[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 200 (Monday, October 18, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63780-63785]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-26197]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 100803319-0475-01]
RIN 0648-BA04


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

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

[[Page 63781]]

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS issues this proposed rule that would implement actions 
identified in a regulatory amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for 
the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP) prepared by the 
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). This proposed rule 
would reduce the commercial quota for red grouper and, thus, the 
combined commercial quota for shallow water grouper (SWG) species, and 
require vessels with valid commercial Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) reef fish 
permits to mark their buoy gear with the official vessel number. This 
rule also proposes minor revisions to codified text, including a 
revised definition of buoy gear, re-codification of the commercial and 
recreational quotas for greater amberjack, revision of the recreational 
accountability measure for greater amberjack, and removal of outdated 
language for the red snapper individual fishing quota (IFQ) program. 
The intended effect of this proposed rule is to help prevent 
overfishing of red grouper while achieving optimum yield (OY) by 
reducing red grouper harvest consistent with the findings of the recent 
stock assessment for this species, and to implement technical 
corrections to the regulations.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before November 2, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the proposed rule identified by 
0648-BA04 by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Electronic submissions: Submit electronic comments via the 
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Mail: Peter Hood, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 
13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
    Instructions: No comments will be posted for public viewing until 
after the comment period has closed. All comments received are a part 
of the public record and will generally be posted to http://www.regulations.gov without change. All Personal Identifying 
Information (for example, name, address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by 
the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit Confidential 
Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information.
    To submit comments through the Federal e-rulemaking portal: http://www.regulations.gov, enter ``NOAA-NMFS-2010-0161'' in the keyword 
search, then check the box labeled ``Select to find documents accepting 
comments or submissions,'' then select ``Send a comment or 
submission.'' NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter N/A in the 
required field if you wish to remain anonymous). You may submit 
attachments to electronic comments in Microsoft Word, Excel, 
WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF file formats only.
    Comments received through means not specified in this rule will not 
be considered.
    Copies of the regulatory amendment, which includes an environmental 
assessment and a regulatory impact review, may be obtained from the 
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 2203 North Lois Avenue, 
Suite 1100, Tampa, FL 33607; telephone 813-348-1630; fax 813-348-1711; 
e-mail <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#dfb8aab3b9bcb0aab1bcb6b39fb8aab3b9bcb0aab1bcb6b3f1b0adb8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="aacddfc6ccc9c5dfc4c9c3c6eacddfc6ccc9c5dfc4c9c3c684c5d8cd">[email protected]</span></a>; or may be downloaded from the 
Council's Web site at http://www.gulfcouncil.org/.
    Comments regarding the burden-hour estimates or other aspects of 
the collection-of-information requirements contained in this proposed 
rule may be submitted in writing to Rich Malinowski, Southeast Regional 
Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701; and OMB, 
by e-mail at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ca8583988b99bfa8a7a3b9b9a3a5a48aa5a7a8e4afa5bae4ada5bc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a2edebf0e3f1d7c0cfcbd1d1cbcdcce2cdcfc08cc7cdd28cc5cdd4">[email protected]</span></a>, or by fax to 202-395-7285.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Hood, 727-824-5305.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The reef fish fishery of the Gulf of Mexico 
is managed under the FMP. The FMP was prepared by the Council and is 
implemented through regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the authority 
of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
(Magnuson-Stevens Act).

Background

    The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires NMFS and regional fishery 
management councils to prevent overfishing and achieve, on a continuing 
basis, the OY from Federally managed fish stocks. These mandates are 
intended to ensure fishery resources are managed for the greatest 
overall benefit to the nation, particularly with respect to providing 
food production and recreational opportunities, and protecting marine 
ecosystems. To further this goal, the Magnuson-Stevens Act requires 
fishery managers to end overfishing of stocks while achieving OY from 
the fishery, and to minimize bycatch and bycatch mortality to the 
extent practicable.

Status of Stock

    Red grouper were declared overfished and placed under a rebuilding 
plan in 2004. A 2007 stock assessment determined that overfishing had 
ended and stock biomass had increased to OY. The 2007 assessment showed 
the stock was rebuilt and was close to its OY spawning stock biomass 
level. With this update in stock status, new regulations were 
implemented in 2009 (74 FR 17603), that increased the commercial red 
grouper quota from 5.31 million lb (2.41 million kg) to 5.75 million lb 
(2.61 million kg) and increased the red grouper recreational bag limit 
from 1 fish to 2 fish (within a 4-fish grouper aggregate bag limit). In 
the same amendment that established these regulations (Amendment 30B to 
the FMP), the Council set red grouper catch limits and catch targets. 
The catch limit was set at the equilibrium (i.e., long-term average) 
maximum sustainable yield (MSY) or the yield for the current year 
corresponding to the fishing mortality at MSY (F<INF>MSY</INF>). The 
catch target was set at the equilibrium OY or the yield for the current 
year corresponding to the fishing mortality at OY (F<INF>OY</INF>).
    The objective of the 2009 Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review 
(SEDAR) update assessment for Gulf red grouper was to update the 2007 
SEDAR 12 red grouper assessment. The 2009 SEDAR update assessment 
indicated that the stock continues to be neither overfished nor 
undergoing overfishing. However, this update assessment indicated the 
stock had declined since 2005. A large part of the decline was 
attributed to an episodic mortality event in 2005 (most likely 
associated with red tide) that resulted in an approximate 20 percent 
mortality of the red grouper stock, in addition to mortalities 
resulting from fishing and other natural causes. The hurricanes that 
impacted the Gulf region in 2005 are not considered to have contributed 
to this decline.
    A SEDAR update assessment for Gulf gag was also conducted in 2009. 
Recent discussions of how the update assessment treated commercial and 
recreational discards prompted the Council to revisit the size 
distribution of gag recreational discards and the magnitude of gag 
commercial discards at its August 2010 meeting. Concerns regarding gag 
discards became apparent because of a discrepancy that resulted from 
the discard sizes for headboats, which were assigned using headboat 
observer data, and the discard sizes for the private and charter boats, 
which were assigned using a combination of the Mote Marine Laboratory 
tagging data

[[Page 63782]]

and four fishery-dependent data sources. A consequence of this 
assignment was that the imputed size distribution for the private/
charter fleets during the most recent 4 years was unexpectedly narrow 
and close to the recreational minimum size limit; however, gag discards 
from headboat observer data were not truncated, i.e., observer discard 
samples were distributed across a wider representation of gag size 
classes.
    Therefore, the Council requested the assessment review panel 
reexamine the update assessment given these discrepancies in the 
discard information. In contrast, red grouper recreational discard 
sizes for all recreational vessels were assigned using headboat 
observer data and the imputed size distribution was not as truncated, 
which results in a much less substantial impact on the outcome of the 
assessment. Because the same concerns were not triggered for red 
grouper, the Council did not make a similar request to reexamine the 
red grouper assessment. However, the Council did recognize the effects 
discard estimation could have on the assessment and, therefore, 
requested the NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Center review observer 
discard information to determine the magnitude of these effects on red 
grouper.

Red Grouper Total Allowable Catch (TAC)

    The current red grouper TAC of 7.57 million lb (3.43 million kg), 
implemented in 2009 through Amendment 30B to the FMP, must be reduced 
to prevent overfishing of red grouper. As a result of the findings of 
the 2009 stock assessment update, the Council's Scientific and 
Statistical Committee (SSC) recommended an acceptable biological catch 
(ABC) level of 6.31 million lb (2.86 million kg). This amount is equal 
to 85 percent of the yield at F<INF>MSY,</INF> which is expected to 
result in a less than 50-percent (15- to 45-percent) probability of 
overfishing. To reduce this probability of overfishing even further, 
the Council set the TAC at the yield associated with F<INF>OY,</INF> 
which is consistent with the method used to set TAC in Amendment 30B to 
the FMP. Therefore, a reduced red grouper TAC of 5.68 million lb (2.58 
million kg), which is the yield associated with F<INF>OY</INF>, is 
contained in the regulatory amendment.

Allocation

    The recreational and commercial allocations for red grouper are 
proposed to remain consistent with those established in Amendment 30B 
to the FMP. Therefore, 76 percent of the TAC would be allocated to the 
commercial sector and 24 percent of the TAC would be allocated to the 
recreational sector.

Management Measures Contained in This Proposed Rule

    The regulatory amendment would set TAC for 2011 and subsequent 
fishing years at the yield associated with F<INF>OY</INF> of 5.68 
million lb (2.58 million kg). Based on the current commercial and 
recreational allocations, the proposed TAC would be implemented by 
setting the commercial quota for Gulf red grouper at 4.32 million lb 
(1.96 million kg). The decrease in the red grouper quota by 1.43 
million lb (0.65 million kg) would therefore decrease the combined SWG 
quota by 1.43 million lb (0.65 million kg) to 6.22 million lb (2.82 
million kg). This reduced SWG quota would also be implemented through 
this rule.
    Management measures for the recreational sector would remain the 
same. The current 2-fish bag limit would allow red grouper to stay 
within the annual target catch of 1.36 million lb (0.62 million kg). 
Preliminary estimates of 2009 recreational landings remain consistent 
with recent years at 0.98 million lb (0.44 million kg), which is lower 
than the 2011 catch target. Assuming recreational effort does not 
substantially increase in 2011, current regulations should be adequate 
to maintain the harvest at or below the annual target catch.

Buoy Gear Marking Requirement and Revised Definition

    NMFS proposes requiring buoy gear used or possessed in the Gulf EEZ 
to be marked with the official vessel number (U.S. Coast Guard 
documentation number or State registration number) and proposes 
revising the definition of buoy gear, as defined in Sec.  622.2, 
through this rulemaking. Buoy gear is listed as an authorized gear in 
the hook-and-line component of the Gulf reef fish fishery under the 
Allowable Gear Rule (Sec.  600.725, 64 FR 67511).
    In 1990, through Amendment 1 to the Gulf Reef Fish FMP, the Council 
established and NMFS implemented, in Sec.  622.34(c), a longline and 
buoy gear boundary, shoreward of which the directed harvest of reef 
fish with longlines and buoy gear was prohibited. After this boundary 
was established, the use of buoy gear was reduced significantly. Many 
reef fish bottom longline vessels began using modified versions of 
traditional buoy gear to continue fishing in areas where bottom 
longlines were prohibited through emergency regulations initiated May 
1, 2009 (74 FR 20229) and revised October 21, 2009 (74 FR 53889). 
Subsequently, reef fish vessels that did not qualify for a bottom 
longline endorsement through the regulations implementing Amendment 31 
to the Gulf Reef Fish FMP (75 FR 21512, April 26, 2010) are converting 
to buoy gear to continue fishing for reef fish in the eastern Gulf.
    Buoy gear for use in the Gulf reef fish fishery is legally defined 
in Sec.  622.2 as fishing gear consisting of a float and one or more 
weighted lines suspended there from, generally long enough to reach the 
bottom. A hook or hooks (usually 6-10) are on the lines at or near the 
end. The float and line(s) drift freely and are retrieved periodically 
to remove catch and re-bait hooks.
    NMFS has determined the established definition of buoy gear is 
ambiguous and does not adequately define the type of gear traditionally 
used, which limits the enforceability of restrictions on this gear 
type. Under the current definition, there can be any number of lines 
suspended from a float, and although the number of hooks is recommended 
to be 6-10, there is no real restriction on the number of hooks that 
can be fished per float. Therefore, NMFS is proposing to modify its 
definition of buoy gear. The proposed definition is more specific, 
which would reduce regulatory confusion among fishery participants and 
would improve enforcement requirements as this gear type becomes more 
commonly used by the commercial reef fish sector.

Re-Codification of the Quotas for Greater Amberjack

    On June 22, 2010 (75 FR 35335), NMFS published a temporary rule to 
implement accountability measures for commercial and recreational 
greater amberjack in the Gulf for the 2010 fishing year. In the course 
of this rulemaking, NMFS inadvertently removed the commercial and 
recreation quotas for greater amberjack for 2011 and subsequent fishing 
years. This rule proposes to re-codify those quotas as specified in 
Sec.  622.42(a)(1)(v).

Revision to the Recreational Accountability Measures for Greater 
Amberjack

    This rule proposes to revise the recreational accountability 
measure for greater amberjack by clarifying that if recreational 
landings exceed the quota, at or near the beginning of the following 
fishing year, the quota for that following fishing year will be reduced 
by the amount of the overage in the prior fishing year. This 
clarification is an addition to the current accountability measure 
which states that the length of the recreational fishing season will be

[[Page 63783]]

reduced by the amount necessary to recover the overage from the prior 
fishing year.

Removal of Outdated Language for the Red Snapper IFQ Program

    On November 22, 2006 (71 FR 67447), NMFS published a final rule to 
implement Amendment 26 to the FMP, which established the red snapper 
IFQ program. During the rulemaking, two paragraphs of codified text, 
Sec.  622.42(a)(1)(i)(A) and (B), were inadvertently not removed from 
the regulations. This rule proposes to remove this outdated language.
    These additional measures are unrelated to the actions contained in 
the red grouper regulatory amendment.

Classification

    Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the 
NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that this proposed rule is 
consistent with the regulatory amendment, other provisions of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable law, subject to further 
consideration after public comment.
    This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    NMFS prepared an IRFA, as required by section 603 of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act, for this proposed rule. The IRFA describes the 
economic impact that this proposed rule, if adopted, would have on 
small entities. A description of the action, why it is being 
considered, and the objectives of, and legal basis for this action are 
contained at the beginning of this section in the preamble and in the 
SUMMARY section of the preamble. A copy of the full analysis is 
available from the Council (see ADDRESSES). A summary of the IRFA 
follows.
    The Magnuson-Stevens Act provides the statutory basis for the 
proposed rule. The proposed rule would reduce the red grouper 
commercial quota from 5.75 million lb (2.53 million kg) to 4.32 million 
lb (1.96 million kg), and thus the combined SWG commercial quota from 
7.65 million lb (3.47 million kg) as specified in Sec.  
622.42(a)(1)(iii)(A) for 2011 and subsequent fishing years to 6.22 
million lb (2.82 million kg) for 2011 and subsequent fishing years, and 
require vessels with valid commercial Gulf reef fish permits to mark 
their buoy gear with the official vessel number. This rule also 
proposes minor revisions to the codified text, including a revised 
definition of buoy gear, re-codification of the commercial and 
recreational quotas for greater amberjack, revision of the recreational 
accountability measure for greater amberjack, and removal of outdated 
language for the red snapper IFQ program. The purpose of this proposed 
rule is to help prevent overfishing of red grouper while achieving OY 
by reducing red grouper harvest consistent with the findings of the 
recent stock assessment for this species.
    No duplicative, overlapping, or conflicting Federal rules have been 
identified.
    This proposed rule is expected to directly affect commercial 
harvesting operations. The Small Business Administration (SBA) has 
established size criteria for all major industry sectors in the U.S. 
including fish harvesters. 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 annual receipts not in excess of $4.0 
million (NAICS code 114111, finfish fishing) for all its affiliated 
operations worldwide.
    This proposed rule is expected to directly affect commercial 
fishing vessels whose owners possess commercial Gulf reef fish permits 
or red grouper fishing quota shares. As of August 10, 2010, 951 
entities possessed a valid or renewable Gulf reef fish permit. These 
951 entities are expected to be directly affected by the proposed 
action to require vessels to mark their buoy gear with their official 
vessel number.
    As of October 1, 2009, 970 entities owned a valid commercial Gulf 
reef fish permit and thus were eligible for initial shares and 
allocation in the grouper and tilefish IFQ program. Of these 970 
entities, 908 entities initially received shares and allocation of 
grouper or tilefish, and 815 entities specifically received red grouper 
shares and an initial allocation of the commercial sector's red grouper 
quota in 2010. These 815 entities are expected to be directly affected 
by the proposed action to reduce the red grouper commercial quota.
    Of the 815 entities that initially received red grouper shares, 191 
were not commercially fishing in 2008 or 2009 and thus had no 
commercial fishing revenue during these years. On average, these 191 
entities received an initial allocation of 6,459 lb (2,936 kg) of red 
grouper in 2010. Eight of these 191 entities also received a bottom 
longline endorsement in 2010. These 8 entities received a much higher 
initial allocation of red grouper in 2010, with an average of 
approximately 44,000 lb (20,000 kg).
    The other 624 entities that initially received red grouper shares 
and allocations in 2010 were active in commercial fisheries in 2008 or 
2009. The maximum annual commercial fishing revenue in 2008 or 2009 by 
an individual vessel with a commercial Gulf reef fish permit or red 
grouper fishing quota shares was approximately $606,000 (2008 dollars). 
Based on this value, all commercial fishing vessels expected to be 
directly affected by this proposed rule are determined for the purpose 
of this analysis to be small business entities.
    Of the 624 commercial fishing vessels with commercial landings in 
2008 or 2009, 126 vessels did not have any red grouper landings in 2008 
or 2009. Their average annual gross revenue in these 2 years was 
approximately $55,800 (2008 dollars). The vast majority of these 
vessels' commercial fishing revenue is from a combination of landings 
of snapper, mackerel, dolphin, and wahoo. However, as described in the 
regulatory amendment, in 2009, they did become relatively more 
dependent on landings of highly migratory species (HMS) species and 
relatively less dependent on landings of deep-water grouper species. On 
average, in 2010, these vessels received an initial allocation of 2,524 
lb (1,147) of red grouper quota. Five of these vessels also received a 
bottom longline endorsement in 2010.
    The remaining 498 commercially active fishing vessels did have 
landings of red grouper in 2008 or 2009. Their average annual gross 
revenue from commercial fishing was approximately $66,000 (2008 
dollars) between the two years. On average, these vessels had 9,425 lb 
(4,284 kg) and 6,734 lb (3,061 kg) of red grouper landings in 2008 and 
2009 respectively, or 8,053 lb (3,660 kg) between the 2 years. Red 
grouper landings accounted for approximately 35 percent of these 
vessels' annual average gross revenue, and thus they are relatively 
dependent on revenue from red grouper landings. These vessels' average 
initial red grouper allocation in 2010 was 8,404 lb (3,820 kg). 
Therefore, on average, their 2008 and 2009 red grouper landings are 
very near their 2010 red grouper allocation, though their red grouper 
landings differed considerably between 2008 and 2009.
    Of these 498 vessels, 49 vessels also received a bottom longline 
endorsement in 2010. These particular vessels' average annual revenue 
was approximately $156,000 (2008 dollars) in 2008 and 2009. Revenue 
from red grouper landings decreased from approximately $104,000 to 
$65,000 in 2009. Nonetheless, these vessels remain highly dependent on 
revenue from red

[[Page 63784]]

grouper landings, which averaged approximately 36,000 lb (13,364 kg) in 
2008 and 23,000 lb (10,455 kg) in 2009. Their average initial 2010 
allocation of red grouper was approximately 42,000 lb (19,091 kg) and 
thus their recent year's harvest has been within that 2010 average 
allocation, particularly in 2009.
    The proposed rule would not alter existing reporting or record 
keeping requirements but would alter certain compliance requirements. 
Specifically, vessels with valid commercial Gulf reef fish permits 
would be required to mark their buoy gear with their official vessel 
number. The most significant burden imposed by this requirement is the 
time needed to mark the gear. Under the proposed definition of buoy 
gear, the maximum number of buoys per vessel is expected to be 20. The 
time required to mark each buoy is estimated to be approximately 20 
minutes. Thus, the annual time burden per vessel is approximately 6.67 
hours. According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor 
Statistics (BLS), the average nominal wage for fishers and fishing 
related workers is $12.79, or $12.74 in 2008 dollars. This value is 
used as a monetary estimate of the opportunity cost of time on a per 
hour basis. Thus, the annual opportunity cost per vessel resulting from 
this requirement is estimated to be approximately $85. For the 951 
vessels with valid or renewable commercial Gulf reef fish permits, the 
annual opportunity cost is estimated to be $80,812. Since opportunity 
costs impose no direct financial costs, this increase in opportunity 
costs is not expected to reduce profit for these vessels.
    The 191 entities with red grouper shares that did not participate 
in commercial fishing in 2008 or 2009 have no commercial fishing 
revenue and did not earn profit from commercial fishing in those 2 
years. Under the proposed action to decrease the red grouper commercial 
quota, allocation of red grouper in 2011 would be reduced, on average, 
by approximately 1,608 lb (731 kg). Using the 2008 average price of 
$2.85 per lb, this loss in allocation could potentially represent an 
annual loss of nearly $4,600 in gross revenue per entity. For the eight 
entities with red grouper shares that also possess longline 
endorsements, the average annual allocation of red grouper would be 
reduced by nearly 11,000 lb (5,000 kg). Thus, the potential loss in 
gross revenue, estimated to be nearly $31,400, could be much higher. 
However, in general, this potential loss in gross revenue could only 
reduce profit if these entities not only become active in commercial 
fishing, but specifically intend to harvest red grouper in 2011 and at 
a level above their reduced allocation. It is important to note that 
the commercial sector has not harvested the commercial red grouper 
quota since the 2006 fishing year. Alternatively, these potential 
losses in gross revenue could be due to these entities' inability to 
sell the allocations they are losing under the proposed action, though 
this possibility presumes that a demand for these allocations exists. 
Regardless, the significance of this potential loss in gross revenue to 
these 191 entities cannot be evaluated given the lack of information on 
potential gross revenue and profit from commercial fishing in general 
and specifically for red grouper.
    Profit estimates are not currently available for the 126 entities 
with red grouper shares that participated in commercial fisheries other 
than red grouper. However, since these vessels did not have any red 
grouper landings, none of their gross revenue and thus none of their 
profit were the result of red grouper harvests. Under the proposed 
action to decrease the red grouper commercial quota, the average 
allocation of red grouper in 2011 would be reduced by approximately 629 
lb (286 kg). Using the 2008 average price of $2.85 per pound, this loss 
in allocation could potentially represent an annual loss of nearly 
$1,800 in gross revenue per entity. However, this potential loss in 
gross revenue could only lead to a loss in profit if these entities 
intend to become active in the red grouper component of the Gulf reef 
fish fishery in 2011 and at a level above their reduced allocation. 
Thus, for example, assuming these vessels intend to harvest red grouper 
in 2011 at a level equivalent to their 2010 allocation, and this 
harvest was in addition to, rather than in place of, their recent 
commercial fishing activities, the reduction in allocation could lead 
to a maximum loss of approximately three percent in gross revenue which 
could in turn reduce profit. Alternatively, losses in gross revenue 
could be due to these entities' inability to sell the allocations being 
lost under the proposed action, though this possibility presumes that a 
demand for the allocations exists.
    Profit estimates are not currently available for the 498 entities 
with red grouper shares that participated in the commercial red grouper 
sector of the Gulf reef fish fishery in 2008 or 2009. Under the 
proposed action to decrease the red grouper quota, these vessels' red 
grouper allocations would be reduced by approximately 2,092 lb (951 kg) 
on average. As these vessels have been harvesting at levels near their 
2010 allocation in recent years on average, this reduction in red 
grouper allocation is likely to lead to a future reduction in red 
grouper landings and therefore gross revenue. Using the average 2008 
price of $2.85 per pound, it is estimated that these vessels could lose 
nearly $6,000, or approximately 9 percent, in average annual gross 
revenue. A loss in gross revenue of this magnitude would likely lead to 
a reduction in profit.
    However, for the 49 vessels with red grouper shares that were 
active in the red grouper component of the Gulf reef fish fishery and 
also received a bottom longline endorsement in 2010, their allocation 
of red grouper in 2011 would decrease by approximately 10,400 lb (4,727 
kg) under the proposed action. For these particular vessels, the loss 
in red grouper landings could range from zero to the full amount of the 
decrease in allocation, though the latter is unlikely given new 
regulations restricting the use of longline gear. Even if these vessels 
intended to harvest red grouper in 2011 at levels comparable to 2008, 
prior to the implementation of regulations restricting the use of 
longline gear, they would only lose approximately 4,600 lb (2,091 kg) 
in red grouper landings rather than the full amount of their reduced 
allocation. This loss in landings is estimated to be valued at 
approximately $13,000 in gross revenue, or 8 percent of their average 
annual gross revenue. Such a loss in gross revenue would likely reduce 
their profit. However, if they intend to harvest at levels comparable 
to 2009, then their reduced allocation would still be above their 
intended landings. Therefore, the reduction in allocation would not 
lead to a reduction in landings from what they would have otherwise 
been and thus gross revenue and profit would also not be reduced.
    Two alternatives, including the status quo, were considered for the 
action to reduce the red grouper commercial quota to 4.32 million lb 
(1.96 million kg). The first alternative, the status quo, would have 
maintained the red grouper commercial quota at the current level of 
5.75 million lb (2.61 million kg). This alternative is not consistent 
with the goals and objectives of the Council's plan to manage red 
grouper to achieve the mandates of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. 
Specifically, this alternative would be inconsistent with current 
National Standard 1 guidance because the associated TAC of 7.57 million 
lb (3.43 million kg) would be above the ABC of 6.31 million lb (2.86 
million kg) recommended by the Council's SSC.
    The second alternative would have would set the red grouper 
commercial quota at 4.80 million lb (2.18 million kg). This amount is 
equal to 85 percent

[[Page 63785]]

of the yield at F<INF>MSY</INF>, which the SSC considered sufficient to 
reduce the probability that overfishing might occur in 2011. However, 
this alternative is inconsistent with the method established by the 
Council in Amendment 30B where the annual catch target would be based 
on the yield associated with F<INF>OY</INF>.
    One alternative, the status quo, was considered for the action to 
require vessels with valid commercial Gulf reef fish permits to mark 
their buoy gear with the official vessel number. The Council and NMFS 
have determined that the current definition of buoy gear is ambiguous. 
This ambiguity has led to problems with monitoring and enforcement of 
buoy gear regulations and thus a clearer definition of this gear type 
is being proposed. By not requiring the marking of buoy gear, this 
alternative would not improve the monitoring and enforcement of buoy 
gear regulations since law enforcement personnel would not be able to 
determine which vessel deployed the gear if the gear is left 
unattended.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required 
to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure 
to comply with, a collection-of-information subject to the requirements 
of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), unless that collection-of-
information displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) control number.
    This proposed rule contains a collection-of-information requirement 
subject to the PRA applicable to vessels in the Gulf reef fish fishery, 
namely, a requirement to mark buoy gear with the official vessel number 
(U.S. Coast Guard documentation number or State registration number).
    This requirement has been submitted to OMB for approval. The public 
reporting burden for this collection-of-information is estimated to 
average 20 minutes per buoy. This estimate of the public reporting 
burden includes the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing 
data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing 
and reviewing the collection-of-information. Public comment is sought 
regarding: Whether this proposed collection-of-information is necessary 
for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of 
the burden estimate; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity 
of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection-of-information, including through the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Send 
comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of the 
collection-of-information requirement, including suggestions for 
reducing the burden, to NMFS and to OMB (see ADDRESSES).

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 622

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

    Dated: October 12, 2010.
John Oliver,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Operations, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 622 is 
proposed to be amended as follows:

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

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

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

    2. In Sec.  622.2, the definition of ``buoy gear'' is revised to 
read as follows:


Sec.  622.2  Definitions and acronyms.

* * * * *
    Buoy gear means fishing gear that fishes vertically in the water 
column that consists of a single drop line suspended from a float, from 
which no more than 10 hooks can be connected between the buoy and the 
terminal end, and the terminal end contains a weight that is no more 
than 10 lb (4.5 kg). The drop line can be rope (hemp, manila, cotton or 
other natural fibers; nylon, polypropylene, spectra or other synthetic 
material) or monofilament, but must not be cable or wire. The gear is 
free-floating and not connected to other gear or the vessel. The drop 
line must be no greater than 2 times the depth of the water being 
fished. All hooks must be attached to the drop line no more than 30 ft 
(9.1 m) from the weighted terminal end. These hooks may be attached 
directly to the drop line; attached as snoods (defined as an offshoot 
line that is directly spliced, tied or otherwise connected to the drop 
line), where each snood has a single terminal hook; or as gangions 
(defined as an offshoot line connected to the drop line with some type 
of detachable clip), where each gangion has a single terminal hook.
* * * * *
    3. In Sec.  622.6, paragraph (b)(3) is added to read as follows:


Sec.  622.6  Vessel and gear identification.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (3) Buoy gear. In the Gulf EEZ, if buoy gear is used or possessed, 
each buoy must display the official number of the vessel.
    4. In Sec.  622.42, the first sentence of the introductory text is 
revised; paragraphs (a)(1)(i)(A) and (B) are removed; paragraphs 
(a)(1)(iii)(A) and (C) are revised; and paragraphs (a)(1)(v) and 
(a)(2)(ii) are added to read as follows:


Sec.  622.42  Quotas.

    Quotas apply for the fishing year for each species or species 
group, unless accountability measures are implemented during the 
fishing year pursuant to Sec.  622.49, due to a quota overage occurring 
the previous year, in which case a reduced quota will be specified 
through notification in the Federal Register. * * *
    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (iii) * * *
    (A) SWG combined--6.22 million lb (2.82 million kg).
* * * * *
    (C) Red grouper--4.32 million lb (1.96 million kg).
* * * * *
    (v) Greater amberjack--503,000 lb (228,157 kg), round weight.
* * * * *
    (2) * * *
    (ii) Recreational quota for greater amberjack. The recreational 
quota for greater amberjack is 1,368,000 lb (620,514 kg), round weight.
* * * * *
    5. In Sec.  622.49, the second sentence of paragraph (a)(1)(ii) is 
revised to read as follows:


Sec.  622.49  Accountability measures.

    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (ii) * * * In addition, if despite such closure, recreational 
landings exceed the quota, the AA will file a notification with the 
Office of the Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the 
following fishing year, to reduce the quota for that following year by 
the amount of the overage in the prior fishing year, and to reduce the 
length of the recreational fishing season for the following fishing 
year by the amount necessary to recover the overage from the prior 
fishing year. * * *
* * * * *

[FR Doc. 2010-26197 Filed 10-15-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P


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