Source: https://regulations.justia.com/regulations/fedreg/2013/02/25/2013-04265.html
Timestamp: 2020-08-13 10:43:30
Document Index: 71157265

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 648', 'art 648', 'art 648', 'ART 648', 'art 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', '§ 648', 'art 660', 'art 2']

Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Monkfish Fishery; Emergency Action, 12708-12713 [2013-04265] :: National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration :: Department Of Commerce :: Regulation Tracker :: Justia
Justia Regulation Tracker Department Of Commerce National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Monkfish Fishery; Emergency Action, 12708-12713 [2013-04265]
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Monkfish Fishery; Emergency Action, 12708-12713 [2013-04265]
Download as PDF erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS-1 12708 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 37 / Monday, February 25, 2013 / Proposed Rules the Small Business Administration. As of November 2012, there were approximately 180 vessels with a directed swordfish LAP, 75 vessels with an incidental swordfish LAP, and 77 vessels with a handgear LAP for swordfish. Additionally, there were approximately 71 HMS incidental squid trawl permit holders, which allow vessels in the Illex squid fishery to retain up to 15 incidentally-caught swordfish while trawling for squid. Based on the 2011 swordfish ex-vessel price of $4.44/lb, the 2013 North and South Atlantic swordfish baseline quotas could result in gross revenues of $28,754,470 (2937.6 mt dw (6,476,232 lbs dw) * $4.44/lb) and $734,132 (75.2 mt dw (165,345 lbs dw) * $4.44), respectively, if the quotas were fully utilized. Under the adjusted quotas of 3,559.2 mt dw (7,846,612 lbs dw) for North Atlantic swordfish and 75.2 mt dw (165,345 lbs dw) for South Atlantic swordfish, the gross revenues could be $34,838,957 and $734,132, respectively, for fully utilized quotas. Potential revenues per vessel resulting from full utilization of the adjusted quotas, could be $86,449 for the North Atlantic swordfish fishery and $1,821 for the South Atlantic swordfish fishery, considering a total of 403 swordfish permit holders. These estimates, however, represent an average across all permit types, despite permit differences in retention limits, target species, and geographical range. For North Atlantic swordfish, directed swordfish permit holders would likely experience higher than average per-vessel revenue due to the use of pelagic longlines and the lack of a retention limit per trip. At the other extreme, HMS incidental squid trawl permit holders would likely experience per vessel revenue well below the average due to the low retention limit per trip (15 swordfish) and because these vessels do not target swordfish and only catch them incidentally. For South Atlantic swordfish, only directed swordfish permit holders would be likely to interact with this stock; therefore, potential revenue is higher than the average for these directed swordfish permit holders, and near zero for the other permit types. Additionally, U.S. fishermen rarely catch South Atlantic swordfish. Over the past 5 years, only 0.2 mt dw of South Atlantic swordfish catch has been reported. Because the United States’ commercial swordfish fishery is not expected to catch its entire quota in 2013, these adjustments will not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. As a result, no initial regulatory flexibility analysis is required, and none has been prepared. VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:27 Feb 22, 2013 Jkt 229001 Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: February 15, 2013. Alan D. Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, performing the functions and duties of the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2013–04156 Filed 2–22–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 [Docket No. 121126649–3123–01] RIN 0648–BC79 Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Monkfish Fishery; Emergency Action National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comment. AGENCY: NMFS proposes to implement a temporary emergency action that would suspend existing monkfish possession limits for vessels issued both a Federal limited access Northeast multispecies permit and a limited access monkfish Category C or D permit that are fishing under a Northeast multispecies day-at-sea in the monkfish Northern Fishery Management Area for 180 days beginning on May 1, 2013. This action is necessary to help mitigate expected adverse economic and social harm resulting from substantial reductions to the 2013 annual catch limits for several groundfish stocks managed under the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. The intended effect of this action is to provide additional fishing opportunities to vessels affected by reductions to groundfish catch limits, without resulting in overfishing monkfish within the Northern Fishery Management Area. DATES: Comments must be received by March 12, 2013. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA– NMFS–2012–0240, by any of the following methods: • Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D= NOAA-NMFS-2012-0240, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. • Mail: Submit written comments to John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, National Marine Fisheries Service, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930–2276. Mark the outside of the envelope: ‘‘Comments on Monkfish Emergency Action.’’ • Fax: (978) 281–9135; Attn: Douglas Christel. 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). Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only. NMFS prepared an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA), which is contained in the environmental assessment (EA) prepared for this action and summarized in the Classification section of this proposed rule. Copies of the supporting biological, economic, and social impact analysis for this action is contained in the EA prepared for this rule, and may be found at the following Internet address: http:// www.nero.noaa.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Douglas Christel, Fishery Policy Analyst, (978) 281–9141, fax (978) 281– 9135. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The monkfish fishery is jointly managed by the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. The fishery extends from Maine to North Carolina out to the continental margin. The Councils manage the fishery as two stocks, with the Northern Fishery Management Area (NFMA) covering the Gulf of Maine (GOM) and northern part of Georges Bank (GB), and the Southern Fishery Management Area (SFMA) extending from the southern flank of GB through E:\FR\FM\25FEP1.SGM 25FEP1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 37 / Monday, February 25, 2013 / Proposed Rules the Mid-Atlantic Bight to North Carolina. The monkfish fishery is primarily managed by possession limits, in conjunction with a yearly allocation of monkfish days-at-sea (DAS) calculated to enable vessels participating in the fishery to catch, but not exceed, the target total allowable landings (TAL) limit and the annual catch target (ACT, the TAL plus an estimate of expected discards) in each management area. Both the ACT and the TAL are calculated to maximize yield in the fishery over the long term. Monkfish are often caught while fishing for Northeast (NE) multispecies (i.e., groundfish), particularly in the NFMA. Both monkfish and groundfish are bottom-dwelling species comingling in the same fishing locations and susceptible to gear types used in both fisheries. Because a majority of vessels operating in the NFMA are issued both monkfish and groundfish permits, the two fisheries are closely related, and influence one another in both the nature of fishing operations (which species to target and where to fish) and resulting economic and social impacts of applicable management measures. Recent groundfish stock assessments indicate that substantial reductions in the fishing mortality rate for several groundfish stocks are necessary to prevent overfishing and rebuild overfished stocks, consistent with rebuilding plans required under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). Accordingly, the NEFMC developed Framework Adjustment (FW) 48 to the NE Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP) to specify annual catch limits (ACLs) for several groundfish stocks based upon the updated stock assessments, among other measures. The NEFMC ultimately split FW 48 into two separate actions, with updated ACLs adopted as part of FW 50 at its January 2013 meeting. The proposed ACLs for several stocks, particularly those caught in the GOM and GB, are substantially reduced compared to ACLs specified for fishing year (FY) 2012 (see Table 1). A proposed rule to implement these proposed ACLs, along with other management measures, is expected to be published in the Federal Register shortly. If approved, such ACLs would likely become effective by the start of FY 2013 on May 1, 2013, and may result in substantial adverse economic impacts to vessels participating in the groundfish fishery. To help mitigate the adverse economic impacts of reduced fishing opportunities in the groundfish fishery during FY 2013, at its November 2012 meeting, the NEFMC requested that NMFS implement an emergency action to eliminate monkfish possession limits for groundfish sector vessels fishing under a groundfish DAS in the NFMA, an area that includes the entire GOM and northern portions of GB. 12709 TABLE 1—PROPOSED REDUCTIONS OF 2013 GROUNDFISH ACLS COMPARED TO 2012 ACLS—Continued Reduction of FY 2013 ACL compared to FY 2012 (percent) Groundfish stock GOM haddock ...................... GB yellowtail flounder ........... Cape Cod/GOM yellowtail flounder ............................. American plaice .................... Witch flounder ....................... 71 62 53 57 52 According to the latest monkfish stock assessment conducted in August 2010 (50th Stock Assessment Workshop), monkfish in the NFMA are neither overfished, nor subject to overfishing. Based on this assessment and an evaluation by the NEFMC Scientific and Statistical Committee, the Councils adopted FY 2011–2013 monkfish ACTs and TALs for the NFMA as part of FW 7 to the Monkfish FMP (October 26, 2011; 76 FR 66192). These catch limits were set below the overfishing level for NFMA monkfish to account for both scientific and management uncertainty, and to minimize the risk that TABLE 1—PROPOSED REDUCTIONS OF overfishing will occur. In recent years, 2013 GROUNDFISH ACLS COM- monkfish landings have fallen short of monkfish target total allowable catch PARED TO 2012 ACLS amounts specified for the NFMA (see Table 2), with FY 2012 landings levels Reduction of FY 2013 ACL also projected to be below the TAL. As Groundfish stock compared to a result, monkfish landings could be FY 2012 increased as a means of providing (percent) additional fishing opportunities for GB cod .................................. 55 groundfish vessels, with little risk of GOM cod .............................. 77 overfishing NFMA monkfish. TABLE 2—RECENT NFMA MONKFISH LANDINGS COMPARED TO ASSOCIATED TARGET TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH AMOUNTS FOR EACH YEAR Target total allowable catch (mt) Fishing year 2008 2009 2010 2011 ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS-1 Justification for Emergency Action Section 305(c) of the MagnusonStevens Act authorizes the Secretary to promulgate emergency regulations to address an emergency for any fishery. NMFS policy guidelines for determining whether an emergency rule is justified were published on August 21, 1997 (62 FR 44421). The guidelines state that the implementation of an emergency action VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:27 Feb 22, 2013 Jkt 229001 should be limited to special circumstances where substantial harm or disruption of the resource, fishery, or community would be caused in the time it would take to follow standard rulemaking procedures. The emergency action guidelines define the existence of an emergency as a situation that: ‘‘(1) Results from recent, unforeseen events or recently discovered circumstances; PO 00000 Frm 00077 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,854 Amount landed (mt) 3,528 3,344 2,834 3,699 Percent of target total allowable catch landed 71 67 57 63 and (2) presents serious conservation or management problems in the fishery; and (3) if the opportunity for prior public notice and comment is being waived, can be addressed through emergency regulations for which the immediate benefits outweigh the value of advance notice, public comment, and deliberative consideration of the impacts on participants to the same E:\FR\FM\25FEP1.SGM 25FEP1 12710 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 37 / Monday, February 25, 2013 / Proposed Rules extent as would be expected under the normal rulemaking process.’’ The justifications described in the guidelines include the prevention of significant direct economic loss, or to preserve a significant economic opportunity that otherwise might be foregone, and the prevention of significant community impacts. This action meets the first two guidelines; the third guideline is not relevant because the opportunity for prior public comment is not being waived. As discussed more thoroughly in the EA developed to support this action (see ADDRESSES), the combined effect of several issues facing the groundfish fishery for FY 2013 present recently discovered circumstances that would likely cause serious management problems and result in substantial economic and social harm for the groundfish and monkfish fisheries and associated communities. These issues include a series of recent groundfish stock assessment updates indicating the poor condition of some stocks and the need to reduce fishing mortality for these stocks starting in FY 2013, a late decision by the NEFMC to adopt substantially lower groundfish ACLs for certain stocks for FY 2013 as part of FW 48B to the NE Multispecies FMP, and the lack of time to develop additional measures to mitigate the economic and social impacts of reduced FY 2013 groundfish ACLs through the conventional fishery management council management process. These issues can, at least in part, be addressed through an emergency action to suspend existing monkfish possession limits for vessels issued both a limited access groundfish and monkfish permit in the NFMA. An emergency action would provide additional fishing opportunities to help mitigate expected substantial adverse economic and social harm resulting from reduced groundfish ACLs in FY 2013, without significantly increasing the risk of overfishing monkfish in the NFMA. These measures can be developed and implemented by NMFS more swiftly than a Council action that is subject to procedural and other requirements not applicable to NMFS. Implementing such measures under emergency action would help to preserve an economic opportunity that otherwise might be foregone if the NEFMC attempted to implement such measures under the normal, slower Council process. Although some of the groundfish stock assessments were completed earlier in 2012, final ACLs were not formally adopted by the NEFMC until January 2013 following the completion of the stock assessment update for GOM and GB cod in December 2012. Thus, the full scope of potential adverse economic impacts for FY 2013 was not realized until very recently. Therefore, the potential impact of the proposed reductions in groundfish ACLs for several groundfish stocks combined represents recently discovered circumstances that could result in substantial harm to the groundfish fishery and associated fishing communities. Further, because the NEFMC needed to prioritize adopting ACLs before the start of FY 2013, there was not enough time to fully develop measures that would help mitigate expected economic impacts of reduced ACLs in FY 2013 as part of FW 48B. Accordingly, NMFS finds that this proposed emergency action, as further described below, is consistent with section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and NMFS guidance regarding the use of emergency actions. Proposed Management Measures Pursuant to section 305(c)(3) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the management measures proposed in this rule would remain in effect for 180 days, and are likely to be extended an additional 185 days, as allowed by this section of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, unless new information indicates that the NFMA monkfish TAL for FY 2013. If extended, these measures would be effective for the duration of FY 2013 (through April 30, 2014). 1. Monkfish Possession Limits in the NFMA This emergency action would suspend existing monkfish possession limits for vessels issued a Federal limited access monkfish Category C or D permit (i.e., those also issued a Federal limited access NE multispecies permit) that are fishing under a groundfish DAS or both a groundfish and monkfish DAS in the NFMA during FY 2013. Vessels would still be required to declare a trip under a groundfish or monkfish DAS at the dock prior to starting a trip in order to be exempt from the monkfish possession limits; a vessel that does not declare a trip under a groundfish or monkfish DAS at the dock prior to starting a trip would not be exempt from the monkfish possession limits under this action. Existing monkfish possession limits for vessels issued a limited access monkfish Category A or B permit and fishing under only a monkfish DAS, or vessels issued an open access monkfish Category E permit (i.e., vessels that catch monkfish while targeting other fisheries) would remain the same, as specified in Table 3. In addition, the overfishing level, acceptable biological catch level, ACL, ACT, and TAL would remain as 19,557 mt, 7,592 mt, 6,567 mt, and 5,854 mt, respectively, as implemented in either Amendment 5 (May 25, 2011; 76 FR 30265) or FW 7 to the Monkfish FMP. TABLE 3—PROPOSED MONKFISH POSSESSION LIMITS IN THE NFMA FOR 2013 DAS type Monkfish permit category Possession limit (tail weight) Non-sector (Common Pool) ...... No DAS ............................ A, B, or E ......................... Monk ................................ NE Mults A ....................... erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS-1 Sector participation status A ....................................... B ....................................... E ....................................... DAS only .......................... NE Mults A & Monk DAS Non-DAS .......................... C or D .............................. C or D .............................. E ....................................... NE Mults A ....................... E ....................................... DAS only .......................... NE Mults A & Monk DAS C or D .............................. C or D .............................. Up to 5% of total weight of fish onboard; or 50 lb (23 kg) per day, up to 150 lb (68 kg) per trip based on gear used. 1,250 lb (567 kg)/DAS. 600 lb (272 kg)/DAS. Up to 25% of total weight of fish onboard, not to exceed 300 lb (136 kg). Unlimited. Unlimited. Up to 5% of total weight of fish onboard; or 50 lb (23 kg) per day, up to 150 lb (68 kg) per trip based on gear used. Up to 25% of total weight of fish onboard, not to exceed 300 lb (136 kg). Unlimited. Unlimited. Sector ........................................ VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:27 Feb 22, 2013 Jkt 229001 PO 00000 Frm 00078 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\25FEP1.SGM 25FEP1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 37 / Monday, February 25, 2013 / Proposed Rules erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS-1 These proposed measures differ from those requested by the NEFMC in that the suspension of existing monkfish possession limits would apply to both sector and non-sector vessels instead of just sector vessels. Suspending monkfish possession limits for both sector and non-sector groundfish vessels is proposed as being necessary to ensure that the proposed measures fairly and equitably allocate fishing privileges among affected entities, consistent with National Standard 4 of the MagnusonStevens Act. This emergency action would not apply to vessels issued a limited access monkfish Category A or B permit, because they are not issued a limited access groundfish permit and are not directly affected by reductions to groundfish ACLs during FY 2013, or to those issued a Category H permit, because they cannot fish within the NFMA. We expect these proposed measures to more closely achieve, but not exceed, the FY 2013 TAL for monkfish in the NFMA. Using recent landings patterns by limited access monkfish Category C and D vessels, we expect that the proposed measures would result in monkfish landings of approximately 5,430 mt during FY 2013, or 93 percent of the FY 2013 monkfish TAL in the NFMA. This represents an increase of 608,530 lb (276,024 kg) of monkfish landings compared to landings expected under the current possession limits. If fishing patterns shift as a result of these proposed measures, and such a shift results in increased targeting of monkfish, there is a risk that monkfish landings from the NFMA could exceed the FY 2013 TAL. 2. Regional Administrator Authority to Reinstate Existing Monkfish Possession Limits This action proposes to authorize the Regional Administrator to reinstate monkfish possession limits for limited access monkfish Category C and D vessels fishing under a groundfish DAS or both a monkfish and groundfish DAS in the NFMA at any time within 180 days following the implementation of this action if available data indicate that the NFMA monkfish TAL or ACT may be exceeded during FY 2013. Further, NMFS may modify or not extend this action after the initial 180 days. This is necessary to ensure that unexpected changes in fishing behavior in response to this emergency action do not cause monkfish landings or catch, when discards are included, to exceed the FY 2013 NFMA monkfish TAL or ACT, respectively, and result in overfishing for NFMA monkfish. If necessary, NMFS shall reinstate monkfish VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:27 Feb 22, 2013 Jkt 229001 possession limits in the NFMA consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. Request for Comments The public is invited to comment on any of the measures proposed in this rule. NMFS is especially interested in receiving comments on the likelihood that these measures may result in changes to recent fishing behavior, including whether more groundfish DAS would be used in FY 2013, and whether vessels would use groundfish DAS to specifically target monkfish. Classification At this time, the NMFS Assistant Administrator has made a preliminary determination that the emergency measures that this proposed rule would implement are consistent with the Monkfish FMP, provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, agency guidelines on emergency rules, and other applicable laws. NMFS, in making a final determination, will take into account the data, views, and comments received during the comment period. This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for the purposes of Executive Order (E.O.) 12866. This proposed rule does not contain policies with Federalism or takings implications as those terms are defined in E.O. 13132 and E.O. 12630, respectively. NMFS prepared an IRFA as required by section 603 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA). The IRFA describes the economic impact this proposed rule, if adopted, would have on small entities. A description of the action, why it is being considered, and the legal basis for this action are contained in the preamble to this proposed rule and in the background, purpose, and need discussion (Section 2.0) of the EA prepared for this action. This proposed action does not contain any new recordkeeping or reporting requirements, and does not impose any additional costs to affected vessels. As described above, this action is necessary to help mitigate substantial economic and social impacts to the groundfish fishery and associated fishing communities resulting from substantially reduced ACLs for several groundfish stocks during FY 2013. This action would suspend existing monkfish possession limits for vessels issued a Federal limited access monkfish Category C or D permit fishing under either a monkfish or groundfish DAS in the NFMA. The objective of this emergency action is to increase monkfish fishing opportunities and PO 00000 Frm 00079 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 12711 associated revenue for affected groundfish vessels. The proposed measures are expected to facilitate an increase in NFMA monkfish landings during FY 2013, while minimizing the risk of overfishing monkfish in the NFMA. NMFS fully analyzed and considered three principal alternatives, including the No Action Alternative, Alternative 1, and the proposed action. The No Action Alternative would have retained the existing monkfish possession limits, while Alternative 1 would have suspended monkfish possession limits for vessels issued a Federal limited access monkfish Category C or D permit when fishing under both a monkfish and groundfish DAS in the NFMA. NMFS also considered, but did not fully analyze, several additional alternatives that were rejected because they were beyond the scope of the purpose and need for this action. The proposed action, Alternative 2 in the EA developed for this action, would likely result in the greatest economic benefit to affected entities among the alternatives considered, as described further below. For a more complete description of the alternatives considered in this action, refer to the EA prepared for this action (see ADDRESSES). The economic value of monkfish landings depends upon the market category landed due to price variation among the various monkfish market categories. To more effectively compare the economic impacts among alternatives considered in this action, expected revenues associated with each alternative are estimated using the average price of monkfish landed when all landings of all market categories are converted to live weight equivalents using established conversion factors. It is important to recognize that realized revenues during FY 2013 will change in proportion to any deviation from the average price reported during the first part of FY 2012 ($1.22 per lb ($2.69 per kg)), as well as the amount of each monkfish market category that is landed. Description of and Estimate of the Number of Small Entities to Which the Proposed Rule Would Apply The preferred alternative would affect any vessel issued a valid Federal limited access monkfish Category C or D permit that fishes under a monkfish or groundfish DAS in the NFMA. All of the vessels affected by this action are considered small entities under the Small Business Administration size standards for small fishing businesses ($4.0 million in gross sales). Therefore, there are no disproportionate impacts E:\FR\FM\25FEP1.SGM 25FEP1 12712 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 37 / Monday, February 25, 2013 / Proposed Rules erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS-1 between small and large entities associated with this proposed action. Available data are not adequate to identify affiliated vessels, so each operating unit (vessel) is considered a small entity for purposes of the RFA. For a more detailed description of the affected entities, refer to the EA prepared for this action (see ADDRESSES). As of December 7, 2012, 2,212 vessels were issued a Federal monkfish permit, of which 558 were issued limited access monkfish Category C or D permits during FY 2012. However, only a fraction of these vessels will likely actually fish in the NFMA during FY 2013. During FY 2008, 400 Category C or D vessels fished in the NFMA out of a total of 690 vessels that were issued a limited access monkfish Category C or D permit (58 percent). During FY 2011, a total of 189 monkfish Category C or D vessels fished exclusively in the NFMA, or in both the NFMA and SFMA during the same trip, out of 586 permits issued (32 percent). Assuming more recent fishing activity is a better predictor of fishing operations during FY 2013, it is expected that between 175–200 vessels would be affected by this action. The average size and horsepower of vessels affected by this action is 60 ft (18 m) and 540 horsepower. Because over 80 percent of NFMA monkfish landings in recent years were landed by trawl vessels, trawl vessels would be most affected by this action. Economic Impacts of the Proposed Action Assuming that higher monkfish landings do not depress monkfish exvessel prices during FY 2013, the proposed action is expected to provide opportunities for increased fishing revenue for affected vessels. The maximum potential revenue that could be realized from the proposed action would be approximately $15.7 million for monkfish landings alone. This assumes that the entire NFMA monkfish TAL (5,854 mt, or 12.9 million lb) would be landed during FY 2013 at the average monkfish price observed during FY 2012 ($1.22 per lb ($2.69 per kg) when landings are converted to live weight equivalents). Realized revenues from the proposed action are estimated to be approximately $14.6 million from monkfish landings alone during FY 2013 based on a projection of monkfish landings and using the average monkfish price observed to date during FY 2012 ($1.22 per lb ($2.69 per kg) live weight equivalent). That projection estimated that the proposed action would increase monkfish landings by approximately VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:27 Feb 22, 2013 Jkt 229001 608,000 lb (275,737 kg) compared to the No Action Alternative. The proposed action would increase monkfish fishing revenue by $742,000 compared to the No Action Alternative, while it would increase monkfish revenue by $568,000 compared to Alternative 1. Additional fishing revenue would also be expected based on landings of other species. Measures that restrict fishing effort in the groundfish fishery will likely be the primary factor affecting how much additional monkfish fishing revenue would be realized from the proposed action. As noted above, substantial reductions in the FY 2013 ACLs for several groundfish stocks are proposed as part of FW 48 to the NE Multispecies FMP. It is likely that these substantiallyreduced groundfish ACLs could cause groundfish vessels to fully harvest their groundfish allocations (sector annual catch entitlements (ACE), or non-sector trimester total allowable catch (TAC) amounts) before the end of FY 2013, triggering reactive accountability measures that would cease groundfish fishing operations temporarily, or for the duration of FY 2013. This would prevent the monkfish and groundfish fisheries from fully realizing the potential economic benefits of suspending monkfish possession limits for vessels fishing under a monkfish or groundfish DAS in the NFMA. If groundfish vessels can avoid exceeding their sector ACE or non-sector trimester TACs, then monkfish landings will likely more closely approach the FY 2013 NFMA monkfish TAL and ACT, resulting in greater economic benefits to affected vessels. List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 648 Fisheries, Fishing, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Dated: February 19, 2013. Alan D. Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, performing the functions and duties of the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. For the reasons stated in the preamble, 50 CFR part 648 is proposed to be 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. In § 648.94, suspend paragraphs (b)(1)(i), (b)(1)(ii), and (b)(3)(i); and add paragraphs (b)(1)(iii) through (v), (b)(3)(iv), and (h) to read as follows: ■ PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 § 648.94 Monkfish possession and landing restrictions. * * * * * (b) * * * (1) * * * (iii) Category A vessels. A limited access monkfish Category A vessel that fishes under a monkfish DAS exclusively in the NFMA may land up to 1,250 lb (567 kg) tail weight or 3,638 lb (1,650 kg) whole weight of monkfish per DAS (or any prorated combination of tail weight and whole weight based on the conversion factor for tail weight to whole weight of 2.91). For every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of tail only weight landed, the vessel may land up to 1.91 lb (0.87 kg) of monkfish heads only, as described in paragraph (a) of this section. (iv) Category B vessels. A limited access monkfish Category B vessel that fishes under a monkfish DAS exclusively in the NFMA may land up to 600 lb (272 kg) tail weight or 1,746 lb (792 kg) whole weight of monkfish (gutted) per DAS (or any prorated combination of tail weight and whole weight based on the conversion factor for tail weight to whole weight of 2.91). For every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of tail only weight landed, the vessel may land up to 1.91 lb (0.87 kg) of monkfish heads only, as described in paragraph (a) of this section. (v) Category C and D vessels. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to paragraph (h) of this section, there is no monkfish trip limit for limited access monkfish Category C or D vessels that are fishing under a monkfish DAS exclusively in the NFMA. * * * * * (3) * * * (iv) NFMA—(A) Category C and D vessels. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to paragraph (h) of this section, there is no monkfish trip limit for limited access monkfish Category C or D vessels that are fishing under a NE multispecies DAS exclusively in the NFMA. (B) Category F vessels. A limited access monkfish Category F vessel that is fishing under a NE multispecies DAS, and not a monkfish DAS, exclusively in the NFMA is subject to the incidental catch limit specified in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section. (C) Vessels participating in the NE Multispecies Regular B DAS Program. Category C, D, F, G, and H vessels participating in the NE Multispecies Regular B DAS Program, as specified under § 648.85(b)(6), are subject to the incidental catch limit specified in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section. * * * * * (h) Regional Administrator authority to reinstate monkfish possession limits. E:\FR\FM\25FEP1.SGM 25FEP1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 37 / Monday, February 25, 2013 / Proposed Rules Based upon available information, if the Regional Administrator projects that monkfish landings on trips that fished in the NFMA may exceed the fishing year 2013 target total allowable landing limit of 5,854 mt or, when combined with an estimate of discards, the 6,567 mt annual catch target, before the end of fishing year 2013 on April 30, 2014, the Regional Administrator shall reinstate monkfish possession limits for Category C and D vessels in a manner consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. If monkfish possession limits are reinstated pursuant to this paragraph (h), Category C vessels shall be subject to the possession limits specified in paragraphs (b)(1)(iii) and (c)(1)(i) of this section, while Category D vessels shall be subject to the possession limits specified in paragraphs (b)(1)(iv) and (c)(1)(i) of this section. [FR Doc. 2013–04265 Filed 2–22–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 660 RIN 0648–XC469 Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings and Hearings National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of opportunities to submit public comments. AGENCY: The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) has announced its annual preseason management process for the 2013 ocean salmon fisheries. This notice informs the public of opportunities to provide comments on the 2013 ocean salmon management measures which will publish as a final rule and be effective May 1, 2013. DATES: Written comments on the salmon management alternatives adopted by the Pacific Council at its March 2013 meeting, and described in Preseason Report II, submitted electronically or in erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS-1 SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:27 Feb 22, 2013 Jkt 229001 hard copy by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time, March 31, 2013 will be considered in the Pacific Council’s final recommendation for the 2013 management measures. ADDRESSES: Documents will be available from Mr. Dan Wolford, Chairman, Pacific Fishery Management Council, 7700 NE Ambassador Place, Suite 101, Portland, OR 97220–1384, telephone: 503–820–2280 (voice) or 503–820–2299 (fax), and posted on the Pacific Council web site at http://www.pcouncil.org. You may submit comments, identified by NOAA–NMFS–2012–0248, by any one of the following methods: • Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to http://www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-20120248, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. • Mail: Mr. Dan Wolford, Chairman, Pacific Fishery Management Council, 7700 NE Ambassador Place, Suite 101, Portland, OR 97220–1384. • Fax: 503–820–2299, Attn: Mr. Mike Burner. • Comments can also be submitted via email at PFMC.comments@noaa.gov. Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual may not be considered by NMFS or the Pacific Council. 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 and the Pacific Council will accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mike Burner, telephone: 503–820–2280. For information on submitting comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking portal, contact Peggy Mundy, telephone: 206–526–4323. PO 00000 Frm 00081 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 9990 12713 The Pacific Council has published its annual notice of availability of reports; public meetings, and hearings for the 2013 ocean salmon fisheries (77 FR 73987, December 12, 2012). The Pacific Council will adopt alternatives for 2013 ocean salmon fisheries at its meeting, March 6–11, 2013 at the Hotel Murano in Tacoma, Washington. Details of this meeting are available on the Pacific Council’s Web site (www.pcouncil.org) and will be published in the Federal Register in February 2013. On March 20, 2013, ‘‘Preseason Report II-Proposed Alternatives and Environmental Assessment Part 2 for 2013 Ocean Salmon Fishery Regulations’’ and public hearing schedule will be mailed to the public that have requested to receive these documents (see ADDRESSES) and posted on the Pacific Council Web site at http://www.pcouncil.org. The report will include a description of the salmon management alternatives and a summary of their biological and economic impacts. Comments on the alternatives the Pacific Council adopts at its March 2013 meeting, and described in Preseason Report II, may be submitted in writing or electronically as described under Addresses, above, or verbally or in writing at any of the public hearings held on March 25–26, 2013, or at the Pacific Council’s meeting, April 5–11, 2013, at the Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel in Portland, Oregon. Written and electronically submitted comments must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time, March 31, 2013 in order to be included in the briefing book for the April Council meeting where they will be considered in the adoption of the Pacific Council’s final recommendation for the 2013 salmon fishery management measures. All comments received accordingly will be reviewed and considered by the Pacific Council and NMFS. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et. seq. Dated: February 20, 2013. Kara Meckley, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2013–04264 Filed 2–22–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\25FEP1.SGM 25FEP1
[Pages 12708-12713]
[FR Doc No: 2013-04265]
[Docket No. 121126649-3123-01]
SUMMARY: NMFS proposes to implement a temporary emergency action that
would suspend existing monkfish possession limits for vessels issued
both a Federal limited access Northeast multispecies permit and a
limited access monkfish Category C or D permit that are fishing under a
Northeast multispecies day-at-sea in the monkfish Northern Fishery
Management Area for 180 days beginning on May 1, 2013. This action is
necessary to help mitigate expected adverse economic and social harm
resulting from substantial reductions to the 2013 annual catch limits
for several groundfish stocks managed under the Northeast Multispecies
Fishery Management Plan. The intended effect of this action is to
provide additional fishing opportunities to vessels affected by
reductions to groundfish catch limits, without resulting in overfishing
monkfish within the Northern Fishery Management Area.
DATES: Comments must be received by March 12, 2013.
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D= NOAA-NMFS-2012-0240, click the
NMFS prepared an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA),
which is contained in the environmental assessment (EA) prepared for
this action and summarized in the Classification section of this
proposed rule. Copies of the supporting biological, economic, and
social impact analysis for this action is contained in the EA prepared
for this rule, and may be found at the following Internet address:
The monkfish fishery is jointly managed by the New England Fishery
Management Council (NEFMC) and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management
Council. The fishery extends from Maine to North Carolina out to the
continental margin. The Councils manage the fishery as two stocks, with
the Northern Fishery Management Area (NFMA) covering the Gulf of Maine
(GOM) and northern part of Georges Bank (GB), and the Southern Fishery
Management Area (SFMA) extending from the southern flank of GB through
the Mid-Atlantic Bight to North Carolina. The monkfish fishery is
primarily managed by possession limits, in conjunction with a yearly
allocation of monkfish days-at-sea (DAS) calculated to enable vessels
allowable landings (TAL) limit and the annual catch target (ACT, the
TAL plus an estimate of expected discards) in each management area.
multispecies (i.e., groundfish), particularly in the NFMA. Both
monkfish and groundfish are bottom-dwelling species comingling in the
same fishing locations and susceptible to gear types used in both
fisheries. Because a majority of vessels operating in the NFMA are
issued both monkfish and groundfish permits, the two fisheries are
closely related, and influence one another in both the nature of
fishing operations (which species to target and where to fish) and
resulting economic and social impacts of applicable management
Recent groundfish stock assessments indicate that substantial
reductions in the fishing mortality rate for several groundfish stocks
are necessary to prevent overfishing and rebuild overfished stocks,
consistent with rebuilding plans required under the Magnuson-Stevens
Accordingly, the NEFMC developed Framework Adjustment (FW) 48 to the NE
Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP) to specify annual catch
limits (ACLs) for several groundfish stocks based upon the updated
stock assessments, among other measures. The NEFMC ultimately split FW
48 into two separate actions, with updated ACLs adopted as part of FW
50 at its January 2013 meeting. The proposed ACLs for several stocks,
particularly those caught in the GOM and GB, are substantially reduced
compared to ACLs specified for fishing year (FY) 2012 (see Table 1). A
proposed rule to implement these proposed ACLs, along with other
management measures, is expected to be published in the Federal
Register shortly. If approved, such ACLs would likely become effective
by the start of FY 2013 on May 1, 2013, and may result in substantial
adverse economic impacts to vessels participating in the groundfish
fishery. To help mitigate the adverse economic impacts of reduced
fishing opportunities in the groundfish fishery during FY 2013, at its
November 2012 meeting, the NEFMC requested that NMFS implement an
emergency action to eliminate monkfish possession limits for groundfish
sector vessels fishing under a groundfish DAS in the NFMA, an area that
includes the entire GOM and northern portions of GB.
Table 1--Proposed Reductions of 2013 Groundfish ACLs Compared to 2012
FY 2013 ACL
Groundfish stock                      compared to FY
GB cod..................................................              55
GOM cod.................................................              77
GOM haddock.............................................              71
GB yellowtail flounder..................................              62
Cape Cod/GOM yellowtail flounder........................              53
American plaice.........................................              57
Witch flounder..........................................              52
According to the latest monkfish stock assessment conducted in
August 2010 (50th Stock Assessment Workshop), monkfish in the NFMA are
neither overfished, nor subject to overfishing. Based on this
assessment and an evaluation by the NEFMC Scientific and Statistical
Committee, the Councils adopted FY 2011-2013 monkfish ACTs and TALs for
the NFMA as part of FW 7 to the Monkfish FMP (October 26, 2011; 76 FR
66192). These catch limits were set below the overfishing level for
NFMA monkfish to account for both scientific and management
uncertainty, and to minimize the risk that overfishing will occur. In
recent years, monkfish landings have fallen short of monkfish target
total allowable catch amounts specified for the NFMA (see Table 2),
with FY 2012 landings levels also projected to be below the TAL. As a
result, monkfish landings could be increased as a means of providing
additional fishing opportunities for groundfish vessels, with little
risk of overfishing NFMA monkfish.
Table 2--Recent NFMA Monkfish Landings Compared to Associated Target Total Allowable Catch Amounts for Each Year
Target total   Amount  landed   target total
Fishing year                               allowable         (mt)          allowable
catch (mt)                     catch landed
2008............................................................           5,000           3,528              71
2009............................................................           5,000           3,344              67
2010............................................................           5,000           2,834              57
2011............................................................           5,854           3,699              63
Section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act authorizes the Secretary
to promulgate emergency regulations to address an emergency for any
fishery. NMFS policy guidelines for determining whether an emergency
rule is justified were published on August 21, 1997 (62 FR 44421). The
guidelines state that the implementation of an emergency action should
be limited to special circumstances where substantial harm or
disruption of the resource, fishery, or community would be caused in
the time it would take to follow standard rulemaking procedures. The
emergency action guidelines define the existence of an emergency as a
situation that: ``(1) Results from recent, unforeseen events or
recently discovered circumstances; and (2) presents serious
conservation or management problems in the fishery; and (3) if the
opportunity for prior public notice and comment is being waived, can be
extent as would be expected under the normal rulemaking process.'' The
justifications described in the guidelines include the prevention of
significant direct economic loss, or to preserve a significant economic
opportunity that otherwise might be foregone, and the prevention of
significant community impacts. This action meets the first two
guidelines; the third guideline is not relevant because the opportunity
for prior public comment is not being waived.
As discussed more thoroughly in the EA developed to support this
action (see ADDRESSES), the combined effect of several issues facing
the groundfish fishery for FY 2013 present recently discovered
circumstances that would likely cause serious management problems and
result in substantial economic and social harm for the groundfish and
monkfish fisheries and associated communities. These issues include a
series of recent groundfish stock assessment updates indicating the
poor condition of some stocks and the need to reduce fishing mortality
for these stocks starting in FY 2013, a late decision by the NEFMC to
adopt substantially lower groundfish ACLs for certain stocks for FY
2013 as part of FW 48B to the NE Multispecies FMP, and the lack of time
to develop additional measures to mitigate the economic and social
impacts of reduced FY 2013 groundfish ACLs through the conventional
fishery management council management process. These issues can, at
least in part, be addressed through an emergency action to suspend
existing monkfish possession limits for vessels issued both a limited
access groundfish and monkfish permit in the NFMA.
An emergency action would provide additional fishing opportunities
to help mitigate expected substantial adverse economic and social harm
resulting from reduced groundfish ACLs in FY 2013, without
significantly increasing the risk of overfishing monkfish in the NFMA.
These measures can be developed and implemented by NMFS more swiftly
than a Council action that is subject to procedural and other
requirements not applicable to NMFS. Implementing such measures under
emergency action would help to preserve an economic opportunity that
otherwise might be foregone if the NEFMC attempted to implement such
measures under the normal, slower Council process. Although some of the
groundfish stock assessments were completed earlier in 2012, final ACLs
were not formally adopted by the NEFMC until January 2013 following the
completion of the stock assessment update for GOM and GB cod in
December 2012. Thus, the full scope of potential adverse economic
impacts for FY 2013 was not realized until very recently. Therefore,
the potential impact of the proposed reductions in groundfish ACLs for
several groundfish stocks combined represents recently discovered
circumstances that could result in substantial harm to the groundfish
fishery and associated fishing communities. Further, because the NEFMC
needed to prioritize adopting ACLs before the start of FY 2013, there
was not enough time to fully develop measures that would help mitigate
expected economic impacts of reduced ACLs in FY 2013 as part of FW 48B.
Accordingly, NMFS finds that this proposed emergency action, as further
described below, is consistent with section 305(c) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act and NMFS guidance regarding the use of emergency actions.
Pursuant to section 305(c)(3) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the
management measures proposed in this rule would remain in effect for
180 days, and are likely to be extended an additional 185 days, as
allowed by this section of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, unless new
information indicates that the NFMA monkfish TAL for FY 2013. If
extended, these measures would be effective for the duration of FY 2013
(through April 30, 2014).
This emergency action would suspend existing monkfish possession
limits for vessels issued a Federal limited access monkfish Category C
or D permit (i.e., those also issued a Federal limited access NE
multispecies permit) that are fishing under a groundfish DAS or both a
groundfish and monkfish DAS in the NFMA during FY 2013. Vessels would
still be required to declare a trip under a groundfish or monkfish DAS
at the dock prior to starting a trip in order to be exempt from the
monkfish possession limits; a vessel that does not declare a trip under
a groundfish or monkfish DAS at the dock prior to starting a trip would
not be exempt from the monkfish possession limits under this action.
Existing monkfish possession limits for vessels issued a limited access
monkfish Category A or B permit and fishing under only a monkfish DAS,
or vessels issued an open access monkfish Category E permit (i.e.,
vessels that catch monkfish while targeting other fisheries) would
remain the same, as specified in Table 3. In addition, the overfishing
level, acceptable biological catch level, ACL, ACT, and TAL would
remain as 19,557 mt, 7,592 mt, 6,567 mt, and 5,854 mt, respectively, as
Table 3--Proposed Monkfish Possession Limits in the NFMA for 2013
Monkfish permit        Possession limit (tail
Sector participation status             DAS type                category                   weight)
Non-sector (Common Pool)...........  No DAS................  A, B, or E............  Up to 5% of total weight of
NE Mults A............  E.....................  Up to 25% of total weight
DAS only..............  C or D................  Unlimited.
Sector.............................  Non-DAS...............  E.....................  Up to 5% of total weight of
These proposed measures differ from those requested by the NEFMC in
that the suspension of existing monkfish possession limits would apply
to both sector and non-sector vessels instead of just sector vessels.
Suspending monkfish possession limits for both sector and non-sector
groundfish vessels is proposed as being necessary to ensure that the
proposed measures fairly and equitably allocate fishing privileges
among affected entities, consistent with National Standard 4 of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act. This emergency action would not apply to vessels
issued a limited access monkfish Category A or B permit, because they
are not issued a limited access groundfish permit and are not directly
affected by reductions to groundfish ACLs during FY 2013, or to those
issued a Category H permit, because they cannot fish within the NFMA.
We expect these proposed measures to more closely achieve, but not
exceed, the FY 2013 TAL for monkfish in the NFMA. Using recent landings
patterns by limited access monkfish Category C and D vessels, we expect
that the proposed measures would result in monkfish landings of
approximately 5,430 mt during FY 2013, or 93 percent of the FY 2013
monkfish TAL in the NFMA. This represents an increase of 608,530 lb
(276,024 kg) of monkfish landings compared to landings expected under
the current possession limits. If fishing patterns shift as a result of
these proposed measures, and such a shift results in increased
targeting of monkfish, there is a risk that monkfish landings from the
NFMA could exceed the FY 2013 TAL.
This action proposes to authorize the Regional Administrator to
reinstate monkfish possession limits for limited access monkfish
Category C and D vessels fishing under a groundfish DAS or both a
monkfish and groundfish DAS in the NFMA at any time within 180 days
following the implementation of this action if available data indicate
that the NFMA monkfish TAL or ACT may be exceeded during FY 2013.
Further, NMFS may modify or not extend this action after the initial
180 days. This is necessary to ensure that unexpected changes in
fishing behavior in response to this emergency action do not cause
monkfish landings or catch, when discards are included, to exceed the
FY 2013 NFMA monkfish TAL or ACT, respectively, and result in
overfishing for NFMA monkfish. If necessary, NMFS shall reinstate
monkfish possession limits in the NFMA consistent with the
this rule. NMFS is especially interested in receiving comments on the
likelihood that these measures may result in changes to recent fishing
behavior, including whether more groundfish DAS would be used in FY
2013, and whether vessels would use groundfish DAS to specifically
target monkfish.
At this time, the NMFS Assistant Administrator has made a
preliminary determination that the emergency measures that this
proposed rule would implement are consistent with the Monkfish FMP,
provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, agency guidelines on emergency
rules, and other applicable laws. NMFS, in making a final
determination, will take into account the data, views, and comments
received during the comment period.
background, purpose, and need discussion (Section 2.0) of the EA
prepared for this action. This proposed action does not contain any new
recordkeeping or reporting requirements, and does not impose any
additional costs to affected vessels.
As described above, this action is necessary to help mitigate
substantial economic and social impacts to the groundfish fishery and
associated fishing communities resulting from substantially reduced
ACLs for several groundfish stocks during FY 2013. This action would
suspend existing monkfish possession limits for vessels issued a
Federal limited access monkfish Category C or D permit fishing under
either a monkfish or groundfish DAS in the NFMA. The objective of this
emergency action is to increase monkfish fishing opportunities and
associated revenue for affected groundfish vessels. The proposed
measures are expected to facilitate an increase in NFMA monkfish
landings during FY 2013, while minimizing the risk of overfishing
monkfish in the NFMA.
NMFS fully analyzed and considered three principal alternatives,
including the No Action Alternative, Alternative 1, and the proposed
action. The No Action Alternative would have retained the existing
monkfish possession limits, while Alternative 1 would have suspended
monkfish possession limits for vessels issued a Federal limited access
monkfish Category C or D permit when fishing under both a monkfish and
groundfish DAS in the NFMA. NMFS also considered, but did not fully
analyze, several additional alternatives that were rejected because
they were beyond the scope of the purpose and need for this action. The
proposed action, Alternative 2 in the EA developed for this action,
would likely result in the greatest economic benefit to affected
entities among the alternatives considered, as described further below.
For a more complete description of the alternatives considered in this
action, refer to the EA prepared for this action (see ADDRESSES).
The economic value of monkfish landings depends upon the market
category landed due to price variation among the various monkfish
market categories. To more effectively compare the economic impacts
among alternatives considered in this action, expected revenues
associated with each alternative are estimated using the average price
of monkfish landed when all landings of all market categories are
converted to live weight equivalents using established conversion
factors. It is important to recognize that realized revenues during FY
2013 will change in proportion to any deviation from the average price
reported during the first part of FY 2012 ($1.22 per lb ($2.69 per
kg)), as well as the amount of each monkfish market category that is
The preferred alternative would affect any vessel issued a valid
under a monkfish or groundfish DAS in the NFMA. All of the vessels
($4.0 million in gross sales). Therefore, there are no disproportionate
between small and large entities associated with this proposed action.
Available data are not adequate to identify affiliated vessels, so each
operating unit (vessel) is considered a small entity for purposes of
the RFA. For a more detailed description of the affected entities,
refer to the EA prepared for this action (see ADDRESSES).
As of December 7, 2012, 2,212 vessels were issued a Federal
monkfish permit, of which 558 were issued limited access monkfish
Category C or D permits during FY 2012. However, only a fraction of
these vessels will likely actually fish in the NFMA during FY 2013.
(32 percent). Assuming more recent fishing activity is a better
predictor of fishing operations during FY 2013, it is expected that
between 175-200 vessels would be affected by this action. The average
size and horsepower of vessels affected by this action is 60 ft (18 m)
and 540 horsepower. Because over 80 percent of NFMA monkfish landings
in recent years were landed by trawl vessels, trawl vessels would be
most affected by this action.
Assuming that higher monkfish landings do not depress monkfish ex-
vessel prices during FY 2013, the proposed action is expected to
provide opportunities for increased fishing revenue for affected
vessels. The maximum potential revenue that could be realized from the
proposed action would be approximately $15.7 million for monkfish
landings alone. This assumes that the entire NFMA monkfish TAL (5,854
mt, or 12.9 million lb) would be landed during FY 2013 at the average
monkfish price observed during FY 2012 ($1.22 per lb ($2.69 per kg)
when landings are converted to live weight equivalents).
Realized revenues from the proposed action are estimated to be
approximately $14.6 million from monkfish landings alone during FY 2013
based on a projection of monkfish landings and using the average
monkfish price observed to date during FY 2012 ($1.22 per lb ($2.69 per
kg) live weight equivalent). That projection estimated that the
proposed action would increase monkfish landings by approximately
608,000 lb (275,737 kg) compared to the No Action Alternative. The
proposed action would increase monkfish fishing revenue by $742,000
compared to the No Action Alternative, while it would increase monkfish
revenue by $568,000 compared to Alternative 1. Additional fishing
revenue would also be expected based on landings of other species.
Measures that restrict fishing effort in the groundfish fishery
will likely be the primary factor affecting how much additional
monkfish fishing revenue would be realized from the proposed action. As
noted above, substantial reductions in the FY 2013 ACLs for several
groundfish stocks are proposed as part of FW 48 to the NE Multispecies
FMP. It is likely that these substantially-reduced groundfish ACLs
could cause groundfish vessels to fully harvest their groundfish
allocations (sector annual catch entitlements (ACE), or non-sector
trimester total allowable catch (TAC) amounts) before the end of FY
2013, triggering reactive accountability measures that would cease
groundfish fishing operations temporarily, or for the duration of FY
2013. This would prevent the monkfish and groundfish fisheries from
fully realizing the potential economic benefits of suspending monkfish
possession limits for vessels fishing under a monkfish or groundfish
DAS in the NFMA. If groundfish vessels can avoid exceeding their sector
ACE or non-sector trimester TACs, then monkfish landings will likely
more closely approach the FY 2013 NFMA monkfish TAL and ACT, resulting
in greater economic benefits to affected vessels.
2. In Sec.  648.94, suspend paragraphs (b)(1)(i), (b)(1)(ii), and
(b)(3)(i); and add paragraphs (b)(1)(iii) through (v), (b)(3)(iv), and
(iv) NFMA--(A) Category C and D vessels. Unless otherwise specified
pursuant to paragraph (h) of this section, there is no monkfish trip
limit for limited access monkfish Category C or D vessels that are
fishing under a NE multispecies DAS exclusively in the NFMA.
(B) Category F vessels. A limited access monkfish Category F vessel
that is fishing under a NE multispecies DAS, and not a monkfish DAS,
exclusively in the NFMA is subject to the incidental catch limit
specified in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section.
(C) Vessels participating in the NE Multispecies Regular B DAS
Program. Category C, D, F, G, and H vessels participating in the NE
Multispecies Regular B DAS Program, as specified under Sec.
648.85(b)(6), are subject to the incidental catch limit specified in
paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section.
Based upon available information, if the Regional Administrator
projects that monkfish landings on trips that fished in the NFMA may
exceed the fishing year 2013 target total allowable landing limit of
5,854 mt or, when combined with an estimate of discards, the 6,567 mt
annual catch target, before the end of fishing year 2013 on April 30,
2014, the Regional Administrator shall reinstate monkfish possession
limits for Category C and D vessels in a manner consistent with the
Administrative Procedure Act. If monkfish possession limits are
reinstated pursuant to this paragraph (h), Category C vessels shall be
subject to the possession limits specified in paragraphs (b)(1)(iii)
and (c)(1)(i) of this section, while Category D vessels shall be
subject to the possession limits specified in paragraphs (b)(1)(iv) and
(c)(1)(i) of this section.