Source: https://regulations.justia.com/regulations/fedreg/2005/06/16/05-11837.html
Timestamp: 2020-07-13 05:35:53
Document Index: 341992600

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 194', 'art 194', '§ 194', 'art 194', 'ART 194', 'art 194', '§ 194', '§ 194', 'art 648', '§ 648', 'art 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'ART 648', 'art 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', 'art 648']

Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Recreational Measures for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fisheries; Fishing Year 2005, 35042-35046 [05-11837] :: National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration :: Department Of Commerce :: Regulation Tracker :: Justia
Justia Regulation Tracker Department Of Commerce National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Recreational Measures for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fisheries; Fishing Year 2005, 35042-35046 [05-11837]
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Recreational Measures for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fisheries; Fishing Year 2005, 35042-35046 [05-11837]
Download as PDF 35042 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 115 / Thursday, June 16, 2005 / Rules and Regulations DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 49 CFR Part 194 [Docket No. RSPA–03–16560; Amdt. No. 194–5] RIN 2137–AC30 Pipeline Safety: Response Plans for Onshore Transportation-Related Oil Pipelines Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Final rule; correction. AGENCY: SUMMARY: On February 23, 2005, the U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) issued a final rule adopting as a final rule, the interim final rule which was issued on January 5, 1993. This final rule also made minor amendments to some of the regulations in Part 194 in response to public comments and the experience that OPS gained in implementing the interim final rule, leading spill response exercises, and responding to actual spills. The amendments were generally technical in nature and did not involve additional costs to pipeline operators or the public. In issuing the final rule, a table was inadvertently misprinted. This table in § 194.105(b)(3) specifies the potential spill volume reduction credits operators may use when they have secondary containment and other spill prevention measures on breakout tanks. These spill reduction credits are used when calculating the worst case discharge volume. This correction replaces the incorrect table with the correct table. DATES: This Final Rule correction is effective March 25, 2005. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: L.E. Herrick, (202) 366–5523, U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Room 2103, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590–0001, on the contents of this final rule, or the Dockets Facility, http://dms.dot.gov, (202) 366–1918, U.S. Department of Transportation, Room PL–401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590–0001, for copies of this final rule or other information in the docket. General information about OPS programs is on the Internet home page at http://ops.dot.gov. For information on the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90), first click on the ‘‘Initiatives,’’ then on ‘‘OPA Initiatives.’’ List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 194 Environmental protection, Hazardous materials transportation, Oil pollution, Petroleum, Pipeline safety, Pipelines, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation, Water pollution control. Accordingly, the Final Rule, which was published at (70 FR 8734) February 23, 2005, is corrected as follows: I PART 194—RESPONSE PLANS FOR ONSHORE OIL PIPELINES 1. The authority citation for part 194 continues to read as follows: I Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1231, 1321(j)(1)(C), (j)(5), and (j)(6); sec. 2, E.O. 12777, 56 FR 54757, 3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351; 49 CFR 1.53. 2. Amend § 194.105 by revising paragraph (b)(4) and its table to read as follows: I § 194.105 Worst case discharge. * * * * * (b) * * * (4) Operators may claim prevention credits for breakout tank secondary containment and other specific spill prevention measures as follows: Prevention measure Standard Secondary containment > 100% .......................................................................................................... Built/repaired to API standards ............................................................................................................. Overfill protection standards ................................................................................................................. Testing/cathodic protection ................................................................................................................... Tertiary containment/drainage/treatment .............................................................................................. Maximum allowable credit .................................................................................................................... NFPA 30 ............................. API STD 620/650/653 ........ API RP 2350 ...................... API STD 650/651/653 ........ NFPA 30 ............................. ............................................. * * * * * DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Issued in Washington, DC, on June 2, 2005. Joy Kadnar, Acting Deputy Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety. [FR Doc. 05–11444 Filed 6–15–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–60–P National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 [Docket No. 050304059–5146–02; I.D. 022805D] RIN 0648–AS21 Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Recreational Measures for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fisheries; Fishing Year 2005 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: VerDate jul<14>2003 15:36 Jun 15, 2005 Jkt 205001 PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Credit (percent) 50 10 5 5 5 75 SUMMARY: NMFS issues this final rule to implement recreational management measures for the 2005 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries. The intent of these measures is to prevent overfishing of the summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass resources. DATES: Effective July 18, 2005, except for the amendment to § 648.107(a) introductory text, which is effective June 16, 2005. ADDRESSES: Copies of supporting documents used by the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Monitoring Committees and of the Environmental Assessment, Regulatory Impact Review, and Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (EA/RIR/IRFA) are available from Daniel Furlong, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Room 2115, Federal Building, 300 South E:\FR\FM\16JNR1.SGM 16JNR1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 115 / Thursday, June 16, 2005 / Rules and Regulations Street, Dover, DE 19901–6790. The EA/ RIR/IRFA is also accessible via the Internet at http://www.nero.noaa.gov/ ro/doc/com.htm. The Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) consists of the IRFA, public comments and responses contained in this final rule, and the summary of impacts and alternatives contained in this final rule. Copies of the small entity compliance guide are available from Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930–2298. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah McLaughlin, Fishery Policy Analyst, (978) 281–9279, fax (978) 281– 9135, e-mail sarah.mclaughlin@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries are managed cooperatively by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council), in consultation with the New England and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils. The Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and its implementing regulations, which are found at 50 CFR part 648, subparts A (general provisions), G (summer flounder), H (scup), and I (black sea bass), describe the process for specifying annual recreational management measures that apply in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The states manage these fisheries within 3 miles of their coasts, under the Commission’s plan for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass. The Federal regulations govern vessels fishing in the EEZ, as well as vessels possessing a Federal fisheries permit, regardless of where they fish. The 2005 coastwide recreational harvest limits are 11.98 million lb (5,434 mt) for summer flounder, 3.96 million lb (1,796 mt) for scup, and 4.13 million lb (1,873 mt) for black sea bass. The 2005 quota specifications, inclusive of the recreational harvest limits, were determined to be consistent with the 2005 target fishing mortality rate (F) for summer flounder and the target exploitation rates for scup and black sea bass. The proposed rule to implement annual Federal recreational measures for the 2005 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries was published on March 15, 2005 (70 FR 12639), and contained management measures (minimum fish sizes, possession limits, and fishing seasons) intended to keep annual recreational landings from exceeding the specified harvest limits. A complete discussion of 35043 the development of the recreational management measures appeared in the preamble of the proposed rule and is not repeated here. All minimum fish sizes discussed below are total length measurements of the fish, i.e., the straight-line distance from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail while the fish is lying on its side. All possession limits discussed below are per person. Based on the recommendation of the Commission, the Regional Administrator finds that the recreational summer flounder fishing measures proposed to be implemented by the states of Massachusetts through North Carolina for 2005 are the conservation equivalent of the season, minimum size, and possession limit prescribed in §§ 648.102, 648.103, and 648.105(a), respectively. According to the regulation at § 648.107(a)(1), vessels subject to the recreational fishing measures of this part, landing summer flounder in a state with an approved conservation equivalency program shall not be subject to the more restrictive Federal measures, and shall instead be subject to the recreational fishing measures implemented by the state in which they land. Section 648.107(a) has been amended accordingly. The management measures will vary according to the state of landing, as specified in the following table. TABLE 1—2005 STATE RECREATIONAL MANAGEMENT MEASURES FOR SUMMER FLOUNDER State Minimum Fish Size Possession Limit Fishing Season MA 17 inches (43.2 cm) 7 fish January 1 through December 31 RI 17.5 inches (44.5 cm) 7 fish April 1 through December 31 CT 17.5 inches (44.5 cm) 6 fish April 30 through December 31 NY 17.5 inches (44.5 cm) 5 fish April 29 through October 31 NJ 16.5 inches (41.9 cm) 8 fish May 7 through October 10 DE 17.5 inches (44.5 cm) 4 fish January 1 through December 31 MD* 15.5 inches (39.4 cm) 4 fish January 1 through December 31 VA 16.5 inches (41.9 cm) 6 fish January 1 through December 31 NC 14 inches (35.6 cm) 8 fish January 1 through December 31 *Measures for the ocean waters off MD in the Atlantic Ocean and coastal bays; for the Chesapeake Bay, a 15–inch (38.1–cm) minimum fish size, a 2–fish possession limit, and a fishing season of January 1 through December 31 applies. Table 2 contains the coastwide Federal measures for scup and black sea bass that are being implemented. These VerDate jul<14>2003 15:36 Jun 15, 2005 Jkt 205001 measures are unchanged from those published in the proposed rule. PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\16JNR1.SGM 16JNR1 35044 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 115 / Thursday, June 16, 2005 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 2—2005 SCUP AND BLACK SEA BASS RECREATIONAL MANAGEMENT MEASURES Minimum Fish Size Fishery Possession Limit inches Fishing Season cm Scup 10 25.4 50 fish January 1 through last day of February, and September 18 through November 30 Black Sea Bass 12 30.5 25 fish January 1 through December 31 In the proposed rule, NMFS indicated that a 9–percent reduction in scup landings would be necessary to achieve the 2005 scup recreational target. NMFS disapproved the Council’s scup recommendation (Scup Alternative 1), which would maintain the status quo coastwide management measures of a 10–inch (25.4–cm) minimum fish size, a 50–fish possession limit, and open seasons of January 1 through February 28, and September 7 through November 30, on the basis that maintaining the existing regulations would not achieve of the 2005 scup recreational target. NMFS requested comment on the following two alternatives presented by the Council that are expected to reduce recreational landings by the required 9 percent: A 10–inch (25.4–cm) minimum fish size, a 50–fish possession limit, and open seasons of January 1 through February 28, and September 18 through November 30 (Scup Alternative 2); and a 10–inch (25.4–cm) minimum fish size, a 50–fish possession limit, and open seasons of January 1 through February 28, and September 12 through September 30 (Scup Alternative 3). No comments were received specifically regarding these two alternatives. Upon further analysis following publication of the proposed rule, NMFS has determined that the fishing season presented in Scup Alternative 3 was intended to be January 1 through February 28, and September 12 through October 31, i.e., it is the opening of the fishery for these periods that would effect a 9–percent reduction. As presented in the proposed rule, Scup Alternative 3 would achieve a 34– percent reduction. Council staff have verified that the use of September 30 in the alternative was a recording error. Taking into account input regarding the Mid-Atlantic party/charter sector from the Council’s Scup Industry Advisory Panel that a fall fishing season of September 18 through November 30 would be preferable to September 12 through October 31, this final rule implements Scup Alternative 2. As in the past 3 years, the scup fishery in state waters will be managed under a regional conservation equivalency system developed through VerDate jul<14>2003 15:36 Jun 15, 2005 Jkt 205001 the Commission. Because the Federal FMP does not contain provisions for conservation equivalency, and states may adopt their own unique measures, the Federal and state recreational scup management measures will differ for the 2005 season. Corrections to the Summer Flounder and Scup Regulations This final rule also makes two corrections to the regulations at §§ 648.104 and 648.123, respectively. In the final rule to implement measures contained in Framework Adjustment 5 to the FMP (69 FR 62818, October 28, 2004, FR Doc. 04–24107), the paragraph referring to the requirements of the summer flounder small-mesh exemption area letter of authorization was inadvertently published as § 648.104(b)(1)(I) rather than § 648.104(b)(1)(i). This final rule corrects that reference to be § 648.104(b)(1)(i). In the final rule to implement the 2005 annual summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass specifications, and other commercial scup measures (70 FR 303, January 4, 2005, FR Doc. 04–28752), the threshhold level to trigger the scup minimum mesh size requirement for otter trawl vessels during the scup Summer period (May 1 through October 31) was increased from 100 lb (45.4 kg) to 200 lb (90.7 kg). This change should also have been reflected in § 648.123(e), the paragraph regarding stowage of nets by trawl vessels fishing for scup. This final rule makes that change to be consistent with the threshhold level listed in the minimum mesh size regulations. Comments and Responses Two comment letters were received regarding the proposed recreational management measures (70 FR 12639, March 15, 2005). Comment 1: One commenter did not specify the fishery for which he made comments, but NMFS understands the comments to pertain to scup. The commenter, a CT recreational angler, would prefer a minimum fish size of 9 inches (22.9 cm), a possession limit of 40 fish, and a fishing season of July 1 PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 through October 31, to reduce the number of injured fish being returned to the water and to allow for a longer fishing season. Response: The implementation of the recreational scup management measures suggested by the commenter would result in a substantial increase in landings. Although a reduction in landings would be expected from the implementation of a 9–inch (22.9–cm) minimum fish size and a possession limit of 40 fish, it is far too small to offset the increase in landings that would result from the suggested fishing season, which spans the months of July through October. To achieve the 2005 scup recreational harvest limit, consistent with the mortality objectives of the FMP, NMFS considered only alternatives expected to reduce landings in 2005 by at least 9 percent or more. As indicated above, NMFS selected Scup Alternative 2, which would allow the recreational scup fishery to remain open for substantially more days during the fall period than would Scup Alterative 3, as clarified. Comment 2: The other commenter indicated support for shorter fishing seasons, marine protected areas, and reduction of fishing quotas in general. Response: This rule implements management measures (minimum fish sizes, possession limits, and fishing seasons) intended to keep annual recreational landings from exceeding the specified harvest limits. As described in the proposed rule, the FMP established Monitoring Committees (Committees) for the summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries, consisting of representatives from the Commission, the Mid-Atlantic, New England, and South Atlantic Councils, and NMFS. The FMP and its implementing regulations require the Committees to review scientific and other relevant information annually and to recommend management measures (i.e., minimum fish size, possession limit, and fishing season) necessary to achieve the recreational harvest limits established for each of the three fisheries for the upcoming fishing year. While NMFS acknowledges that consideration of marine protected areas E:\FR\FM\16JNR1.SGM 16JNR1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 115 / Thursday, June 16, 2005 / Rules and Regulations and quotas is important, this rule is not the proper mechanism to address these general issues. Classification This rule has been determined to be not significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, finds, for the summer flounder recreational measures contained in this rule (§ 648.107(a)) , good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C 553(d)(3) to make that portion of this rule effective immediately, thereby waiving the 30-day delayed effectiveness date required by 5 U.S.C. 553. The linchpin of NMFS’s decision whether to proceed with the coastwide measures or to give effect to the conservation equivalent measures is advice from the Commission as to the results of its review of the plans of the individual states. This advice has only recently been received via a letter dated April 21, 2005. During the pendency of the Commission’s process and subsequent preparation of this rule by NMFS, the recreational fisheries for these three species have commenced. The party and charter boats from the various states are by far the largest component of the recreational fishery that fish in the EEZ. The Federal coastwide regulatory measures for the three species that were codified last year remain in effect. The Federal coastwide measures for the summer flounder fishery are more restrictive than the measures adopted by the states and approved by the Commission as conservation equivalents, and implemented by NMFS in this rule. Federally permitted recreational vessels subject to these more restrictive measures are currently operating at a disadvantage since non-federally permitted recreational vessels can fish in state waters under more liberal measures. In addition, NMFS faced an unavoidable delay in the implementation of this rule as a result of delayed submission of the Council’s Coastal Zone Management Act consistency determination letters for review by the responsible state agencies (ME to NC). Because these letters were not issued until March 30, 2005, agency action cannot be taken until May 30, 2005, unless responses from the states are received earlier. Because implementation of summer flounder conservation equivalent measures would be preferable to the coastwide measures that will remain in place until publication of this final rule, the states have agreed to expedite their responses VerDate jul<14>2003 15:36 Jun 15, 2005 Jkt 205001 and have concurred with the consistency determination. Because implementation of the proposed scup and black sea bass measures is not as time sensitive, since the proposed changes to the current scup and black sea bass affect the fall fishery, the waiver of the 30-day delay in effectiveness is for the recreational summer flounder measures only. Included in this final rule is the FRFA prepared pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 604(a). The FRFA incorporates the economic impacts summarized in the IRFA, the comments on, and responses to, the proposed rule, and the analyses completed in support of this action. A copy of the EA/RIR/IRFA is available from the Council (see ADDRESSES). Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Statement of Objective and Need A description of the reasons why this action is being taken, and the objectives of and legal basis for this final rule are explained in the preambles to the proposed rule and this final rule and are not repeated here. Summary of Significant Issues Raised in Public Comments The two comment letters received on the proposed rule did not specifically address the potential economic impact of the rule. No changes to the proposed rule were required to be made as a result of the public comments. For a summary of the comments received, and the responses thereto, refer to the ‘‘Comments and Responses’’ section of this preamble. Description and Estimate of Number of Small Entities to Which This Rule Will Apply The Council estimated that the proposed measures could affect any of the 777 vessels possessing a Federal charter/party permit for summer flounder, scup, and/or black sea bass in 2003, the most recent year for which complete permit data are available. However, only 337 of these vessels reported active participation in the recreational summer flounder, scup, and/or black sea bass fisheries in 2003. Description of Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping, and Other Compliance Requirements No additional reporting, recordkeeping, or other compliance requirements are included in this final rule. PO 00000 Frm 00061 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 35045 Description of the Steps Taken to Minimize Economic Impact on Small Entities Under the conservation equivalency approach, each state may implement unique management measures appropriate to that state to achieve statespecific harvest limits, as long as the combined effect of all of the states’ management measures achieves the same level of conservation as would Federal coastwide measures developed to achieve the annual recreational harvest limit. The conservation equivalency approach allows states flexibility in the specification of management measures, unlike the application of one set of coastwide measures. It is not possible to further mitigate economic impacts on small entities because the specification of the recreational management measures (minimum fish size, possession limits, and fishing seasons) contained in this final rule is constrained by the conservation objectives of the FMP. The economic analysis conducted in support of this action assessed the impacts of the various management alternatives. In the EA, the no action alternative for each species is defined as the continuation of the management measures as codified for the 2004 fishing season. In consideration of the Council-recommended recreational harvest limits established for the 2005 fishing year, implementation of the same recreational measures established for the 2004 fishing year would be inconsistent with the goals and objectives of the FMP and its implementing regulations, and, because it could result in overfishing of the scup fishery, would be inconsistent with National Standard 1 of the MagnusonStevens Act. Therefore, the no action alternatives for each fishery were not considered to be reasonable alternatives to the preferred actions for each fishery and their collective impacts were not analyzed in the EA/RIR/IRFA. The no action measures were analyzed in Summer Flounder Alternative 2, Scup Alternative 1, and Black Sea Bass Alternative 2. At this time, it is not possible to determine the economic impact of summer flounder conservation equivalency on each state. However, it is likely to be proportional to the level of landings reductions required. If the conservation equivalency alternative is effective at achieving the recreational harvest limit, then it is likely to be the only alternative that minimizes economic impacts, to the extent practicable, yet achieves the biological objectives of the FMP. Under § 648.107, E:\FR\FM\16JNR1.SGM 16JNR1 35046 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 115 / Thursday, June 16, 2005 / Rules and Regulations vessels landing summer flounder in any state that does not implement conservation equivalent measures are subject to the precautionary default measures, consisting of an 18–inch (45.7–cm) minimum fish size, a possession limit of one fish, and no closed season. The suites of conservation equivalent measures proposed by each state are less restrictive than the precautionary default measures. Therefore, because states have a choice as to the specific measures to apply to landings in each state, it is more rational for the states to adopt conservation equivalent measures that result in fewer adverse economic impacts than to adopt the more restrictive measures contained in the precautionary default alternative. For the proposed rule, average party/ charter losses for each of the 18 potential combinations of alternatives were estimated for federally permitted vessels by multiplying the number of potentially affected trips in 2005 in each state by the estimated average access fee paid by party/charter anglers in the Northeast Region in 2004. Predicted average losses for NY were presented as an example, and ranged from $1,917 per vessel under the combined effects of Summer Flounder Alternative 2, Scup Alternative 1, and Black Sea Bass Alternative 1, to $8,817 per vessel under the combined effects of the summer flounder precautionary default (considered in Summer Flounder Alternative 1), Scup Alternative 3, and Black Sea Bass Alternative 2 or 3 (assuming a 25–percent reduction in effort for affected trips). Analyses for the combinations including Scup Alternative 3 have been repeated using the revised fishing season of January 1 through February 28, and September 18 through November 30. The result is that predicted average losses for NY range from $1,917 per vessel under the combined effects of Summer Flounder Alternative 2, Scup Alternative 1, and Black Sea Bass Alternative 1, to $8,732 per vessel under the combined effects of the summer flounder precautionary default (considered in Summer Flounder Alternative 1), Scup Alternative 3, and either Black Sea Bass Alternative 2 or 3. compliance guides.’’ The agency shall explain the actions a small entity is required to take to comply with a rule or group of rules. As part of this rulemaking process, a small entity compliance guide will be sent to all holders of Federal party/charter permits issued for the summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries. In addition, copies of this final rule and guide (i.e., permit holder letter) are available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES) and at the following website: http:// www.nero.noaa.gov. Small Entity Compliance Guide 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 a 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 (a) The Regional Administrator has determined that the recreational fishing measures proposed to be implemented by Massachusetts through North Carolina for 2005 are the conservation equivalent of the season, minimum fish size, and possession limit prescribed in §§ 648.102, 648.103, and 648.105(a), respectively. This determination is based on a recommendation from the VerDate jul<14>2003 15:36 Jun 15, 2005 Jkt 205001 List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 648 Fisheries, Fishing, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Dated: June 9, 2005. Rebecca Lent, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 648 is amended as follows: I PART 648—FISHERIES OF THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES 1. The authority citation for part 648 continues to read as follows: I Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. 2. In § 648.104, the first sentence of paragraph (b)(1) is revised to read as follows: I § 648.104 Gear restrictions. * * * * * (b) * * * (1) Vessels issued a summer flounder moratorium permit, a summer flounder small-mesh exemption area letter of authorization (LOA), required under paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, and fishing from November 1 through April 30 in the exemption area, which is east of the line that follows 72°30.0′ W. long. until it intersects the outer boundary of the EEZ (copies of a map depicting the area are available upon request from the Regional Administrator). * * * * * * * * I 3. In § 648.107, paragraph (a) introductory text is revised to read as follows: § 648.107 Conservation equivalent measures for the summer flounder fishery. PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Summer Flounder Board of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. * * * * * 4. In § 648.122, paragraph (g) is revised to read as follows: I § 648.122 Season and area restrictions. * * * * * (g) Time restrictions. Vessels that are not eligible for a moratorium permit under § 648.4(a)(6), and fishermen subject to the possession limit, may not possess scup, except from January 1 through the last day of February, and from September 18 through November 30. This time period may be adjusted pursuant to the procedures in § 648.120. 5. In § 648.123, the first sentence of paragraph (a)(5) is revised to read as follows: I § 648.123 Gear restrictions. (a) * * * (5) Stowage of nets. The owner or operator of an otter trawl vessel retaining 500 lb (226.8 kg) or more of scup from November 1 through April 30, or 200 lb (90.7 kg) or more of scup from May 1 through October 31, and subject to the minimum mesh requirements in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, and the owner or operator of a midwater trawl or other trawl vessel subject to the minimum size requirement in § 648.122, may not have available for immediate use any net, or any piece of net, not meeting the minimum mesh size requirement, or mesh that is rigged in a manner that is inconsistent with the minimum mesh size. * * * * * * * * 6. Section 648.142 is revised to read as follows: I § 648.142 Time restrictions. Vessels that are not eligible for a moratorium permit under § 648.4(a)(7), and fishermen subject to the possession limit may possess black sea bass from January 1 through December 31, unless this time period is adjusted pursuant to the procedures in § 648.140. [FR Doc. 05–11837 Filed 6–15–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S E:\FR\FM\16JNR1.SGM 16JNR1
[Pages 35042-35046]
[FR Doc No: 05-11837]
[Docket No. 050304059-5146-02; I.D. 022805D]
SUMMARY: NMFS issues this final rule to implement recreational
management measures for the 2005 summer flounder, scup, and black sea
bass fisheries. The intent of these measures is to prevent overfishing
of the summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass resources.
DATES: Effective July 18, 2005, except for the amendment to Sec.
648.107(a) introductory text, which is effective June 16, 2005.
Federal Building, 300 South
Street, Dover, DE 19901-6790. The EA/RIR/IRFA is also accessible via
the Internet at http://www.nero.noaa.gov/ro/doc/com.htm. The Final
Management Councils. The Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass
Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and its implementing regulations, which
are found at 50 CFR part 648, subparts A (general provisions), G
(summer flounder), H (scup), and I (black sea bass), describe the
process for specifying annual recreational management measures that
apply in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The states manage these
fisheries within 3 miles of their coasts, under the Commission's plan
govern vessels fishing in the EEZ, as well as vessels possessing a
Federal fisheries permit, regardless of where they fish.
The 2005 coastwide recreational harvest limits are 11.98 million lb
(5,434 mt) for summer flounder, 3.96 million lb (1,796 mt) for scup,
and 4.13 million lb (1,873 mt) for black sea bass. The 2005 quota
specifications, inclusive of the recreational harvest limits, were
determined to be consistent with the 2005 target fishing mortality rate
(F) for summer flounder and the target exploitation rates for scup and
The proposed rule to implement annual Federal recreational measures
for the 2005 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries was
published on March 15, 2005 (70 FR 12639), and contained management
measures (minimum fish sizes, possession limits, and fishing seasons)
intended to keep annual recreational landings from exceeding the
specified harvest limits. A complete discussion of the development of
the recreational management measures appeared in the preamble of the
proposed rule and is not repeated here. All minimum fish sizes
discussed below are total length measurements of the fish, i.e., the
straight-line distance from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail
while the fish is lying on its side. All possession limits discussed
below are per person.
Based on the recommendation of the Commission, the Regional
Administrator finds that the recreational summer flounder fishing
measures proposed to be implemented by the states of Massachusetts
through North Carolina for 2005 are the conservation equivalent of the
648.102, 648.103, and 648.105(a), respectively. According to the
regulation at Sec.  648.107(a)(1), vessels subject to the recreational
fishing measures of this part, landing summer flounder in a state with
an approved conservation equivalency program shall not be subject to
the more restrictive Federal measures, and shall instead be subject to
the recreational fishing measures implemented by the state in which
they land. Section 648.107(a) has been amended accordingly. The
management measures will vary according to the state of landing, as
Table 1--2005 State Recreational Management Measures for Summer Flounder
State      Minimum Fish Size    Possession Limit     Fishing Season
MA           17 inches (43.2 cm)  7 fish              January 1 through
RI           17.5 inches (44.5    7 fish              April 1 through
cm)                                      December 31
CT           17.5 inches (44.5    6 fish              April 30 through
NY           17.5 inches (44.5    5 fish              April 29 through
cm)                                      October 31
NJ           16.5 inches (41.9    8 fish              May 7 through
cm)                                      October 10
DE           17.5 inches (44.5    4 fish              January 1 through
MD\*\        15.5 inches (39.4    4 fish              January 1 through
VA           16.5 inches (41.9    6 fish              January 1 through
NC           14 inches (35.6 cm)  8 fish              January 1 through
\*\Measures for the ocean waters off MD in the Atlantic Ocean and
coastal bays; for the Chesapeake Bay, a 15-inch (38.1-cm) minimum fish
size, a 2-fish possession limit, and a fishing season of January 1
through December 31 applies.
Table 2 contains the coastwide Federal measures for scup and black
sea bass that are being implemented. These measures are unchanged from
those published in the proposed rule.
Table 2--2005 Scup and Black Sea Bass Recreational Management Measures
Fishery   --------------------------  Possession     Fishing Season
inches         cm         Limit
Scup         10           25.4         50 fish      January 1 through
Black Sea    12           30.5         25 fish      January 1 through
Bass                                                December 31
In the proposed rule, NMFS indicated that a 9-percent reduction in
scup landings would be necessary to achieve the 2005 scup recreational
target. NMFS disapproved the Council's scup recommendation (Scup
Alternative 1), which would maintain the status quo coastwide
management measures of a 10-inch (25.4-cm) minimum fish size, a 50-fish
and September 7 through November 30, on the basis that maintaining the
existing regulations would not achieve of the 2005 scup recreational
target. NMFS requested comment on the following two alternatives
presented by the Council that are expected to reduce recreational
landings by the required 9 percent: A 10-inch (25.4-cm) minimum fish
February 28, and September 18 through November 30 (Scup Alternative 2);
and a 10-inch (25.4-cm) minimum fish size, a 50-fish possession limit,
and open seasons of January 1 through February 28, and September 12
through September 30 (Scup Alternative 3). No comments were received
specifically regarding these two alternatives. Upon further analysis
following publication of the proposed rule, NMFS has determined that
the fishing season presented in Scup Alternative 3 was intended to be
January 1 through February 28, and September 12 through October 31,
i.e., it is the opening of the fishery for these periods that would
effect a 9-percent reduction. As presented in the proposed rule, Scup
Alternative 3 would achieve a 34-percent reduction. Council staff have
verified that the use of September 30 in the alternative was a
recording error. Taking into account input regarding the Mid-Atlantic
party/charter sector from the Council's Scup Industry Advisory Panel
that a fall fishing season of September 18 through November 30 would be
preferable to September 12 through October 31, this final rule
implements Scup Alternative 2.
through the Commission. Because the Federal FMP does not contain
provisions for conservation equivalency, and states may adopt their own
unique measures, the Federal and state recreational scup management
measures will differ for the 2005 season.
This final rule also makes two corrections to the regulations at
Sec. Sec.  648.104 and 648.123, respectively. In the final rule to
implement measures contained in Framework Adjustment 5 to the FMP (69
FR 62818, October 28, 2004, FR Doc. 04-24107), the paragraph referring
to the requirements of the summer flounder small-mesh exemption area
letter of authorization was inadvertently published as Sec.
648.104(b)(1)(I) rather than Sec.  648.104(b)(1)(i). This final rule
corrects that reference to be Sec.  648.104(b)(1)(i). In the final rule
to implement the 2005 annual summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass
specifications, and other commercial scup measures (70 FR 303, January
4, 2005, FR Doc. 04-28752), the threshhold level to trigger the scup
reflected in Sec.  648.123(e), the paragraph regarding stowage of nets
by trawl vessels fishing for scup. This final rule makes that change to
be consistent with the threshhold level listed in the minimum mesh size
Two comment letters were received regarding the proposed
recreational management measures (70 FR 12639, March 15, 2005).
Comment 1: One commenter did not specify the fishery for which he
made comments, but NMFS understands the comments to pertain to scup.
The commenter, a CT recreational angler, would prefer a minimum fish
size of 9 inches (22.9 cm), a possession limit of 40 fish, and a
fishing season of July 1 through October 31, to reduce the number of
injured fish being returned to the water and to allow for a longer
Response: The implementation of the recreational scup management
measures suggested by the commenter would result in a substantial
increase in landings. Although a reduction in landings would be
expected from the implementation of a 9-inch (22.9-cm) minimum fish
size and a possession limit of 40 fish, it is far too small to offset
the increase in landings that would result from the suggested fishing
season, which spans the months of July through October. To achieve the
2005 scup recreational harvest limit, consistent with the mortality
objectives of the FMP, NMFS considered only alternatives expected to
reduce landings in 2005 by at least 9 percent or more. As indicated
above, NMFS selected Scup Alternative 2, which would allow the
recreational scup fishery to remain open for substantially more days
during the fall period than would Scup Alterative 3, as clarified.
Comment 2: The other commenter indicated support for shorter
fishing seasons, marine protected areas, and reduction of fishing
quotas in general.
Response: This rule implements management measures (minimum fish
sizes, possession limits, and fishing seasons) intended to keep annual
recreational landings from exceeding the specified harvest limits. As
described in the proposed rule, the FMP established Monitoring
Committees (Committees) for the summer flounder, scup, and black sea
bass fisheries, consisting of representatives from the Commission, the
management measures (i.e., minimum fish size, possession limit, and
fishing season) necessary to achieve the recreational harvest limits
established for each of the three fisheries for the upcoming fishing
year. While NMFS acknowledges that consideration of marine protected
and quotas is important, this rule is not the proper mechanism to
address these general issues.
The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, finds, for the
summer flounder recreational measures contained in this rule (Sec.
648.107(a)) , good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C 553(d)(3) to make that
portion of this rule effective immediately, thereby waiving the 30-day
delayed effectiveness date required by 5 U.S.C. 553. The linchpin of
NMFS's decision whether to proceed with the coastwide measures or to
give effect to the conservation equivalent measures is advice from the
Commission as to the results of its review of the plans of the
individual states. This advice has only recently been received via a
letter dated April 21, 2005. During the pendency of the Commission's
process and subsequent preparation of this rule by NMFS, the
recreational fisheries for these three species have commenced. The
party and charter boats from the various states are by far the largest
component of the recreational fishery that fish in the EEZ. The Federal
coastwide regulatory measures for the three species that were codified
last year remain in effect. The Federal coastwide measures for the
summer flounder fishery are more restrictive than the measures adopted
by the states and approved by the Commission as conservation
equivalents, and implemented by NMFS in this rule. Federally permitted
recreational vessels subject to these more restrictive measures are
currently operating at a disadvantage since non-federally permitted
recreational vessels can fish in state waters under more liberal
In addition, NMFS faced an unavoidable delay in the implementation
of this rule as a result of delayed submission of the Council's Coastal
Zone Management Act consistency determination letters for review by the
responsible state agencies (ME to NC). Because these letters were not
issued until March 30, 2005, agency action cannot be taken until May
30, 2005, unless responses from the states are received earlier.
Because implementation of summer flounder conservation equivalent
measures would be preferable to the coastwide measures that will remain
in place until publication of this final rule, the states have agreed
to expedite their responses and have concurred with the consistency
Because implementation of the proposed scup and black sea bass
measures is not as time sensitive, since the proposed changes to the
current scup and black sea bass affect the fall fishery, the waiver of
the 30-day delay in effectiveness is for the recreational summer
flounder measures only.
U.S.C. 604(a). The FRFA incorporates the economic impacts summarized in
the IRFA, the comments on, and responses to, the proposed rule, and the
analyses completed in support of this action. A copy of the EA/RIR/IRFA
the objectives of and legal basis for this final rule are explained in
The two comment letters received on the proposed rule did not
specifically address the potential economic impact of the rule. No
changes to the proposed rule were required to be made as a result of
the public comments. For a summary of the comments received, and the
responses thereto, refer to the ``Comments and Responses'' section of
Under the conservation equivalency approach, each state may
implement unique management measures appropriate to that state to
achieve state-specific harvest limits, as long as the combined effect
of all of the states' management measures achieves the same level of
conservation as would Federal coastwide measures developed to achieve
the annual recreational harvest limit. The conservation equivalency
approach allows states flexibility in the specification of management
measures, unlike the application of one set of coastwide measures. It
is not possible to further mitigate economic impacts on small entities
because the specification of the recreational management measures
(minimum fish size, possession limits, and fishing seasons) contained
in this final rule is constrained by the conservation objectives of the
The economic analysis conducted in support of this action assessed
the impacts of the various management alternatives. In the EA, the no
action alternative for each species is defined as the continuation of
the management measures as codified for the 2004 fishing season. In
consideration of the Council-recommended recreational harvest limits
established for the 2005 fishing year, implementation of the same
recreational measures established for the 2004 fishing year would be
inconsistent with the goals and objectives of the FMP and its
implementing regulations, and, because it could result in overfishing
of the scup fishery, would be inconsistent with National Standard 1 of
the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Therefore, the no action alternatives for
each fishery were not considered to be reasonable alternatives to the
preferred actions for each fishery and their collective impacts were
not analyzed in the EA/RIR/IRFA. The no action measures were analyzed
in Summer Flounder Alternative 2, Scup Alternative 1, and Black Sea
Bass Alternative 2.
At this time, it is not possible to determine the economic impact
of summer flounder conservation equivalency on each state. However, it
is likely to be proportional to the level of landings reductions
required. If the conservation equivalency alternative is effective at
only alternative that minimizes economic impacts, to the extent
practicable, yet achieves the biological objectives of the FMP. Under
Sec.  648.107,
vessels landing summer flounder in any state that does not implement
conservation equivalent measures are subject to the precautionary
default measures, consisting of an 18-inch (45.7-cm) minimum fish size,
a possession limit of one fish, and no closed season. The suites of
conservation equivalent measures proposed by each state are less
restrictive than the precautionary default measures. Therefore, because
states have a choice as to the specific measures to apply to landings
in each state, it is more rational for the states to adopt conservation
equivalent measures that result in fewer adverse economic impacts than
to adopt the more restrictive measures contained in the precautionary
default alternative.
For the proposed rule, average party/charter losses for each of the
18 potential combinations of alternatives were estimated for federally
permitted vessels by multiplying the number of potentially affected
trips in 2005 in each state by the estimated average access fee paid by
party/charter anglers in the Northeast Region in 2004. Predicted
average losses for NY were presented as an example, and ranged from
$1,917 per vessel under the combined effects of Summer Flounder
Alternative 2, Scup Alternative 1, and Black Sea Bass Alternative 1, to
$8,817 per vessel under the combined effects of the summer flounder
precautionary default (considered in Summer Flounder Alternative 1),
Scup Alternative 3, and Black Sea Bass Alternative 2 or 3 (assuming a
25-percent reduction in effort for affected trips). Analyses for the
combinations including Scup Alternative 3 have been repeated using the
revised fishing season of January 1 through February 28, and September
18 through November 30. The result is that predicted average losses for
NY range from $1,917 per vessel under the combined effects of Summer
Alternative 1, to $8,732 per vessel under the combined effects of the
Alternative 1), Scup Alternative 3, and either Black Sea Bass
Alternative 2 or 3.
to all holders of Federal party/charter permits issued for the summer
flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries. In addition, copies of
this final rule and guide (i.e., permit holder letter) are available
from NMFS (see ADDRESSES) and at the following website: http://
2. In Sec.  648.104, the first sentence of paragraph (b)(1) is revised
North Carolina for 2005 are the conservation equivalent of the season,
4. In Sec.  648.122, paragraph (g) is revised to read as follows:
5. In Sec.  648.123, the first sentence of paragraph (a)(5) is revised
retaining 500 lb (226.8 kg) or more of scup from November 1 through
April 30, or 200 lb (90.7 kg) or more of scup from May 1 through
October 31, and subject to the minimum mesh requirements in paragraph
(a)(1) of this section, and the owner or operator of a midwater trawl
or other trawl vessel subject to the minimum size requirement in Sec.
648.122, may not have available for immediate use any net, or any piece
of net, not meeting the minimum mesh size requirement, or mesh that is
rigged in a manner that is inconsistent with the minimum mesh size. * *
648.4(a)(7), and fishermen subject to the possession limit may possess