Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2000/03/29/00-7698/fisheries-of-the-northeastern-united-states-northeast-multispecies-fishery-framework-adjustment-32
Timestamp: 2017-09-23 00:47:30
Document Index: 359748198

Matched Legal Cases: ['§\u2009648', '§\u2009648', '§\u2009648', '§\u2009648', '§\u2009648', '§\u2009648', '§\u2009648', '§\u2009648', '§\u2009648', '§\u2009648', '§\u2009648', '§\u2009648', '§\u2009648', '§\u2009648', '§\u2009648', '§\u2009648']

Federal Register :: Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Framework Adjustment 32 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan
65 FR 16780
16780-16782 (3 pages)
Docket No. 000307061-0061-01
I.D. 013100D
0648-AN46
00-7698
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/00-7698 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/00-7698
Amendment 12 was partially approved on September 1, 1999, and contains a measure requiring vessels to be issued and carry on board a letter of authorization (LOA) to fish under a particular mesh size/possession limit category. Under Amendment 12, vessels issued an LOA for the 3-inch (7.62-cm) or 2.5-inch (6.35-cm) minimum mesh size categories would be allowed a possession limit of 30,000 lb (13,608 kg) or 7,500 lbs (3,402 kg), respectively, of whiting and offshore hake. Those vessels using less than 2.5-inch (6.35-cm) mesh or vessels without the appropriate LOA would be allowed a 3,500-lb (1,588-kg) possession limit of whiting and offshore hake. Vessels could elect to fish under the specified mesh/possession limit category for a minimum of 30 days and could withdraw after 7 days, but would be restricted to a 3,500-lb (1,588-kg) possession limit of whiting and offshore hake for the remainder of the original 30 days. These requirements (hereinafter referred to as “the enrollment procedures”) were designed to encourage vessel owners and captains to make extended decisions about their fishing activity and give more force to the minimum mesh sizes and possession limits. Also, Amendment 12 allows only vessels using nets with mesh sizes less than 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) to use net strengtheners.
This final rule implementing Framework 32 also includes a measure that allows vessels fishing with 2.5-inch (6.35-cm) mesh-sized nets to use a net strengthener (a large mesh codend positioned around a small-mesh codend), provided that the net strengthener has a minimum mesh size of 6 inches (15.24 cm), has the same circumference and configuration (square or diamond mesh) as the inside codend, and that the inside codend is no more than 2 ft (61 cm) longer than the outside codend. The allowance of net strengtheners would help alleviate discards by providing some vessels with an incentive to use trawl net codends with mesh size of at least 2.5 inches (6.35 cm). Testimony during the comment period for Amendment 12 and throughout the development of Framework 32 suggests that vessel Start Printed Page 16781owners would discard whiting that would be caught over the allowed 3,500 lbs (1,588 kg) with less than 2.5-inch (6.35-cm) mesh nets because Loligo squid, which has a minimum mesh size requirement of 1.875 inches (4.76 cm), continue to be more valuable than whiting. Vessel owners felt that the 2.5-inch (6.35-cm) mesh would release too much squid and that there would be no incentive for these vessels to move up to a 2.5-inch (6.35-cm) mesh, which would promote conservation of whiting. Thus, some vessel owners would continue to use the smaller mesh and discard whiting. Allowing a net strengthener with 2.5-inch (6.35-cm) mesh provides an incentive for squid vessels to increase their mesh size to 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) by allowing squid catches similar to those caught with 1.875-inch (4.76-cm) mesh nets and allowing for a 7,500-lb (3,402-kg) possession limit of whiting and offshore hake. During the development of the strengthener options, industry commented that the use of a net strengthener with mesh sizes larger than 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) was not an issue because the concern was to find a solution for the small-mesh squid fishery. The provisions for the circumference, length, and composition of the net are intended to prevent vessels from using a combination of inside and outside codends that would reduce the effective inside mesh size, thereby compromising the effectiveness of whiting conservation measures.
Because prior notice and opportunity for public comment are not required for this rule by 5 U.S.C. 551 et seq., or any other law, the analytical requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., are inapplicable. Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis has not been prepared. Nevertheless, the socioeconomic impacts on affected small entities were considered in the RIR contained in the supporting analyses for Framework 32. Relative to the status quo, expected average net returns would increase by less than one percent for the net strengthener provision implemented by this final rule. The minimum mesh size/possession limit provision implemented by this final rule is the simplest alternative available and improves flexibility for the industry. Further, it reduces costs to participating fishermen and the agency and may improve enforceability of the measure. Alternatives to this measure were also considered by the Council and were discussed in the framework adjustment document.
2. In § 648.80, paragraph (g)(5) is revised to read as follows:
(5) Net strengthener restrictions when fishing for or possessing small-mesh multispecies. (i) Nets of mesh size less than 2.5 inches (6.35 cm). A vessel lawfully fishing for small-mesh multispecies in the GOM/GB, SNE, or MA Regulated Mesh Areas as defined in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section with nets of mesh size smaller than 2.5 inches (6.35-cm), as measured by methods specified in § 648.80(f), may use net strengtheners (covers as described at § 648.23(d)) provided that the net strengthener for nets of mesh size smaller than 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) complies with the provisions specified under § 648.23(d).
(ii) Nets of mesh size equal to or greater than 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) but less than 3 inches (7.62). A vessel lawfully fishing for small-mesh multispecies in the GOM/GB, SNE, or MA Regulated Mesh Areas as defined in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section with nets with mesh size equal to or greater than 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) but less than 3 inches (7.62 cm) (as measured by methods specified in § 648.80(f), and as applied to the part of the net specified in paragraph (d)(1)(iv) of this section) may use a net strengthener (i.e., outside net) provided the net strengthener does not have an effective mesh opening of less than 6 inches (15.24 cm), diamond or square Start Printed Page 16782mesh, as measured by methods specified in § 648.80(f). The inside net (as applied to the part of the net specified in paragraph (d)(1)(iv) of this section) must not be more than 2 ft (61 cm) longer than the outside net, must be the same circumference or smaller than the smallest circumference of the outside net, and must be the same mesh configuration (i.e., both square or both diamond mesh) as the outside net.
3. In § 648.86, paragraph (d) is revised to read as follows:
(d) Small-mesh multispecies through April 30, 2002. (1) Vessels issued a valid Federal multispecies permit specified under § 648.4(a)(1) are subject to the following possession limits for small-mesh multispecies, which are based on the mesh size used by or on board vessels fishing for, in possession of, or landing small-mesh multispecies.
(i) Vessels possessing on board or using nets of mesh size smaller than 2.5 inches (6.35 cm). Owners or operators of a vessel may possess and land not more than 3,500 lb (1,588 kg) of combined silver hake and offshore hake if either of the following conditions are met:
(B) The mesh size of any net or part of a net on board the vessel not integrated into a fully constructed net is smaller than 2.5 inches (6.35 cm), as measured by methods specified in § 648.80(f). “Integrated into a fully constructed net” means that the mesh smaller than 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) occurs only in the part of the net not subject to the mesh size restrictions as specified in paragraph (d)(1)(iv), and, that the net into which the mesh is integrated is available for immediate use.
(ii) Vessels possessing on board or using nets of mesh size equal to or greater than 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) but less than 3 inches (7.62 cm). Owners or operators of a vessel, which is not subject to the possession limit specified in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section, may possess and land not more than 7,500 lb (3,402 kg) of combined silver hake and offshore hake if either of the following conditions are met:
(A) The mesh size of any net or any part of a net used by or on board the vessel is equal to or greater than 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) but smaller than 3 inches (7.62 cm), as applied to the part of the net specified in paragraph (d)(1)(iv) of this section, as measured by methods specified in § 648.80(f); or,
(B) The mesh size of any net or part of a net on board the vessel not integrated into a fully constructed net is equal to or greater than 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) but smaller than 3 inches (7.62), as measured by methods specified in § 648.80(f). “Integrated into a fully constructed net” means that the mesh smaller than 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) occurs only in the part of the net not subject to the mesh size restrictions as specified in paragraph (d)(1)(iv), and, that the net into which the mesh is integrated is available for immediate use.
(iii) Vessels using nets of mesh size equal to or greater than 3 inches (7.62 cm). Owners or operators of a vessel, which is not subject to the possession limits specified in paragraphs (d)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section, may possess and land not more than 30,000 (13,608 kg) of combined silver hake and offshore hake if both of the following conditions are met:
(A) The mesh size of any net or any part of a net used by or on board the vessel is equal to or greater than 3 inches (7.62 cm), as applied to the part of the net specified in paragraph (d)(1)(iv) of this section, as measured by methods specified in § 648.80(f); and,
(B) The mesh size of any net or part of a net on board the vessel not integrated into a fully constructed net is equal to or greater than 3 inches (7.62 ), as measured by methods specified in § 648.80(f). “Integrated into a fully constructed net” means that the mesh smaller than 3 inches (7.62 cm) occurs only in the part of the net not subject to the mesh size restrictions as specified in paragraph (d)(1)(iv), and, that the net into which the mesh is integrated is available for immediate use.
(iv) Application of mesh size. Counting from the terminus of the net, the mesh size restrictions specified in paragraphs (d)(1)(i),(ii) and (iii) of this section are only applicable to the first 100 meshes (200 bars in the case of square mesh) for vessels greater than 60 ft (18.28 m) in length, and to the first 50 meshes (100 bars in the case of square mesh) for vessels 60 ft (18.28 m) or less in length. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the restrictions and conditions pertaining to mesh size do not apply to nets or pieces of net smaller than 3 ft (0.9 m) x 3 ft (0.9 m), (9 sq ft (0.81 sq m)).
(2) Possession limit for vessels participating in the northern shrimp fishery. Owners and operators of vessels participating in the Small-Mesh Northern Shrimp Fishery Exemption Area, as described in § 648.80(a)(3) with a vessel issued a valid Federal multispecies permit specified under § 648.4(a)(1) may possess and land silver hake and offshore hake, combined, up to an amount equal to the weight of shrimp on board, not to exceed 3,500 lb (1,588 kg). Silver hake and offshore hake on board a vessel subject to this possession limit must be separated from other species of fish and stored so as to be readily available for inspection.
(3) Possession restriction for vessels electing to transfer small-mesh multispecies at sea. Owners and operators of vessels issued a valid Federal multispecies permit and issued a letter of authorization to transfer small-mesh multispecies at sea according to the provisions specified in § 648.13(b) are subject to a combined silver hake and offshore hake possession limit that is 500 lb (226.8 kg) less than the possession limit the vessel otherwise receives. This deduction shall be noted on the transferring vessel's letter of authorization from the Regional Administrator.