Source: https://regulations.justia.com/regulations/fedreg/2014/03/19/2014-06067.html
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Matched Legal Cases: ['art 622', 'art 622', '§ 622', '§ 622', '§ 622', '§ 622', '§ 622', '§ 622', 'art 622', 'art 622', 'ART 622', 'art 622', '§ 622', '§ 622', '§ 622', '§ 622', '§ 622', '§ 622', '§ 622', '§ 622', '§ 622', '§ 622', '§ 622', '§ 622', '§ 622', '§ 622', 'art 622']

Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region; Amendment 20A, 15284-15287 [2014-06067] :: 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 Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region; Amendment 20A, 15284-15287 [2014-06067]
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region; Amendment 20A, 15284-15287 [2014-06067]
Download as PDF 15284 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 53 / Wednesday, March 19, 2014 / Proposed Rules Inactive Web Links Inactive web links included in the 2015 Edition proposed rule are identified on ONC’s Standards and Certification Regulations page with an explanation and/or corrected link (http://www.healthit.gov/policyresearchers-implementers/standardsand-certification-regulations). Dated: March 13, 2014. Jennifer M. Cannistra, Executive Secretary to the Department. [FR Doc. 2014–06041 Filed 3–17–14; 11:15 am] BILLING CODE 4150–45–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 622 [Docket No. 131206999–4206–01] RIN 0648–BD83 Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region; Amendment 20A National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments. AGENCY: NMFS proposes regulations to implement Amendment 20A to the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources (CMP) in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region (FMP) (Amendment 20A), as prepared and submitted by the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (Councils). If implemented, this rule would restrict sales of king and Spanish mackerel caught under the bag limit (those fish harvested by vessels that do not have a valid commercial vessel permit for king or Spanish mackerel and are subject to the bag limits specified in 50 CFR 622.382) and remove the income qualification requirements for king and Spanish mackerel commercial vessel permits. The purpose of this rule is to obtain more accurate landings data while ensuring the CMP fishery resources are utilized efficiently. DATES: Written comments must be received on or before May 5, 2014. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the proposed rule, identified by ‘‘NOAA–NMFS–2013–0168’’ by any of the following methods: wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:37 Mar 18, 2014 Jkt 232001 • Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-20130168, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. • Mail: Submit written comments to Susan Gerhart, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. 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. Electronic copies of the documents supporting this proposed rule, which include an environmental assessment, a Regulatory Flexibility Act analysis, and a regulatory impact review, may be obtained from the Southeast Regional Office Web site at http:// sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_ fisheries/gulf_sa/cmp/index.html. Comments regarding the burden-hour estimates or other aspects of the collection-of-information requirements contained in the proposed rule may be submitted in writing to Anik Clemens, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701; and OMB, by email at OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov, or by fax to 202–395–7285. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Gerhart, telephone: 727–824– 5305, or email: Susan.Gerhart@ noaa.gov. The coastal migratory pelagic (CMP) fishery in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) and the Atlantic is managed under the FMP. The FMP was prepared by the Councils and implemented through regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Management Measures Contained in the Proposed Rule Currently, no Federal permits are required to sell CMP species, although commercial vessel permits are required to exceed the bag limit for king and Spanish mackerel. All fish harvested in Federal waters that are sold are considered commercial harvest and count towards a species’ commercial quota, whether or not the fisherman has a Federal commercial permit. The Councils and NMFS are concerned that landings from recreational trips that are sold may contribute to the commercial quota and lead to early closures in the commercial sector. Reducing the sale of fish caught under the bag limit should improve the accuracy of data by reducing ‘‘double counting,’’ i.e., harvest from a single trip that is counted towards both the commercial quota and recreational allocation. This practice occurs when the same catches are reported through recreational surveys and commercial trip tickets and logbooks. For the Gulf region, this rule proposes to prohibit the sale of bag-limit-caught king and Spanish mackerel, except in two limited circumstances. First, baglimit-caught king and Spanish mackerel could be sold when harvested during a for-hire trip on a vessel with both a Gulf Charter Vessel/Headboat Coastal Migratory Pelagic Fish Permit and either a King Mackerel Commercial Permit or a Spanish Mackerel Commercial Permit, as appropriate to the species harvested or possessed. The purpose of this exception is to preserve a historic practice that is important to Gulf charter and headboat businesses. Second, king and Spanish mackerel harvested during state-permitted tournaments may be donated to a dealer who has a state or Federal permit and then sold by that dealer, if the proceeds are donated to charity. Dealers receiving such fish must report them as tournament-caught fish. In the Gulf, sales from dually-permitted vessels or tournaments would only occur in Florida, because all other Gulf states prohibit the sale of any bag-limitcaught fish. Currently, there is no Federal dealer permit for king or Spanish mackerel. However, a proposed rule published on January 2, 2014 (79 FR 81) for the Generic Dealer Amendment includes an action to implement a Gulf and South Atlantic dealer permit, which would be required for king and Spanish mackerel dealers. Therefore, if the Generic Dealer Amendment is approved and a final rule is implemented, there would be a Federal dealer permit for king and Spanish mackerel. In addition, the E:\FR\FM\19MRP1.SGM 19MRP1 wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 53 / Wednesday, March 19, 2014 / Proposed Rules proposed rule for the Generic Dealer Amendment includes a restriction stating that a federally permitted dealer must first receive fish only from a federally permitted vessel. This provision would be codified at § 622.386(c), and provides: ‘‘Coastal migratory pelagic fish harvested in or from the Gulf or South Atlantic EEZ may be first received by a dealer who has a valid Gulf and South Atlantic dealer permit, as required under § 622.370(c)(1), only from a vessel that has a valid Federal commercial vessel permit, as required under § 622.370(a), or a charter vessel/headboat permit for coastal migratory pelagic fish, as required under § 622.370(b).’’ Amendment 20A and this proposed rule would allow a federally permitted dealer to receive tournament-caught fish and then sell those fish as long as the proceeds are donated to a charity. Therefore, if the final rule for the Generic Dealer Amendment is implemented, an exception to the restriction in § 622.386(c) would be added in the final rule for Amendment 20A, allowing dealers to sell tournament-caught fish and donate the proceeds to a charity. Specifically, paragraph § 622.386(e) would be amended to provide: ‘‘Federally permitted dealers who accept donated king or Spanish mackerel under this section are exempt from the restrictions in section (c) of this paragraph, and can accept these fish from non-federally permitted vessels.’’ For the Atlantic region, this rule proposes to prohibit the sale of all baglimit-caught king and Spanish mackerel, except those harvested during a statepermitted tournament. As in the Gulf, king and Spanish mackerel harvested during state-permitted tournaments may be donated to a dealer who has a state or Federal permit and then sold by that dealer, if the proceeds are donated to charity. Dealers receiving such fish must report them as tournament-caught fish. In addition, the rule proposes to remove the income qualification requirements for king and Spanish mackerel commercial vessel permits. Currently, to obtain or renew a king or Spanish mackerel commercial vessel permit, a minimum amount of the applicant’s earned income must be derived from commercial fishing. These requirements are difficult to enforce, and have recently been removed as requirements to obtain or renew a Gulf reef fish permit. No other Federal permit in the Southeast Region has an income qualification requirement except the spiny lobster permit, which mirrors requirements by Florida. This action would not affect the number of king VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:37 Mar 18, 2014 Jkt 232001 mackerel permits issued, which are limited access, but could increase the number of Spanish mackerel permits issued, which are open access. Eliminating the income qualification requirements would afford more flexibility to fishermen by allowing them to earn a larger portion of income from non-fishing occupations. Classification Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the Assistant Administrator has determined that this proposed rule is consistent with Amendment 20A, the FMP, the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable law, subject to further consideration after public comment. This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866. NMFS prepared an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) for this rule, as required by section 603 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 603. The IRFA describes the economic impact that this proposed rule, if implemented, would have on small entities. A description of the action, why it is being considered, and the objectives of and legal basis for this action are contained in the preamble. A copy of the full analysis is available from the NMFS (see ADDRESSES). A summary of the IRFA follows. The purpose of this rule is twofold: (1) to reduce current sales of Spanish and king mackerel harvested in Federal waters by vessels without Federal commercial permits for those species and by vessels with these permits during for-hire fishing trips, and (2) to eliminate current income requirements for Federal commercial king and Spanish mackerel permits. Another action to reduce the number of Federal commercial king mackerel permits, which are limited access, was considered but rejected in favor of the status quo. Reducing sales of bag-limit-caught king and Spanish mackerel harvested in Federal waters of the Gulf and Atlantic Region is needed to reduce doublecounting of landings. Double-counting occurs because landings of for-hire vessels are included in the recreational count and, when sold, also count against the commercial quota. Inclusion in the commercial count can contribute to earlier closures of the commercial sector and erroneous estimates of landings that impact stock assessments. Eliminating current income requirements is needed to end an unnecessary barrier to entry in the fishery. Presently, a non-owner operator of a permitted vessel or any applicant PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 15285 for a new Spanish mackerel or transferred king mackerel permit cannot qualify for either permit if the applicant’s income from fishing is less than $10,000, or less than 25 percent of the applicant’s income from all sources for 1 out of the past 3 years. Removing the current income requirements may increase participation in this fishery, and would allow permit holders greater flexibility in obtaining non-fishery income. The Magnuson-Stevens Act provides the statutory basis for the proposed action. No duplicative, overlapping, or conflicting Federal rules have been identified. The rule would apply directly to businesses that operate in the finfish fishing (NAICS 114111) and scenic sightseeing water transportation industries (NAICS 487201), the latter of which includes for-hire fishing. The prohibition of bag-limit sales would directly affect all businesses: (1) In the finfish and for-hire fishing industries that sell king and Spanish mackerel harvested in Federal waters of the Gulf and Atlantic Region and landed by vessels without valid Federal commercial permits for the species; and (2) in the for-hire fishing industry that sell king and Spanish mackerel harvested in Federal waters of the Atlantic Region and landed by vessels with the valid Federal commercial permits. The elimination of the income requirements for Federal king and Spanish mackerel commercial permits would directly affect businesses in both industries that presently possess or aspire to possess at least one of the two permits. On June 20, 2013, the SBA issued a final rule revising the small business size standards for several industries effective July 22, 2013 (78 FR 37398). That rule increased the size standard for commercial finfish harvesters from $4.0 million to $19.0 million in annual receipts. The number of small businesses that operate in the finfish fishing industry and own or operate commercial fishing vessels that harvest king and Spanish mackerel in Federal waters without the respective commercial permits is unknown. Sales of bag-limit quantities of king and Spanish mackerel harvested by these vessels would represent incidental landings. However, NMFS estimates that a small business in the finfish fishing industry without the Federal commercial permits and with an average size commercial vessel and 3-person crew could lose up to $99 to $149 per trip from the prohibition of bag-limit sales of king mackerel and up to $124 E:\FR\FM\19MRP1.SGM 19MRP1 wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS 15286 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 53 / Wednesday, March 19, 2014 / Proposed Rules per trip from the prohibition of bag-limit sales of Spanish mackerel. To avoid the losses of sales of Spanish mackerel, a small commercial fishing business could purchase a Federal commercial Spanish mackerel permit for $25 each year. To avoid losses of sales of king mackerel, the same small business in the finfish fishing industry would have to acquire a Federal commercial king mackerel permit from an existing permit holder. A query of transferred king mackerel permits from January 1, 2008, through June 2013, was conducted and reported costs of acquiring a permit were found to range from $0 to $10,000 per transferred permit, with a median of $3,625 and average of $2,860. Given that cost, a small business in the finfish fishing industry that incidentally catches king mackerel in Federal waters likely would not choose to purchase a permit that is used to commercially target the species. The small business size standard for the scenic sightseeing water transportation industry is $7.0 million in annual receipts. For-hire fishing vessels that harvest king and Spanish mackerel in Federal waters of the Gulf and Atlantic Region are required to have Federal Gulf CMP and South Atlantic CMP charter/headboat permits, respectively. NMFS estimates that up to 79 percent (1,153) of the for-hire vessels that have a Federal South Atlantic charter/headboat CMP permit, and up to 91 percent (1,234) of the for-hire vessels that have a Federal Gulf CMP permit, lack valid Federal commercial king mackerel permits and may land and sell king mackerel in bag-limit quantities. From that, NMFS estimates that as many as to 2,387 small for-hire fishing businesses could be adversely affected by the prohibition on sales of king mackerel caught without a valid Federal commercial king mackerel permit. NMFS expects that significantly less than 2,387 small businesses could be adversely affected by the prohibition on sales of Spanish mackerel without a valid Federal commercial Spanish mackerel permit, because it is an open access permit. As many as 307 small forhire fishing businesses with a Federal Atlantic charter/headboat CMP permit could lose sales of king and Spanish mackerel that were harvested during a for-hire trip. NMFS estimates that a small for-hire fishing business without valid Federal commercial king and Spanish mackerel permits could lose revenues from sales of king mackerel of as much as $33 to $49.5 per angler onboard, and of Spanish mackerel as much as $41.25 per angler onboard, per for-hire trip., Presuming then an average of 3 anglers VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:37 Mar 18, 2014 Jkt 232001 on aboard, NMFS estimates a for-hire fishing vessel could lose, on average, as much as $99 to $149 per trip from the prohibition of bag-limit sales of king mackerel and $124 per trip from the prohibition of bag-limit sales of Spanish mackerel. Those figures would also apply to small for-hire fishing businesses with the valid Federal commercial permits that operate in Federal waters of the Atlantic Region. The figures, however, presume anglers catch and land marketable sizes and the maximum amount allowed, do not take any mackerel home with them and, instead, give all to the vessel’s crew who, in turn, sell it. Small for-hire fishing businesses that operate and sell king and Spanish mackerel in the Gulf Council’s jurisdiction could avoid those losses by acquiring the Federal commercial permits for the species, while those that operate and sell the species in the South Atlantic Council’s jurisdiction could not, although some may be able to reduce losses by relocating to the Gulf Council’s jurisdiction. Eliminating the income requirements for the Federal commercial king and Spanish mackerel permits would apply to all of the small businesses that presently possesses or seek to possess one of the 1,658 valid Federal commercial king mackerel permits, and any that presently possesses one of the 1,285 Spanish mackerel permits or seeks to acquire one. Eliminating the income requirements would generate a beneficial economic impact because it would eliminate the time and other costs currently incurred by small businesses to demonstrate that they meet the income requirements to obtain a permit. It would also benefit any small business, such as a new business, that cannot satisfy the income requirements because its income from fishing is either less than $10,000 or less than 25 percent of its income from all sources during one of the three calendar years preceding the application. The above prohibitions on sales of king and Spanish mackerel would have an indirect effect on small businesses that operate in the fish and seafood merchant wholesales industry (NAICS 424460), which has a small business size standard of 100 employees. It is unknown how many of these small businesses could be indirectly affected, because a Federal dealer license is not required to purchase king and Spanish mackerel harvested and landed by vessels operating in Federal waters. However, 573 fish and seafood wholesale establishments were located in the Gulf and South Atlantic States in 2011. PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 The alternative to allow sales of king and Spanish mackerel caught by anglers aboard for-hire fishing vessels with Federal commercial king and Spanish mackerel permits in the South Atlantic Council’s jurisdiction was considered, but rejected, although it would have a smaller adverse economic impact on small businesses in the for-hire fishing industry than the preferred alternative. However, this rejected alternative would not reduce double-counting of landings, and therefore would not meet the Council’s objective of improving landings data. The status quo alternative that allows sales of king and Spanish mackerel harvested by commercial vessels without Federal commercial king and Spanish mackerel permits was considered, but rejected, because the South Atlantic Council chose to prohibit all sales of king and Spanish mackerel harvested by vessels without the above Federal commercial permits. The status quo alternative, however, would have a smaller adverse economic impact on small businesses in the finfish fishing industry than the preferred alternative. The alternative to prohibit sales of king and Spanish mackerel by anglers aboard for-hire fishing vessels with Federal commercial king and Spanish mackerel permits in the Gulf Council’s jurisdiction was considered, but rejected because it would have a larger adverse economic impact on small businesses in the for-hire fishing industry than the preferred alternative. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection-of-information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), unless that collection-of-information displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. This proposed rule contains collection-of-information requirements subject to the PRA. NMFS is revising the collection-of-information requirements under OMB control number 0648–0205. NMFS estimates the removal of the income qualification requirements for commercial king and Spanish mackerel permit holders will result in a net decrease in the time to complete the Federal Permit Application (for all applicants). In addition, the current burden estimate of 40 minutes per applicant to complete the application form would decrease to 30 minutes per applicant, because the application instructions have been simplified and reorganized so that there are half as many pages of instructions to read when filling out the application. These E:\FR\FM\19MRP1.SGM 19MRP1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 53 / Wednesday, March 19, 2014 / Proposed Rules estimates of the public reporting burden include the time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection-of-information. These requirements have been submitted to OMB for approval. NMFS seeks public comment regarding: Whether this proposed collection-ofinformation is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the burden estimate; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection-of-information, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of the collection-ofinformation requirements, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to NMFS and to OMB (see ADDRESSES). List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 622 Atlantic, Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources, Fisheries, Fishing, Gulf, King mackerel, Spanish mackerel. Dated: March 13, 2014. Eileen Sobeck, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 622 is proposed to be amended as follows: PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF MEXICO, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC 1. The authority citation for part 622 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. 2. In § 622.370, paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(3) are revised to read as follows: ■ wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS § 622.370 Permits (a) * * * (1) King mackerel. For a person aboard a vessel to be eligible for exemption from the bag limits, to fish under a quota, or to sell king mackerel in or from the Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, or South Atlantic EEZ, a commercial vessel permit for king mackerel must have been issued to the vessel and must be on board. See § 622.371 regarding a limited access system applicable to commercial vessel permits for king mackerel and transfers of permits under the limited access system. * * * * * (3) Spanish mackerel. For a person aboard a vessel to be eligible for exemption from the bag limits, to fish VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:37 Mar 18, 2014 Jkt 232001 under a quota, or to sell Spanish mackerel in or from the Gulf, MidAtlantic, or South Atlantic EEZ, a commercial vessel permit for Spanish mackerel must have been issued to the vessel and must be on board. * * * * * § 622.371 [Amended] 3. In § 622.371, remove paragraphs (c), (d), and (e), and redesignate paragraph (f) as paragraph (c). ■ 4. In § 622.386, paragraph (a) is revised and paragraphs (d) and (e) are added to read as follows: ■ § 622.386 Restrictions on sale/purchase. * * * * * (a) King and Spanish mackerel. A king or Spanish mackerel harvested or possessed in the EEZ on board a vessel that does not have a valid commercial vessel permit for king mackerel, as required under § 622.370(a)(1), or a valid commercial vessel permit for Spanish mackerel, as required under § 622.370(a)(3), or a king or Spanish mackerel harvested in the EEZ or possessed under the bag limits specified in § 622.382, may not be sold or purchased, except when harvested under the bag limits on board a vessel operating in the Gulf as a charter vessel or headboat and that vessel has both a valid Federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish, as required under § 622.370(b)(1), and a valid commercial vessel permit for king mackerel or Spanish mackerel, as required under § 622.370(a)(1), as appropriate to the species harvested or possessed. * * * * * (d) Cut-off (damaged) king or Spanish mackerel. A person may not sell or purchase a cut-off (damaged) king or Spanish mackerel that does not comply with the minimum size limits specified in § 622.380(b) or (c), respectively, or that is in excess of the trip limits specified in § 622.385(a) or (b), respectively. (e) State-permitted tournaments. King or Spanish mackerel harvested in a state-permitted tournament in the South Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, or the Gulf may not be sold for profit but may be donated to a state dealer or Federal dealer. Dealers accepting these tournament-caught king or Spanish mackerel must be permitted and must comply with all transfer and reporting requirements. Specifically, dealers must donate the monetary value (sale price or cash equivalent of value received for the landings) from the sale of tournamentcaught fish to a charitable organization, as determined by the state. The monetary value received from the sale of PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 15287 tournament-caught fish may not be used to pay for tournament expenses. In addition, the fish must be handled and iced according to the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) standards, and dealers must report tournament caught king and Spanish mackerel as ‘‘tournament catch’’ and comply with all Federal and state reporting requirements. [FR Doc. 2014–06067 Filed 3–18–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 622 [Docket No. 130606533–4224–01] RIN 0648–BD36 Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 26 and Amendment 29 Supplement National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments. AGENCY: NMFS proposes to supplement the regulations implementing Amendments 26 and 29 to the Fishery Management Plan for Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP), as prepared and submitted by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). Amendment 26 established an individual fishing quota (IFQ) program for the red snapper commercial sector of the reef fish fishery in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Amendment 29 established a multispecies IFQ program for the grouper and tilefish component of the commercial sector of the reef fish fishery in the Gulf EEZ. If implemented, this rule would specify procedures for closing an IFQ account and modify requirements for IFQ landing transactions, landing notifications, and offloading. The purpose of this proposed rule is to enhance the monitoring, enforcement, and review of the IFQ programs as specified in Amendments 26 and 29 to the FMP. DATES: Written comments must be received on or before April 18, 2014. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\19MRP1.SGM 19MRP1
[Pages 15284-15287]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06067]
[Docket No. 131206999-4206-01]
RIN 0648-BD83
Region; Amendment 20A
SUMMARY: NMFS proposes regulations to implement Amendment 20A to the
Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources
(CMP) in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region (FMP) (Amendment 20A),
as prepared and submitted by the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) and South
Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (Councils). If implemented, this
rule would restrict sales of king and Spanish mackerel caught under the
bag limit (those fish harvested by vessels that do not have a valid
commercial vessel permit for king or Spanish mackerel and are subject
to the bag limits specified in 50 CFR 622.382) and remove the income
qualification requirements for king and Spanish mackerel commercial
vessel permits. The purpose of this rule is to obtain more accurate
landings data while ensuring the CMP fishery resources are utilized
DATES: Written comments must be received on or before May 5, 2014.
``NOAA-NMFS-2013-0168'' by any of the following methods:
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2013-0168, click the
Electronic copies of the documents supporting this proposed rule,
which include an environmental assessment, a Regulatory Flexibility Act
Southeast Regional Office Web site at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_sa/cmp/index.html.
the collection-of-information requirements contained in the proposed
rule may be submitted in writing to Anik Clemens, Southeast Regional
Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701; and OMB,
by email at OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov, or by fax to 202-395-7285.
in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) and the Atlantic is managed under the FMP.
The FMP was prepared by the Councils and implemented through
Currently, no Federal permits are required to sell CMP species,
although commercial vessel permits are required to exceed the bag limit
for king and Spanish mackerel. All fish harvested in Federal waters
that are sold are considered commercial harvest and count towards a
species' commercial quota, whether or not the fisherman has a Federal
commercial permit. The Councils and NMFS are concerned that landings
from recreational trips that are sold may contribute to the commercial
quota and lead to early closures in the commercial sector. Reducing the
sale of fish caught under the bag limit should improve the accuracy of
data by reducing ``double counting,'' i.e., harvest from a single trip
that is counted towards both the commercial quota and recreational
allocation. This practice occurs when the same catches are reported
through recreational surveys and commercial trip tickets and logbooks.
For the Gulf region, this rule proposes to prohibit the sale of
bag-limit-caught king and Spanish mackerel, except in two limited
circumstances. First, bag-limit-caught king and Spanish mackerel could
be sold when harvested during a for-hire trip on a vessel with both a
Gulf Charter Vessel/Headboat Coastal Migratory Pelagic Fish Permit and
either a King Mackerel Commercial Permit or a Spanish Mackerel
Commercial Permit, as appropriate to the species harvested or
possessed. The purpose of this exception is to preserve a historic
practice that is important to Gulf charter and headboat businesses.
Second, king and Spanish mackerel harvested during state-permitted
tournaments may be donated to a dealer who has a state or Federal
permit and then sold by that dealer, if the proceeds are donated to
charity. Dealers receiving such fish must report them as tournament-
caught fish. In the Gulf, sales from dually-permitted vessels or
tournaments would only occur in Florida, because all other Gulf states
prohibit the sale of any bag-limit-caught fish.
Currently, there is no Federal dealer permit for king or Spanish
mackerel. However, a proposed rule published on January 2, 2014 (79 FR
81) for the Generic Dealer Amendment includes an action to implement a
Gulf and South Atlantic dealer permit, which would be required for king
and Spanish mackerel dealers. Therefore, if the Generic Dealer
Amendment is approved and a final rule is implemented, there would be a
Federal dealer permit for king and Spanish mackerel. In addition, the
[[Page 15285]]
proposed rule for the Generic Dealer Amendment includes a restriction
stating that a federally permitted dealer must first receive fish only
from a federally permitted vessel. This provision would be codified at
Sec.  622.386(c), and provides: ``Coastal migratory pelagic fish
harvested in or from the Gulf or South Atlantic EEZ may be first
received by a dealer who has a valid Gulf and South Atlantic dealer
permit, as required under Sec.  622.370(c)(1), only from a vessel that
has a valid Federal commercial vessel permit, as required under Sec.
622.370(a), or a charter vessel/headboat permit for coastal migratory
pelagic fish, as required under Sec.  622.370(b).''
Amendment 20A and this proposed rule would allow a federally
permitted dealer to receive tournament-caught fish and then sell those
fish as long as the proceeds are donated to a charity. Therefore, if
the final rule for the Generic Dealer Amendment is implemented, an
exception to the restriction in Sec.  622.386(c) would be added in the
final rule for Amendment 20A, allowing dealers to sell tournament-
caught fish and donate the proceeds to a charity. Specifically,
paragraph Sec.  622.386(e) would be amended to provide: ``Federally
permitted dealers who accept donated king or Spanish mackerel under
this section are exempt from the restrictions in section (c) of this
paragraph, and can accept these fish from non-federally permitted
vessels.''
For the Atlantic region, this rule proposes to prohibit the sale of
all bag-limit-caught king and Spanish mackerel, except those harvested
during a state-permitted tournament. As in the Gulf, king and Spanish
mackerel harvested during state-permitted tournaments may be donated to
a dealer who has a state or Federal permit and then sold by that
dealer, if the proceeds are donated to charity. Dealers receiving such
fish must report them as tournament-caught fish.
In addition, the rule proposes to remove the income qualification
requirements for king and Spanish mackerel commercial vessel permits.
Currently, to obtain or renew a king or Spanish mackerel commercial
vessel permit, a minimum amount of the applicant's earned income must
be derived from commercial fishing. These requirements are difficult to
enforce, and have recently been removed as requirements to obtain or
renew a Gulf reef fish permit. No other Federal permit in the Southeast
Region has an income qualification requirement except the spiny lobster
permit, which mirrors requirements by Florida. This action would not
affect the number of king mackerel permits issued, which are limited
access, but could increase the number of Spanish mackerel permits
issued, which are open access. Eliminating the income qualification
requirements would afford more flexibility to fishermen by allowing
them to earn a larger portion of income from non-fishing occupations.
consistent with Amendment 20A, the FMP, the Magnuson-Stevens Act and
this rule, as required by section 603 of the Regulatory Flexibility
Act, 5 U.S.C. 603. The IRFA describes the economic impact that this
proposed rule, if implemented, would have on small entities. A
description of the action, why it is being considered, and the
The purpose of this rule is twofold: (1) to reduce current sales of
Spanish and king mackerel harvested in Federal waters by vessels
without Federal commercial permits for those species and by vessels
with these permits during for-hire fishing trips, and (2) to eliminate
current income requirements for Federal commercial king and Spanish
mackerel permits. Another action to reduce the number of Federal
commercial king mackerel permits, which are limited access, was
considered but rejected in favor of the status quo.
Reducing sales of bag-limit-caught king and Spanish mackerel
harvested in Federal waters of the Gulf and Atlantic Region is needed
to reduce double-counting of landings. Double-counting occurs because
landings of for-hire vessels are included in the recreational count
and, when sold, also count against the commercial quota. Inclusion in
the commercial count can contribute to earlier closures of the
commercial sector and erroneous estimates of landings that impact stock
assessments. Eliminating current income requirements is needed to end
an unnecessary barrier to entry in the fishery. Presently, a non-owner
operator of a permitted vessel or any applicant for a new Spanish
mackerel or transferred king mackerel permit cannot qualify for either
permit if the applicant's income from fishing is less than $10,000, or
less than 25 percent of the applicant's income from all sources for 1
out of the past 3 years. Removing the current income requirements may
increase participation in this fishery, and would allow permit holders
greater flexibility in obtaining non-fishery income.
The rule would apply directly to businesses that operate in the
finfish fishing (NAICS 114111) and scenic sightseeing water
transportation industries (NAICS 487201), the latter of which includes
for-hire fishing. The prohibition of bag-limit sales would directly
affect all businesses: (1) In the finfish and for-hire fishing
industries that sell king and Spanish mackerel harvested in Federal
waters of the Gulf and Atlantic Region and landed by vessels without
valid Federal commercial permits for the species; and (2) in the for-
hire fishing industry that sell king and Spanish mackerel harvested in
Federal waters of the Atlantic Region and landed by vessels with the
valid Federal commercial permits. The elimination of the income
requirements for Federal king and Spanish mackerel commercial permits
would directly affect businesses in both industries that presently
possess or aspire to possess at least one of the two permits.
On June 20, 2013, the SBA issued a final rule revising the small
business size standards for several industries effective July 22, 2013
(78 FR 37398). That rule increased the size standard for commercial
finfish harvesters from $4.0 million to $19.0 million in annual
receipts. The number of small businesses that operate in the finfish
fishing industry and own or operate commercial fishing vessels that
harvest king and Spanish mackerel in Federal waters without the
respective commercial permits is unknown. Sales of bag-limit quantities
of king and Spanish mackerel harvested by these vessels would represent
incidental landings. However, NMFS estimates that a small business in
the finfish fishing industry without the Federal commercial permits and
with an average size commercial vessel and 3-person crew could lose up
to $99 to $149 per trip from the prohibition of bag-limit sales of king
mackerel and up to $124
[[Page 15286]]
per trip from the prohibition of bag-limit sales of Spanish mackerel.
To avoid the losses of sales of Spanish mackerel, a small commercial
fishing business could purchase a Federal commercial Spanish mackerel
permit for $25 each year. To avoid losses of sales of king mackerel,
the same small business in the finfish fishing industry would have to
acquire a Federal commercial king mackerel permit from an existing
permit holder. A query of transferred king mackerel permits from
January 1, 2008, through June 2013, was conducted and reported costs of
acquiring a permit were found to range from $0 to $10,000 per
transferred permit, with a median of $3,625 and average of $2,860.
Given that cost, a small business in the finfish fishing industry that
incidentally catches king mackerel in Federal waters likely would not
choose to purchase a permit that is used to commercially target the
The small business size standard for the scenic sightseeing water
transportation industry is $7.0 million in annual receipts. For-hire
fishing vessels that harvest king and Spanish mackerel in Federal
waters of the Gulf and Atlantic Region are required to have Federal
Gulf CMP and South Atlantic CMP charter/headboat permits, respectively.
NMFS estimates that up to 79 percent (1,153) of the for-hire vessels
that have a Federal South Atlantic charter/headboat CMP permit, and up
to 91 percent (1,234) of the for-hire vessels that have a Federal Gulf
CMP permit, lack valid Federal commercial king mackerel permits and may
land and sell king mackerel in bag-limit quantities. From that, NMFS
estimates that as many as to 2,387 small for-hire fishing businesses
could be adversely affected by the prohibition on sales of king
mackerel caught without a valid Federal commercial king mackerel
permit. NMFS expects that significantly less than 2,387 small
businesses could be adversely affected by the prohibition on sales of
Spanish mackerel without a valid Federal commercial Spanish mackerel
permit, because it is an open access permit. As many as 307 small for-
hire fishing businesses with a Federal Atlantic charter/headboat CMP
permit could lose sales of king and Spanish mackerel that were
harvested during a for-hire trip.
NMFS estimates that a small for-hire fishing business without valid
Federal commercial king and Spanish mackerel permits could lose
revenues from sales of king mackerel of as much as $33 to $49.5 per
angler onboard, and of Spanish mackerel as much as $41.25 per angler
onboard, per for-hire trip., Presuming then an average of 3 anglers on
aboard, NMFS estimates a for-hire fishing vessel could lose, on
average, as much as $99 to $149 per trip from the prohibition of bag-
limit sales of king mackerel and $124 per trip from the prohibition of
bag-limit sales of Spanish mackerel. Those figures would also apply to
small for-hire fishing businesses with the valid Federal commercial
permits that operate in Federal waters of the Atlantic Region. The
figures, however, presume anglers catch and land marketable sizes and
the maximum amount allowed, do not take any mackerel home with them
and, instead, give all to the vessel's crew who, in turn, sell it.
Small for-hire fishing businesses that operate and sell king and
Spanish mackerel in the Gulf Council's jurisdiction could avoid those
losses by acquiring the Federal commercial permits for the species,
while those that operate and sell the species in the South Atlantic
Council's jurisdiction could not, although some may be able to reduce
losses by relocating to the Gulf Council's jurisdiction.
Eliminating the income requirements for the Federal commercial king
and Spanish mackerel permits would apply to all of the small businesses
that presently possesses or seek to possess one of the 1,658 valid
Federal commercial king mackerel permits, and any that presently
possesses one of the 1,285 Spanish mackerel permits or seeks to acquire
one. Eliminating the income requirements would generate a beneficial
economic impact because it would eliminate the time and other costs
currently incurred by small businesses to demonstrate that they meet
the income requirements to obtain a permit. It would also benefit any
small business, such as a new business, that cannot satisfy the income
requirements because its income from fishing is either less than
$10,000 or less than 25 percent of its income from all sources during
one of the three calendar years preceding the application.
The above prohibitions on sales of king and Spanish mackerel would
have an indirect effect on small businesses that operate in the fish
and seafood merchant wholesales industry (NAICS 424460), which has a
small business size standard of 100 employees. It is unknown how many
of these small businesses could be indirectly affected, because a
Federal dealer license is not required to purchase king and Spanish
mackerel harvested and landed by vessels operating in Federal waters.
However, 573 fish and seafood wholesale establishments were located in
the Gulf and South Atlantic States in 2011.
The alternative to allow sales of king and Spanish mackerel caught
by anglers aboard for-hire fishing vessels with Federal commercial king
and Spanish mackerel permits in the South Atlantic Council's
jurisdiction was considered, but rejected, although it would have a
smaller adverse economic impact on small businesses in the for-hire
fishing industry than the preferred alternative. However, this rejected
alternative would not reduce double-counting of landings, and therefore
would not meet the Council's objective of improving landings data.
The status quo alternative that allows sales of king and Spanish
mackerel harvested by commercial vessels without Federal commercial
king and Spanish mackerel permits was considered, but rejected, because
the South Atlantic Council chose to prohibit all sales of king and
Spanish mackerel harvested by vessels without the above Federal
commercial permits. The status quo alternative, however, would have a
smaller adverse economic impact on small businesses in the finfish
fishing industry than the preferred alternative.
The alternative to prohibit sales of king and Spanish mackerel by
anglers aboard for-hire fishing vessels with Federal commercial king
and Spanish mackerel permits in the Gulf Council's jurisdiction was
considered, but rejected because it would have a larger adverse
economic impact on small businesses in the for-hire fishing industry
than the preferred alternative.
of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), unless that collection-of-
subject to the PRA. NMFS is revising the collection-of-information
requirements under OMB control number 0648-0205. NMFS estimates the
removal of the income qualification requirements for commercial king
and Spanish mackerel permit holders will result in a net decrease in
the time to complete the Federal Permit Application (for all
applicants). In addition, the current burden estimate of 40 minutes per
applicant to complete the application form would decrease to 30 minutes
per applicant, because the application instructions have been
simplified and reorganized so that there are half as many pages of
instructions to read when filling out the application. These
[[Page 15287]]
These requirements have been submitted to OMB for approval. NMFS
seeks public comment regarding: Whether this proposed collection-of-
ways to minimize the burden of the collection-of-information, including
information technology. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or
any other aspect of the collection-of-information requirements,
Atlantic, Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources, Fisheries, Fishing,
Gulf, King mackerel, Spanish mackerel.
2. In Sec.  622.370, paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(3) are revised to read
Sec.  622.370  Permits
(1) King mackerel. For a person aboard a vessel to be eligible for
exemption from the bag limits, to fish under a quota, or to sell king
vessel and must be on board. See Sec.  622.371 regarding a limited
access system applicable to commercial vessel permits for king mackerel
and transfers of permits under the limited access system.
(3) Spanish mackerel. For a person aboard a vessel to be eligible
for exemption from the bag limits, to fish under a quota, or to sell
Spanish mackerel in or from the Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, or South Atlantic
EEZ, a commercial vessel permit for Spanish mackerel must have been
Sec.  622.371  [Amended]
3. In Sec.  622.371, remove paragraphs (c), (d), and (e), and
redesignate paragraph (f) as paragraph (c).
4. In Sec.  622.386, paragraph (a) is revised and paragraphs (d) and
(e) are added to read as follows:
Sec.  622.386   Restrictions on sale/purchase.
(a) King and Spanish mackerel. A king or Spanish mackerel harvested
or possessed in the EEZ on board a vessel that does not have a valid
commercial vessel permit for king mackerel, as required under Sec.
622.370(a)(1), or a valid commercial vessel permit for Spanish
mackerel, as required under Sec.  622.370(a)(3), or a king or Spanish
mackerel harvested in the EEZ or possessed under the bag limits
specified in Sec.  622.382, may not be sold or purchased, except when
harvested under the bag limits on board a vessel operating in the Gulf
as a charter vessel or headboat and that vessel has both a valid
Federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf coastal migratory
pelagic fish, as required under Sec.  622.370(b)(1), and a valid
commercial vessel permit for king mackerel or Spanish mackerel, as
required under Sec.  622.370(a)(1), as appropriate to the species
harvested or possessed.
(d) Cut-off (damaged) king or Spanish mackerel. A person may not
sell or purchase a cut-off (damaged) king or Spanish mackerel that does
not comply with the minimum size limits specified in Sec.  622.380(b)
or (c), respectively, or that is in excess of the trip limits specified
in Sec.  622.385(a) or (b), respectively.
(e) State-permitted tournaments. King or Spanish mackerel harvested
in a state-permitted tournament in the South Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, or
the Gulf may not be sold for profit but may be donated to a state
dealer or Federal dealer. Dealers accepting these tournament-caught
king or Spanish mackerel must be permitted and must comply with all
transfer and reporting requirements. Specifically, dealers must donate
the monetary value (sale price or cash equivalent of value received for
the landings) from the sale of tournament-caught fish to a charitable
organization, as determined by the state. The monetary value received
from the sale of tournament-caught fish may not be used to pay for
tournament expenses. In addition, the fish must be handled and iced
according to the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP)
standards, and dealers must report tournament caught king and Spanish
mackerel as ``tournament catch'' and comply with all Federal and state
[FR Doc. 2014-06067 Filed 3-18-14; 8:45 am]