    This final rule is expected to impact red snapper commercial 
fishers and for-hire operators, and reef fish dealers and processors 
participating in the red snapper trade. This final rule also contains 
actions that apply to the commercial shrimp fishery. However, the 
shrimp fishery actions either maintain the status quo or otherwise 
accommodate current fishery conditions, such that no direct impacts are 
expected to accrue at this time. Nevertheless, a description of the 
entities in the shrimp fishery is included in the following discussion.
    The Small Business Administration (SBA) has established size 
criteria for all major industry sectors in the U.S. including fish 
harvesters, for-hire operations, fish processors, and fish dealers. A 
business involved in fish harvesting is classified as a small business 
if it is independently owned and operated, is not dominant in its field 
of operation (including its affiliates), and has combined average 
annual receipts not in excess of $4.0 million (NAICS code 114111, 
finfish fishing) for all affiliated operations worldwide. For for-hire 
operations, the other qualifiers apply and the annual receipts 
threshold is $6.5 million (NAICS code 713990, recreational industries). 
For seafood processor and dealers, rather than a receipts threshold, 
the SBA uses an employee threshold of 500 or fewer persons on a full-
time, part-time, temporary, or other basis, at all affiliated 
operations for a seafood processor and 100 or fewer persons for a 
seafood dealer.
    Just prior to the implementation of the red snapper individual 
fishing quota (IFQ) program on January 1, 2007, 136 entities held Class 
1 licenses that allowed a commercial vessel trip limit of up to 2,000 
lb (907 kg) of red snapper and 628 entities held Class 2 licenses that 
allowed a trip limit of up to 200 lb (91 kg) of red snapper. Between 
2002 and 2004, the top 50 red snapper vessels harvested a total of 2.77 
million lb (1.26 million kg) of red snapper, on average, or 64 percent 
of the industry total. Vessels ranked 51 to 131 harvested 1.29 million 
lb (0.58 million kg), on average, or 30 percent of the industry total 
for the same period. In total, the top 131 vessels accounted for 
approximately 94 percent of the total red snapper commercial landings. 
Red snapper are mainly harvested by vertical line fishermen, who 
accounted for approximately 90 percent of commercial red snapper Gulf 
harvests, on average, between 2002 and 2004.
    Reported average annual gross receipts (2004 dollars) of commercial 
reef fish vessels in the Gulf range from $24,095 for low-volume 
vertical line vessels to $116,989 for high-volume longline vessels. 
Annual net incomes range from $4,479 for low-volume vertical line 
vessels to $28,466 for high-volume vertical line vessels. Some fleet 
activity is known to exist in the commercial red snapper fishery, but 
the extent of such activity is unknown. The maximum number of reef fish 
permits reported owned by the same person/entity is six permits. 
Additional permits (and the revenues associated with those permits) may 
be linked to an entity through affiliation rules, but such affiliation 
links cannot be made using existing data. A definitive determination of 
whether any commercial entities would be considered large entities 
cannot be made using average income information. However, based on the 
size and value of the commercial red snapper fishery (an average of 
4.336 million lb (1.967 million kg) and $11.652 million ex-vessel 
revenue per year, 2002-2004), the number of participants in the 
fishery, the summary statistics provided above, and the maximum number 
of permits owned by a single entity, NMFS determined, for the purpose 
of this assessment, that all commercial reef fish harvest entities that 
would be affected by this final rule are small entities.
    Currently, 1,625 vessels are estimated to possess the required 
Federal permit to operate in the Gulf reef fish for-hire fishery. Fleet 
behavior also exists in this

[[Page 15624]]

sector, with at least one entity reported to hold 12 permits. The bulk 
of the fishery, however, consists of single-permit operations.
    The for-hire fleet is comprised of charterboats, which charge a fee 
on a vessel basis, and headboats, which charge a fee on an individual 
angler (head) basis. The average charterboat is estimated to generate 
$76,960 in annual revenues and $36,758 in annual profits, whereas the 
appropriate values for the average headboat are $404,172 and $338,209, 
respectively. The calculation of profits does not include fixed and 
other non-operating expenses, which tend to be higher for headboats.
    Based on the average revenue figures, it is determined, for the 
purpose of this assessment, that all for-hire operations that will be 
affected by this final rule are small entities.
    The measures in this final rule are also expected to affect fish 
dealers that handle red snapper. Two hundred and twenty-seven dealers 
currently have the required Federal permit to buy and sell commercial 
reef fish species. All processors would be included in this total since 
all processors must be dealers. From 1997-2002, an average of 154 
dealers purchased red snapper from commercial vessels. Average 
employment information per reef fish dealer is unknown. Although 
dealers and processors are not synonymous entities, reported total 
employment for reef fish processors in the Southeast is estimated to be 
approximately 700 individuals, both part and full time. While all 
processors must be dealers, a dealer need not be a processor. Further, 
processing is a much more labor-intensive exercise than dealing. 
Therefore, given the total employment estimate for the processing 
sector (700 persons), the total number of dealers recently operating in 
the red snapper fishery (154), and the total number of permitted reef 
fish dealers, NMFS concludes that the average number of employees per 
dealer and the average number of employees per processor would be 
unlikely to surpass the SBA employment benchmark and, for the purpose 
of this analysis, NMFS determined that all red snapper dealers and 
processors that will be affected by this final rule are small entities.
    Beginning on March 26, 2007, a moratorium permit will be required 
to shrimp in Federal waters of the Gulf. Although it is unknown how 
many eligible applicants will apply for a moratorium permit, 2,666 
vessels could qualify for the shrimp permit and are assumed to 
constitute the potential affected universe of shrimp vessels. The 
average annual gross revenue (from all fishing activity) per qualifying 
vessel in 2005 was approximately $116,000, while the comparable figure 
for active qualifying vessels (vessels with recorded shrimp harvests) 
is approximately $152,000. In the same year, the maximum annual gross 
revenue from shrimp by a vessel was approximately $757,000 for both all 
qualifying and active qualifying vessels, whereas the maximum annual 
gross revenue from all harvest activities was approximately $1.89 
million by an inactive qualifier and $757,000 for an active qualifier. 
This indicates that the inactive qualifier found activity in other 
fisheries more lucrative than participation in the shrimp fishery, 
whereas the most active qualifier operated exclusively in the shrimp 
fishery. Fleet activity is also known to exist in the commercial shrimp 
fishery, but the magnitude of such activity cannot be determined with 
available data. Given these findings, for the purpose of this analysis, 
NMFS determined that all Gulf shrimp vessels are small entities.
    In 2005, 609 dealers were identified operating in the commercial 
shrimp fishery. Employment information for this sector is not 
available. In 2004, 61 shrimp processors were identified, employing 
approximately 3,700 persons, or an average of 61 employees per entity. 
Similar to the finfish sector, shrimp processing is more labor 
intensive than dealing, so average employment in the shrimp dealer 
sector is assumed to be less than that in the processing sector. Since 
the average employment per entity does not exceed the SBA threshold, 
NMFS determined, for this analysis, that all Gulf shrimp dealers and 
processors are small entities.
    This final rule does not change current reporting, recordkeeping, 
or other compliance requirements under either the Reef Fish or Shrimp 
FMPs. Preexisting requirements include qualification criteria for 
vessel permits and participation in data collection programs if 
selected by NMFS. All of the information elements required for these 
processes are standard elements essential to the successful operation 
of a fishing business and should, therefore, already be collected and 
maintained as standard operating practice by the business. The 
requirements do not require professional skills that fishery 
participants do not already possess.
    This final rule is expected to affect all vessels that operate in 
the commercial Gulf red snapper fishery, all vessels that have a 
Federal reef fish for-hire permit, and all reef fish dealers and 
processors. All such entities have been determined, for the purpose of 
this analysis, to be small entities. Therefore, NMFS determined that 
the final rule will affect a substantial number of small entities.
    Commercial red snapper fishing vessels, for-hire operations, and 
red snapper dealers are expected to bear the primary burden of the 
actions in the final rule that pertain to red snapper, though spill-
over impacts would be expected in associated industries, such as 
marinas and fishery suppliers. The net result of the combined TAC 
reduction and commercial minimum size limit decrease for the commercial 
red snapper fishery is expected to be an approximate 28-percent decline 
in net revenues, or approximately $7.0 million. Although over 750 
entities were recently permitted to operate in the commercial red 
snapper fishery, 131 vessels accounted for approximately 94 percent of 
the red snapper harvests from 2002-2005, which had an average ex-vessel 
value of approximately $11.18 million out of total average annual ex-
vessel revenues for all fishing activity by these entities of 
approximately $17.34 million. Since most commercial red snapper fishing 
entities operate in multiple fisheries, the projected $7.0 million 
reduction in net revenues captures lost revenue for all species.
    During 2002-2005, the top 50 harvesters in the commercial red 
snapper fishery averaged approximately $144,000 in ex-vessel revenue 
per year out of total finfish revenues of approximately $211,000, 
indicating approximately 68 percent of the total revenues came from red 
snapper. The second tier vessels averaged approximately $40,000 in red 
snapper revenues and approximately $84,000 total revenues, or 48 
percent of total revenues coming from red snapper. Combined, the top 
131 vessels averaged approximately $80,000 per year from red snapper, 
$132,000 total revenues, and 60 percent of total revenues coming from 
red snapper. The remaining vessels that landed red snapper accounted 
for only approximately $700 per vessel per year from red snapper, out 
of total average revenues of $14,000, or approximately 5 percent from 
red snapper. Red snapper is most likely not the primary species this 
third-tier group is targeting for harvest.
    The TAC reduction is expected to primarily impact operations that 
target red snapper rather than those that incidentally harvest red 
snapper. If the entire quota reduction is assumed borne by the top 50 
and 131 vessels, respectively, the reduction in net revenues would 
equate to approximately $140,000 and $53,000 per vessel for the two 
groups,

[[Page 15625]]

respectively. Relating these figures to the averages provided in the 
previous paragraph is difficult because the annual averages represent 
gross ex-vessel values, whereas the losses represent net values, and 
the expected losses incorporate an expected increase of approximately 
$1.14 in the price per pound of red snapper expected to develop as a 
result of the IFQ program. This price increase equates to a 47.5-
percent increase in the average price per pound over 2002-2005 ($11.18 
million per year/4.66 million lb (2.11 million kg) = $2.40 per pound; 
$1.14/$2.40 = 47.5 percent). If the annual average red snapper revenues 
presented above are inflated by this 47.5-percent factor, the resultant 
values per vessel are $212,400 in red snapper revenues and $279,400 
total revenues for the top 50 vessels, and $118,000 and $170,000 in red 
snapper and total revenues, respectively, for the top 131 vessels. 
Because the projected losses include all species harvested, the 
projected losses ($140,000 and $53,000) equate to approximately 50 
percent of total revenues ($140,000/$279,400) for the top 50 vessels 
and approximately 31 percent of total revenues ($53,000/$170,000) for 
the top 131 vessels.
    An alternative perspective is to consider the number of vessels 
projected to operate under the IFQ program. Under the IFQ program, the 
commercial red snapper fleet is expected to consolidate to 39-95 
vessels, the range determined by whether the fleet gravitates to 
exclusively larger vessels (39 65-ft (19.8-m) vessels) or small vessels 
(95 35-ft (10.7-m) vessels). The period of time required to achieve 
this consolidation is not known, but TAC reduction may accelerate the 
consolidation. It is noted that any IFQ-related consolidation is 
voluntary, vessels are compensated for their exit (through sale of 
their quota shares), and exiting vessels may continue to operate in 
other fisheries. Under this final rule (i.e., during the 2007 season), 
the commercial red snapper fleet is projected to consolidate to 28-68 
vessels, or 11-27 fewer vessels than the status quo (IFQ final rule), 
with the range again determined by whether the resultant fleet is 
primarily large vessels (28 vessels), or small vessels (68 vessels). 
Average performance of the fleet under the status quo (IFQ final rule) 
(39-95 vessels) is estimated at approximately $274,000 ($26.0 million 
over 95 vessels, revenues from all fishing activity) to $667,000 ($26.0 
million over 39 vessels) in net revenues. The projected loss of $7.0 
million in net revenues under the TAC reduction is expected to reduce 
these values to approximately $200,000 and $487,000, respectively, or 
reductions of 27 percent.
    The for-hire sector is expected to lose approximately 2,000 trips 
in the charter vessel sector, 643 angler days in the headboat sector, 
and $43,000 overall for the entire for-hire sector in producer surplus 
as a result of the final temporary rule. These reductions are not 
expected to occur uniformly across all operations because some vessels 
are more active in the red snapper fishery than others. The extent of 
individual vessel activity, however, cannot be determined with 
available data. If averaged over the 1,625 vessels active in the for-
hire fleet, these reductions amount to fewer than 2 trips and less than 
$30 per permitted vessel.
    Related businesses are also expected to lose income from the 
expenditures associated with the trip losses in the for-hire and 
private angler sectors as a result of this final rule. These trips, 
however, represent less than 1 percent of the total effort directed at 
the species encompassed in the assessment (red snapper as the focus 
species, and grouper, dolphin, and king mackerel as potential 
substitute target species).
    The target bycatch reduction goal for the commercial shrimp fishery 
is administrative in nature and is not expected to have a direct 
economic impact on any entities in the shrimp fishery or associated 
sectors.
    Five alternatives, including the preferred alternative and the 
status quo, were considered for the action to set TAC in the red 
snapper fishery. Three of the alternatives contained multiple options 
and sub-options to manage the recreational fishery under the respective 
TAC. The first alternative, the status quo, would not have achieved 
progress towards eliminating overfishing, and would increase the 
necessary reduction in subsequent years to allow the resource to 
continue on the designated recovery path, thereby increasing the 
subsequent year short-term adverse economic impacts relative to the 
final temporary rule, and would not meet NMFS objectives.
    The second alternative would have reduced the red snapper TAC to 
7.0 million lb (3.2 million kg). Although this alternative has the 
potential of generating, depending upon the sub-option selected, lower 
first-year adverse economic impacts than the 6.5 million lb (3.0 
million kg) TAC, this TAC would require greater TAC reduction in 
subsequent years, with greater adverse economic impacts in subsequent 
years than the final temporary rule.
    The third alternative would have reduced the red snapper TAC to 6.0 
million lb (2.7 million kg). This alternative would be expected to 
result in greater short-term adverse economic impacts, ranging from 
losses in economic value (consumer and producer surplus) in the overall 
recreational sector of approximately $16.0 million to $27.0 million and 
a loss of approximately $8.5 million in net revenues in the commercial 
sector, than the final temporary rule, which is expected to result in a 
reduction of consumer and producer surplus of approximately $15.0 
million in the recreational sector and a reduction in net revenues of 
$7.0 million in the commercial sector.
    The fourth alternative would have reduced the red snapper TAC to 
5.0 million lb (2.3 million kg). This alternative would be expected to 
result in greater short-term adverse economic impacts, ranging from 
losses in economic value in the recreational sector of approximately 
$23.0 million to $25.0 million and a loss of approximately $11.5 
million in net revenues in the commercial sector, than the final 
temporary rule.
    Two alternatives, the preferred alternative and the status quo, 
were considered for the action to set the captain and crew red snapper 
bag limit. The status quo would be expected to decrease the ability of 
meeting harvest reduction targets and would have required more 
restrictive measures on recreational anglers, resulting in increased 
adverse economic impacts relative to the final rule.
    Three alternatives, including the preferred alternative and the 
status quo, were considered for the commercial red snapper minimum size 
limit. The first alternative, the status quo alternative, would be 
expected to result in continued unnecessary bycatch mortality and would 
not, therefore, meet NMFS objectives.
    The second alternative would eliminate the commercial minimum size 
limit entirely. Because no commercial market is known to exist for red 
snapper smaller than 12 inches (30 cm), the expected economic impacts 
of this alternative and the final rule are very similar. However, 
maintaining a minimum size limit in the commercial sector, as will be 
accomplished by the final rule, is expected to generate unquantifiable 
economic benefits accruing to a perception of greater sector equity and 
avoidance of user conflict because the final temporary rule will 
decrease the incentive, relative to no minimum size limit, for 
commercial operations to move their fishing location to areas where 
smaller fish congregate.

[[Page 15626]]

    Four alternatives were considered for gear requirements in the red 
snapper fishery. The final rule (status quo) will not impose any new 
gear requirements on fishermen and will not result in any direct 
adverse economic impacts on these entities. Each of the three 
alternatives to the final temporary rule would be expected to result in 
greater adverse economic impacts than the final temporary rule as a 
result of either increased gear costs or reduced operating efficiency. 
Given the short-term nature of the final temporary rule, these adverse 
impacts would not be expected to be balanced by the economic benefits 
of reduced bycatch mortality and improved stock conditions. Thus, each 
alternative would be expected to increase costs in the fishery without 
demonstrable benefits and, thus, would not meet NMFS objectives.
    Three alternatives, including the preferred alternative and the 
status quo, were considered for the red snapper bycatch mortality 
reduction target in the commercial shrimp fishery. The status quo would 
not have established a bycatch reduction target, would not ensure 
consistent reductions in bycatch fishing mortality of juvenile red 
snapper in the shrimp fishery, and would not meet NMFS objectives. The 
second alternative would establish a higher reduction target than the 
final rule. Although the establishment of a bycatch reduction target is 
an administrative action with no expected direct adverse economic 
effects, the higher target exceeds the level of bycatch reduction the 
fishery has demonstrated to date and would, therefore, be expected to 
require effort reductions in the commercial shrimp fishery, resulting 
in greater adverse economic impacts than the final rule.
    Four alternatives were considered for effort reduction in the 
commercial shrimp fishery. The final rule (status quo) will not impose 
any effort controls on the fishery and will not result in any adverse 
economic impacts on the shrimp fishery or associated businesses. Each 
of the other alternatives would have imposed effort limitations in the 
shrimp fishery and would, therefore, be expected to result in greater 
adverse economic impacts than the final rule, ranging from $7.8 million 
to $14.8 million reductions in ex-vessel revenues, fishery-wide, and 
adversely impact 394-863 vessels. Although some behavioral changes 
would be expected by these vessels to mitigate these losses, the nature 
of these changes and their net impact cannot be determined.
    Copies of the FRFA are available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES).
    Section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness 
Act of 1996 states that, for each rule or group of related rules for 
which an agency is required to prepare an FRFA, the agency shall 
publish one or more guides to assist small entities in complying with 
the rule, and shall designate such publications as ``small entity 
compliance guides.'' As part of this rulemaking process, NMFS prepared 
a fishery bulletin, which also serves as a small entity compliance 
guide. The fishery bulletin will be sent to all vessel permit holders 
and permitted dealers in the Gulf red snapper and shrimp fisheries.
    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d), there is good cause to waive the 30-
day delay in effective date for reducing the commercial minimum size 
limit from 15 inches (38 cm) to 13 inches (33 cm). Reducing the minimum 
size limit for commercial Gulf red snapper will result in additional 
legal-sized fish being available to fishers and will help minimize 
bycatch and bycatch mortality as required by national standard nine of 
the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The current 15-inch (38 cm) minimum size 
limit results in unnecessarily high levels of red snapper bycatch 
mortality because most undersized fish are discarded dead. To end 
overfishing as soon as possible, bycatch and bycatch mortality of 
undersized red snapper must be curtailed. Prolonging overfishing of the 
red snapper resource would lead to more severe harvest reductions and 
associated short-term adverse socioeconomic impacts in the future. For 
all of these reasons, the 30-day delay of effective date for this 
measure is waived.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 622

    Fisheries, Fishing, Puerto Rico, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Virgin Islands.

    Dated: March 28, 2007.
Samuel D. Rauch III
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.

0
For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 622 is amended as 
follows:

PART 622--FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC

0
1. The authority citation for part 622 continues to read as follows:

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

0
2. In Sec.  622.37, paragraph (d)(1)(iv) is suspended and paragraph 
(d)(1)(vi) is added to read as follows:


Sec.  622.37  Size limits.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (vi) Red snapper--16 inches (40.6 cm), TL, for a fish taken by a 
person subject to the bag limit specified in Sec.  622.39(b)(1)(iii) 
and 13 inches (38.1 cm), TL, for a fish taken by a person not subject 
to the bag limit.
* * * * *

0
3. In Sec.  622.39, paragraphs (b)(1)(iii) and (b)(1)(v) are suspended 
and paragraphs (b)(1)(viii) and (b)(1)(ix) are added to read as 
follows:


Sec.  622.39  Bag and possession limits.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (viii) Red snapper--2. However, no red snapper may be retained by 
the captain or crew of a vessel operating as a charter vessel or 
headboat. The bag limit for such captain and crew is zero.
    (ix) Gulf reef fish, combined, excluding those specified in 
paragraphs (b)(1)(i), (ii), (iv), (vi), (vii), and (viii) of this 
section and excluding dwarf sand perch and sand perch--20, but not to 
exceed 10 vermilion snapper.
* * * * *

0
4. In Sec.  622.42, paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(2) are suspended and 
paragraphs (a)(1)(v) and (a)(3) are added to read as follows:


Sec.  622.42  Quotas.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (v) Red snapper--3.315 million lb (1.504 million kg), round weight.
* * * * *
    (3) Recreational quota for red snapper. The following quota applies 
to persons who harvest red snapper other than under commercial vessel 
permits for Gulf reef fish and the commercial quota specified in 
paragraph (a)(1)(v) of this section--3.185 million lb (1.445 million 
kg), round weight.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 07-1605 Filed 3-28-07; 1:43 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S


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