Proposed Rule2022-08314
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Framework Adjustment 63
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Published
April 20, 2022
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
This action proposes to approve and implement Framework Adjustment 63 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. This rule proposes to set or adjust catch limits for 5 of the 20 multispecies (groundfish) stocks, adjust recreational measures for Georges Bank cod, and revise the default specifications process. This action is necessary to respond to updated scientific information and to achieve the goals and objectives of the fishery management plan. The proposed measures are intended to help prevent overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, achieve optimum yield, and ensure that management measures are based on the best scientific information available.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 76 (Wednesday, April 20, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 76 (Wednesday, April 20, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 23482-23492]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-08314]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 648
[Docket No. 220413-0095]
RIN 0648-BL12
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast
Multispecies Fishery; Framework Adjustment 63
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This action proposes to approve and implement Framework
Adjustment 63 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan.
This rule proposes to set or adjust catch limits for 5 of the 20
multispecies (groundfish) stocks, adjust recreational measures for
Georges Bank cod, and revise the default specifications process. This
action is necessary to respond to updated scientific information and to
achieve the goals and objectives of the fishery management plan. The
proposed measures are intended to help prevent overfishing, rebuild
overfished stocks, achieve optimum yield, and ensure that management
measures are based on the best scientific information available.
DATES: Comments must be received by May 5, 2022.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2021-0133,
by the following method:
<bullet> Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>
and enter NOAA-NMFS-2021-0133 in the Search box. Click on the
``Comment'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach
your comments.
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 us. All comments received are a part of the
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> 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. We will accept anonymous
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain
anonymous).
Copies of Framework Adjustment 63, including the draft
Environmental Assessment, the Regulatory Impact Review, and the
Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis prepared by the New England Fishery
Management Council in support of this action, are available from Thomas
A. Nies, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council, 50
Water Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950. The supporting documents
are also accessible via the internet at: <a href="https://www.nefmc.org/management-plans/northeast-multispecies">https://www.nefmc.org/management-plans/northeast-multispecies</a> or <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Liz Sullivan, Fishery Policy Analyst,
phone: 978-282-8493; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#18547162364b6d7474716e79765876777979367f776e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d894b1a2f68badb4b4b1aeb9b698b6b7b9b9f6bfb7ae">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Summary of Proposed Measures
This action would implement the management measures in Framework
Adjustment 63 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan
(FMP). The New England Fishery Management Council reviewed the proposed
regulations and deemed them consistent with, and necessary to
implement, Framework 63 in a March 8, 2022, letter from Council
Chairman Eric Reid to Regional Administrator Michael Pentony. Under the
Magnuson-Stevens Act, we approve, disapprove, or partially approve
measures that the Council proposes, based on consistency with the Act
and other applicable law. We review proposed regulations for
consistency with the fishery management plan, plan amendment, the
Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable law, and publish the proposed
regulations, solicit public comment, and promulgate the final
regulations. We are seeking comments on the Council's proposed measures
in Framework 63. Through Framework 63, the Council proposes to:
<bullet> Set shared U.S./Canada quotas for Georges Bank (GB)
yellowtail flounder and eastern GB cod and haddock for fishing years
2022 and 2023;
<bullet> Set specifications, including catch limits, for five
groundfish stocks: Gulf of Maine (GOM) cod (2022-2024), GB yellowtail
flounder (2022-2023), and GB cod, GB haddock, and white hake (2022);
<bullet> Adjust recreational measures for GB cod;
<bullet> Grant the Regional Administrator authority to adjust
recreational
[[Page 23483]]
measures for GB cod in 2023 and 2024, and;
<bullet> Modify the current process for default specifications.
This action also proposes regulatory corrections that are not part
of Framework 63, but that may be considered and implemented under our
section 305(d) authority in the Magnuson-Stevens Act to make changes
necessary to carry out the FMP. We are proposing these corrections in
conjunction with the Framework 63 proposed measures for expediency
purposes. These proposed corrections are described in Regulatory
Corrections under Secretarial Authority.
Fishing Years 2022 and 2023 Shared U.S./Canada Quotas
Management of Transboundary Georges Bank Stocks
Eastern GB cod, eastern GB haddock, and GB yellowtail flounder are
jointly managed with Canada under the United States/Canada Resource
Sharing Understanding. The Transboundary Management Guidance Committee
(TMGC) is a government-industry committee made up of representatives
from the United States and Canada. For historical information about the
TMGC see: <a href="https://www.bio.gc.ca/info/intercol/tmgc-cogst/index-en.php">https://www.bio.gc.ca/info/intercol/tmgc-cogst/index-en.php</a>.
Each year, the TMGC recommends a shared quota for each stock based on
the most recent stock information and the TMGC's harvest strategy. The
TMGC's harvest strategy for setting catch levels is to maintain a low
to neutral risk (less than 50 percent) of exceeding the fishing
mortality limit for each stock. The harvest strategy also specifies
that when stock conditions are poor, fishing mortality should be
further reduced to promote stock rebuilding. The shared quotas are
allocated between the United States and Canada based on a formula that
considers historical catch (10-percent weighting) and the current
resource distribution (90-percent weighting).
For GB yellowtail flounder, the Council's Scientific and
Statistical Committee (SSC) also recommends an acceptable biological
catch (ABC) for the stock. The ABC is typically used to inform the U.S.
TMGC's discussions with Canada for the annual shared quota. Although
the stock is jointly managed with Canada, and the TMGC recommends
annual shared quotas, the Council may not set catch limits that would
exceed the SSC's recommendation. The SSC does not recommend ABCs for
eastern GB cod and haddock because they are management units of the
total GB cod and haddock stocks. The SSC recommends overall ABCs for
the total GB cod and haddock stocks. The shared U.S./Canada quota for
eastern GB cod and haddock is included in these overall ABCs, and must
be consistent with the SSC's recommendation for the total GB stocks.
2022 and 2023 U.S./Canada Quotas
The Transboundary Resources Assessment Committee conducted
assessments for the three transboundary stocks in July 2021, and
detailed summaries of these assessments can be found at: <a href="https://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/assessments/trac/">https://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/assessments/trac/</a>. The TMGC met in September 2021 to
recommend shared quotas for 2022 based on the updated assessments, and
the Council adopted the TMGC's recommendations in Framework 63.
Framework 63 proposes to set the same shared quotas for a second year
(i.e., for fishing year 2023) as placeholders, with the expectation
that those quotas will be reviewed annually and new recommendations
will be received from the TMGC. The proposed 2022 and 2023 shared U.S./
Canada quotas, and each country's allocation, are listed in Table 1.
Table 1--Proposed 2022 and 2023 Fishing Years U.S./Canada Quotas (mt, live weight) and Percent of Quota
Allocated to Each Country
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quota Eastern GB cod Eastern GB haddock GB yellowtail flounder
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Shared Quota................... 571.................... 14,100................. 200.
U.S. Quota........................... 160 (28 percent)....... 6,627 (47 percent)..... 122 (61 percent).
Canadian Quota....................... 411 (72 percent)....... 7,473 (53 percent)..... 78 (39 percent).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The proposed 2022 U.S. quota for eastern GB cod would represent a
16.1-percent decrease compared to 2021; the proposed 2022 U.S. quota
for eastern GB haddock and GB yellowtail flounder would represent 2-
percent and 53-percent increases, respectively, compared to 2021. For a
more detailed discussion of the TMGC's 2022 catch advice, including a
description of each country's quota share, see the TMGC's guidance
document that will be posted at: <a href="https://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/">https://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/</a>.
The regulations implementing the U.S./Canada Resource Sharing
Understanding require deducting any overages of the U.S. quota for
eastern GB cod, eastern GB haddock, or GB yellowtail flounder from the
U.S. quota in the following fishing year. If catch information for the
2021 fishing year indicates that the U.S. fishery exceeded its quota
for any of the shared stocks, we will reduce the respective U.S. quotas
for the 2022 fishing year in a future management action, as close to
May 1, 2022, as possible. If any fishery that is allocated a portion of
the U.S. quota exceeds its allocation and causes an overage of the
overall U.S. quota, the overage reduction would be applied only to that
fishery's allocation in the following fishing year. This ensures that
catch by one component of the overall fishery does not negatively
affect another component of the overall fishery.
Catch Limits for Fishing Years 2022-2024
Summary of the Proposed Catch Limits
Tables 2 through 11 show the proposed catch limits for the 2022-
2024 fishing years. A brief summary of how these catch limits were
developed is provided below. More details on the proposed catch limits
for each groundfish stock can be found in Appendix II (Calculation of
Northeast Multispecies Annual Catch Limits, FY 2022-FY 2024) to the
Framework 63 Environmental Assessment (see ADDRESSES for information on
how to get this document).
Through Framework 63, the Council proposes to adopt catch limits
for GOM cod for the 2022-2024 fishing years and for GB cod for the 2022
fishing year, based on stock assessments completed in 2021; a catch
limit for white hake for fishing year 2022, based on the revised
rebuilding plan implemented by Framework 61; and a catch limit for GB
yellowtail flounder for fishing years 2022-2023. Framework 59 (85 FR
45794; July 30, 2020) previously set 2022 quotas for seven groundfish
stocks based on assessments conducted in 2019, which would remain in
place, with a small change to the U.S. ABC for GB haddock to reflect
the 2022 TMGC
[[Page 23484]]
recommendation for that stock. Framework 61 (86 FR 40353; July 28,
2021) previously set 2022-2023 quotas for the remaining nine groundfish
stocks based on assessments conducted in 2020, and those would also
remain in place. Table 2 provides an overview of which catch limits, if
any, would change, as proposed in Framework 63, as well as when the
stock was most recently assessed. Table 3 provides the percent change
in the 2022 catch limit compared to the 2021 fishing year.
Table 2--Changes to Catch Limits, as Proposed in Framework 63
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Most recent Proposed change in
Stock assessment framework 63
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB Cod......................... 2021 New 2022 ABC.
GOM Cod........................ 2021 New 2022-2024 ABC.
GB Haddock..................... 2019 New 2022 U.S. ABC.
GOM Haddock.................... 2019 No change: 2022 catch
limits set by
Framework 59.
GB Yellowtail Flounder......... 2020 New 2022-2023 ABC.
SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder..... 2019 No change: 2022 catch
limits set by
Framework 59.
CC/GOM Yellowtail Flounder..... 2019 No change: 2022 catch
limits set by
Framework 59.
American Plaice................ 2019 No change: 2022 catch
limits set by
Framework 59.
Witch Flounder................. 2019 No change: 2022 catch
limits set by
Framework 59.
GB Winter Flounder............. 2020 No change: 2022-2023
catch limits set by
Framework 61.
GOM Winter Flounder............ 2020 No change: 2022-2023
catch limits set by
Framework 61.
SNE/MA Winter Flounder......... 2020 No change: 2022-2023
catch limits set by
Framework 61.
Redfish........................ 2020 No change: 2022-2023
catch limits set by
Framework 61.
White Hake..................... 2019 New 2022 ABC.
Pollock........................ 2019 No change: 2022 catch
limits set by
Framework 59.
N. Windowpane Flounder......... 2020 No change: 2022-2023
catch limits set by
Framework 61.
S. Windowpane Flounder......... 2020 No change: 2022-2023
catch limits set by
Framework 61.
Ocean Pout..................... 2020 No change: 2022-2023
catch limits set by
Framework 61.
Atlantic Halibut............... 2020 No change: 2022-2023
catch limits set by
Framework 61.
Atlantic Wolffish.............. 2020 No change: 2022-2023
catch limits set by
Framework 61.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
N = Northern; S = Southern.
Table 3--Proposed Fishing Years 2022-2024 Overfishing Limits and Acceptable Biological Catches
[mt, live weight]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2022 Percent change 2023 2024
-------------------------------- from 2021 ---------------------------------------------------------------
Stock ----------------
OFL U.S. ABC OFL U.S. ABC OFL U.S. ABC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB Cod.................................. UNK 343 -73.78 .............. .............. .............. ..............
GOM Cod................................. 724 551 0 853 551 980 551
GB Haddock.............................. 114,925 81,383 -2 .............. .............. .............. ..............
GOM Haddock............................. 14,834 11,526 -31 .............. .............. .............. ..............
GB Yellowtail Flounder.................. UNK 122 53 UNK 122 .............. ..............
SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder.............. 184 22 0 .............. .............. .............. ..............
CC/GOM Yellowtail Flounder.............. 1,116 823 0 .............. .............. .............. ..............
American Plaice......................... 3,687 2,825 -2 .............. .............. .............. ..............
Witch Flounder.......................... UNK 1,483 0 .............. .............. .............. ..............
GB Winter Flounder...................... 974 608 0 1,431 608 .............. ..............
GOM Winter Flounder..................... 662 497 0 662 497 .............. ..............
SNE/MA Winter Flounder.................. 1,438 456 0 1,438 456 .............. ..............
Redfish................................. 13,354 10,062 -1 13,229 9,967 .............. ..............
White Hake.............................. 3,022 2,116 -1 .............. .............. .............. ..............
Pollock................................. 21,744 16,812 -24 .............. .............. .............. ..............
N. Windowpane Flounder.................. UNK 160 0 UNK 160 .............. ..............
S. Windowpane Flounder.................. 513 384 0 513 384 .............. ..............
Ocean Pout.............................. 125 87 0 125 87 .............. ..............
Atlantic Halibut........................ UNK 101 0 UNK 101 .............. ..............
Atlantic Wolffish....................... 122 92 0 122 92 .............. ..............
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNK = Unknown.
Note: An empty cell indicates no OFL/ABC is adopted for that year. These catch limits would be set in a future action.
[[Page 23485]]
Overfishing Limits and Acceptable Biological Catches
The overfishing limit (OFL) is calculated to set the maximum amount
of fish that can be caught in a year, without constituting overfishing.
The ABC is typically set lower than the OFL to account for scientific
uncertainty. For GB cod, GB haddock, and GB yellowtail flounder, the
total ABC is reduced by the amount of the Canadian quota (see Table 1
for the Canadian and U.S. shares of these stocks). Although the TMGC
recommendations were only for fishing year 2022, the portion of the
shared quota allocated to Canada in fishing year 2022 was used to
project U.S. ABCs for GB yellowtail for 2023. This avoids artificially
inflating the U.S. ABC up to the total ABC for the 2023 fishing year.
Because there are no proposed total ABCs for GB cod and GB haddock for
fishing year 2023, there are no fishing year 2023 U.S. ABCs for these
two stocks either, although there are proposed quotas for eastern GB
cod and haddock (see Fishing Years 2022 and 2023 Shared U.S./Canada
Quotas). The TMGC will make new recommendations for 2023, which would
replace any quotas for these stocks set in this action. Additionally,
although GB winter flounder, white hake, and Atlantic halibut are not
jointly managed with Canada, there is some Canadian catch of these
stocks. Because the total ABC must account for all sources of fishing
mortality, expected Canadian catch of GB winter flounder (26 mt), white
hake (39 mt), and Atlantic halibut (49 mt) is deducted from the total
ABC. The U.S. ABC is the amount available to the U.S. fishery after
accounting for Canadian catch (see Table 3). For stocks without
Canadian catch, the U.S. ABC is equal to the total ABC.
The OFLs are currently unknown for GB cod, GB yellowtail flounder,
witch flounder, northern windowpane flounder, and Atlantic halibut. For
2022, the SSC recommended maintaining the unknown OFL for GB yellowtail
flounder and GB cod. Empirical stock assessments are used for these
five stocks, and these assessments can no longer provide quantitative
estimates of the status determination criteria, nor were appropriate
proxies for stock status determination able to be developed. In the
temporary absence of an OFL, in this and previous actions, we have
considered recent catch data and estimated trends in stock biomass as
an indication that the catch limits derived from ABCs are sufficiently
managing fishing mortality at a rate that is preventing overfishing.
For GB yellowtail flounder, the SSC noted that the fishery does not
appear to be the main driver limiting stock recovery. However, the
continued low stock biomass and poor recruitment for this stock warrant
the maintenance of low catch levels. For GB cod, a majority of the SSC
accepted the continued use of the ``PlanBSmooth'' approach for setting
the ABC for GB cod, which results in a large decrease (approximately 57
percent) from the previously set ABC value, and a 37-percent decrease
from the most recent 3-year average catch. This large reduction in the
ABC for GB cod is anticipated to increase the probability of stock
rebuilding. Based on these considerations, we have preliminarily
determined that these ABCs are a sufficient limit for preventing
overfishing and are consistent with the National Standards. This action
does not propose any changes to the status determination criteria for
these stocks.
Georges Bank Cod
The GB cod 2021 management track assessment followed the
PlanBsmooth approach, using updated commercial fishery catch data
through calendar year 2020 and updated research survey indices of
abundance through 2021. While this approach does not allow biological
reference points to be calculated, the output of the PlanBsmooth
approach has been used as the basis of catch advice since the 2015 age-
based updated assessment was rejected by the peer review. At the
October 25, 2021, SSC meeting, two applications of the PlanBsmooth
approach were presented. In the first method, Plan B was applied with
missing values for the 2020 spring and fall surveys, which were not
conducted due to impacts of the COVID-19 health emergency. In the
second method, values for the 2020 survey data were imputed based on
averages of recent data. The results of the two methods were a slightly
different catch multiplier (0.611 vs. 0.632, respectively) and
recommended ABCs (729 mt vs. 754 mt). While a minority of the SSC
advocated for an alternative proposal that used a ramp-down approach to
setting the GB cod ABC for 2022-2024, the majority of the SSC endorsed
the use of the PlanBsmooth as the best scientific information available
on which to set catch advice and adopted the use of the second method
with imputed survey data. The SSC recommended a 3-year constant ABC of
754 mt, which would represent a 57-percent decrease from the 2021 ABC
value. Because a portion of the total ABC is allocated to Canada, the
resulting U.S. ABC of 343 mt would be a 74-percent decrease from the
2021 U.S. ABC. The Council discussed both the SSC's recommendation and
the opinion presented in the SSC's minority report, and ultimately
decided to propose the SSC's recommended ABC of 754 mt, but for fishing
year 2022 only. Framework 63 would not set an ABC for GB cod for 2023
or beyond, and the Council would need to propose an ABC in a future
action.
Annual Catch Limits
Development of Annual Catch Limits
The U.S. ABC for each stock is divided among the various fishery
components to account for all sources of fishing mortality. An estimate
of catch expected from state waters and the other sub-component (e.g.,
non-groundfish fisheries or some recreational groundfish fisheries) is
deducted from the U.S. ABC. The remaining portion of the U.S. ABC is
distributed to the fishery components that receive an allocation for
the stock. Components of the fishery that receive an allocation have a
sub-ACL set by reducing their portion of the ABC to account for
management uncertainty and are subject to accountability measures (AM)
if they exceed their respective catch limit during the fishing year.
For GOM cod and haddock only, the U.S. ABC is first divided between the
commercial and recreational fisheries, before being further divided
into sub-components and sub-ACLs. This process is described fully in
Appendix II of the Framework 63 Environmental Assessment. Amendment 23,
if approved, could remove the management uncertainty buffer for
sectors, and the Amendment 23 proposed rule (87 FR 11014; February 28,
2022) provides additional information regarding the implementation of
this potential change. However, the allocations in Framework 63 include
the management uncertainty buffers.
Sector and Common Pool Allocations
For stocks allocated to sectors, the commercial groundfish sub-ACL
is further divided into the non-sector (common pool) sub-ACL and the
sector sub-ACL, based on the total vessel enrollment in sectors and the
cumulative potential sector contributions (PSC) associated with those
sectors. The sector and common pool sub-ACLs proposed in this action
are based on preliminary fishing year 2022 sector rosters. All permits
enrolled in a sector, and the vessels associated with those permits,
have until April 30, 2022, to withdraw from a sector and fish in the
common pool for the 2022 fishing year. In addition to the enrollment
[[Page 23486]]
delay, all permits that change ownership after the roster deadline are
able to join a sector (or change sector) through April 30, 2022.
Common Pool Total Allowable Catches
The common pool sub-ACL for each allocated stock (except for SNE/MA
winter flounder) is further divided into trimester TACs. Table 7
summarizes the common pool trimester TACs proposed in this action.
Incidental catch TACs are also specified for certain stocks of
concern (i.e., stocks that are overfished or subject to overfishing)
for common pool vessels fishing in the special management programs
(i.e., special access programs (SAP) and the Regular B Days-at-Sea
(DAS) Program), in order to limit the catch of these stocks under each
program. Tables 8 through 11 summarize the proposed Incidental Catch
TACs for each stock and the distribution of these TACs to each special
management program.
Table 4--Proposed Catch Limits for the 2022 Fishing Year
[mt, live weight]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Midwater
Stock Total ACL Groundfish Sector pool sub- Recreational trawl Scallop Small-mesh State waters Other sub-
sub-ACL sub-ACL ACL sub-ACL fishery fishery fisheries sub-component component
A to H A+B+C A B C D E F G H
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB Cod........................................................ 330 244 238 6 .............. ......... ......... .......... 11 75
GOM Cod....................................................... 522 462 263 7.4 192 ......... ......... .......... 48 12
GB Haddock.................................................... 77,302 75,382 74,090 1,292 .............. 1,514 ......... .......... 0 406
GOM Haddock................................................... 10,873 10,690 6,922 134 3,634 107 ......... .......... 38 38
GB Yellowtail Flounder........................................ 118 97 93 4.5 .............. ......... 19 2.3 0.0 0.0
SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder.................................... 21 16 12 3.2 .............. ......... 2.0 .......... 0.2 3.3
CC/GOM Yellowtail Flounder.................................... 787 692 666 26 .............. ......... ......... .......... 58 37
American Plaice............................................... 2,687 2,630 2,565 65 .............. ......... ......... .......... 28 28
Witch Flounder................................................ 1,414 1,317 1,285 33 .............. ......... ......... .......... 44 52
GB Winter Flounder............................................ 591 563 550 14 .............. ......... ......... .......... 0 27
GOM Winter Flounder........................................... 482 281 260 21 .............. ......... ......... .......... 194 7.5
SNE/MA Winter Flounder........................................ 441 288 254 34 .............. ......... ......... .......... 21 132
Redfish....................................................... 9,559 9,559 9,470 89 .............. ......... ......... .......... 0 0
White Hake.................................................... 2,011 1,990 1,971 19 .............. ......... ......... .......... 11 11
Pollock....................................................... 16,068 14,135 14,028 107 .............. ......... ......... .......... 1,093 841
N Windowpane Flounder......................................... 150 108 na 108 .............. ......... 31 .......... 0.8 10
S Windowpane Flounder......................................... 371 43 na 43 .............. ......... 129 .......... 23 177
Ocean Pout.................................................... 83 50 na 50 .............. ......... ......... .......... 0 33
Atlantic Halibut.............................................. 97 73 na 73 .............. ......... ......... .......... 20 3.5
Atlantic Wolffish............................................. 86 86 na 86 .............. ......... ......... .......... 0 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
na: Not allocated to sectors.
Table 5--Proposed Catch Limits for the 2023 Fishing Year *
[mt, live weight]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Midwater
Stock Total ACL Groundfish Sector pool sub- Recreational trawl Scallop Small-mesh State waters Other sub-
sub-ACL sub-ACL ACL sub-ACL fishery fishery fisheries sub-component component
A to H A+B+C A B C D E F G H
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOM Cod....................................................... 522 462 263 7.4 192 ......... ......... .......... 48 12
GB Yellowtail Flounder........................................ 118 97 93 4.5 .............. ......... 19 2.3 0 0
GB Winter Flounder............................................ 591 563 550 14 .............. ......... ......... .......... 0 27
GOM Winter Flounder........................................... 482 281 260 21 .............. ......... ......... .......... 194 7.5
SNE/MA Winter Flounder........................................ 441 288 254 34 .............. ......... ......... .......... 21 132
Redfish....................................................... 9,469 9,469 9,381 88 .............. ......... ......... .......... 0 0
N. Windowpane Flounder........................................ 150 108 na 108 .............. ......... 31 .......... 0.8 10
S. Windowpane Flounder........................................ 371 43 na 43 .............. ......... 129 .......... 23 177
Ocean Pout.................................................... 83 50 na 50 .............. ......... ......... .......... 0 33
Atlantic Halibut.............................................. 97 73 na 73 .............. ......... ......... .......... 20 3.5
Atlantic Wolffish............................................. 86 86 na 86 .............. ......... ......... .......... 0 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
na: Not allocated to sectors.
* All other Northeast multispecies stocks not included in Table 4 do not have catch limits approved or proposed beyond fishing year 2022.
[[Page 23487]]
Table 6--Proposed Catch Limits for the 2024 Fishing Year *
[mt, live weight]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Midwater
Stock Total ACL Groundfish Sector pool sub- Recreational trawl Scallop Small-mesh State waters Other sub-
sub-ACL sub-ACL ACL sub-ACL fishery fishery fisheries sub-component component
A to H A+B+C A B C D E F G H
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOM Cod....................................................... 522 462 263 7 192 ......... ......... .......... 48 12
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Framework 63 only proposes a fishing year 2024 catch limit for GOM cod.
Table 7--Proposed Fishing Years 2022-2024 Common Pool Trimester TACs
[mt, live weight]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2022 2023 2024
Stock ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trimester 1 Trimester 2 Trimester 3 Trimester 1 Trimester 2 Trimester 3 Trimester 1 Trimester 2 Trimester 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB Cod........................... 1.7 2.1 2.3 ........... ........... ............ ........... ........... ...........
GOM Cod.......................... 3.6 2.4 1.3 3.6 2.4 1.3 3.6 2.4 1.3
GB Haddock....................... 348.8 426.3 516.8 ........... ........... ............ ........... ........... ...........
GOM Haddock...................... 36.2 34.9 63.0 ........... ........... ............ ........... ........... ...........
GB Yellowtail Flounder........... 0.8 1.3 2.3 0.8 1.3 2.3 ........... ........... ...........
SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder....... 0.7 0.9 1.6 ........... ........... ............ ........... ........... ...........
CC/GOM Yellowtail Flounder....... 15.0 6.9 4.5 ........... ........... ............ ........... ........... ...........
American Plaice.................. 48.1 5.2 11.7 ........... ........... ............ ........... ........... ...........
Witch Flounder................... 18.0 6.5 8.2 ........... ........... ............ ........... ........... ...........
GB Winter Flounder............... 1.1 3.3 9.2 1.1 3.3 9.2 ........... ........... ...........
GOM Winter Flounder.............. 7.6 7.8 5.1 7.6 7.8 5.1 ........... ........... ...........
Redfish.......................... 22.2 27.5 39.1 22.0 27.3 38.7 ........... ........... ...........
White Hake....................... 7.2 5.9 5.9 ........... ........... ............ ........... ........... ...........
Pollock.......................... 29.9 37.4 39.6 ........... ........... ............ ........... ........... ...........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 8--Proposed Common Pool Incidental Catch TACs for the 2022-2024 Fishing Years
[mt, live weight]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percentage of
Stock common pool 2022 2023 2024
sub-ACL
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB Cod.......................................... 1.68 0.10 .............. ..............
GOM Cod......................................... 1 0.07 0.07 0.07
GB Yellowtail Flounder.......................... 2 0.09 0.9 ..............
CC/GOM Yellowtail Flounder...................... 1 0.26 .............. ..............
American Plaice................................. 5 3.25 .............. ..............
Witch Flounder.................................. 5 1.63 .............. ..............
SNE/MA Winter Flounder.......................... 1 0.34 0.34 ..............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 9--Percentage of Incidental Catch TACs Distributed to Each Special
Management Program
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regular B DAS Eastern U.S./
Stock program CA haddock SAP
(percent) (percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB Cod.................................. 60 40
GOM Cod................................. 100 n/a
GB Yellowtail Flounder.................. 50 50
CC/GOM Yellowtail Flounder.............. 100 n/a
American Plaice......................... 100 n/a
Witch Flounder.......................... 100 n/a
SNE/MA Winter Flounder.................. 100 n/a
------------------------------------------------------------------------
na: Not allocated to sectors.
Table 10--Proposed Fishing Years 2022-2024 Incidental Catch TACs for Each Special Management Program
[mt, live weight]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regular B DAS program Eastern U.S./Canada haddock SAP
Stock -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2022 2023 2024 2022 2023 2024
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB Cod.................................................. 0.06 .............. .............. 0.04 .............. ..............
GOM Cod................................................. 0.07 0.07 0.07 n/a n/a n/a
GB Yellowtail Flounder.................................. 0.04 0.04 .............. 0.04 0.04 ..............
[[Page 23488]]
CC/GOM Yellowtail Flounder.............................. 0.26 .............. .............. n/a n/a n/a
American Plaice......................................... 3.25 .............. .............. n/a n/a n/a
Witch Flounder.......................................... 1.63 .............. .............. n/a n/a n/a
SNE/MA Winter Flounder.................................. 0.34 0.34 .............. n/a n/a n/a
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
na: Not allocated to sectors.
Table 11--Proposed Fishing Years 2022-2024 Regular B DAS Program Quarterly Incidental Catch TACs
[mt, live weight]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2022 2023 2024
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
Stock quarter quarter quarter quarter quarter quarter quarter quarter quarter quarter quarter quarter
(13 (29 (29 (29 (13 (29 (29 (29 (13 (29 (29 (29
percent) percent) percent) percent) percent) percent) percent) percent) percent) percent) percent) percent)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB Cod...................................................... 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.02 ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... .........
GOM Cod..................................................... 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.02
GB Yellowtail Flounder...................................... 0.006 0.013 0.013 0.013 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 ......... ......... ......... .........
CC/GOM Yellowtail Flounder.................................. 0.03 0.08 0.08 0.08 ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... .........
American Plaice............................................. 0.42 0.94 0.94 0.94 ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... .........
Witch Flounder.............................................. 0.21 0.47 0.47 0.47 ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... .........
SNE/MA Winter Flounder...................................... 0.04 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.04 0.10 0.10 0.10 ......... ......... ......... .........
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recreational Fishery Measures
The recreational fishery harvests GB cod, but there is no
allocation to the recreational sector. A portion of the ABC is set
aside for the catch in state waters (including both commercial and
recreational vessels) and catch in Federal waters by other fisheries
(including non-groundfish commercial vessels and recreational
groundfish vessels). There are no AMs for the GB cod recreational
fishery; an overage to the ACL, even if it results from catch by the
recreational fishery, is paid back (pound-for-pound) by the commercial
groundfish fishery.
Given the proposed reduction in the GB cod ABC, the Council has
proposed setting a new GB cod recreational catch target of 75 mt, which
would replace the current catch target of 138 mt. The Council used this
catch target to set the proposed values of the state and other sub-
components (see Appendix II of the EA).
Framework 63 would also adjust the current recreational measures
for GB cod, in order to reduce mortality to stay below the GB cod
recreational catch target. Combined with the reduction in catch target,
these measures were developed to reduce mortality on GB cod and allow
for the promotion of GB cod stock rebuilding. These measures would
apply to both private and for-hire recreational vessels, and would
remain in place unless modified. Table 12 shows the current and
proposed GB cod recreational measures.
Table 12--Current and Proposed Georges Bank Cod Recreational Management
Measures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Proposed
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum Size..................... 21 in (53.3 cm)... 22 in (55.9 cm).
Maximum Size..................... None.............. 28 in (71.1 cm).
Possession Limit................. 10 fish per person 5 fish per person
per day. per day.
Closed Season.................... None.............. May 1 through
July 31.
Open Season...................... All year.......... August 1 through
April 30.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Past data show that setting a possession limit, increasing minimum
size, and establishing a closed season are effective techniques for
reducing recreational catch. While less common, a maximum size limit
(often referred to as a ``slot limit'' when coupled with a minimum
size) can also increase the chance that large fish, which are more
likely successful spawners, are released alive and are able to continue
to spawn. Based on data from recent fishing years, it is estimated that
the proposed measures would result in approximately 60 mt of catch.
Given the variability in MRIP data and the lack of a bioeconomic model
for GB cod to evaluate the potential behavioral effects of the proposed
measures, there is uncertainty about the accuracy of that estimate for
any given year.
To help prevent future overages of the GB cod ACL, Framework 63
proposes to grant the Regional Administrator authority to set
recreational measures for fishing years 2023 and 2024 to prevent the
catch target from being exceeded. After consultation with the Council,
we would make any changes to
[[Page 23489]]
recreational measures consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act.
Default Specifications Process
Framework 53 (80 FR 25110; May 1, 2015) established a mechanism for
setting default catch limits in the event a future management action is
delayed. If final catch limits have not been implemented by the start
of a fishing year on May 1, then default catch limits are set at 35
percent of the previous year's catch limit, effective until July 31 of
that fishing year, or when replaced by new catch limits, whichever
happens first.
Framework 63 proposes to modify the default specifications process
to increase the default limits to 75 percent of the previous year's
catch limit, and extend the effective date through October 31 of that
fishing year, or when replaced by new catch limits, whichever happens
first. As implemented by Framework 53, if the default value is higher
than the Council's recommended catch limit for the upcoming fishing
year, the default catch limits will be equal to the Council's
recommended catch limits for the applicable stocks for the upcoming
fishing year. Additionally, there is no proposed change to the sector
holdback provision. When specifications are in place at the start of
the fishing year, a portion of each groundfish sector's quota is not
allocated to the sector while NMFS determines whether overages or other
catch accounting issues occurred in the prior fishing year. Under the
sector holdback provision, if a default catch limit is in place,
sectors would not be subject to holdback at the beginning of the
fishing year. As part of the proposed changes to the default
specifications process, the Council recommended setting a second year
TAC for eastern GB cod and haddock, with the expectation on that these
would be replaced as a result of the annual TMGC process. This is more
fully described in Fishing Years 2022 and 2023 Shared U.S./Canada
Quotas.
Because most groundfish vessels are not able to fish if final catch
limits have not been implemented, this measure was originally
established to allow fishing to continue for a short interim period to
minimize disruption to the groundfish fishery. The proposed
modifications would particularly benefit seasonal fisheries that
primarily operate in the early part of the fishing year, which would
have access to a greater portion of their quota, while still ensuring
that overfishing will not occur. In recent years, various factors have
led to the groundfish framework actions not being implemented until
close to the end of the current default period, and the potential for
the catch limits to expire before new catch limits are set has led to
disruptions and uncertainty for the industry. The addition of 3 months
to the current expiration date of default specifications (October 31 vs
July 31) retains a timeline for rulemaking while reducing the
likelihood of having specifications for groundfish stocks expire.
However, both the Council and NMFS intend for the annual specifications
to be in place at, or as close as possible to, the start of the fishing
year (May 1) each year.
Regulatory Corrections Under Secretarial Authority
Framework 63 would reinstate the possession limit for the northern
red hake stock, specified at Sec. 648.86(d)(1)(vi), under our
authority described in section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Red
hake is considered a small-mesh multispecies along with silver and
offshore hake. Small-mesh multispecies are included as a part of the
FMP; however, because the fishery is conducted with much smaller mesh
it is managed separately from other regulated NE multispecies through
distinct actions specific to the small-mesh fishery. The 2015-2018
Small-Mesh Multispecies Specifications (80 FR 30379; May 28, 2015)
reduced the possession limit of the northern red hake stock from 5,000
lb (2,268 kg) to 3,000 lb (1,361 kg) based on an approved Council
recommendation. The possession limit for the northern red hake stock
remains unchanged at 3,000 lb (1,361 kg) and Framework 63 would
reinstate the possession limit that was inadvertently deleted through a
prior rulemaking.
Classification
Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the
NMFS Assistant Administrator has made a preliminary determination that
this proposed rule is consistent with Framework 63, other provisions of
the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable law, subject to further
consideration after public comment. In making the final determination,
we will consider the data, views, and comments received during the
public comment period.
This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for
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.
An Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) was prepared for
this proposed 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 would have on small entities, including small
businesses, and also determines ways to minimize these impacts. The
IRFA includes this section of the preamble to this rule and analyses
contained in Framework 63 and its accompanying EA/RIR/IRFA. A copy of
the full analysis is available from the Council (see ADDRESSES). A
summary of the IRFA follows.
Description of the Reasons Why Action by the Agency Is Being Considered
and Statement of the Objectives of, and Legal Basis for, This Proposed
Rule
This action proposes management measures, including annual catch
limits, for the multispecies fishery in order to prevent overfishing,
rebuild overfished groundfish stocks, and achieve optimum yield in the
fishery. A complete description of the action, why it is being
considered, and the legal basis for this action are contained in
Framework 63, and elsewhere in the preamble to this proposed rule, and
are not repeated here.
Description and Estimate of the Number of Small Entities to Which This
Proposed Rule Would Apply
The proposed rule would impact the recreational groundfish,
Atlantic sea scallop, small mesh multispecies, Atlantic herring, and
large-mesh non-groundfish fisheries. Individually-permitted vessels may
hold permits for several fisheries, harvesting species of fish that are
regulated by several different FMPs, even beyond those impacted by the
proposed action. Furthermore, multiple-permitted vessels and/or permits
may be owned by entities affiliated by stock ownership, common
management, identity of interest, contractual relationships, or
economic dependency. For the purposes of the Regulatory Flexibility Act
analysis, the ownership entities, not the individual vessels, are
considered to be the regulated entities.
As of June 1, 2021, NMFS had issued 721 commercial limited-access
groundfish permits associated with vessels (including those in
confirmation of permit history, CPH), 649 party/charter groundfish
permits, 705 limited access and general category Atlantic sea scallop
permits, 734 small-mesh multispecies permits, 80 Atlantic herring
permits, and 802 large-mesh non-groundfish permits (limited access
summer flounder and scup permits).
[[Page 23490]]
Therefore, this action potentially regulates 3,691 permits. When
accounting for overlaps between fisheries, this number falls to 2,126
permitted vessels. Each vessel may be individually owned or part of a
larger corporate ownership structure, and for RFA purposes, it is the
ownership entity that is ultimately regulated by the proposed action.
Ownership entities are identified on June 1st of each year based on the
list of all permit numbers, for the most recent complete calendar year,
that have applied for any type of Greater Atlantic Federal fishing
permit. The current ownership data set is based on calendar year 2020
permits and contains gross sales associated with those permits for
calendar years 2018 through 2020.
For RFA purposes only, NMFS has established a small business size
standard for businesses, including their affiliates, whose primary
industry is commercial fishing (see 50 CFR 200.2). A business primarily
engaged in commercial fishing (NAICS code 11411) is classified as a
small business if it is independently owned and operated, is not
dominant in its field of operation (including its affiliates), and has
combined annual receipts not in excess of $11 million for all its
affiliated operations worldwide. The determination as to whether the
entity is large or small is based on the average annual revenue for the
three years from 2018 through 2020. The Small Business Administration
(SBA) has established size standards for all other major industry
sectors in the U.S., including for-hire fishing (NAICS code 487210).
These entities are classified as small businesses if combined annual
receipts are not in excess of $8.0 million for all its affiliated
operations. As with commercial fishing businesses, the annual average
of the three most recent years (2018-2020) is utilized in determining
annual receipts for businesses primarily engaged in for-hire fishing.
Based on the ownership data, 1,696 distinct business entities hold
at least one permit that the proposed action potentially regulates. All
1,696 business entities identified could be directly regulated by this
proposed action. Of these 1,696 entities, 976 are commercial fishing
entities, 281 are for-hire entities, and 439 did not have revenues
(were inactive in 2020). Of the 976 commercial fishing entities, 967
are categorized as small entities and 9 are categorized as large
entities, per the NMFS guidelines. Furthermore, 579 of these commercial
fishing entities held limited access groundfish permits, with 577 of
these entities being classified as small businesses and 2 of these
entities being classified as large businesses. All 281 for-hire
entities are categorized as small businesses.
Description of the Projected Reporting, Record-Keeping, and Other
Compliance Requirements of This Proposed Rule
The proposed action does not contain any new collection-of-
information requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA).
Federal Rules Which May Duplicate, Overlap, or Conflict With This
Proposed Rule
The proposed action does not duplicate, overlap, or conflict with
any other Federal rules.
Description of Significant Alternatives to the Proposed Action Which
Accomplish the Stated Objectives of Applicable Statutes and Which
Minimize Any Significant Economic Impact on Small Entities
The economic impacts of each proposed measure are discussed in more
detail in sections 6.5 and 7.12 of the Framework 63 Environmental
Assessment and are not repeated here. For the updated groundfish
specifications and adjustments to the GB cod recreational measures, the
No Action alternative was the only other alternative considered by the
Council. There are no significant alternatives that would minimize the
economic impacts. The proposed action is predicted to generate $73.3
million in gross revenues on the sector portion of the commercial
groundfish trips, which is $2.2 million less than No Action, but falls
within the recent historical range. Small entities engaged in common
pool groundfish fishing may be negatively impacted by the proposed
action as well. Likewise, small entities engaged in the recreational
groundfish fishery are also likely to be negatively impacted. These
negative impacts for both commercial and recreational groundfish
entities are driven primarily by a substantial decline in the ACL for
GB cod for fishing year 2022. While this decline is expected to result
in short-term negative impacts, decreased GB cod catch in fishing year
2022 is expected to yield long-term positive impacts through stock
rebuilding.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 648
Fisheries, Fishing, Recordkeeping, and reporting requirements.
Dated: April 13, 2022.
Samuel D. Rauch, III,
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
0
1. The authority citation for part 648 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
0
2. In Sec. 648.14, revise paragraph (k)(16)(v) to read as follows:
Sec. 648.14 Prohibitions.
* * * * *
(k) * * *
(16) * * *
(v) Size limits. If fishing under the recreational or charter/party
regulations, possess regulated species or ocean pout that are smaller
than the minimum fish sizes or larger than maximum fish sizes specified
in Sec. 648.89(b)(1) and (b)(3).
* * * * *
0
3. In Sec. 648.86 add paragraph (d)(1)(vi) to read as follows:
Sec. 648.86 NE Multispecies possession restrictions.
* * * * *
(d) * * *
(1) * * *
(vi) Possession of northern red hake. Vessels participating in the
small-mesh multispecies fishery and fishing on the northern red hake
stock, defined as statistical areas 464-465, 467, 511-515, 521-522, and
561, may possess and land no more than 3,000 lb 91,361 kg) of red hake
when fishing in the GOM/GB Exemption area, as described in Sec.
648.80(a)(17).
* * * * *
0
4. Amend Sec. 648.89 by revising paragraph (b) introductory text,
paragraphs (b)(1), Table 2 to paragraph (c), Table 3 to paragraph (c),
and (g), to read as follows:
Sec. 648.89 Recreational and charter/party vessel restrictions.
* * * * *
(b) Recreational minimum and maximum fish sizes--
(1) Minimum and maximum fish sizes. Unless further restricted under
this section, persons aboard charter or party boats permitted under
this part and not fishing under the NE multispecies DAS program or
under the restrictions and conditions of an approved sector operations
plan, and private recreational fishing vessels may
[[Page 23491]]
not possess fish in or from the EEZ that are smaller than the minimum
fish sizes or larger than the maximum fish sizes, measured in total
length, as follows:
Table 1 to Paragraph (b)(1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum size Maximum size
Species ---------------------------------------------------------------
Inches cm Inches cm
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cod:
Inside GOM Regulated Mesh Area \1\.......... 21 53.3 N/A N/A
Outside GOM Regulated Mesh Area \1\......... 22 55.9 28 71.1
Haddock:
Inside GOM Regulated Mesh Area \1\.......... 17 43.2 N/A N/A
Outside GOM Regulated Mesh Area \1\......... 18 45.7 N/A N/A
Pollock......................................... 19 48.3 N/A N/A
Witch Flounder (gray sole)...................... 14 35.6 N/A N/A
Yellowtail Flounder............................. 13 33.0 N/A N/A
American Plaice (dab)........................... 14 35.6 N/A N/A
Atlantic Halibut................................ 41 104.1 N/A N/A
Winter Flounder (black back).................... 12 30.5 N/A N/A
Redfish......................................... 9 22.9 N/A N/A
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ GOM Regulated Mesh Area specified in Sec. 648.80(a).
* * * * *
(c) * * *
(1) * * *
(i) * * *
Table 2 to Paragraph (c)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock Open season Possession limit Closed season
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB Cod............................... August 1-April 30...... 5...................... May 1-July 31.
GOM Cod.............................. September 15-30, April 1...................... April 15-September 14,
1-14. October 1-March 31.
GB Haddock........................... All Year............... Unlimited.............. N/A.
GOM Haddock.......................... May 1-February 28 (or 15..................... March 1-March 31.
29), April 1-30.
GB Yellowtail Flounder............... All Year............... Unlimited.............. N/A.
SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder........... All Year............... Unlimited.............. N/A.
CC/GOM Yellowtail Flounder........... All Year............... Unlimited.............. N/A.
American Plaice...................... All Year............... Unlimited.............. N/A.
Witch Flounder....................... All Year............... Unlimited.............. N/A.
GB Winter Flounder................... All Year............... Unlimited.............. N/A.
GOM Winter Flounder.................. All Year............... Unlimited.............. N/A.
SNE/MA Winter Flounder............... All Year............... Unlimited.............. N/A.
Redfish.............................. All Year............... Unlimited.............. N/A.
White Hake........................... All Year............... Unlimited.............. N/A.
Pollock.............................. All Year............... Unlimited.............. N/A.
N Windowpane Flounder................ Closed................. No retention........... All Year.
S Windowpane Flounder................ Closed................. No retention........... All Year.
Ocean Pout........................... Closed................. No retention........... All Year.
Atlantic Halibut..................... See paragraph (c)(3) of
this section.
Atlantic Wolffish.................... Closed................. No retention........... All Year.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
(2) * * *
Table 3 to Paragraph (c)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Open season Possession limit Closed season
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB Cod............................... August 1-April 30...... 5...................... May 1-July 31.
GOM Cod.............................. September 8-October 7, 1...................... April 15-September 7,
April 1-14. October 8-March 31.
GB Haddock........................... All Year............... Unlimited.............. N/A.
GOM Haddock.......................... May 1-February 28 (or 15..................... March 1-March 31.
29), April 1-30.
GB Yellowtail Flounder............... All Year............... Unlimited.............. N/A.
SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder........... All Year............... Unlimited.............. N/A.
CC/GOM Yellowtail Flounder........... All Year............... Unlimited.............. N/A.
American Plaice...................... All Year............... Unlimited.............. N/A.
Witch Flounder....................... All Year............... Unlimited.............. N/A.
GB Winter Flounder................... All Year............... Unlimited.............. N/A.
GOM Winter Flounder.................. All Year............... Unlimited.............. N/A.
[[Page 23492]]
SNE/MA Winter Flounder............... All Year............... Unlimited.............. N/A.
Redfish.............................. All Year............... Unlimited.............. N/A.
White Hake........................... All Year............... Unlimited.............. N/A.
Pollock.............................. All Year............... Unlimited.............. N/A.
N Windowpane Flounder................ Closed................. No retention........... All Year.
S Windowpane Flounder................ Closed................. No retention........... All Year.
Ocean Pout........................... Closed................. No retention........... All Year.
Atlantic Halibut..................... See Paragraph (c)(3) of
this section.
Atlantic Wolffish.................... Closed................. No retention........... All Year.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
(g) Regional Administrator authority for Georges Bank cod
recreational measures. For the 2023 and 2024 fishing years, the
Regional Administrator, after consultation with the NEFMC, may adjust
recreational measures for Georges Bank cod to prevent the recreational
fishery from exceeding the annual catch target as determined by the
NEFMC. Appropriate measures, including adjustments to fishing seasons,
minimum fish sizes, or possession limits, may be implemented in a
manner consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act, with the final
measures published in the Federal Register prior to the start of the
fishing year when possible. Separate measures may be implemented for
the private and charter/party components of the recreational fishery.
Measures in place in fishing year 2024 will be in effect beginning in
fishing year 2025, and will remain in effect until they are changed by
a Framework Adjustment or Amendment to the FMP, or through an emergency
action.
* * * * *
0
5. In Sec. 648.90, revise paragraph (a)(3)(i) and paragraph (a)(4)(i)
introductory text to read as follows:
Sec. 648.90 NE multispecies assessment, framework procedures and
specifications, and flexible area action system.
* * * * *
(a) * * *
(3) * * *
(i) Unless otherwise specified in this paragraph (a)(3), if final
specifications are not published in the Federal Register for the start
of a fishing year, as outlined in paragraph (a)(4) of this section,
specifications for that fishing year shall be set at 75 percent of the
previous year's specifications for each NE multispecies stock,
including the U.S./Canada shared resources, for the period of time
beginning on May 1 and ending on October 31, unless superseded by the
final rule implementing the current year's specifications.
* * * * *
(4) * * *
(i) ABC/ACL recommendations. As described in this paragraph (a)(4),
with the exception of stocks managed by the Understanding, the PDT
shall develop recommendations for setting an ABC, ACL, and OFL for each
NE multispecies stock for each of the next 3 years as part of the
biennial review process specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section.
ACLs can also be specified based upon updated information in the annual
SAFE report, as described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, and
other available information as part of a specification package, as
described in paragraph (a)(6) of this section. For NE multispecies
stocks or stock components managed under both the NE Multispecies FMP
and the Understanding, the PDT shall develop recommendations for ABCs,
ACLs, and OFLs for the pertinent stock or stock components for each of
the next 2 years as part of the annual process described in this
paragraph (a)(4) and Sec. 648.85(a)(2).
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2022-08314 Filed 4-19-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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