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Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Blueline Tilefish Fishery; Secretarial Emergency Action, 31864-31866 [2015-13407] :: 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; Blueline Tilefish Fishery; Secretarial Emergency Action, 31864-31866 [2015-13407]
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Blueline Tilefish Fishery; Secretarial Emergency Action, 31864-31866 [2015-13407]
Download as PDF 31864 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 107 / Thursday, June 4, 2015 / Rules and Regulations DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 [Docket No. 150311250–5474–01] RIN 0648–BE97 Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Blueline Tilefish Fishery; Secretarial Emergency Action National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule, emergency action. AGENCY: This temporary rule implements possession limits for the blueline tilefish fishery in waters north of the Virginia/North Carolina border as requested by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. These emergency management measures are necessary to temporarily constrain fishing effort on the blueline tilefish stock while a longterm management plan is developed. The rule is expected to reduce fishing mortality and help ensure the long-term sustainability of the stock. DATES: Effective June 4, 2015, through December 1, 2015, except for the amendment to the ‘‘Tilefish’’ definition in § 648.2, which is effective June 4, 2015. Comments must be received on or before July 6, 2015. ADDRESSES: Copies the Environmental Assessment and Regulatory Impact Review (EA/RIR) and other supporting documents for this emergency action are available from John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA, 01930. The EA/RIR is also accessible via the Internet at: http:// www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/. You may submit comments, identified by NOAA–NMFS–2015–0062, by either of the following methods: • Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-20150062, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. • Mail: Submit written comments to NMFS, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope ‘‘Comments on Blueline Tilefish Emergency.’’ srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:35 Jun 03, 2015 Jkt 235001 Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/ A’’ in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tobey Curtis, Fishery Policy Analyst, (978) 281–9273. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Blueline tilefish (Caulolatilus microps) are mainly distributed off the southeastern U.S., and have been managed as part of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The South Atlantic Council developed, and NMFS has implemented, Amendment 32 to the Snapper Grouper FMP to end overfishing of blueline tilefish within the South Atlantic Council’s management jurisdiction. Amendment 32 includes reduced commercial and recreational possession limits (80 FR 16583; March 30, 2015). However, Amendment 32 measures do not apply to vessels fishing for blueline tilefish north of the South Atlantic Council’s jurisdiction (which extends as far north as the latitude of the Virginia/North Carolina border). In recent years, there has been increasing recreational and commercial fishing activity for blueline tilefish in the Greater Atlantic Region, outside the jurisdiction of the South Atlantic Council’s Snapper Grouper FMP. Commercial landings in the Greater Atlantic Region (Virginia to Maine) averaged 11,000 lb (5 mt) per year for 2005–2013. Recreational charter/party vessels reported an average of 2,400 fish per year for 2002–2011. However, commercial landings in 2014 increased to over 217,000 lb (98 mt), and recreational landings from 2012–2014 increased to 10,000–16,000 fish per year. The rapid increase in blueline tilefish harvest in the Greater Atlantic Region represents a risk to the conservation of the species and the long-term sustainability of the fisheries. Blueline tilefish north of the Virginia/ North Carolina border warrant PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 precautionary management. Based upon these concerns, on March 10, 2015, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council submitted a request for Secretarial emergency action under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act to implement temporary management measures for blueline tilefish in the Greater Atlantic Region. Additionally, at its April 2015 meeting, the Mid-Atlantic Council initiated an action to develop a long-term management approach. Subsequently, on May 6, 2015, the South Atlantic Council submitted a new request to the NMFS Southeast Regional Office for emergency action in the blueline tilefish fishery, based upon the preliminary findings of its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC). In its request, the South Atlantic Council states that the most recent stock assessment for blueline tilefish (SEDAR 32) applied to the blueline tilefish stock coastwide, and that the assessment represents the best scientific information available on which to base management measures. Therefore, the South Atlantic Council requested that the current blueline tilefish management measures included in its Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan (analyzed as ‘‘Alternative 2’’ in the environmental assessment supporting the temporary rule) be implemented in the Greater Atlantic Region. The Council further asserts that these measures, which appear to be more restrictive than those included in the current temporary rule as requested by the Mid-Atlantic Council, are needed to end overfishing on the stock. On May 11, 2015, the Mid-Atlantic Council commented on the South Atlantic Council’s emergency action request in a letter to the Greater Atlantic Regional Administrator. The MidAtlantic Council disagrees with the South Atlantic Council’s interpretation of the results of SEDAR 32, identifies relevant data that were not included in SEDAR 32, and argues that the assessment is not applicable to the blueline tilefish resource in the Greater Atlantic Region. Based upon the conflicting information received from the two Councils, there is a need to further evaluate the scientific basis for the conclusions reached by both Councils in order to decide on the proper long-term approach. The South Atlantic Council’s SSC is meeting on June 3, 2015, to consider stock projections and fishing level recommendations. While the more restrictive management measures recommended by the South Atlantic Council may appear to be warranted, additional time would be necessary to E:\FR\FM\04JNR1.SGM 04JNR1 srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with RULES Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 107 / Thursday, June 4, 2015 / Rules and Regulations fully analyze the impacts of those measures on both the blueline tilefish resource and the recreational and commercial fisheries that depend on access to these fish. The additional time needed for this further review and analysis would prolong addressing the primary, immediate emergency need of stopping unacceptably high levels of harvest by the commercial fleet. Both Councils are united by the desire to immediately put some measures in place in order to constrain the ability of the commercial fleet to land in New Jersey or other ports where there are no limits on the landing of blueline tilefish. The proposed emergency rule to implement the Mid-Atlantic Council’s request will have the practical effect of equaling what appear to be the more restrictive South Atlantic measures for the commercial fishery. The commercial fishery is the component that is exerting substantial pressure on the stock, while the recreational fishery appears to be having less of an impact. The proposed 300-lb (136-kg) trip limit will have the practical effect of ending directed commercial fishing on this stock once the South Atlantic Council’s 100-lb (45.4-kg) trip limit south of Virginia has been reached, or the South Atlantic Council’s commercial fishery has been closed. This is because it is not economically feasible for vessels to catch a limit of 300 lb (136 kg) of blueline tilefish off Virginia or Maryland and then steam all the way to New Jersey to land it. We expect a 300lb (136-kg) trip limit to induce fishermen to cease commercially targeting blueline tilefish. The trip limit allows fishermen targeting other species to retain limited amounts of incidentally caught blueline tilefish, thus reducing waste that would occur if no retention was allowed. Moreover, the proposed recreational limit of seven fish per angler is consistent with measures in place in Virginia and Maryland. The recreational component of this fishery is very small compared to the commercial component and our records indicate that only 12 percent of anglers catch seven blueline tilefish per day. Implementing the less restrictive recreational measures mitigates socio-economic impacts on the recreational fleet without undermining the conservation benefits coming from the primary focus of this rule which is to stop the commercial fleet’s landing of high levels of blueline tilefish. These measures are expected to constrain fishing mortality and reduce the risk of overfishing on blueline tilefish while the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic Councils develop a longterm management plan for blueline VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:35 Jun 03, 2015 Jkt 235001 tilefish throughout its range. NMFS will continue to evaluate all of the available information and determine whether additional restrictions are needed. Emergency Management Measures Based upon the recommendation of the Mid-Atlantic Council, we are implementing the following management measures for blueline tilefish in the Greater Atlantic Region: 1. A requirement for commercial or charter/party vessels landing blueline tilefish in the Northeast region (i.e., north of the latitude of the Virginia/ North Carolina border: 36° 33′ 01.0″ N. latitude) to hold a valid Northeast open access golden tilefish commercial or charter/party vessel permit, which are issued by the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office; 2. A commercial possession limit of 300 lb (136 kg) whole weight per trip; and 3. A recreational possession limit of seven blueline tilefish per person, per trip. None of these management measures modify the existing possession regulations for golden tilefish, or any other species. The requirement to hold a valid Northeast permit will ensure that catch, effort, and fishing location information for blueline tilefish will be reported moving forward. This information will be valuable to both Councils as they further develop longterm approaches for managing blueline tilefish across its distribution. The duration of this emergency action is limited by the Magnuson-Stevens Act to an initial period of 180 days, with a potential extension of an additional 186 days. Classification NMFS has determined that this rule is necessary to respond to an emergency situation and is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable law. NMFS has determined that the rapid expansion of fishing activity for blueline tilefish in the Greater Atlantic Region justifies the emergency requested by the MidAtlantic Council. NMFS reviewed the Council’s request for temporary emergency rulemaking with respect to section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and NMFS policy guidance for the use of emergency rules (62 FR 44421, August 21, 1997) and determined that the Council’s request meets both the criteria and justifications for invoking the emergency rulemaking provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The action is needed to address unforeseen rapid increases in landings and fishing effort for blueline tilefish in the Greater PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 31865 Atlantic Region. This action is needed to help prevent a serious conservation problem—fishing potentially resulting in rapidly increasing catch and the potential for unconstrained fishing mortality. Finally, the immediate benefits to the blueline tilefish resource outweigh the value of the advance notice and public comments provided under the normal rulemaking process, hence, this action is being implemented as a final temporary rule. Pursuant to section 553(b)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act, the Assistant Administrator (AA) for Fisheries, NOAA, finds that it would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest to provide for prior notice and opportunity for the public to comment on this rule. During the 2014 fishing year, it became apparent that unregulated blueline tilefish landings in the Greater Atlantic Region were increasing rapidly compared to previous years. The Mid-Atlantic Council analyzed and discussed the issue, and on February 25, 2015, voted to request that we implement emergency measures. The emergency request was submitted to us on March 10, 2015. Since blueline tilefish fishing activity has typically started in May, and there is a clear need to establish measures to constrain fishing mortality on the stock in the Greater Atlantic Region, it would be potentially harmful to the long-term sustainability of resource to further delay implementation of these measures through notice-and-comment rulemaking. Given the South Atlantic Council’s concerns about the status of the blueline tilefish stock, any additional unregulated harvests could increase the risk of overfishing during the current fishing year. Public comments will be accepted on this final temporary rule, and there will be multiple opportunities for public participation and notice-and-comment rulemaking as the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic Councils develop a longterm management plans for blueline tilefish in the Greater Atlantic Region. Additionally, the AA finds good cause to waive the requirement for a 30-day delay in effectiveness pursuant to section 553(d) of the Administrative Procedure Act. For the reasons described above, delaying the effectiveness of these regulations could undermine the purpose of this emergency action, to put in place measures to reduce catch during the 2015 fishing year as a stop-gap measure while both Councils further develop suitable long-term approaches for sustainable harvest of blueline tilefish. This action is being taken pursuant to the emergency provision of the E:\FR\FM\04JNR1.SGM 04JNR1 31866 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 107 / Thursday, June 4, 2015 / Rules and Regulations Magnuson-Stevens Act and is exempt from OMB review. This rule is exempt from the otherwise applicable requirement of the Regulatory Flexibility Act to prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis because the rule is issued without opportunity for prior public comment. List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 648 Fisheries, Fishing, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Dated: May 28, 2015. Samuel D. Rauch III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. § 648.5 For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 648 is amended as follows: PART 648—FISHERIES OF THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES 1. The authority citation for part 648 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. 2. Section 648.2 is amended as follows: ■ a. Add in alphabetical order a definition for ‘‘Blueline tilefish,’’ and ■ b. Revise the definition of ‘‘Tilefish.’’ The addition and revision read as follows: ■ § 648.2 Definitions. * * * * * Blueline tilefish means Caulolatilus microps. * * * * * Tilefish means golden tilefish, Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps, unless otherwise specified. * * * * * ■ 3. In § 648.4, paragraph (a)(12)(ii) is added to read as follows: § 648.4 Vessel permits. srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with RULES * * * * * (a) * * * (12) * * * (ii) Blueline tilefish vessels—(A) Commercial. Any vessel of the United States must have been issued and have on board a valid Federal commercial tilefish permit to fish for, catch, possess, transport, land, sell, trade, or barter, any blueline tilefish in excess of the recreational possession limit as specified under § 648.298(c) from the EEZ portion of the area defined at § 648.298(a). (B) Party and charter vessel permits. Any party or charter vessel must have VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:35 Jun 03, 2015 Jkt 235001 been issued, under this part, a Federal Charter/Party tilefish vessel permit to fish for blueline tilefish in the EEZ portion of the area defined at § 648.298(a), if it carries passengers for hire. Any person onboard such a vessel must observe the recreational possession limit as specified at § 648.298(c) and the prohibition on sale in § 648.14(w)(1)(ii). * * * * * ■ 4. In § 648.5, add paragraph (a)(1) and reserved paragraph (a)(2) to read as follows: Operator permits. (a) * * * (1) The operator permit provisions outlined in § 648.5(a) pertaining to operator permit requirements also apply to the operator of any vessel fishing for or possessing blueline tilefish harvested in or from the EEZ portion of the area defined at § 648.298(a). (2) [Reserved] * * * * * ■ 5. In § 648.14, add paragraph (w) to read as follows: § 648.14 Prohibitions. * * * * * (w) Blueline tilefish. It is unlawful for any person owning or operating a vessel to do any of the following: (1) Permit requirements—(i) Operator permit. Operate a vessel with a tilefish permit to fish for or possess blueline tilefish in or from the EEZ portion of the area defined at § 648.298(a), unless the operator has been issued, and is in possession of, a valid operator permit. (ii) Vessel permit. Fish for, catch, possess, transport, land, sell, trade, or barter any blueline tilefish for a commercial purpose, other than solely for transport on land, unless the vessel has been issued a tilefish permit, or unless the blueline tilefish were harvested by a vessel without a tilefish permit that fished exclusively in State waters. (2) Possession and landing. (i) Fish for, possess, retain, or land blueline tilefish, unless: (A) The blueline tilefish are being fished for or were harvested in or from the EEZ portion of the area defined at § 648.298(a) by a vessel holding a valid tilefish permit under this part, and the operator on board such vessel has been issued an operator permit that is on board the vessel. (B) The blueline tilefish were harvested by a vessel that has not been issued a tilefish permit and that was fishing exclusively in State waters. PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 (C) The blueline tilefish are being fished for or were harvested in or from the EEZ portion of the area defined at § 648.298(a) in accordance with the possession limits specified at § 648.298(b) or (c). (3) Fish for or possess blueline tilefish inside and outside of the EEZ portion of the area defined at § 648.298(a) on the same trip. (4) Transfer and purchase. (i) Purchase, possess, or receive for a commercial purpose, other than solely for transport on land; or attempt to purchase, possess, or receive for a commercial purpose, other than solely for transport on land; blueline tilefish caught by a vessel without a tilefish permit, unless the blueline tilefish were harvested by a vessel without a tilefish permit that fished exclusively in State waters. (5) Presumption. For purposes of this part, the following presumption applies: All blueline tilefish retained or possessed on a vessel issued any permit under § 648.4 are deemed to have been harvested in or from the EEZ portion of the area defined at § 648.298(a), unless the preponderance of all submitted evidence demonstrates that such tilefish were harvested by a vessel fishing exclusively in State waters. ■ 6. Add § 648.298 to read as follows: § 648.298 Blueline tilefish management measures. (a) Management unit. The regulations in this paragraph apply to vessels or operators of vessels fishing for blueline tilefish in the area of the Atlantic Ocean from the latitude of the VA and NC border (36° 33′ 01.0″ N. Lat.), extending eastward from the shore to the outer boundary of the EEZ and northward to the United States-Canada border. (b) Commercial possession limit. A vessel or operator of a vessel that has been issued a valid Federal commercial tilefish permit under this part may fish for, possess, and/or land up to 300 lb (136 kg) whole weight of blueline tilefish per trip from the area defined in this section. (c) Recreational possession limit. Any person fishing on a vessel who is not fishing under a commercial tilefish vessel permit issued pursuant to § 648.4(a)(12), may land up to seven blueline tilefish per trip from the area defined in this section. [FR Doc. 2015–13407 Filed 6–3–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\04JNR1.SGM 04JNR1
[FR Doc No: 2015-13407]
ACTION: Temporary rule, emergency action.
SUMMARY: This temporary rule implements possession limits for the
blueline tilefish fishery in waters north of the Virginia/North
Carolina border as requested by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management
Council. These emergency management measures are necessary to
temporarily constrain fishing effort on the blueline tilefish stock
while a long-term management plan is developed. The rule is expected to
reduce fishing mortality and help ensure the long-term sustainability
DATES: Effective June 4, 2015, through December 1, 2015, except for the
amendment to the ``Tilefish'' definition in Sec.  648.2, which is
effective June 4, 2015. Comments must be received on or before July 6,
You may submit comments, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2015-0062, by
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2015-0062, click the
Mail: Submit written comments to NMFS, Greater Atlantic
01930. Mark the outside of the envelope ``Comments on Blueline Tilefish
Emergency.''
Blueline tilefish (Caulolatilus microps) are mainly distributed off
the southeastern U.S., and have been managed as part of the South
Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Snapper Grouper Fishery
Management Plan (FMP). The South Atlantic Council developed, and NMFS
has implemented, Amendment 32 to the Snapper Grouper FMP to end
overfishing of blueline tilefish within the South Atlantic Council's
management jurisdiction. Amendment 32 includes reduced commercial and
recreational possession limits (80 FR 16583; March 30, 2015). However,
Amendment 32 measures do not apply to vessels fishing for blueline
tilefish north of the South Atlantic Council's jurisdiction (which
extends as far north as the latitude of the Virginia/North Carolina
In recent years, there has been increasing recreational and
commercial fishing activity for blueline tilefish in the Greater
Atlantic Region, outside the jurisdiction of the South Atlantic
Council's Snapper Grouper FMP. Commercial landings in the Greater
Atlantic Region (Virginia to Maine) averaged 11,000 lb (5 mt) per year
for 2005-2013. Recreational charter/party vessels reported an average
of 2,400 fish per year for 2002-2011. However, commercial landings in
2014 increased to over 217,000 lb (98 mt), and recreational landings
from 2012-2014 increased to 10,000-16,000 fish per year. The rapid
increase in blueline tilefish harvest in the Greater Atlantic Region
represents a risk to the conservation of the species and the long-term
Blueline tilefish north of the Virginia/North Carolina border
warrant precautionary management. Based upon these concerns, on March
10, 2015, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council submitted a
request for Secretarial emergency action under section 305(c) of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act to implement temporary management measures for
blueline tilefish in the Greater Atlantic Region. Additionally, at its
April 2015 meeting, the Mid-Atlantic Council initiated an action to
develop a long-term management approach.
Subsequently, on May 6, 2015, the South Atlantic Council submitted
a new request to the NMFS Southeast Regional Office for emergency
action in the blueline tilefish fishery, based upon the preliminary
findings of its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC). In its
request, the South Atlantic Council states that the most recent stock
assessment for blueline tilefish (SEDAR 32) applied to the blueline
tilefish stock coastwide, and that the assessment represents the best
scientific information available on which to base management measures.
Therefore, the South Atlantic Council requested that the current
blueline tilefish management measures included in its Snapper Grouper
Fishery Management Plan (analyzed as ``Alternative 2'' in the
environmental assessment supporting the temporary rule) be implemented
in the Greater Atlantic Region. The Council further asserts that these
measures, which appear to be more restrictive than those included in
the current temporary rule as requested by the Mid-Atlantic Council,
are needed to end overfishing on the stock.
On May 11, 2015, the Mid-Atlantic Council commented on the South
Atlantic Council's emergency action request in a letter to the Greater
Atlantic Regional Administrator. The Mid-Atlantic Council disagrees
with the South Atlantic Council's interpretation of the results of
SEDAR 32, identifies relevant data that were not included in SEDAR 32,
and argues that the assessment is not applicable to the blueline
tilefish resource in the Greater Atlantic Region.
Based upon the conflicting information received from the two
Councils, there is a need to further evaluate the scientific basis for
the conclusions reached by both Councils in order to decide on the
proper long-term approach. The South Atlantic Council's SSC is meeting
on June 3, 2015, to consider stock projections and fishing level
recommendations. While the more restrictive management measures
recommended by the South Atlantic Council may appear to be warranted,
additional time would be necessary to
fully analyze the impacts of those measures on both the blueline
tilefish resource and the recreational and commercial fisheries that
depend on access to these fish. The additional time needed for this
further review and analysis would prolong addressing the primary,
immediate emergency need of stopping unacceptably high levels of
harvest by the commercial fleet. Both Councils are united by the desire
to immediately put some measures in place in order to constrain the
ability of the commercial fleet to land in New Jersey or other ports
where there are no limits on the landing of blueline tilefish.
The proposed emergency rule to implement the Mid-Atlantic Council's
request will have the practical effect of equaling what appear to be
the more restrictive South Atlantic measures for the commercial
fishery. The commercial fishery is the component that is exerting
substantial pressure on the stock, while the recreational fishery
appears to be having less of an impact. The proposed 300-lb (136-kg)
trip limit will have the practical effect of ending directed commercial
fishing on this stock once the South Atlantic Council's 100-lb (45.4-
kg) trip limit south of Virginia has been reached, or the South
Atlantic Council's commercial fishery has been closed. This is because
it is not economically feasible for vessels to catch a limit of 300 lb
(136 kg) of blueline tilefish off Virginia or Maryland and then steam
all the way to New Jersey to land it. We expect a 300-lb (136-kg) trip
limit to induce fishermen to cease commercially targeting blueline
tilefish. The trip limit allows fishermen targeting other species to
retain limited amounts of incidentally caught blueline tilefish, thus
reducing waste that would occur if no retention was allowed.
Moreover, the proposed recreational limit of seven fish per angler
is consistent with measures in place in Virginia and Maryland. The
recreational component of this fishery is very small compared to the
commercial component and our records indicate that only 12 percent of
anglers catch seven blueline tilefish per day. Implementing the less
restrictive recreational measures mitigates socio-economic impacts on
the recreational fleet without undermining the conservation benefits
coming from the primary focus of this rule which is to stop the
commercial fleet's landing of high levels of blueline tilefish.
These measures are expected to constrain fishing mortality and
reduce the risk of overfishing on blueline tilefish while the Mid-
Atlantic and South Atlantic Councils develop a long-term management
plan for blueline tilefish throughout its range. NMFS will continue to
evaluate all of the available information and determine whether
additional restrictions are needed.
Based upon the recommendation of the Mid-Atlantic Council, we are
implementing the following management measures for blueline tilefish in
the Greater Atlantic Region:
of the Virginia/North Carolina border: 36[deg] 33' 01.0'' N. latitude)
to hold a valid Northeast open access golden tilefish commercial or
regulations for golden tilefish, or any other species. The requirement
to hold a valid Northeast permit will ensure that catch, effort, and
fishing location information for blueline tilefish will be reported
moving forward. This information will be valuable to both Councils as
they further develop long-term approaches for managing blueline
tilefish across its distribution. The duration of this emergency action
is limited by the Magnuson-Stevens Act to an initial period of 180
days, with a potential extension of an additional 186 days.
other applicable law. NMFS has determined that the rapid expansion of
fishing activity for blueline tilefish in the Greater Atlantic Region
justifies the emergency requested by the Mid-Atlantic Council. NMFS
reviewed the Council's request for temporary emergency rulemaking with
respect to section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and NMFS policy
guidance for the use of emergency rules (62 FR 44421, August 21, 1997)
and determined that the Council's request meets both the criteria and
justifications for invoking the emergency rulemaking provisions of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act. The action is needed to address unforeseen rapid
increases in landings and fishing effort for blueline tilefish in the
Greater Atlantic Region. This action is needed to help prevent a
serious conservation problem--fishing potentially resulting in rapidly
increasing catch and the potential for unconstrained fishing mortality.
Finally, the immediate benefits to the blueline tilefish resource
outweigh the value of the advance notice and public comments provided
under the normal rulemaking process, hence, this action is being
implemented as a final temporary rule.
Pursuant to section 553(b)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act,
the Assistant Administrator (AA) for Fisheries, NOAA, finds that it
would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest to provide
for prior notice and opportunity for the public to comment on this
rule. During the 2014 fishing year, it became apparent that unregulated
blueline tilefish landings in the Greater Atlantic Region were
increasing rapidly compared to previous years. The Mid-Atlantic Council
analyzed and discussed the issue, and on February 25, 2015, voted to
request that we implement emergency measures. The emergency request was
submitted to us on March 10, 2015. Since blueline tilefish fishing
activity has typically started in May, and there is a clear need to
establish measures to constrain fishing mortality on the stock in the
Greater Atlantic Region, it would be potentially harmful to the long-
term sustainability of resource to further delay implementation of
these measures through notice-and-comment rulemaking. Given the South
Atlantic Council's concerns about the status of the blueline tilefish
stock, any additional unregulated harvests could increase the risk of
overfishing during the current fishing year. Public comments will be
accepted on this final temporary rule, and there will be multiple
opportunities for public participation and notice-and-comment
rulemaking as the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic Councils develop a
long-term management plans for blueline tilefish in the Greater
Additionally, the AA finds good cause to waive the requirement for
a 30-day delay in effectiveness pursuant to section 553(d) of the
Administrative Procedure Act. For the reasons described above, delaying
the effectiveness of these regulations could undermine the purpose of
this emergency action, to put in place measures to reduce catch during
the 2015 fishing year as a stop-gap measure while both Councils further
develop suitable long-term approaches for sustainable harvest of
Magnuson-Stevens Act and is exempt from OMB review.
a. Add in alphabetical order a definition for ``Blueline tilefish,''
b. Revise the definition of ``Tilefish.''
Tilefish means golden tilefish, Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps,
3. In Sec.  648.4, paragraph (a)(12)(ii) is added to read as follows:
(ii) Blueline tilefish vessels--(A) Commercial. Any vessel of the
United States must have been issued and have on board a valid Federal
commercial tilefish permit to fish for, catch, possess, transport,
land, sell, trade, or barter, any blueline tilefish in excess of the
recreational possession limit as specified under Sec.  648.298(c) from
the EEZ portion of the area defined at Sec.  648.298(a).
(B) Party and charter vessel permits. Any party or charter vessel
must have been issued, under this part, a Federal Charter/Party
tilefish vessel permit to fish for blueline tilefish in the EEZ portion
of the area defined at Sec.  648.298(a), if it carries passengers for
hire. Any person onboard such a vessel must observe the recreational
possession limit as specified at Sec.  648.298(c) and the prohibition
on sale in Sec.  648.14(w)(1)(ii).
4. In Sec.  648.5, add paragraph (a)(1) and reserved paragraph (a)(2)
(1) The operator permit provisions outlined in Sec.  648.5(a)
pertaining to operator permit requirements also apply to the operator
of any vessel fishing for or possessing blueline tilefish harvested in
or from the EEZ portion of the area defined at Sec.  648.298(a).
5. In Sec.  648.14, add paragraph (w) to read as follows:
(w) Blueline tilefish. It is unlawful for any person owning or
operating a vessel to do any of the following:
(1) Permit requirements--(i) Operator permit. Operate a vessel with
a tilefish permit to fish for or possess blueline tilefish in or from
the EEZ portion of the area defined at Sec.  648.298(a), unless the
operator has been issued, and is in possession of, a valid operator
(ii) Vessel permit. Fish for, catch, possess, transport, land,
sell, trade, or barter any blueline tilefish for a commercial purpose,
other than solely for transport on land, unless the vessel has been
issued a tilefish permit, or unless the blueline tilefish were
harvested by a vessel without a tilefish permit that fished exclusively
(2) Possession and landing. (i) Fish for, possess, retain, or land
blueline tilefish, unless:
(A) The blueline tilefish are being fished for or were harvested in
or from the EEZ portion of the area defined at Sec.  648.298(a) by a
vessel holding a valid tilefish permit under this part, and the
operator on board such vessel has been issued an operator permit that
is on board the vessel.
(B) The blueline tilefish were harvested by a vessel that has not
been issued a tilefish permit and that was fishing exclusively in State
(C) The blueline tilefish are being fished for or were harvested in
or from the EEZ portion of the area defined at Sec.  648.298(a) in
accordance with the possession limits specified at Sec.  648.298(b) or
(3) Fish for or possess blueline tilefish inside and outside of the
EEZ portion of the area defined at Sec.  648.298(a) on the same trip.
(4) Transfer and purchase. (i) Purchase, possess, or receive for a
commercial purpose, other than solely for transport on land; or attempt
to purchase, possess, or receive for a commercial purpose, other than
solely for transport on land; blueline tilefish caught by a vessel
without a tilefish permit, unless the blueline tilefish were harvested
by a vessel without a tilefish permit that fished exclusively in State
(5) Presumption. For purposes of this part, the following
presumption applies: All blueline tilefish retained or possessed on a
vessel issued any permit under Sec.  648.4 are deemed to have been
harvested in or from the EEZ portion of the area defined at Sec.
648.298(a), unless the preponderance of all submitted evidence
demonstrates that such tilefish were harvested by a vessel fishing
6. Add Sec.  648.298 to read as follows:
Sec.  648.298  Blueline tilefish management measures.
(a) Management unit. The regulations in this paragraph apply to
vessels or operators of vessels fishing for blueline tilefish in the
area of the Atlantic Ocean from the latitude of the VA and NC border
(36[deg] 33' 01.0'' N. Lat.), extending eastward from the shore to the
outer boundary of the EEZ and northward to the United States-Canada
(b) Commercial possession limit. A vessel or operator of a vessel
that has been issued a valid Federal commercial tilefish permit under
this part may fish for, possess, and/or land up to 300 lb (136 kg)
whole weight of blueline tilefish per trip from the area defined in
(c) Recreational possession limit. Any person fishing on a vessel
who is not fishing under a commercial tilefish vessel permit issued
pursuant to Sec.  648.4(a)(12), may land up to seven blueline tilefish
per trip from the area defined in this section.