Rule2024-03013
List of Fisheries for 2024
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
February 16, 2024
Effective
March 18, 2024
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is publishing its final List of Fisheries (LOF) for 2024, as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The LOF for 2024 reflects new information on interactions between commercial fisheries and marine mammals. NMFS must classify each commercial fishery on the LOF into one of three categories under the MMPA based on the level of mortality and serious injury of marine mammals that occurs incidental to each fishery. The classification of a fishery on the LOF determines whether participants in that fishery are subject to certain provisions of the MMPA, such as those on registration, observer coverage, and take reduction plan (TRP) requirements.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 33 (Friday, February 16, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 33 (Friday, February 16, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12257-12282]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-03013]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 229
[Docket No. 240208-0041]
RIN 0648-BM19
List of Fisheries for 2024
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is publishing its final List of Fisheries (LOF) for 2024,
as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The LOF for
2024 reflects new information on interactions between commercial
fisheries and marine mammals. NMFS must classify each commercial
fishery on the LOF into one of three categories under the MMPA based on
the level of mortality and serious injury of marine mammals that occurs
incidental to each fishery. The classification of a fishery on the LOF
determines whether participants in that fishery are subject to certain
provisions of the MMPA, such as those on registration, observer
coverage, and take reduction plan (TRP) requirements.
DATES: This rule is effective March 18, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Chief, Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation Division,
Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver
Spring, MD 20910.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jaclyn Taylor, Office of Protected
Resources, 301-427-8402; Cheryl Cross, Greater Atlantic Region, 978-
281-9100; Jessica Powell, Southeast Region, 727-824-5312; Dan Lawson,
West Coast Region, 206-526-4740; Suzie Teerlink, Alaska Region, 907-
586-7240; Elena Duke, Pacific Islands Region, 808-725-5085. Individuals
who use a telecommunications device for the hearing impaired may call
the Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m.
and 4 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday, excluding Federal
holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
What is the List of Fisheries?
Section 118 of the MMPA requires NMFS to place all U.S. commercial
fisheries into one of three categories based on the level of incidental
mortality and serious injury of marine mammals occurring in each
fishery (16 U.S.C. 1387(c)(1)). The classification of a fishery on the
LOF determines whether participants in that fishery may be required to
comply with certain provisions of the MMPA, such as those on
registration, observer coverage, and take reduction plan requirements.
NMFS must reexamine the LOF annually, considering new information in
the Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports (SARs) and other relevant
sources, and publish in the Federal Register any necessary changes to
the LOF after notice and opportunity for public comment (16 U.S.C. 1387
(c)(1)(C)).
How does NMFS determine in which category a fishery is placed?
The definitions for the fishery classification criteria can be
found in the implementing regulations for section 118 of the MMPA (50
CFR 229.2). The criteria are also summarized here.
Fishery Classification Criteria
The fishery classification criteria consist of a two-tiered, stock-
specific approach that first addresses the total impact of all
fisheries on each marine mammal stock and then addresses the impact of
individual fisheries on each stock. This approach is based on
consideration of the rate, in numbers of animals per year, of
incidental mortalities and serious injuries of marine mammals due to
commercial fishing operations relative to the potential biological
removal (PBR) level for each marine mammal stock. The MMPA (16 U.S.C.
1362 (20)) defines the PBR level as the maximum number of animals, not
including natural mortalities, that may be removed from a marine mammal
stock, while allowing that stock to reach or maintain its optimum
sustainable population. This definition can also be found in the
implementing regulations for section 118 of the MMPA (50 CFR 229.2).
Tier 1: Tier 1 considers the cumulative fishery mortality and
serious injury for a particular stock. If the total annual mortality
and serious injury of a marine mammal stock across all fisheries is
less than or equal to 10 percent of the PBR level of the stock, all
fisheries interacting with the stock will be placed in Category III
(unless those fisheries interact with other stock(s) for which total
annual mortality and serious injury is greater than 10 percent of PBR).
Otherwise, these fisheries are subject to the next tier of analysis
(Tier 2) to determine their classification.
Tier 2: Tier 2 considers fishery-specific mortality and serious
injury for a particular stock.
Category I: Annual mortality and serious injury of a stock in a
given fishery is greater than or equal to 50 percent of the PBR level
(i.e., frequent incidental mortality and serious injury of marine
mammals).
Category II: Annual mortality and serious injury of a stock in a
given fishery is greater than 1 percent and less than 50 percent of the
PBR level (i.e., occasional incidental mortality and serious injury of
marine mammals).
Category III: Annual mortality and serious injury of a stock in a
given fishery is less than or equal to 1 percent of the PBR level
(i.e., a remote likelihood of or no known incidental
[[Page 12258]]
mortality and serious injury of marine mammals).
Additional details regarding how the categories were determined are
provided in the preamble to the final rule implementing section 118 of
the MMPA (60 FR 45086, August 30, 1995).
Because fisheries are classified on a per-stock basis, a fishery
may qualify as one category for one marine mammal stock and another
category for a different marine mammal stock. A fishery is typically
classified on the LOF at its highest level of classification (e.g., a
fishery qualifying for Category III for one marine mammal stock and for
Category II for another marine mammal stock will be listed under
Category II). Stocks driving a fishery's classification are denoted
with a superscript ``1'' in tables 1 and 2.
Other Criteria That May Be Considered
The tier analysis requires a minimum amount of data, and NMFS does
not have sufficient data to perform a tier analysis on certain
fisheries. Therefore, NMFS has classified certain fisheries by analogy
to other fisheries that use similar fishing techniques or gear that are
known to cause mortality or serious injury of marine mammals, or
according to factors discussed in the final LOF for 1996 (60 FR 67063,
December 28, 1995) and listed in the regulatory definition of a
Category II fishery. In the absence of reliable information indicating
the frequency of incidental mortality and serious injury of marine
mammals by a commercial fishery, NMFS will determine whether the
incidental mortality or serious injury is ``occasional'' by evaluating
other factors such as fishing techniques, gear used, methods used to
deter marine mammals, target species, seasons and areas fished,
qualitative data from logbooks or fishermen reports, stranding data,
and the species and distribution of marine mammals in the area, or at
the discretion of the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries (50 CFR
229.2).
Further, eligible commercial fisheries not specifically identified
on the LOF are deemed to be Category II fisheries until the next LOF is
published (50 CFR 229.2).
How does NMFS determine which species or stocks are included as
incidentally killed or injured in a fishery?
The LOF includes a list of marine mammal species and/or stocks
incidentally killed or injured in each commercial fishery. The list of
species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured includes
``serious'' and ``non-serious'' documented injuries as described later
in the List of Species and/or Stocks Incidentally Killed or Injured in
the Pacific Ocean and List of Species and/or Stocks Incidentally Killed
or Injured in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean
sections. To determine which species or stocks are included as
incidentally killed or injured in a fishery, NMFS annually reviews the
information presented in the current SARs and injury determination
reports. SARs are brief reports summarizing the status of each stock of
marine mammals occurring in waters under U.S. jurisdiction. Information
includes the identity and geographic range of the stock, population
statistics related to abundance, trend, and annual productivity,
notable habitat concerns, and estimates of human-caused mortality and
serious injury (M/SI) by source. The SARs are based upon the best
available scientific information and provide the most current and
inclusive information on each stock's PBR level and level of
interaction with commercial fishing operations. The best available
scientific information used in the SARs and reviewed for the 2024 LOF
generally summarizes data from 2016-2020. NMFS also reviews other
sources of new information, including injury determination reports,
bycatch estimation reports, observer data, logbook data, stranding
data, disentanglement network data, fishermen self-reports (i.e., MMPA
mortality/injury reports), and anecdotal reports from that time period.
In some cases, more recent information may be available and used in the
LOF.
For fisheries with observer coverage, species or stocks are
generally removed from the list of marine mammal species and/or stocks
incidentally killed or injured if no interactions are documented in the
5-year timeframe summarized in that year's LOF. For fisheries with no
observer coverage and for observed fisheries with evidence indicating
that undocumented interactions may be occurring (e.g., fishery has low
observer coverage and stranding network data include evidence of
fisheries interactions that cannot be attributed to a specific
fishery), species and stocks may be retained for longer than 5 years.
For these fisheries, NMFS will review the other sources of information
listed above and use its discretion to decide when it is appropriate to
remove a species or stock.
Where does NMFS obtain information on the level of observer coverage in
a fishery on the LOF?
The best available information on the level of observer coverage
and the spatial and temporal distribution of observed marine mammal
interactions is presented in the SARs. Data obtained from the observer
program and observer coverage levels are important tools in estimating
the level of marine mammal mortality and serious injury in commercial
fishing operations. Starting with the 2005 SARs, each Pacific and
Alaska SAR includes an appendix with detailed descriptions of each
Category I and II fishery on the LOF, including the observer coverage
in those fisheries. For Atlantic fisheries, this information can be
found in the LOF Fishery Fact Sheets. The SARs do not provide detailed
information on observer coverage in Category III fisheries, because
under the MMPA, Category III fisheries are not required to accommodate
observers aboard vessels due to the remote likelihood of mortality and
serious injury of marine mammals. Fishery information presented in the
SARs' appendices and other resources referenced during the tier
analysis may include: (1) the level of observer coverage; (2) the
target species; (3) the levels of fishing effort; spatial and temporal
distribution of fishing effort; (4) the characteristics of fishing gear
and operations; (5) management and regulations; and (6) interactions
with marine mammals. Copies of the SARs are available on the NMFS
Office of Protected Resources website at: <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-stock-assessment-reports-region">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-stock-assessment-reports-region</a>. Information on observer coverage
levels in Category I, II, and III fisheries can be found in the fishery
fact sheets on the NMFS Office of Protected Resources' website: <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/list-fisheries-summary-tables">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/list-fisheries-summary-tables</a>. Additional information on observer programs
in commercial fisheries can be found on the NMFS National Observer
Program's website: <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/fisheries-observers/national-observer-program">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/fisheries-observers/national-observer-program</a>.
How do I find out if a specific fishery is in Category I, II, or III?
The LOF includes three tables that list all U.S. commercial
fisheries by Category. Table 1 lists all of the commercial fisheries in
the Pacific Ocean (including Alaska), table 2 lists all of the
commercial fisheries in the
[[Page 12259]]
Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean, and table 3 lists all
U.S. authorized commercial fisheries on the high seas. A fourth table,
table 4, lists all commercial fisheries managed under applicable TRPs
or take reduction teams (TRT).
Are high seas fisheries included on the LOF?
Beginning with the 2009 LOF, NMFS includes high seas fisheries in
table 3 of the LOF, along with the number of valid High Seas Fishing
Compliance Act (HSFCA) permits in each fishery. As of 2004, NMFS issues
HSFCA permits only for high seas fisheries analyzed in accordance with
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Endangered Species
Act (ESA). The authorized high seas fisheries are broad in scope and
encompass multiple specific fisheries identified by gear type. For the
purposes of the LOF, the high seas fisheries are subdivided based on
gear type (e.g., trawl, longline, purse seine, gillnet, troll, etc.) to
provide more detail on composition of effort within these fisheries.
Many fisheries operate in both U.S. waters and on the high seas,
creating some overlap between the fisheries listed in tables 1 and 2
and those in table 3. In these cases, the high seas component of the
fishery is not considered a separate fishery, but an extension of a
fishery operating within U.S. waters (listed in table 1 or 2). NMFS
designates those fisheries in tables 1, 2, and 3 with an asterisk (*)
after the fishery's name. The number of HSFCA permits listed in table 3
for the high seas components of these fisheries operating in U.S.
waters does not necessarily represent additional effort not accounted
for in tables 1 and 2. Many vessels/participants holding HSFCA permits
also fish within U.S. waters and are included in the number of vessels
and participants operating within those fisheries in tables 1 and 2.
HSFCA permits are valid for 5 years, during which time Fishery
Management Plans (FMPs) can change. Therefore, some vessels/
participants may possess valid HSFCA permits without the ability to
fish under those permits because they were issued for a gear type that
is no longer authorized under the most current FMP. For this reason,
the number of HSFCA permits displayed in table 3 is likely higher than
the actual U.S. fishing effort on the high seas. For more information
on how NMFS classifies high seas fisheries on the LOF, see the preamble
text in the final 2009 LOF (73 FR 73032, December 1, 2008). Additional
information about HSFCA permits can be found at <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/permit/high-seas-fishing-permits">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/permit/high-seas-fishing-permits</a>.
Where can I find specific information on fisheries listed on the LOF?
Starting with the 2010 LOF, NMFS developed summary documents, or
fishery fact sheets, for each Category I and II fishery on the LOF.
These fishery fact sheets provide the full history of each Category I
and II fishery, including: (1) when the fishery was added to the LOF;
(2) the basis for the fishery's initial classification; (3)
classification changes to the fishery; (4) changes to the list of
species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured in the fishery;
(5) fishery gear and methods used; (6) observer coverage levels; (7)
fishery management and regulation; and (8) applicable TRPs or TRTs, if
any. These fishery fact sheets are updated after each final LOF and can
be found under ``How Do I Find Out if a Specific Fishery is in Category
I, II, or III?'' on the NMFS Office of Protected Resources' website:
<a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-protection-act-list-fisheries">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-protection-act-list-fisheries</a>, linked to the ``List of
Fisheries Summary'' table. NMFS is developing similar fishery fact
sheets for each Category III fishery on the LOF. However, due to the
large number of Category III fisheries on the LOF and the lack of
accessible and detailed information on many of these fisheries, the
development of these fishery fact sheets is taking significant time to
complete. NMFS began posting Category III fishery fact sheets online
with the LOF for 2016.
Am I required to register under the MMPA?
Owners of vessels or gear engaging in a Category I or II fishery
are required under the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1387(c)(2)), as described in 50
CFR 229.4, to register with NMFS and obtain a marine mammal
authorization to lawfully take marine mammals incidental to commercial
fishing operations. The take of threatened or endangered marine mammals
requires additional authorization. Owners of vessels or gear engaged in
a Category III fishery are not required to register with NMFS or obtain
a marine mammal authorization.
How do I register, renew, and receive my Marine Mammal Authorization
Program (MMAP) authorization certificate?
NMFS has integrated the MMPA registration process, implemented
through the MMAP, with existing state and Federal fishery license,
registration, or permit systems for Category I and II fisheries on the
LOF. Participants in these fisheries are automatically registered under
the MMAP and are not required to submit registration or renewal
materials.
In the Pacific Islands, West Coast, and Alaska regions, NMFS will
issue vessel or gear owners an authorization certificate via U.S. mail
or with their state or Federal license or permit at the time of
issuance or renewal. In the Southeast Region, NMFS will issue vessel or
gear owners an authorization certificate via U.S. mail automatically at
the beginning of each calendar year. In the Greater Atlantic Region,
NMFS will issue vessel or gear owners an authorization certificate
electronically. The certificate can be downloaded and/or printed at:
<a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-authorization-program#obtaining-a-marine-mammal-authorization-certificate">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-authorization-program#obtaining-a-marine-mammal-authorization-certificate</a>. Printed copies can be mailed upon request by
contacting <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0866656e7b266f697a26656569786b6d7a7c4866676969266f677e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8ce2e1eaffa2ebedfea2e1e1edfcefe9fef8cce2e3ededa2ebe3fa">[email protected]</span></a> or 978-281-9120.
Vessel or gear owners who participate in fisheries in these regions
and have not received authorization certificates by the beginning of
the calendar year, or with renewed fishing licenses, must contact the
appropriate NMFS Regional Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
Authorization certificates may also be obtained by visiting the MMAP
website <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-authorization-program#obtaining-a-marine-mammal-authorization-certificate">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-authorization-program#obtaining-a-marine-mammal-authorization-certificate</a>.
The authorization certificate, or a copy (physical or electronic),
must be on board the vessel while it is operating in a Category I or II
fishery, or, for non-vessel fisheries, in the possession of the person
in charge of the fishing operation (50 CFR 229.4(e)). Although efforts
are made to limit the issuance of authorization certificates to only
those vessel or gear owners that participate in Category I or II
fisheries, not all state and Federal license or permit systems
distinguish between fisheries as classified by the LOF. Therefore, some
vessel or gear owners in Category III fisheries may receive
authorization certificates even though they are not required for
Category III fisheries.
Individuals fishing in Category I and II fisheries for which no
state or Federal license or permit is required must register with NMFS
by contacting their appropriate Regional Office (see ADDRESSES).
[[Page 12260]]
Am I required to submit reports when I kill or injure a marine mammal
during the course of commercial fishing operations?
In accordance with the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1387(e)) and 50 CFR 229.6,
any vessel owner or operator, or gear owner or operator (in the case of
non-vessel fisheries), participating in a fishery listed on the LOF,
must report to NMFS all incidental mortalities and injuries of marine
mammals that occur during commercial fishing operations, regardless of
the category in which the fishery is placed (i.e., Category I, Category
II, or Category III) within 48 hours of the end of the fishing trip or,
in the case of non-vessel fisheries, fishing activity. ``Injury'' is
defined in 50 CFR 229.2 as a wound or other physical harm. In addition,
any animal that ingests fishing gear or any animal that is released
with fishing gear entangling, trailing, or perforating any part of the
body is considered injured, regardless of the presence of any wound or
other evidence of injury, and must be reported.
Mortality/injury reporting forms and instructions for submitting
forms to NMFS can be found at: <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-authorization-program#reporting-a-death-or-injury-of-a-marine-mammal-during-commercial-fishing-operations">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-authorization-program#reporting-a-death-or-injury-of-a-marine-mammal-during-commercial-fishing-operations</a> or by contacting the appropriate regional office (see FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Forms may be submitted via any of the
following means: (1) online using the electronic form; (2) emailed as
an attachment to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c5aba8a3b6eba8acb7a0b5aab7b185abaaa4a4eba2aab3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="721c1f14015c1f1b0017021d0006321c1d13135c151d04">[email protected]</span></a>; (3) faxed to the NMFS Office
of Protected Resources at 301-713-0376; or (4) mailed to the NMFS
Office of Protected Resources (mailing address is provided on the
postage-paid form that can be printed from the web address listed
above). Reporting requirements and procedures are found in 50 CFR
229.6.
Am I required to take an observer aboard my vessel?
Individuals participating in a Category I or II fishery are
required to accommodate an observer aboard their vessel(s) upon request
from NMFS. MMPA section 118 states that the Secretary is not required
to place an observer on a vessel if the facilities for quartering an
observer or performing observer functions are so inadequate or unsafe
that the health or safety of the observer or the safe operation of the
vessel would be jeopardized; thereby authorizing the exemption of
vessels too small to safely accommodate an observer from this
requirement. Observer requirements are found in 50 CFR 229.7.
Am I required to comply with any marine mammal TRP regulations?
Table 4 provides a list of fisheries affected by TRPs and TRTs. TRP
regulations are found at 50 CFR 229.30 through 229.37. A description of
each TRT and copies of each TRP can be found at: <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-take-reduction-plans-and-teams">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-take-reduction-plans-and-teams</a>. It is the responsibility of fishery
participants to comply with applicable take reduction regulations.
Where can I find more information about the LOF and the MMAP?
Information regarding the LOF and the MMAP, including registration
procedures and forms, current and past LOFs, descriptions of each
Category I and II fishery and some Category III fisheries, observer
requirements, and marine mammal mortality/injury reporting forms and
submittal procedures may be obtained at: <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-protection-act-list-fisheries">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-protection-act-list-fisheries</a>, or from any NMFS Regional Office at the
addresses listed below:
NMFS, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic
Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298, Attn: Cheryl Cross;
NMFS, Southeast Region, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL
33701, Attn: Jessica Powell;
NMFS, West Coast Region, Long Beach Office, 501 W Ocean Blvd.,
Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213, Attn: Dan Lawson;
NMFS, Alaska Region, Protected Resources, P.O. Box 22668, 709 West
9th Street, Juneau, AK 99802, Attn: Suzie Teerlink; or
NMFS, Pacific Islands Regional Office, Protected Resources
Division, 1845 Wasp Blvd., Building 176, Honolulu, HI 96818, Attn:
Elena Duke.
Sources of Information Reviewed for the 2024 LOF
NMFS reviewed the marine mammal incidental mortality and serious
injury information presented in the SARs for all fisheries to determine
whether changes in fishery classification were warranted. The SARs are
based on the best scientific information available at the time of
preparation, including the level of mortality and serious injury of
marine mammals that occurs incidental to commercial fishery operations
and the PBR levels of marine mammal stocks. The information contained
in the SARs is reviewed by regional Scientific Review Groups (SRGs)
representing Alaska, the Pacific (including Hawaii), and the U.S.
Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean. The SRGs were established by
the MMPA to review the science that informs the SARs and to advise NMFS
on marine mammal population status, trends, and stock structure, as
well as on uncertainties in the science, research needs, and other
issues.
NMFS also reviewed other sources of new information, including
marine mammal stranding and entanglement data, observer program data,
fishermen self-reports, reports to the SRGs, conference papers, FMPs,
and ESA documents.
The LOF for 2024 was based on, among other things: (1) stranding
data; (2) fishermen self-reports; and (3) SARs (primarily the 2022
SARs, which are based on data from 2016-2020). The SARs referenced in
this LOF include: 2021 (87 FR 47385, August 3, 2022) and 2022 (88 FR
54592, August 11, 2023). The SARs are available at: <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-stock-assessment-reports-region">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-stock-assessment-reports-region</a>.
Comments and Responses
NMFS received 28 comment letters on the proposed LOF for 2024 (88
FR 62748, September 13, 2023). Comments were received from 11 members
of the public: (1) Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G); (2)
California Coast Crab Association (CCCA); (3) Don't Cage Our Oceans;
(4) Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; (5) Hawaii
Division of Aquatic Resources (HI DAR); (6) Hawaii Longline Association
(HLA); (7) Maine Department of Marine Resources (ME DMR); (8) Maine
Lobstermen's Association (MLA); (9) Southeast Alaska Fishermen's
Alliance (SEAFA) Taylor Shellfish Company; (10) United Southeast Alaska
Gillnetters (USAG); and (11) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). NMFS
additionally received a joint letter from American Cetacean Society-
Oregon Chapter (ACS), Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of
Wildlife, EarthJustice, Endangered Habitats League, the Natural
Resources Defense Council, Oceana, Ocean Defenders Alliance, and the
Resource Renewal Institute (ACS et al.). Nine of the comment letters
received were in response to NMFS request for public input on
aquaculture fishery descriptions. NMFS thanks these commenters for
providing information
[[Page 12261]]
in response to our aquaculture request, and we will consider all the
aquaculture information submitted in future LOFs. Responses to
substantive comments are below. Comments on actions not related to the
LOF are not included.
Comments on Commercial Fisheries in the Pacific Ocean
Comment 1: ADF&G, SEAFA, USAG, and two members of the public
opposed the reclassification of the AK Southeast salmon drift gillnet
fishery from a Category II to a Category I fishery. ADF&G, SEAFA, USAG
reiterated comments provided on the draft 2022 Southeast Alaska harbor
porpoise SARs (8 FR 4162, January 24, 2023). Commenters raised concerns
that the AK Southeast salmon drift gillnet fishery reclassification is
based on inadequate harbor porpoise M/SI estimates and biased
population size estimates in the 2022 SAR. Several commenters requested
NMFS work with ADF&G to gather additional data on the harbor porpoise
population, stock structure, and fisheries bycatch.
Response: NMFS appreciates the concerns raised in the comments.
Comments on the 2022 SARs were addressed in the Federal Register notice
for the final SARs (88 FR 54592, August 11, 2023). NMFS uses the best
available scientific information to prepare the annual LOF, which
includes reliance on the SARs for M/SI data. The LOF is re-evaluated
annually to allow for the addition of best available information as it
becomes available. NMFS continues to pursue options for future observer
data to inform M/SI estimates for this fishery, and NMFS will consider
data in future SARs to inform the annual LOF. Therefore, NMFS does not
retain the AK Southeast salmon drift gillnet fishery as a Category II
fishery and reclassifies the AK Southeast salmon drift gillnet fishery
from a Category II to a Category I fishery.
Comment 2: ADF&G commented that the proposed reclassification of
the AK Southeast salmon drift gillnet fishery from a Category II to a
Category I fishery may result in changes to the fishery with potential
economic impacts for the industry and consumers.
Response: The requirements for Category I and II fisheries under
MMPA section 118(c) are the same. The MMPA section 118(c) requirements
for Category I and II fisheries are to: (1) register with NMFS through
the Marine Mammal Authorization Program; (2) accommodate observers
aboard vessels, upon request; and (3) comply with any applicable take
reduction plans. In addition, any vessel owner or operator
participating in a fishery listed on the LOF must report to NMFS all
incidental mortalities and injuries of marine mammals that occur during
commercial fishing operations, regardless of the category in which the
fishery is placed (i.e., Category I, Category II, or Category III). If
NMFS takes a management action (e.g., through the development of a
TRP), then economic analyses of the effects of that TRP would be
evaluated in subsequent rulemaking actions.
Comment 3: A member of the public recommends NMFS retain the
superscript ``1'' for Eastern North Pacific Alaska resident stock of
killer whale to indicate the stock is driving the Category II
classification of the AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands flatfish trawl
fishery based on the nine killer whale mortalities in the fishery in
2023. The commenter notes that NMFS has not yet released genetic
information for the killer whale mortalities, but based on previous M/
SI data for the AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands flatfish trawl fishery
it is likely the whale mortalities in 2023 are from the Eastern North
Pacific Alaska resident stock.
Response: NMFS agrees and retains the superscript ``1'' for the
Eastern North Pacific Alaska resident stock of killer whale in the
Category II AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands flatfish trawl fishery.
While the Eastern North Pacific Alaska resident stock of killer whale
stock is currently not driving the Category II classification of the AK
Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands flatfish trawl fishery, there are past M/
SI and more recent data that suggest that the M/SI is ongoing. NMFS
will re-evaluate this in the next LOF cycle and adjust at that time, if
necessary.
Comment 4: FWS recommends NMFS revise the Northern sea otter stock
name on the list of species/stocks incidentally killed or injured for
consistency with the current stock name in the SARs. They recommend
revising Northern sea otter, South central AK to Northern sea otter,
Southcentral AK.
Response: NMFS agrees and revises the stock name from Northern sea
otter, South central AK to Northern sea otter, Southcentral AK on the
list of species/stocks incidentally killed or injured in the following
fisheries: (1) Category II AK Cook Inlet salmon set gillnet, (2)
Category II AK Prince William Sound salmon drift gillnet and (3)
Category III AK Prince William Sound salmon set gillnet.
Comment 5: HI DAR requests NMFS revisit the classification of the
Category II HI shortline fishery. The Category II HI shortline fishery
was classified by analogy to the HI longline fishery in the 2010 LOF.
HI DAR states that there are differences in gear composition between
the HI shortline fishery and HI longline fishery that present marked
differences in potential threats to marine mammals. DAR notes that
shortline gear is used by the HI seamount fishery, also known as the HI
offshore handline fishery, which consists of fewer than 10 vessels and
not all vessels currently use the gear. HI DAR requests NMFS review new
information on shortline gear including its risk to marine mammals.
Response: The HI shortline fishery is classified as Category II by
analogy to the HI longline fishery based on similarities between the
gears used in the fisheries. NMFS may classify fisheries by analogy to
other fisheries that use similar fishing techniques or gear that are
known to cause M/SI of marine mammals, or according to factors
discussed in the final LOF for 1996 (60 FR 67063, December 28, 1995)
and listed in the regulatory definition of a Category II fishery. The
HI shortline fishery lacks a dedicated observer program or an
electronic monitoring component to assess the level of M/SI, or lack
thereof, within the fishery. While multiple gear types are used within
the HI shortline fishery, vessels may deploy shortline gear, which sets
hooks in a manner consistent with longline vessels. Additionally, the
fishery operates in locations that overlap with Main Hawaiian Island
(MHI) insular false killer whale's range and has the potential for
interactions with these animals. In addition, HI DAR did not provide
specific information on differences between HI shortline and longline
gear. Therefore, NMFS is not making changes to the HI shortline fishery
for the 2024 LOF.
Comment 6: HLA supports removing the Hawaii stock of striped
dolphin from the list of species/stocks incidentally killed or injured
in the Category I HI deep-set longline fishery. They also support
removing the Hawaii stock of fin whale and Central North Pacific stock
of humpback whale from the list of species/stocks incidentally killed
or injured in the Category II HI shallow-set longline fishery.
Response: NMFS agrees and removes the stocks from the list of
species/stocks incidentally killed or injured in the respective
fisheries.
Comment 7: HLA reiterates a previous comment recommending NMFS
remove the MHI insular and Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) stocks
of false killer whales from the list of species and/or stocks
incidentally killed or injured in the Category I HI deep-set longline
fishery. The HI deep-set longline fishery is observed with 20 percent
coverage, and there have been no documented M/SI of the MHI insular
[[Page 12262]]
false killer whale stock in the most recent 5-year period. HLA notes
that (a) the False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan (FKWTRP) closed the
deep-set longline fishery for almost the entire range of the MHI
insular stock, (b) since this change was made in 2013 there have been
no false killer whale interactions in the fishery, and (c) there has
never been a deep-set longline fishery M/SI in the very small area of
the stocks' range where the fishery operates. They also state that no
information has been presented to the False Killer Whale Take Reduction
Team or the Pacific Scientific Review Group suggesting any false killer
whale M/SI in the deep-set fishery can reliably be attributed to the
MHI insular or NWHI stocks of false killer whales. HLA requests that
NMFS remove the MHI insular and NWHI stocks of false killer whales from
the list of species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured in the
Category I HI deep-set longline fishery.
Response: This comment has been addressed previously (see 84 FR
22051, May 16, 2019; 85 FR 21079, April 16, 2020; 86 FR 3028, January
14, 2021; 88 FR 16899, March 21, 2023). The MHI insular stock of false
killer whales have been documented via telemetry to move far enough
offshore to reach longline fishing areas (Bradford et al., 2015). The
MHI insular, Hawaii pelagic, and NWHI stocks have partially overlapping
ranges. MHI insular false killer whales have been satellite tracked as
far as 115 kilometers (km) from the MHI, while pelagic stock animals
have been tracked to within 11 km of the MHI and throughout the NWHI.
Thus, M/SI of false killer whales of unknown stock within the stock
overlap zones must be prorated to MHI insular, pelagic, or NWHI stocks.
Annual bycatch estimates are prorated using a process outlined in
detail in the SARs, which account for M/SI that occur within the MHI-
pelagic or NWHI-pelagic overlap zones. As described in the 2021 SAR
(Carretta et al., 2022), from 2015-2019 the mean estimated annual M/SI
of false killer whales was 9.8. This results in a prorated mean
estimated annual M/SI of 0.03 for the MHI insular stock and 0.1 for the
NWHI stock.
MHI insular false killer whales have been documented with injuries
consistent with fisheries interactions that have not been attributed to
a specific fishery (Baird et al., 2014). For observed fisheries with
evidence indicating that undocumented interactions may be occurring
(e.g., fishery has evidence of fisheries interactions that cannot be
attributed to a specific fishery, and stranding network data include
evidence of fisheries interactions that cannot be attributed to a
specific fishery), stocks may be retained on the LOF for longer than 5
years. For these fisheries, NMFS will review the other sources of
relevant information to determine when it is appropriate to remove a
species or stock from the LOF. Therefore, NMFS retains both the MHI
insular and NWHI false killer whale stocks on the list of species and/
or stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category I HI deep-set
longline fishery.
Comment 8: ACS et al. supports NMFS reclassifying the CA Dungeness
crab pot fishery from a Category II to a Category I fishery based on
incidental M/SI of the Central America/Southern Mexico-CA/OR/WA stock
of humpback whale. They also state that Rmax (maximum net productivity
rate) for the Central America/Southern Mexico-CA/OR/WA stock of
humpback whale used in the 2022 SAR is inconsistent with the Guidelines
for Preparing Stock Assessment Reports Pursuant to the 1994 Amendments
to the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Response: NMFS thanks the organizations for their comment and
reclassifies the CA Dungeness crab pot fishery from a Category II to a
Category I fishery. Comments on the draft 2022 SARs, including
selection of parameters such as Rmax, were addressed in the Federal
Register notice for the final SARs (88 FR 54592, August 11, 2023).
Comment 9: CCCA opposes NMFS reclassifying the CA Dungeness crab
pot fishery from a Category II to a Category I fishery based on
incidental M/SI of the Central America/Southern Mexico-CA/OR/WA stock
of humpback whale. They state that the reclassification is not based on
the best available information since it uses M/SI data from 2016-2020.
CCCA notes that in 2016, there was an unprecedented 22 humpback whale
entanglements and that this increase was attributed to anomalous ocean
conditions that changed the whales' migratory path. Since 2016, CA
Department of Fish and Wildlife has implemented regulations to reduce
entanglement risk. CCCA state that in 2021 there was one humpback whale
entanglement and four in 2022 in the CA Dungeness crab pot fishery. If
the more recent M/SI data are used and excludes the 2016 data, the
estimated annual M/SI is below 50 percent of PBR for the Central
America/Southern Mexico-CA/OR/WA stock of humpback whale and therefore
a Category II fishery.
Response: NMFS appreciates the comments about the implementation of
new regulations and measures to address entanglements in the CA
Dungeness crab pot fishery following the increased entanglements in
2016. We also acknowledge the efforts of CA Department of Fish and
Wildlife and other stakeholders in California to take proactive steps
to reduce entanglement risks in the CA Dungeness crab pot fishery
through convening the California Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working
Group and subsequent development and implementation of the Risk
Assessment and Mitigation Program. NMFS uses the best available
scientific information to prepare the annual LOF, which includes
relying on the SARs for M/SI data. The LOF for 2024 was based on, among
other things: (1) stranding data; (2) fishermen self-reports; and (3)
SARs (primarily the 2022 SARs) which are based on data from 2016-2020.
As M/SI information becomes available from later years, NMFS will
review classification of the CA Dungeness crab pot fishery in a future
LOF. For the 2024 LOF, NMFS reclassifies the CA Dungeness crab pot
fishery from a Category II to a Category I fishery.
Comment 10: ACS et al. requests NMFS add the Central America/
Southern Mexico-CA/OR/WA and Mainland Mexico-CA/OR/WA stocks of
humpback whale to the list of species/stocks incidentally killed or
injured in the Category III WA/OR/CA groundfish/finfish hook and line
fishery based on an entanglement in 2021.
Response: The injury determination for the 2021 humpback whale
entanglement in the Category III WA/OR/CA groundfish/finfish hook and
line fishery (Carretta et al. 2023a) was finalized after the proposed
2024 LOF published. NMFS adds the Central America/Southern Mexico-CA/
OR/WA and Mainland Mexico-CA/OR/WA stocks of humpback whale to the list
of species/stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category III
WA/OR/CA groundfish/finfish hook and line fishery. NMFS will conduct
the tier analysis for this M/SI in the Category III WA/OR/CA
groundfish/finfish hook and line fishery for the 2025 LOF.
Comment 11: ACS et al. recommends NMFS add the California
experimental pot fishery targeting king and other deep water crab
species to the LOF and classify the fishery by analogy as a Category II
fishery. They note that the fishery uses large pot gear with vertical
buoy lines in depths greater than 125 fathoms (228.6 m) off the coast
of California north of Pigeon Point (south of San Francisco). ACS et
al. states there was a humpback whale entanglement in this fishery in
2021 near the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.
[[Page 12263]]
Response: Any eligible commercial fishery not specifically
identified on the LOF is deemed to be a Category II fishery until the
next LOF is published (50 CFR 229.2). NMFS will consider the comments
provided by ACS et al. in a future proposed LOF.
Comment 12: ACS et al. requests NMFS add the California groundfish/
finfish set net fishery as a Category II fishery. They note that the
2024 LOF does not include the California groundfish/finfish set net
fishery, which is managed with other types of fixed gear in the open
access sector under the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management
Plan (Groundfish FMP).
Response: NMFS acknowledges that the use of gillnets remains an
authorized gear type in areas south of 38 degrees N. lat. (50 CFR
660.330(b) and 50 CFR 660.330(b)(2)(ii)) under the Groundfish FMP.
However, NMFS' review of fishing effort information, including landings
and observer data, indicate that there does not appear to be any
dedicated or stand-alone use of gillnets for harvesting groundfish on
the West Coast that is not already associated with other Category II
gillnet fisheries on the LOF. Available information suggests that some
limited landings of groundfish species may occur under the open access
provisions of the Groundfish FMP while vessels are participating in the
Category II CA halibut/white seabass and other species set gillnet
(>3.5 inch (in) mesh) fishery in California. Therefore, gillnet fishing
resulting in the harvest of species managed under the Groundfish FMP is
already reflected on the LOF as Category II fishing effort.
Comments on Commercial Fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico,
and Caribbean
Comment 13: ME DMR and MLA reiterate previous comments requesting
that the Maine state waters trap/pot fishery be separated out from the
broader Category I Northeast/Mid-Atlantic American lobster and Jonah
crab trap/pot fishery and classified as a separate and independent
Category II fishery. Both ME DMR and MLA cite the rarity of North
Atlantic right whales in Maine state waters, lack of attributed right
whale entanglements in the Maine lobster fishery, the implementation of
unique gear marking and additional risk reduction measures combined
with an increase in North Atlantic right whale monitoring in the Gulf
of Maine as the justification that the ME state waters lobster trap pot
fishery is a separate and distinct fishery.
ME DMR and MLA note that state regulations require that all buoy
lines in state waters and ``the sliver'' have a 1700-pound (lb) (771
kg) weak insertion 50 percent of the way down the vertical line, or
approved 1700-lb (771 kg) breaking strength line in the top 50 percent
of the vertical line. Both commenters assert that the Maine state
fishery has unique gear markings that distinguishes it from rest of the
Category I Northeast/Mid-Atlantic American lobster and Jonah crab trap/
pot fishery. In Maine state waters, fishermen must have a 36-inch (91.4
cm) purple mark in the top two fathoms of their line, another 12 inch
(30.5 cm) mark midway down the line, and another 12 inch (30.5 cm) mark
at the bottom of the line. Federal green marks are not allowed in Maine
state waters.
ME DMR and MLA state that North Atlantic right whale monitoring
efforts have increased substantially in the Gulf of Maine. Since
September 2022, New England Aquarium has been conducting aerial surveys
off the coast of Maine and to date, 12 surveys have been completed with
no right whale sightings. In addition, Woods Hole Oceanographic
Institute is conducting acoustic glider work in the Gulf of Maine. Data
from December 2022-April 2023 and June-August 2023 had no confirmed
detections of right whales and the former timeframe had only a few
possible detections.
Both commenters acknowledge that Maine and Massachusetts have taken
different approaches to risk reduction in their respective fisheries.
They stress that Massachusetts state waters have concentrated
aggregations of right whales resulting in entanglement risks during
specific seasons. In contrast, right whale sightings in Maine state
waters are infrequent, resulting in a low, diffuse entanglement risk
coast wide during most of the year. Based on the predictable seasonal
aggregations of right whales in Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts used a
seasonal closure as their primary risk reduction measure. While Maine,
with diffuse risk, used ``trawling up'' as the primary risk reduction
measure. Based on this, NMFS should not compare the two states'
differing approaches as a basis for decision making to reclassify the
Maine state lobster trap/pot fishery as a separate and distinct fishery
from the broader Category I Northeast/Mid-Atlantic American lobster and
Jonah crab trap/pot fishery.
Response: NMFS recognizes that the state of Maine has modified
their lobster trap/pot fishery in alignment with the Atlantic Large
Whale Take Reduction Plan requirements that were finalized in 2021 (86
FR 5990, September 17, 2021), has expanded acoustic monitoring, and has
recently commenced visual surveys. However, cumulatively, these efforts
do not differentiate the Maine state lobster fishery as a distinct
fishery. To reiterate the responses stated in previous LOFs (88 FR
16899, March 21, 2023 and 87 FR 23122, April 19, 2022), the state of
Massachusetts was considered to be a unique, separate fishery because
of the combination of measures that have been taken (see previous LOF:
88 FR 16899, March 21, 2023). As stated in our previous response, in
making our decision, we considered the changes that the state of
Massachusetts made (including gear changes that distinguish
Massachusetts rope from other states, due to increased weak rope and
insert requirements and increased marking frequency, amplified closures
and a long time series of dedicated continual monitoring efforts)
collectively, not as individual, standalone factors.
With recent changes to gear markings, we are only now beginning to
definitively trace entanglement gear to its source. According to data
spanning 2020-2022, entanglements with exclusively purple gear
markings, signifying gear fished in Maine state waters, include three
minke and two humpback whales. However, for the majority of documented
entanglement cases spanning 2020-2022, gear could not be attributed to
a specific origin (for 92 percent of North Atlantic right whale, 85
percent of humpback whale, 71 percent of minke whale, and 100 percent
of fin whale cases).
The state of Maine's growing monitoring effort may inform future
decisions regarding how to reduce North Atlantic right whale M/SI, as
well as M/SI of other endangered large whales and marine mammals. As we
continue to gather more data on whale distribution, habitat use,
movement and M/SI due to entanglements, NMFS will evaluate whether
splitting out the Maine state waters trap/pot fishery from the broader
Category I Northeast/Mid-Atlantic American lobster and Jonah crab trap/
pot fishery is appropriate.
Summary of Changes From the Proposed Rule
In this final rule, NMFS corrects an error from the proposed rule
in table 2 and removes the Category III U.S. Atlantic tuna purse seine
fishery. On October 3, 2022, NMFS published a final rule that
discontinued the use of purse seines in the Atlantic highly migratory
species bluefin tuna fishery (87 FR 59966, effective January 1, 2023).
Based on public comment, and for consistency with the current stock
name in the SARs, NMFS revises the stock name from Northern sea otter,
South central AK to Northern sea otter,
[[Page 12264]]
Southcentral AK on the list of species/stocks incidentally killed or
injured in the following fisheries: (1) Category II AK Cook Inlet
salmon set gillnet, (2) Category II AK Prince William Sound salmon
drift gillnet, and (3) Category III AK Prince William Sound salmon set
gillnet.
Based on public comment, NMFS retains the ``1'' superscript for the
Eastern North Pacific Alaska resident stock of killer whale in the
Category II AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands flatfish trawl fishery.
Based on public comment, NMFS adds the Central America/Southern
Mexico-CA/OR/WA and Mainland Mexico-CA/OR/WA stocks of humpback whale
to the list of species/stocks incidentally killed or injured in the
Category III WA/OR/CA groundfish/finfish hook and line fishery.
Summary of Changes to the LOF for 2024
The following summarizes changes to the LOF for 2024, including the
classification of fisheries, fisheries listed, the estimated number of
vessels/persons in a particular fishery, and the species and/or stocks
that are incidentally killed or injured in a particular fishery. NMFS
adds one fishery, removes seven fisheries, and reclassifies four
fisheries in the LOF for 2024. NMFS also makes changes to the estimated
number of vessels/persons and list of species and/or stocks killed or
injured in certain fisheries. The classifications and definitions of
U.S. commercial fisheries for 2024 are identical to those provided in
the LOF for 2023, except for the changes discussed below. State and
regional abbreviations used in the following paragraphs include AK
(Alaska), CA (California), FL (Florida), GA (Georgia), HI (Hawaii), NC
(North Carolina), OR (Oregon), SC (South Carolina), WA (Washington),
and WNA (Western North Atlantic).
Commercial Fisheries in the Pacific Ocean
Classification of Fisheries
NMFS reclassifies the Category II AK Southeast salmon drift gillnet
fishery to a Category I fishery.
NMFS reclassifies the Category II CA Dungeness crab pot fishery to
a Category I fishery.
NMFS reclassifies the Category II AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands
Pacific cod pot fishery to a Category III fishery.
Fishery Name and Organizational Changes and Clarification
NMFS combines the Category III AK Dungeness crab fishery with the
Category III AK miscellaneous invertebrates handpick fishery.
NMFS removes the Category III AK roe herring and food/bait herring
beach seine fishery from the LOF.
NMFS removes the Category III AK state-managed waters of Prince
William Sound groundfish trawl fishery.
NMFS removes the Category III AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands
groundfish hand troll and dinglebar troll fishery from the LOF.
NMFS removes the Category III AK herring spawn on kelp dive hand/
mechanical collection fishery from the LOF.
NMFS adds the superscript ``1'' to the southern Southeast Alaska
inland waters stocks of harbor porpoise to indicate the stock is
driving the Category I classification of the AK Southeast salmon drift
gillnet fishery.
NMFS adds the superscript ``1'' to the Central America/Southern
Mexico-CA/OR/WA stocks of humpback whale to indicate the stock is
driving the Category I classification of the CA Dungeness crab pot
fishery. NMFS also removes the superscript ``1'' from Eastern North
Pacific stock of blue whale to indicate the stock is not driving the
Category I classification of the CA Dungeness crab pot fishery.
NMFS removes the superscript ``1'' from the CA/OR/WA stock of minke
whale to indicate the stock is no longer driving the Category II
classification of the CA thresher shark/swordfish drift gillnet (>=14
in mesh) fishery.
NMFS adds the superscript ``1'' to the Central America/Southern
Mexico--CA/OR/WA stock of humpback whale to indicate the stock is
driving the Category II classification of the CA halibut/white seabass
and other species set gillnet (>3.5 in mesh) fishery.
NMFS adds the superscript ``2'' to the Category II AK Cook Inlet
salmon set gillnet fishery to indicate this fishery is classified by
analogy.
NMFS removes the superscript ``2'' from the Category II AK Yakutat
salmon set gillnet fishery to indicate this fishery is not classified
by analogy to other Category II gillnet fisheries. NMFS also adds the
superscript ``1'' to the Yakutat/Southeast Alaska offshore waters stock
of harbor porpoise to indicate the stock is driving the Category II
classification of the AK Yakutat salmon set gillnet fishery.
NMFS removes the superscript ``1'' from the Western North Pacific
stock of humpback whale to indicate the stocks is no longer driving the
Category II classification of the AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands
flatfish trawl fishery.
NMFS adds the superscript ``1'' to the Central America/Southern
Mexico-CA/OR/WA stock of humpback whale to indicate the stock is
driving the Category II classification of the CA coonstripe shrimp pot
fishery.
NMFS adds the superscript ``1'' to the Central America/Southern
Mexico-CA/OR/WA stock of humpback whale to indicate the stock is
driving the Category II classification of the CA spiny lobster fishery.
NMFS adds the superscript ``1'' to the Central America/Southern
Mexico-CA/OR/WA stock of humpback whale to indicate the stock is
driving the Category II classification of the CA spot prawn pot
fishery.
NMFS adds the superscript ``1'' to the Central America/Southern
Mexico-CA/OR/WA stock of humpback whale to indicate the stock is
driving the Category II classification of the OR Dungeness crab pot
fishery.
NMFS adds the superscript ``1'' to both the Central America/
Southern Mexico-CA/OR/WA and Mainland Mexico-CA/OR/WA stocks of
humpback whale to indicate the stocks are driving the Category II
classification of the WA/OR/CA sablefish pot fishery.
NMFS adds the superscript ``1'' to the Central America/Southern
Mexico-CA/OR/WA stock of humpback whale to indicate the stock is
driving the Category II classification of the WA coastal Dungeness crab
pot fishery.
NMFS adds the superscript ``1'' to the North Pacific stock of sperm
whale to indicate the stock is driving the Category II classification
of the AK Gulf of Alaska sablefish longline fishery.
Number of Vessels/Persons
NMFS updates the estimated number of vessels/persons in the Pacific
Ocean (table 1) as follows:
Category I
<bullet> HI deep-set longline fishery from 150 to 146 vessels/
persons; and
<bullet> AK Southeast salmon drift gillnet fishery from 474 to 371
vessels/persons.
Category II
<bullet> AK Bristol Bay salmon drift gillnet fishery from 1,862 to
1,521 vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Bristol Bay salmon set gillnet fishery from 979 to 855
vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Kodiak salmon set gillnet fishery from 188 to 128
vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Cook Inlet salmon set gillnet fishery from 736 to 479
vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Cook Inlet salmon drift gillnet fishery from 569 to 355
vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Peninsula/Aleutian Islands salmon drift gillnet fishery
from 162 to 148 vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Peninsula/Aleutian Islands salmon set gillnet fishery
from 113 to 75 vessels/persons;
[[Page 12265]]
<bullet> AK Prince William Sound salmon drift gillnet fishery from
537 to 483 vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Yakutat salmon set gillnet fishery from 168 to 95
vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands flatfish trawl fishery
from 32 to 29 vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands pollock trawl fishery from
102 to 116 vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Gulf of Alaska sablefish longline fishery from 295 to
177 vessels/persons;
<bullet> American Samoa longline fishery from 18 to 11 vessels/
persons; and
<bullet> HI shortline fishery from 11 to 8 vessels/persons.
Category III
<bullet> AK Kuskokwim, Yukon, Norton Sound, Kotzebue salmon gillnet
fishery from 1,778 to 360 vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Prince William Sound salmon set gillnet fishery from 29
to 25 vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK roe herring and food/bait herring gillnet fishery from
920 to 15 vessels/persons;
<bullet> HI inshore gillnet fishery form 27 to 26 vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Cook Inlet salmon purse seine fishery from 83 to 16
vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Kodiak salmon purse seine fishery from 376 to 159
vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Southeast salmon purse seine fishery from 315 to 206
vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK roe herring and food/bait herring purse seine fishery
from 356 to 31 vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK salmon beach seine fishery from 31 to two vessels/
persons;
<bullet> AK salmon purse seine (Prince William Sound, Chignik,
Alaska Peninsula) fishery from 936 to 298 vessels/persons;
<bullet> HI throw net, cast net fishery from 16 to 13 vessels/
persons;
<bullet> HI seine net fishery from 16 to 17 vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Gulf of Alaska groundfish hand troll and dinglebar
troll fishery from unknown to four vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK salmon troll fishery from 1,908 to 850 vessels/persons;
<bullet> American Samoa tuna troll fishery from three to six
vessels/persons;
<bullet> HI troll fishery from 1,293 to 1,124 vessels/persons;
<bullet> HI rod and reel fishery from 246 to 235 vessels/persons;
<bullet> Guam tuna troll fishery from 465 to 450 vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Pacific cod longline
fishery from 45 to 26 vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands sablefish longline fishery
from 22 to eight vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands halibut longline fishery
from 127 to 84 vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Gulf of Alaska halibut longline fishery from 855 to 689
vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod longline fishery from 92 to
23 vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK octopus/squid longline fishery from three to zero
vessels/persons;
<bullet> HI kaka line fishery from 16 to 17 vessels/persons;
<bullet> HI vertical line fishery from five to six vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Atka mackerel trawl
fishery from 13 to 17 vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Pacific cod trawl fishery
from 72 to 64 vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands rockfish trawl fishery
from 17 to 22 vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Gulf of Alaska flatfish trawl fishery from 36 to 16
vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod trawl fishery from 55 to 12
vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Gulf of Alaska pollock trawl fishery from 67 to 60
vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Gulf of Alaska rockfish trawl fishery from 43 to 35
vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Kodiak food/bait herring otter trawl fishery from four
to zero vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK shrimp otter trawl and beam trawl fishery from 38 to 12
vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Pacific cod pot fishery
from 59 to 80 vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands sablefish pot fishery from
16 to 15 vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands crab pot fishery from 540
to 73 vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Gulf of Alaska crab pot fishery from 271 to 86 vessels/
persons;
<bullet> AK Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod pot fishery from 116 to 48
vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Gulf of Alaska sablefish pot fishery from 248 to 129
vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Southeast Alaska shrimp pot fishery from 99 to 104
vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK shrimp pot, except Southeast fishery from 141 to 77
vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK octopus/squid pot fishery from 15 to zero vessels/
persons;
<bullet> HI crab trap fishery from three to four vessels/persons;
<bullet> HI crab net fishery from three to four vessels/persons;
<bullet> HI Kona crab loop net fishery from 24 to 13 vessels/
persons;
<bullet> American Samoa bottomfish fishery from 46 to 44 vessels/
persons;
<bullet> Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands bottomfish
fishery from 12 to seven vessels/persons;
<bullet> Guam bottomfish fishery from 84 to 63 vessels/persons;
<bullet> HI bottomfish handline fishery from 404 to 382 vessels/
persons;
<bullet> HI inshore handline fishery from 182 to 158 vessels/
persons;
<bullet> HI pelagic handline fishery from 311 to 271 vessels/
persons;
<bullet> AK Gulf of Alaska groundfish jig fishery from 214 to 68
vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK halibut jig fishery from 71 to five vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK herring spawn on kelp pound net fishery from 291 to 143
vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK Southeast herring roe/food/bait pound net fishery from
two to one vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK clam fishery from 130 to 57 vessels/persons;
<bullet> AK miscellaneous invertebrates handpick fishery from 214
to 188 vessels/persons;
<bullet> HI black coral diving fishery from less than three to none
recorded;
<bullet> HI handpick fishery from 28 to 25 vessels/persons;
<bullet> HI lobster diving fishery from 10 to 12 vessels/persons;
<bullet> HI spearfishing fishery from 79 to 67 vessels/persons; and
<bullet> HI aquarium collecting fishery from 39 to none recorded.
List of Species and/or Stocks Incidentally Killed or Injured in the
Pacific Ocean
NMFS adds the Beringia stock of bearded seal to the list of
species/stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category II AK
Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands pollock trawl fishery.
NMFS adds the U.S. stock of California sea lion to the list of
species/stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category III CA
sea cucumber trawl fishery.
NMFS removes the Hawaii stock of striped dolphin from the list of
species/stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category I HI
deep-set longline fishery.
NMFS removes the Hawaii stock of fin whale and Central North
Pacific stock of humpback whale from the list of species/stocks
incidentally killed or injured in the Category II HI shallow-set
longline fishery.
NMFS revises marine mammal stock names on the list of species/
stocks incidentally killed or injured for consistency with the current
stock names in the SARs as follows:
Category II AK Bristol Bay Salmon Drift Gillnet Fishery
<bullet> Harbor seal, Bering Sea to harbor seal, Bristol Bay; and
[[Page 12266]]
Category II AK Gulf of Alaska Sablefish Longline
<bullet> Northern elephant seal, California to Northern elephant
seal, California breeding.
NMFS updates the harbor porpoise stocks on the list of species/
stocks incidentally killed or injured based on the revised stock
structures in the 2022 SAR (Young et al., 2023) as follows:
Category I AK Southeast Salmon Drift Gillnet Fishery
<bullet> Harbor porpoise, southeast Alaska to harbor porpoise,
southern Southeast Alaska inland waters and harbor porpoise, northern
Southeast Alaska inland waters, and
Category II AK Yakutat Salmon Set Gillnet Fishery
<bullet> Harbor porpoise, southeast Alaska to harbor porpoise,
Yakutat/Southeast Alaska offshore waters.
NMFS updates the humpback whale stocks on the list of species/
stocks incidentally killed or injured based on the revised stock
structures in the 2022 SAR (Carretta et al., 2023; Young et al., 2023)
as follows:
Category I AK Southeast Salmon Drift Gillnet Fishery
<bullet> Humpback whale, Central North Pacific to humpback whale,
Hawai'i and humpback whale, Mexico-North Pacific;
Category II CA Thresher Shark/Swordfish Drift Gillnet (>=14 in Mesh)
Fishery
<bullet> Humpback whale, CA/OR/WA to humpback whale, Central
America/Southern Mexico-CA/OR/WA and humpback whale, Mainland Mexico-
CA/OR/WA stock;
Category II CA Halibut/White Seabass and Other Species Set Gillnet
(>3.5 in Mesh) Fishery
<bullet> Humpback whale, CA/OR/WA to humpback whale, Central
America/Southern Mexico-CA/OR/WA and humpback whale, Mainland Mexico-
CA/OR/WA stock;
Category II AK Kodiak Salmon Set Gillnet Fishery
<bullet> Humpback whale, Central North Pacific to humpback whale,
Hawai'i and humpback whale, Mexico-North Pacific;
Category II AK Cook Inlet Salmon Set Gillnet Fishery
<bullet> Humpback whale, Central North Pacific to humpback whale,
Hawai'i and humpback whale, Mexico-North Pacific;
Category II AK Prince William Sound Salmon Drift Gillnet Fishery
<bullet> Humpback whale, Central North Pacific to humpback whale,
Hawai'i and humpback whale, Mexico-North Pacific;
Category II AK Yakutat Salmon Set Gillnet Fishery
<bullet> Humpback whale, Central North Pacific to humpback whale,
Hawai'i and humpback whale, Mexico-North Pacific;
Category II AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Pollock Trawl Fishery
<bullet> Humpback whale, Central North Pacific to humpback whale,
Hawai'i and humpback whale, Mexico-North Pacific;
Category II CA Coonstripe Shrimp Pot Fishery
<bullet> Humpback whale, CA/OR/WA to humpback whale, Central
America/Southern Mexico-CA/OR/WA and humpback whale, Mainland Mexico-
CA/OR/WA stock;
Category II CA Spiny Lobster Fishery
<bullet> Humpback whale, CA/OR/WA to humpback whale, Central
America/Southern Mexico-CA/OR/WA and humpback whale, Mainland Mexico-
CA/OR/WA stock;
Category II CA Spot Prawn Pot Fishery
<bullet> Humpback whale, CA/OR/WA to humpback whale, Central
America/Southern Mexico-CA/OR/WA and humpback whale, Mainland Mexico-
CA/OR/WA stock;
Category II CA Dungeness Crab Pot Fishery
<bullet> Humpback whale, CA/OR/WA to humpback whale, Central
America/Southern Mexico-CA/OR/WA and humpback whale, Mainland Mexico-
CA/OR/WA stock;
Category II OR Dungeness Crab Pot Fishery
<bullet> Humpback whale, CA/OR/WA to humpback whale, Central
America/Southern Mexico-CA/OR/WA and humpback whale, Mainland Mexico-
CA/OR/WA stock;
Category II WA/OR/CA Sablefish Pot Fishery
<bullet> Humpback whale, CA/OR/WA to humpback whale, Central
America/Southern Mexico-CA/OR/WA and humpback whale, Mainland Mexico-
CA/OR/WA stock;
Category II WA Coastal Dungeness Crab Pot Fishery
<bullet> Humpback whale, CA/OR/WA to humpback whale, Central
America/Southern Mexico-CA/OR/WA and humpback whale, Mainland Mexico-
CA/OR/WA stock;
Category III AK Cook Inlet Salmon Purse Seine Fishery
<bullet> Humpback whale, Central North Pacific to humpback whale,
Hawai'i and humpback whale, Mexico-North Pacific;
Category III AK Kodiak Salmon Purse Fishery
<bullet> Humpback whale, Central North Pacific to humpback whale,
Hawai'i and humpback whale, Mexico-North Pacific;
Category III AK Southeast Salmon Purse Seine Fishery
<bullet> Humpback whale, Central North Pacific to humpback whale,
Hawai'i and humpback whale, Mexico-North Pacific;
Category III AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Pacific Cod Pot Fishery
<bullet> Humpback whale, Central North Pacific to humpback whale,
Hawai'i and humpback whale, Mexico-North Pacific;
Category III Southeast Alaska Crab Pot Fishery
<bullet> Humpback whale, Central North Pacific to humpback whale,
Hawai'i and humpback whale, Mexico-North Pacific;
Category III Southeast Alaska Shrimp Pot Fishery
<bullet> Humpback whale, Central North Pacific to humpback whale,
Hawai'i and humpback whale, Mexico-North Pacific;
Category III HI Crab Trap Fishery
<bullet> Humpback whale, Central North Pacific to humpback whale,
Hawai'i, and
Category III AK/WA/OR/CA Commercial Passenger Vessels Fishery; and,
<bullet> Humpback whale, Central North Pacific to humpback whale,
Hawai'i and humpback whale, Mexico-North Pacific.
Commercial Fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and
Caribbean
Classification of Fisheries
NMFS reclassifies the Category III U.S. Mid-Atlantic mixed species
stop seine/weir/pound net (except the NC roe mullet stop net) fishery
to a Category II fishery. NMFS also adds the fishery to the list of
affected fisheries for the Bottlenose Dolphin Take Reduction Plan in
table 4.
Addition of Fisheries
NMFS adds the Virginia shrimp trawl fishery as a Category II
fishery.
[[Page 12267]]
Fishery Name and Organizational Changes and Clarification
NMFS removes the superscript ``1'' from the WNA stock of long-
finned pilot whale to indicate the stock is no longer driving the
Category II classification of the Northeast mid-water trawl (including
pair trawl) fishery.
NMFS combines the Category II Northeast anchored float gillnet
fishery into the Category I Northeast sink gillnet fishery. This change
does not affect either fisheries' requirements under the Harbor
Porpoise or Atlantic Large Whale TRPs (see table 4).
NMFS revises the fishery descriptions for the Category I Northeast/
Mid-Atlantic American lobster trap/pot fishery and Category II Atlantic
mixed species trap/pot fishery. NMFS adds Jonah crab as a target
species for the Category I Northeast/Mid-Atlantic American lobster
trap/pot fishery and removes Jonah crab as a target species from the
Category II Atlantic mixed species trap/pot fishery. NMFS also revises
the name of the Category I Northeast/Mid-Atlantic American lobster and
Jonah crab trap/pot fishery.
Number of Vessels/Persons
NMFS updates the estimated number of vessels/persons in the
Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean (table 2) as follows:
Category I
<bullet> Northeast sink gillnet fishery from 4,072 to 4,924
vessels/persons;
Category II
<bullet> NC inshore gillnet fishery from 2,676 to 1,157 vessels/
persons; and,
<bullet> NC long haul seine fishery from 22 to 10 vessels/persons.
List of Species and/or Stocks Incidentally Killed or Injured in the
Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean
NMFS corrects an administrative error in table 2. NMFS updates the
bottlenose dolphin stock name from FL Bay estuarine to FL Bay in the
list of species/stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category
III FL spiny lobster trap/pot fishery.
NMFS adds the WNA stock of harp seal to the list of species/stocks
incidentally killed or injured in the Category I mid-Atlantic gillnet
fishery.
NMFS adds the WNA stock of white-sided dolphin to the list of
species/stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category II
Northeast mid-water trawl (including pair trawl) fishery.
NMFS adds the Biscayne Bay estuarine stock of bottlenose dolphin to
the list of species/stocks incidentally killed or injured in the
Category II Atlantic blue crab trap/pot fishery.
NMFS adds the Charleston estuarine system stock of bottlenose
dolphin to the list of species/stocks incidentally killed or injured in
the Category III Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean commercial
passenger fishing vessel fishery.
NMFS removes both the SC/GA coastal and Southern migratory coastal
stocks of bottlenose dolphin from the list of species/stocks
incidentally killed or injured in the Category II Southeast Atlantic
gillnet fishery.
NMFS removes the Charleston estuarine system stock of bottlenose
dolphin from the list of species/stocks incidentally killed or injured
in the Category II Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico shrimp
trawl fishery.
Commercial Fisheries on the High Seas
Fishery Name and Organizational Changes and Clarification
NMFS removes Category II Atlantic Highly Migratory Species trawl
fishery from the LOF.
NMFS removes Category II South Pacific tuna fisheries troll fishery
from the LOF.
Number of Vessels/Persons
NMFS updates the estimated number of HSFCA permits for high seas
fisheries (table 3) as follows:
Category I
<bullet> Western Pacific pelagic (HI deep-set component) longline
fishery from 150 to 146 HSFCA permits;
Category II
<bullet> Pacific highly migratory species drift gillnet fishery
from three to two HSFCA permits;
<bullet> Western and Central Pacific Ocean tuna purse seine fishery
from 34 to 14 HSFCA permits;
<bullet> South Pacific albacore troll longline fishery from eight
to six HSFCA permits;
<bullet> Pacific highly migratory species handline/pole and line
fishery from 45 to 36 HSFCA permits;
<bullet> South Pacific albacore troll handline/pole and line
fishery from seven to one HSFCA permits;
<bullet> South Pacific albacore troll fishery from 24 to 23 HSFCA
permits;
<bullet> Western Pacific pelagic troll fishery from seven to six
HSFCA permits;
Category III
<bullet> Northwest Atlantic bottom longline fishery from two to one
HSFCA permits;
<bullet> Pacific highly migratory species longline fishery from 127
to 119 HSFCA permits;
<bullet> Pacific highly migratory species purse seine fishery from
two to one HSFCA permits;
<bullet> Northwest Atlantic trawl fishery from three to one HSFCA
permits; and,
<bullet> Pacific highly migratory species troll fishery from 93 to
95 HSFCA permits.
List of Species and/or Stocks Incidentally Killed or Injured on the
High Seas
NMFS removes the Hawaii stock of striped dolphin from the list of
species/stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category I Western
Pacific Pelagic longline fishery (HI deep-set component).
NMFS removes the unknown stock of pygmy killer whale from the list
of species/stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category II
Western and Central Pacific Ocean tuna purse seine fishery.
NMFS removes the Hawaii stock of fin whale and Central North
Pacific stock of humpback whale from the list of species/stocks
incidentally killed or injured in the Category II Western Pacific
Pelagic longline fishery (HI shallow-set component).
List of Fisheries
The following tables set forth the list of U.S. commercial
fisheries according to their classification under section 118 of the
MMPA. Table 1 lists commercial fisheries in the Pacific Ocean
(including Alaska), table 2 lists commercial fisheries in the Atlantic
Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean, table 3 lists commercial
fisheries on the high seas, and table 4 lists fisheries affected by
TRPs or TRTs.
In tables 1 and 2, the estimated number of vessels or persons
participating in fisheries operating within U.S. waters is expressed in
terms of the number of active participants in the fishery, when
possible. If this information is not available, the estimated number of
vessels or persons licensed for a particular fishery is provided. If no
recent information is available on the number of participants, vessels,
or persons licensed in a fishery, then the number from the most recent
LOF is used for the estimated number of vessels or persons in the
fishery. NMFS acknowledges that, in some cases, these estimates may be
inflations of actual effort. For example, the State of Hawaii does not
issue fishery-specific licenses, and the number of participants
reported in the LOF represents the number of commercial marine license
holders who reported using a particular fishing gear type/method at
least once in a given year, without considering how many
[[Page 12268]]
times the gear was used. For these fisheries, effort by a single
participant is counted the same whether the fisherman used the gear
only once or every day. In the Mid-Atlantic and New England fisheries,
the numbers represent the potential effort for each fishery, given the
multiple gear types for which several state permits may allow. Changes
made to Mid-Atlantic and New England fishery participants will not
affect observer coverage or bycatch estimates, as observer coverage and
bycatch estimates are based on vessel trip reports and landings data.
Tables 1 and 2 serve to provide a description of the fishery's
potential effort (state and Federal). If NMFS is able to gather more
accurate information on the gear types used by state permit holders in
the future, the numbers will be updated to reflect this change. For
additional information on fishing effort in fisheries found on table 1
or 2, contact the relevant regional office (contact information
included above in the section: Where can I find more information about
the LOF and the MMAP?).
For high seas fisheries, table 3 lists the number of valid HSFCA
permits currently held. Although this likely overestimates the number
of active participants in many of these fisheries, the number of valid
HSFCA permits is the most reliable data on the potential effort in high
seas fisheries at this time. As noted previously, the number of HSFCA
permits listed in table 3 for the high seas components of fisheries
that also operate within U.S. waters does not necessarily represent
additional effort not accounted for in tables 1 and 2. Many vessels
holding HSFCA permits also fish within U.S. waters and are included in
the number of vessels and participants operating within those fisheries
in tables 1 and 2.
Tables 1, 2, and 3 also list the marine mammal species and/or
stocks incidentally killed or injured (seriously or non-seriously) in
each fishery based on SARs, injury determination reports, bycatch
estimation reports, observer data, logbook data, stranding data,
disentanglement network data, fishermen self-reports (i.e., MMAP
reports), and anecdotal reports. The best available scientific
information included in these reports is based on data through 2020.
This list includes all species and/or stocks known to be killed or
injured in a given fishery, but also includes species and/or stocks for
which there are anecdotal records of a mortality or injury.
Additionally, species identified by logbook entries, stranding data, or
fishermen self-reports (i.e., MMAP reports) may not be verified. In
tables 1 and 2, NMFS has designated those species/stocks driving a
fishery's classification (i.e., the fishery is classified based on
mortalities and serious injuries of a marine mammal stock that are
greater than or equal to 50 percent (Category I), or greater than 1
percent and less than 50 percent (Category II), of a stock's PBR) by
including a ``1'' after the stock's name.
In tables 1 and 2, there are several fisheries classified as
Category II that have no recent documented mortalities or serious
injuries of marine mammals, or fisheries that did not result in a
mortality or serious injury rate greater than 1 percent of a stock's
PBR level based on known interactions. NMFS has classified these
fisheries by analogy to other Category I or II fisheries that use
similar fishing techniques or gear that are known to cause mortality or
serious injury of marine mammals, as discussed in the final LOF for
1996 (60 FR 67063, December 28, 1995), and according to factors listed
in the definition of a ``Category II fishery'' in 50 CFR 229.2 (i.e.,
fishing techniques, gear types, methods used to deter marine mammals,
target species, seasons and areas fished, qualitative data from
logbooks or fishermen reports, stranding data, and the species and
distribution of marine mammals in the area). NMFS has designated those
fisheries listed by analogy in tables 1 and 2 by adding a ``2'' after
the fishery's name.
There are several fisheries in tables 1, 2, and 3 in which a
portion of the fishing vessels cross the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
boundary and therefore operate both within U.S. waters and on the high
seas. These fisheries, though listed separately on tables 1, 2, or 3,
are considered the same fisheries on either side of the EEZ boundary.
NMFS has designated those fisheries in each table with an asterisk (*)
after the fisheries' names.
Table 1--List of Fisheries--Commercial Fisheries in the Pacific Ocean
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marine mammal species and/or
Fishery description Estimated number of vessels/persons stocks incidentally killed or
injured
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category I
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longline/Set Line Fisheries:
HI deep-set longline * [supcaret]... 146.................................. Bottlenose dolphin, HI Pelagic.
False killer whale, HI
Pelagic.\1\
False killer whale, MHI
Insular.
False killer whale, NWHI.
Kogia spp. (Pygmy or dwarf
sperm whale), HI.
Risso's dolphin, HI.
Rough-toothed dolphin, HI.
Short-finned pilot whale, HI.
Gillnet Fisheries:
AK Southeast salmon drift gillnet... 474.................................. Dall's porpoise, AK.
Harbor porpoise, northern
Southeast Alaska inland
waters.
Harbor porpoise, southern
Southeast Alaska inland
waters.\1\
Harbor seal, Southeast AK.
Humpback whale, Hawai[revaps]i.
Humpback whale, Mexico-North
Pacific
Pacific white-sided dolphin,
North Pacific.
Steller sea lion, Eastern U.S.
Pot, Ring Net, and Trap Fisheries:
[[Page 12269]]
CA Dungeness crab pot............... 471.................................. Blue whale, Eastern North
Pacific.
Gray whale, Eastern North
Pacific.
Humpback whale, Central America/
Southern Mexico-CA/OR/WA.\1\
Humpback whale, Mainland Mexico-
CA/OR/WA.
Killer whale, Eastern North
Pacific GOA, BSAI transient.
Killer whale, West Coast
transient.
Northern elephant seal, CA
breeding.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category II
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gillnet Fisheries:
CA thresher shark/swordfish drift 21................................... Bottlenose dolphin, CA/OR/WA
gillnet (>=14 in mesh) *. offshore.
California sea lion, U.S.
Dall's porpoise, CA/OR/WA.
Gray whale, Eastern North
Pacific.
Humpback whale, Central America/
Southern Mexico-CA/OR/WA.
Humpback whale, Mainland Mexico-
CA/OR/WA.
Long-beaked common dolphin, CA.
Minke whale, CA/OR/WA.
Northern elephant seal, CA
breeding.
Northern right-whale dolphin,
CA/OR/WA.
Pacific white-sided dolphin, CA/
OR/WA.
Risso's dolphin, CA/OR/WA.
Short-beaked common dolphin, CA/
OR/WA.
Short-finned pilot whale, CA/OR/
WA.\1\
Sperm Whale, CA/OR/WA.\1\
CA halibut/white seabass and other 39................................... California sea lion, U.S.
species set gillnet (>3.5 in mesh). Gray whale, Eastern North
Pacific.
Harbor seal, CA.
Humpback whale, Central America/
Southern Mexico-CA/OR/WA.\1\
Humpback whale, Mainland Mexico-
CA/OR/WA.
Long-beaked common dolphin, CA.
Northern elephant seal, CA
breeding.
Southern sea otter, CA.
Short-beaked common dolphin, CA/
OR/WA.
CA yellowtail, barracuda, and white 20................................... California sea lion, U.S.
seabass drift gillnet (mesh size Long-beaked common dolphin, CA.
>=3.5 in and <14 in) \2\. Short-beaked common dolphin, CA/
OR/WA.
AK Bristol Bay salmon drift gillnet 1,521................................ Beluga whale, Bristol Bay.
\2\. Gray whale, Eastern North
Pacific.
Harbor seal, Bristol Bay.
Northern fur seal, Eastern
Pacific.
Pacific white-sided dolphin,
North Pacific.
Spotted seal, Bering.
Steller sea lion, Western U.S.
AK Bristol Bay salmon set gillnet 855.................................. Beluga whale, Bristol Bay.
\2\. Gray whale, Eastern North
Pacific.
Harbor seal, Bristol Bay.
Northern fur seal, Eastern
Pacific.
Spotted seal, Bering.
AK Kodiak salmon set gillnet........ 128.................................. Harbor porpoise, GOA.\1\
Harbor seal, GOA.
Humpback whale, Hawai[revaps]i.
Humpback whale, Mexico-North
Pacific.
Humpback whale, Western North
Pacific.
Northern sea otter, Southwest
AK.
Steller sea lion, Western U.S.
AK Cook Inlet salmon set gillnet \2\ 479.................................. Beluga whale, Cook Inlet.
Dall's porpoise, AK.
Harbor porpoise, GOA.
Harbor seal, Cook Inlet/
Shelikof Strait.
Humpback whale, Hawai[revaps]i.
Humpback whale, Mexico-North
Pacific.
Northern sea otter,
Southcentral AK.
Steller sea lion, Western U.S.
[[Page 12270]]
AK Cook Inlet salmon drift gillnet.. 355.................................. Beluga whale, Cook Inlet.
Dall's porpoise, AK.
Harbor porpoise, GOA.\1\
Harbor seal, GOA.
Steller sea lion, Western U.S.
AK Peninsula/Aleutian Islands salmon 148.................................. Dall's porpoise, AK.
drift gillnet \2\. Harbor porpoise, GOA.
Harbor seal, GOA.
Northern fur seal, Eastern
Pacific.
AK Peninsula/Aleutian Islands salmon 75................................... Harbor porpoise, Bering Sea.
set gillnet \2\. Northern sea otter, Southwest
AK.
Steller sea lion, Western U.S.
AK Prince William Sound salmon drift 483.................................. Dall's porpoise, AK.
gillnet. Gray whale, Eastern North
Pacific.
Harbor porpoise, GOA.\1\
Harbor seal, Prince William
Sound.
Humpback whale, Hawai[revaps]i.
Humpback whale, Mexico-North
Pacific.
Northern fur seal, Eastern
Pacific.
Pacific white-sided dolphin,
North Pacific.
Northern sea otter,
Southcentral AK.
Steller sea lion, Western
U.S.\1\
AK Yakutat salmon set gillnet....... 95................................... Gray whale, Eastern North
Pacific.
Harbor Porpoise, Yakutat/
Southeast Alaska offshore
waters.\1\
Harbor seal, Southeast AK.
Humpback whale, Hawai[revaps]i.
Humpback whale, Mexico-North
Pacific.
WA Puget Sound Region salmon drift 136.................................. Dall's porpoise, CA/OR/WA.
gillnet (includes all inland waters Harbor porpoise, inland WA.\1\
south of US-Canada border and Harbor seal, WA inland.
eastward of the Bonilla-Tatoosh
line--Treaty Indian fishing is
excluded).
Trawl Fisheries:
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands 29................................... Bearded seal, Beringia.
flatfish trawl. Gray whale, Eastern North
Pacific.
Harbor porpoise, Bering Sea.
Harbor seal, Bristol Bay.
Humpback whale, Western North
Pacific.
Killer whale, Eastern North
Pacific Alaska resident.\1\
Killer whale, Eastern North
Pacific GOA, AI, BS
transient.\1\
Northern fur seal, Eastern
Pacific.
Ringed seal, Arctic.
Ribbon seal.
Spotted seal, Bering.
Steller sea lion, Western
U.S.\1\
Walrus, AK.
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands 116.................................. Bearded seal, Beringia.
pollock trawl. Harbor seal, Bristol Bay.
Humpback whale, Hawai[revaps]i.
Humpback whale, Mexico-North
Pacific.
Humpback whale, Western North
Pacific.
Pacific white-sided dolphin,
North Pacific.
Ribbon seal.
Ringed seal, Arctic.
Steller sea lion, Western
U.S.\1\
Pot, Ring Net, and Trap Fisheries:
CA coonstripe shrimp pot............ 9.................................... Gray whale, Eastern North
Pacific.
Harbor seal, CA.
Humpback whale, Central America/
Southern Mexico-CA/OR/WA.\1\
Humpback whale, Mainland Mexico-
CA/OR/WA.
CA spiny lobster.................... 189.................................. Bottlenose dolphin, CA/OR/WA
offshore.
California sea lion, U.S.
Humpback whale, Central America/
Southern Mexico-CA/OR/WA.\1\
Humpback whale, Mainland Mexico-
CA/OR/WA.
Gray whale, Eastern North
Pacific.
Southern sea otter, CA.
[[Page 12271]]
CA spot prawn pot................... 22................................... Gray whale, Eastern North
Pacific.
Humpback whale, Central America/
Southern Mexico-CA/OR/WA.\1\
Humpback whale, Mainland Mexico-
CA/OR/WA.
Long-beaked common dolphin, CA.
OR Dungeness crab pot............... 323.................................. Gray whale, Eastern North
Pacific.
Humpback whale, Central America/
Southern Mexico-CA/OR/WA.\1\
Humpback whale, Mainland Mexico-
CA/OR/WA.
WA/OR/CA sablefish pot.............. 144.................................. Humpback whale, Central America/
Southern Mexico-CA/OR/WA.\1\
Humpback whale, Mainland Mexico-
CA/OR/WA.\1\
WA coastal Dungeness crab pot....... 204.................................. Gray whale, Eastern North
Pacific.
Humpback whale, Central America/
Southern Mexico-CA/OR/WA.\1\
Humpback whale, Mainland Mexico-
CA/OR/WA.
Longline/Set Line Fisheries:
AK Gulf of Alaska sablefish longline 177.................................. Northern elephant seal,
California breeding.
Sperm whale, North Pacific.\1\
Steller sea lion, Eastern U.S.
Steller sea lion, Western U.S.
HI shallow-set longline * [supcaret] 14................................... Bottlenose dolphin, HI Pelagic.
False killer whale, HI
Pelagic.\1\
Guadalupe fur seal.
Risso's dolphin, HI.
Striped dolphin, HI.
American Samoa longline \2\......... 11................................... False killer whale, American
Samoa.
Rough-toothed dolphin, American
Samoa.
Striped dolphin, unknown.
HI shortline \2\.................... 8.................................... None documented.
Marine Aquaculture Fisheries:
HI offshore pen culture............. 1.................................... Hawaiian monk seal.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category III
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gillnet Fisheries:
AK Kuskokwim, Yukon, Norton Sound, 360.................................. Harbor porpoise, Bering Sea.
Kotzebue salmon gillnet.
AK Prince William Sound salmon set 25................................... Harbor seal, GOA.
gillnet. Northern sea otter,
Southcentral AK.
Steller sea lion, Western U.S.
AK roe herring and food/bait herring 15................................... None documented.
gillnet.
CA herring set gillnet.............. 11................................... None documented.
HI inshore gillnet.................. 26................................... Bottlenose dolphin, HI.
Spinner dolphin, HI.
WA Grays Harbor salmon drift gillnet 19................................... Harbor seal, OR/WA coast.
(excluding treaty Tribal fishing).
WA/OR Mainstem Columbia River 10................................... None documented.
eulachon gillnet.
WA/OR lower Columbia River (includes 244.................................. California sea lion, U.S.
tributaries) drift net. Harbor seal, OR/WA coast.
WA Willapa Bay drift gillnet........ 57................................... Harbor seal, OR/WA coast.
Northern elephant seal, CA
breeding.
Miscellaneous Net Fisheries:
AK Cook Inlet salmon purse seine.... 16................................... Humpback whale, Hawai[revaps]i.
Humpback whale, Mexico-North
Pacific.
AK Kodiak salmon purse seine........ 159.................................. Dall's porpoise, AK.
Harbor seal, North Kodiak.
Humpback whale, Hawai[revaps]i.
Humpback whale, Mexico-North
Pacific.
Humpback whale, Western North
Pacific.
Steller sea lion, Western U.S.
AK Southeast salmon purse seine..... 206.................................. Humpback whale, Hawai[revaps]i.
Humpback whale, Mexico-North
Pacific.
AK roe herring and food/bait herring 31................................... None documented.
purse seine.
AK salmon beach seine............... 2.................................... None documented.
AK salmon purse seine (Prince 298.................................. Harbor seal, GOA.
William Sound, Chignik, Alaska Harbor seal, Prince William
Peninsula). Sound.
WA/OR sardine purse seine........... 6.................................... None documented.
CA anchovy, mackerel, sardine purse 53................................... California sea lion, U.S.
seine. Harbor seal, CA.
[[Page 12272]]
CA squid purse seine................ 68................................... California sea lion, U.S.
Long-beaked common dolphin, CA.
Risso's dolphin, CA/OR/WA.
Short-beaked common dolphin, CA/
OR/WA.
CA tuna purse seine *............... 14................................... None documented.
WA/OR Lower Columbia River salmon 1.................................... None documented.
seine.
WA/OR herring, anchovy, smelt, squid 41................................... None documented.
purse seine or lampara.
WA salmon seine..................... 81................................... None documented.
WA salmon reef net.................. 11................................... None documented.
HI lift net......................... 14................................... None documented.
HI inshore purse seine.............. None recorded........................ None documented.
HI throw net, cast net.............. 13................................... None documented.
HI seine net........................ 17................................... None documented.
Dip Net Fisheries:
CA squid dip net.................... 19................................... None documented.
Marine Aquaculture Fisheries:
CA marine shellfish aquaculture..... unknown.............................. None documented.
CA salmon enhancement rearing pen... >1................................... None documented.
CA white seabass enhancement net 13................................... California sea lion, U.S.
pens.
WA salmon net pens.................. 14................................... California sea lion, U.S.
Harbor seal, WA inland waters.
WA/OR shellfish aquaculture......... 23................................... None documented.
Troll Fisheries:
WA/OR/CA albacore surface hook and 556.................................. None documented.
line/troll.
CA halibut, white seabass, and 388.................................. None documented.
yellowtail hook and line/handline.
CA/OR/WA non-albacore HMS hook and 124.................................. None documented.
line.
AK Gulf of Alaska groundfish hand 4.................................... None documented.
troll and dinglebar troll.
AK salmon troll..................... 850.................................. Steller sea lion, Eastern U.S.
Steller sea lion, Western U.S.
American Samoa tuna troll........... 6.................................... None documented.
CA/OR/WA salmon troll............... 1,030................................ None documented.
HI troll............................ 1,124................................ Pantropical spotted dolphin,
HI.
HI rod and reel..................... 235.................................. None documented.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 9.................................... None documented.
Islands tuna troll.
Guam tuna troll..................... 450.................................. None documented.
Longline/Set Line Fisheries:
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands 4.................................... Killer whale, GOA, AI, BS
Greenland turbot longline. transient.
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands 26................................... Northern fur seal, Eastern
Pacific cod longline. Pacific.
Steller sea lion, Western U.S.
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands 8.................................... None documented.
sablefish longline.
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands 84................................... Northern fur seal, Eastern
halibut longline. Pacific.
Sperm whale, North Pacific.
AK Gulf of Alaska halibut longline.. 689.................................. Harbor seal, Clarence Strait.
Harbor seal, Cook Inlet.
Steller sea lion, Eastern U.S.
AK Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod 23................................... Harbor seal, Cook Inlet/
longline. Shelikof Strait.
Steller sea lion, Western U.S.
AK octopus/squid longline........... 0.................................... None documented.
AK state-managed waters longline/ 464.................................. None documented.
setline (including sablefish,
rockfish, lingcod, and
miscellaneous finfish).
WA/OR/CA groundfish, bottomfish 314.................................. Bottlenose dolphin, CA/OR/WA
longline/set line. offshore.
California sea lion, U.S.
Northern elephant seal,
California breeding.
Sperm whale, CA/OR/WA.
Steller sea lion, Eastern U.S.
WA/OR/CA Pacific halibut longline... 130.................................. None documented.
West Coast pelagic longline......... 4.................................... None documented in the most
recent 5 years of data.
HI kaka line........................ 17................................... None documented.
HI vertical line.................... 6.................................... None documented.
Trawl Fisheries:
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Atka 17................................... Harbor seal, Aleutian Islands.
mackerel trawl. Northern elephant seal,
California.
Steller sea lion, Western U.S.
[[Page 12273]]
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands 64................................... Bearded seal, AK.
Pacific cod trawl. Ribbon seal.
Steller sea lion, Western U.S.
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands 22................................... Harbor seal, Aleutian Islands.
rockfish trawl. Ribbon seal.
AK Gulf of Alaska flatfish trawl.... 16................................... Harbor seal, Cook Inlet/
Shelikof Strait.
Harbor seal, North Kodiak.
Harbor seal, South Kodiak.
Steller sea lion, Western U.S.
AK Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod trawl. 12................................... Steller sea lion, Western U.S.
AK Gulf of Alaska pollock trawl..... 60................................... Steller sea lion, Western U.S.
AK Gulf of Alaska rockfish trawl.... 35................................... Steller sea lion, Western U.S.
AK Kodiak food/bait herring otter 0.................................... None documented.
trawl.
AK shrimp otter trawl and beam trawl 12................................... None documented.
CA halibut bottom trawl............. 23................................... California sea lion, U.S.
Harbor porpoise, unknown.
Harbor seal, unknown.
Northern elephant seal, CA
breeding.
Steller sea lion, unknown.
CA sea cucumber trawl............... 11................................... California sea lion, U.S.
WA/OR/CA shrimp trawl............... 130.................................. California sea lion, U.S.
WA/OR/CA groundfish trawl........... 118.................................. California sea lion, U.S.
Dall's porpoise, CA/OR/WA.
Harbor seal, OR/WA coast.
Northern elephant seal, CA
breeding.
Northern fur seal, Eastern
Pacific.
Northern right whale dolphin,
CA/OR/WA.
Pacific white-sided dolphin, CA/
OR/WA.
Steller sea lion, Eastern U.S.
Pot, Ring Net, and Trap Fisheries:
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands 80................................... Harbor seal, Bristol Bay.
Pacific cod pot. Humpback whale, Hawai[revaps]i.
Humpback whale, Mexico-North
Pacific.
Humpback whale, Western North
Pacific.
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands 15................................... Sperm whale, North Pacific.
sablefish pot.
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands crab 73................................... Bowhead whale, Western Arctic.
pot. Gray whale, Eastern North
Pacific.
AK Gulf of Alaska crab pot.......... 86................................... None documented.
AK Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod pot... 48................................... None documented in most recent
5 years of data.
AK Gulf of Alaska sablefish pot..... 129.................................. None documented.
AK Southeast Alaska crab pot........ 375.................................. Humpback whale, Hawai[revaps]i.
Humpback whale, Mexico-North
Pacific.
AK Southeast Alaska shrimp pot...... 104.................................. Humpback whale, Hawai[revaps]i.
Humpback whale, Mexico-North
Pacific.
AK shrimp pot, except Southeast..... 77................................... None documented.
AK octopus/squid pot................ 0.................................... None documented.
CA rock crab pot.................... 113.................................. Gray whale, Eastern North
Pacific.
Harbor seal, CA.
CA Tanner crab pot fishery.......... 1.................................... None documented.
WA/OR/CA hagfish pot................ 63................................... None documented.
WA/OR shrimp pot/trap............... 28................................... None documented.
WA Puget Sound Dungeness crab pot/ 145.................................. None documented.
trap.
HI crab trap........................ 4.................................... Humpback whale, Hawai[revaps]i.
HI fish trap........................ 4.................................... None documented.
HI lobster trap..................... Less than 3.......................... None documented in recent
years.
HI shrimp trap...................... 3.................................... None documented.
HI crab net......................... 4.................................... None documented.
HI Kona crab loop net............... 13................................... None documented.
Hook and Line, Handline, and Jig
Fisheries:
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands 2.................................... None documented.
groundfish jig.
AK Gulf of Alaska groundfish jig.... 68................................... None documented in most recent
5 years of data.
AK halibut jig...................... 5.................................... None documented.
American Samoa bottomfish........... 44................................... None documented.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 7.................................... None documented.
Islands bottomfish.
Guam bottomfish..................... 63................................... None documented.
HI aku boat, pole, and line......... None recorded........................ None documented.
HI bottomfish handline.............. 392.................................. None documented in recent
years.
HI inshore handline................. 158.................................. None documented.
HI pelagic handline................. 271.................................. None documented.
[[Page 12274]]
WA/OR/CA groundfish/finfish hook and 689.................................. California sea lion, U.S.
line. Humpback whale, Central America/
Southern Mexico-CA/OR/WA.
Humpback whale, Mainland Mexico-
CA/OR/WA.
Western Pacific squid jig........... 0.................................... None documented.
Harpoon Fisheries:
CA swordfish harpoon................ 21................................... None documented.
Pound Net/Weir Fisheries:
AK herring spawn on kelp pound net.. 143.................................. None documented.
AK Southeast herring roe/food/bait 1.................................... None documented.
pound net.
HI bullpen trap..................... < 3.................................. None documented.
Bait Pens:
WA/OR/CA bait pens.................. 13................................... California sea lion, U.S.
Dredge Fisheries:
AK scallop dredge................... 108 (5 AK)........................... None documented.
Dive, Hand/Mechanical Collection
Fisheries:
AK clam............................. 57................................... None documented.
AK miscellaneous invertebrates 188.................................. None documented.
handpick.
CA/OR/WA dive collection............ 186.................................. None documented.
CA/WA kelp, seaweed, and algae...... 4.................................... None documented.
HI black coral diving............... None recorded........................ None documented.
HI fish pond........................ None recorded........................ None documented.
HI handpick......................... 25................................... None documented.
HI lobster diving................... 12................................... None documented.
HI spearfishing..................... 67................................... None documented.
WA/OR/CA hand/mechanical collection. 320.................................. None documented.
Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessel
(Charter Boat) Fisheries:
AK/WA/OR/CA commercial passenger >7,000 (1,006 AK).................... Humpback whale, Hawai[revaps]i.
fishing vessel. Humpback whale, Mexico-North
Pacific.
Humpback whale, Western North
Pacific.
Killer whale, unknown.
Steller sea lion, Eastern U.S.
Steller sea lion, Western U.S.
Live Finfish/Shellfish Fisheries:
CA nearshore finfish trap........... 42................................... None documented.
HI aquarium collecting.............. None recorded........................ None documented.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
List of Abbreviations and Symbols Used in table 1: AI--Aleutian Islands; AK--Alaska; BS--Bering Sea; CA--
California; ENP--Eastern North Pacific; GOA--Gulf of Alaska; HI--Hawaii; MHI--Main Hawaiian Islands; OR--
Oregon; WA--Washington;
\1\ Fishery classified based on mortalities and serious injuries of this stock, which are greater than or equal
to 50 percent (Category I) or greater than 1 percent and less than 50 percent (Category II) of the stock's
PBR;
\2\ Fishery classified by analogy;
* Fishery has an associated high seas component listed in table 3; and
[supcaret] The list of marine mammal species and/or stocks killed or injured in this fishery is identical to the
list of species and/or stocks killed or injured in high seas component of the fishery, minus species and/or
stocks that have geographic ranges exclusively on the high seas. The species and/or stocks are found, and the
fishery remains the same, on both sides of the EEZ boundary. Therefore, the EEZ components of these fisheries
pose the same risk to marine mammals as the components operating on the high seas.
Table 2--List of Fisheries--Commercial Fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marine mammal species and/or
Fishery description Estimated number of vessels/persons stocks incidentally killed or
injured
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category I
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gillnet Fisheries:
Mid-Atlantic gillnet................ 4,020................................ Bottlenose dolphin, Northern
Migratory coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin, Southern
Migratory coastal.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin, Northern NC
estuarine system.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin, Southern NC
estuarine system.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin, WNA
offshore.
Common dolphin, WNA.
Gray seal, WNA.
Harbor porpoise, GME/BF.
Harbor seal, WNA.
Harp seal, WNA.
Hooded seal, WNA.
Humpback whale, Gulf of Maine.
Minke whale, Canadian east
coast.
[[Page 12275]]
Northeast sink gillnet.............. 4,924................................ Bottlenose dolphin, Northern
Migratory coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin, WNA
offshore.
Common dolphin, WNA.
Fin whale, WNA.
Gray seal, WNA.\1\
Harbor porpoise, GME/BF.
Harbor seal, WNA.
Harp seal, WNA.
Humpback whale, Gulf of Maine.
Minke whale, Canadian east
coast.
North Atlantic right whale,
WNA.
Risso's dolphin, WNA.
White-sided dolphin, WNA.
Trap/Pot Fisheries:
Northeast/Mid-Atlantic American 8,485................................ Humpback whale, Gulf of Maine.
lobster and Jonah crab trap/pot. Minke whale, Canadian east
coast.
North Atlantic right whale,
WNA.\1\
Longline Fisheries:
Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, Gulf of 201.................................. Atlantic spotted dolphin,
Mexico large pelagics longline *. Northern GMX.
Bottlenose dolphin, Northern
GMX oceanic.
Bottlenose dolphin, WNA
offshore.
Common dolphin, WNA.
Cuvier's beaked whale, WNA.
False killer whale, WNA.
Harbor porpoise, GME, BF.
Kogia spp. (Pygmy or dwarf
sperm whale), WNA.
Long-finned pilot whale, WNA.
Mesoplodon beaked whale, WNA.
Minke whale, Canadian East
coast.
Pantropical spotted dolphin,
Northern GMX.
Pygmy sperm whale, GMX.
Risso's dolphin, Northern GMX.
Risso's dolphin, WNA.
Rough-toothed dolphin, Northern
GMX.
Short-finned pilot whale,
Northern GMX.
Short-finned pilot whale,
WNA.\1\
Sperm whale, Northern GMX.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category II
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gillnet Fisheries:
Chesapeake Bay inshore gillnet \2\.. 265.................................. Bottlenose dolphin, unknown
(Northern migratory coastal or
Southern migratory coastal).
Gulf of Mexico gillnet \2\.......... 248.................................. Bottlenose dolphin, Eastern GMX
coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin, GMX bay,
sound, and estuarine.
Bottlenose dolphin, Mobile Bay,
Bonsecour Bay.
Bottlenose dolphin, MS Sound,
Lake Borgne, Bay Boudreau.
Bottlenose dolphin, Northern
GMX coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin, Western GMX
coastal.
NC inshore gillnet.................. 1,157................................ Bottlenose dolphin, Northern NC
estuarine system.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin, Southern NC
estuarine system.\1\
Northeast drift gillnet \2\......... 1,036................................ None documented.
Southeast Atlantic gillnet \2\...... 273.................................. Bottlenose dolphin, Central FL
coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin, Northern FL
coastal.
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic shark 21................................... Bottlenose dolphin, unknown
gillnet. (Central FL, Northern FL, SC/
GA coastal, or Southern
migratory coastal).
North Atlantic right whale,
WNA.
Trawl Fisheries:
Mid-Atlantic mid-water trawl 320.................................. Bottlenose dolphin, WNA
(including pair trawl). offshore.
Harbor seal, WNA.
Mid-Atlantic bottom trawl........... 633.................................. Bottlenose dolphin, WNA
offshore.\1\
Common dolphin, WNA.\1\
Gray seal, WNA.\1\
Harbor seal, WNA.
Risso's dolphin, WNA.\1\
White-sided dolphin, WNA.
[[Page 12276]]
Northeast mid-water trawl (including 542.................................. Common dolphin, WNA.
pair trawl). Gray seal, WNA.
Harbor seal, WNA.
Long-finned pilot whale, WNA.
White-sided dolphin, WNA.
Northeast bottom trawl.............. 968.................................. Bottlenose dolphin, WNA
offshore.\1\
Common dolphin, WNA.
Gray seal, WNA.\1\
Harbor porpoise, GME/BF.
Harbor seal, WNA.
Harp seal, WNA.
Long-finned pilot whale,
WNA.\1\
Risso's dolphin, WNA.\1\
White-sided dolphin, WNA.\1\
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of 10,824............................... Atlantic spotted dolphin,
Mexico shrimp trawl. Northern Gulf of Mexico.
Bottlenose dolphin, Barataria
Bay Estuarine System.
Bottlenose dolphin, Eastern GMX
coastal.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin, GMX bay,
sound, estuarine.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin, GMX
continental shelf.
Bottlenose dolphin, Mississippi
River Delta.
Bottlenose dolphin, Mobile Bay,
Bonsecour Bay.
Bottlenose dolphin, Northern
GMX coastal.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin, Pensacola
Bay, East Bay.
Bottlenose dolphin, Perdido
Bay.
Bottlenose dolphin, SC/GA
coastal.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin, Southern
migratory coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin, Western GMX
coastal.\1\
Virginia shrimp trawl............... 12................................... None documented.
Trap/Pot Fisheries:
MA mixed species trap/pot........... 1,240................................ None documented.
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of 1,101................................ Bottlenose dolphin, Biscayne
Mexico stone crab trap/pot \2\. Bay estuarine.
Bottlenose dolphin, Central FL
coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin, Eastern GMX
coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin, FL Bay.
Bottlenose dolphin, GMX bay,
sound, estuarine (FL west
coast portion).
Bottlenose dolphin, Indian
River Lagoon estuarine system.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Jacksonville estuarine system.
Bottlenose dolphin, Sarasota
Bay, Little Sarasota Bay.
Atlantic mixed species trap/pot \2\. 3,493................................ Fin whale, WNA.
Humpback whale, Gulf of Maine.
Atlantic blue crab trap/pot......... 6,679................................ Bottlenose dolphin, Biscayne
Bay estuarine.
Bottlenose dolphin, Central FL
coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin, Central GA
estuarine system.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin, Charleston
estuarine system.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin, Indian
River Lagoon estuarine system.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Jacksonville estuarine system.
Bottlenose dolphin, Northern FL
coastal.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin, Northern GA/
Southern SC estuarine system.
Bottlenose dolphin, Northern
Migratory coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin, Northern NC
estuarine system.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin, Northern SC
estuarine system.
Bottlenose dolphin, SC/GA
coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin, Southern GA
estuarine system.
Bottlenose dolphin, Southern
Migratory coastal.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin, Southern NC
estuarine system.
West Indian manatee, FL.
Purse Seine Fisheries:
Gulf of Mexico menhaden purse seine. 40-42................................ Bottlenose dolphin, GMX bay,
sound, estuarine.
Bottlenose dolphin, Mississippi
River Delta.
Bottlenose dolphin, Mississippi
Sound, Lake Borgne, Bay
Boudreau.
Bottlenose dolphin, Northern
GMX coastal.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin, Western GMX
coastal.\1\
Mid-Atlantic menhaden purse seine 17................................... Bottlenose dolphin, Northern
\2\. Migratory coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin, Southern
Migratory coastal.
Haul/Beach Seine Fisheries:
[[Page 12277]]
Mid-Atlantic haul/beach seine....... 359.................................. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern
Migratory coastal.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin, Northern NC
estuarine system.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin, Southern
Migratory coastal.\1\
NC long haul seine.................. 10................................... Bottlenose dolphin, Northern NC
estuarine system.\1\
Bottlenose dolphin, Southern NC
estuarine system.
Stop Seine/Weir/Pound Net:
U.S. Mid-Atlantic mixed species stop unknown.............................. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern NC
seine/weir/pound net (except the NC estuarine system.
roe mullet stop net).
Stop Net Fisheries:
NC roe mullet stop net.............. 1.................................... Bottlenose dolphin, Northern NC
estuarine system.
Bottlenose dolphin, unknown
(Southern migratory coastal or
Southern NC estuarine system).
Pound Net Fisheries:
VA pound net........................ 20................................... Bottlenose dolphin, Northern
migratory coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin, Northern NC
estuarine system.
Bottlenose dolphin, Southern
Migratory coastal.\1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category III
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gillnet Fisheries:
Caribbean gillnet................... 127.................................. None documented in the most
recent 5 years of data.
DE River inshore gillnet............ unknown.............................. None documented in the most
recent 5 years of data.
Long Island Sound inshore gillnet... unknown.............................. None documented in the most
recent 5 years of data.
RI, southern MA (to Monomoy Island), unknown.............................. None documented in the most
and NY Bight (Raritan and Lower NY recent 5 years of data.
Bays) inshore gillnet.
Southeast Atlantic inshore gillnet.. unknown.............................. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern SC
estuarine system.
Trawl Fisheries:
Atlantic shellfish bottom trawl..... >58.................................. None documented.
Gulf of Mexico butterfish trawl..... 2.................................... Bottlenose dolphin, Northern
GMX oceanic.
Bottlenose dolphin, Northern
GMX continental shelf.
Gulf of Mexico mixed species trawl.. 20................................... None documented.
GA cannonball jellyfish trawl....... 1.................................... Bottlenose dolphin, SC/GA
coastal.
Marine Aquaculture Fisheries:
Finfish aquaculture................. 48................................... Harbor seal, WNA.
Shellfish aquaculture............... unknown.............................. None documented.
Purse Seine Fisheries:
Gulf of Maine Atlantic herring purse >7................................... Harbor seal, WNA.
seine.
Gulf of Maine menhaden purse seine.. >2................................... None documented.
FL West Coast sardine purse seine... 10................................... None documented.
Longline/Hook and Line Fisheries:
Northeast/Mid-Atlantic bottom >1,207............................... None documented.
longline/hook-and-line.
Gulf of Maine, U.S. Mid-Atlantic 2,846................................ Humpback whale, Gulf of Maine.
tuna, shark, swordfish hook-and-
line/harpoon.
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of >5,000............................... Bottlenose dolphin, GMX
Mexico, and Caribbean snapper- continental shelf.
grouper and other reef fish bottom
longline/hook-and-line.
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of 39................................... Bottlenose dolphin, Eastern GMX
Mexico shark bottom longline/hook- coastal.
and-line. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern
GMX continental shelf.
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of 680.................................. None documented.
Mexico, and Caribbean pelagic hook-
and-line/harpoon.
U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico unknown.............................. Bottlenose dolphin, Galveston
trotline. Bay, East Bay, Trinity Bay.
Trap/Pot Fisheries:
Caribbean mixed species trap/pot.... 154.................................. Bottlenose dolphin, Puerto Rico
and United States Virgin
Islands.
Caribbean spiny lobster trap/pot.... 40................................... None documented.
FL spiny lobster trap/pot........... 1,268................................ Bottlenose dolphin, Biscayne
Bay estuarine. Bottlenose
dolphin, Central FL coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin, Eastern GMX
coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin, FL Bay.
Bottlenose dolphin, FL Keys.
[[Page 12278]]
Gulf of Mexico blue crab trap/pot... 4,113................................ Bottlenose dolphin, Barataria
Bay.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Caloosahatchee River.
Bottlenose dolphin, Eastern GMX
coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin, GMX bay,
sound, estuarine.
Bottlenose dolphin, Mississippi
Sound, Lake Borgne, Bay
Boudreau.
Bottlenose dolphin, Mobile Bay,
Bonsecour Bay.
Bottlenose dolphin, Northern
GMX coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin, Waccasassa
Bay, Withlacoochee Bay,
Crystal Bay.
Bottlenose dolphin, Western GMX
coastal.
West Indian manatee, FL.
Gulf of Mexico mixed species trap/ unknown.............................. None documented.
pot.
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of 10................................... None documented.
Mexico golden crab trap/pot.
U.S. Mid-Atlantic eel trap/pot...... unknown.............................. None documented.
Stop Seine/Weir/Pound Net/Floating Trap/
Fyke Net Fisheries:
Gulf of Maine herring and Atlantic >1................................... Harbor porpoise, GME/BF.
mackerel stop seine/weir. Harbor seal, WNA.
Minke whale, Canadian east
coast.
Atlantic white-sided dolphin,
WNA.
U.S. Mid-Atlantic crab stop seine/ 2,600................................ None documented.
weir.
RI floating trap.................... 9.................................... None documented.
Northeast and Mid-Atlantic fyke net. unknown.............................. None documented.
Dredge Fisheries:
Gulf of Maine sea urchin dredge..... unknown.............................. None documented.
Gulf of Maine mussel dredge......... unknown.............................. None documented.
Gulf of Maine, U.S. Mid-Atlantic sea >403................................. None documented.
scallop dredge.
Mid-Atlantic blue crab dredge....... unknown.............................. None documented.
Mid-Atlantic soft-shell clam dredge. unknown.............................. None documented.
Mid-Atlantic whelk dredge........... unknown.............................. None documented.
U.S. Mid-Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico 7,000................................ None documented.
oyster dredge.
New England and Mid-Atlantic unknown.............................. None documented.
offshore surf clam/quahog dredge.
Haul/Beach Seine Fisheries:
Caribbean haul/beach seine.......... 38................................... West Indian manatee, Puerto
Rico.
Gulf of Mexico haul/beach seine..... unknown.............................. None documented.
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic haul/ 25................................... None documented.
beach seine.
Dive, Hand/Mechanical Collection
Fisheries:
Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, 20,000............................... None documented.
Caribbean shellfish dive, hand/
mechanical collection.
Gulf of Maine urchin dive, hand/ unknown.............................. None documented.
mechanical collection.
Gulf of Mexico, Southeast Atlantic, unknown.............................. None documented.
Mid-Atlantic, and Caribbean cast
net.
Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessel
(Charter Boat) Fisheries:
[[Page 12279]]
Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, 4,000................................ Bottlenose dolphin, Barataria
Caribbean commercial passenger Bay estuarine system.
fishing vessel. Bottlenose dolphin, Biscayne
Bay estuarine.
Bottlenose dolphin, Central FL
coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin, Charleston
estuarine system.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Choctawhatchee Bay.
Bottlenose dolphin, Eastern GMX
coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin, FL Bay.
Bottlenose dolphin, GMX bay,
sound, estuarine.
Bottlenose dolphin, Indian
River Lagoon estuarine system.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Jacksonville estuarine system.
Bottlenose dolphin, Mississippi
Sound, Lake Borgne, Bay
Boudreau.
Bottlenose dolphin, Northern FL
coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin, Northern GA/
Southern SC estuarine.
Bottlenose dolphin, Northern
GMX coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin, Northern
migratory coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin, Northern NC
estuarine.
Bottlenose dolphin, Southern
migratory coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin, Southern NC
estuarine system.
Bottlenose dolphin, SC/GA
coastal.
Bottlenose dolphin, Western GMX
coastal.
Short-finned pilot whale, WNA.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
List of Abbreviations and Symbols Used in table 2: DE--Delaware; FL--Florida; GA--Georgia; GME/BF--Gulf of Maine/
Bay of Fundy; GMX--Gulf of Mexico; MA--Massachusetts; NC--North Carolina; NY--New York; RI--Rhode Island; SC--
South Carolina; VA--Virginia; WNA--Western North Atlantic;
\1\ Fishery classified based on mortalities and serious injuries of this stock, which are greater than or equal
to 50 percent (Category I) or greater than 1 percent and less than 50 percent (Category II) of the stock's
PBR;
\2\ Fishery classified by analogy; and
* Fishery has an associated high seas component listed in table 3.
Table 3--List of Fisheries--Commercial Fisheries on the High Seas
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marine mammal species
Number of HSFC and/or stocks
Fishery description permits incidentally killed or
injured
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category I
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longline Fisheries:
Atlantic Highly Migratory 30 Atlantic spotted
Species *. dolphin, WNA.
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern GMX oceanic.
Bottlenose dolphin, WNA
offshore.
Common dolphin, WNA.
Cuvier's beaked whale,
WNA.
False killer whale,
WNA.
Killer whale, GMX
oceanic.
Kogia spp. whale (Pygmy
or dwarf sperm whale),
WNA.
Long-finned pilot
whale, WNA.
Mesoplodon beaked
whale, WNA.
Minke whale, Canadian
East coast.
Pantropical spotted
dolphin, WNA.
Risso's dolphin, GMX.
Risso's dolphin, WNA.
Short-finned pilot
whale, WNA.
Western Pacific Pelagic (HI 146 Bottlenose dolphin, HI
Deep-set component) * Pelagic.
[supcaret]. False killer whale, HI
Pelagic.
Kogia spp. (Pygmy or
dwarf sperm whale),
HI.
Risso's dolphin, HI.
Rough-toothed dolphin,
HI.
Short-finned pilot
whale, HI.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category II
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Drift Gillnet Fisheries:
Pacific Highly Migratory 2 Long-beaked common
Species * [supcaret]. dolphin, CA.
Humpback whale, CA/OR/
WA.
Northern right-whale
dolphin, CA/OR/WA.
Pacific white-sided
dolphin, CA/OR/WA.
Risso's dolphin, CA/OR/
WA.
Short-beaked common
dolphin, CA/OR/WA.
[[Page 12280]]
Trawl Fisheries:
CCAMLR..................... 0 Antarctic fur seal.
Purse Seine Fisheries:
Western and Central Pacific 14 Bottlenose dolphin,
Ocean Tuna Purse Seine. unknown.
Blue whale, unknown.
Bryde's whale, unknown.
False killer whale,
unknown.
Fin whale, unknown.
Indo-Pacific dolphin.
Long-beaked common
dolphin, unknown.
Melon-headed whale,
unknown.
Minke whale, unknown.
Pantropical spotted
dolphin, unknown.
Risso's dolphin,
unknown.
Rough-toothed dolphin,
unknown.
Sei whale, unknown.
Short-finned pilot
whale, unknown.
Sperm whale, unknown.
Spinner dolphin,
unknown.
Western Pacific Pelagic.... 0 No information.
Longline Fisheries:
CCAMLR..................... 0 None documented.
South Pacific Albacore 6 No information.
Troll.
Western Pacific Pelagic (HI 14 Bottlenose dolphin, HI
Shallow-set component) * Pelagic.
[supcaret]. False killer whale, HI
Pelagic.
Guadalupe fur seal.
Risso's dolphin, HI.
Striped dolphin, HI.
Handline/Pole and Line
Fisheries:
Atlantic Highly Migratory 0 No information.
Species.
Pacific Highly Migratory 36 No information.
Species.
South Pacific Albacore 1 No information.
Troll.
Western Pacific Pelagic.... 1 No information.
Troll Fisheries:
Atlantic Highly Migratory 0 No information.
Species.
South Pacific Albacore 23 No information.
Troll.
Western Pacific Pelagic.... 6 No information.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category III
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Longline Fisheries:
Northwest Atlantic Bottom 1 None documented.
Longline.
Pacific Highly Migratory 119 None documented in the
Species. most recent 5 years of
data.
Purse Seine Fisheries:
Pacific Highly Migratory 1 None documented.
Species * [supcaret].
Trawl Fisheries:
Northwest Atlantic......... 1 None documented.
Troll Fisheries:
Pacific Highly Migratory 95 None documented.
Species *.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
List of Terms, Abbreviations, and Symbols Used in table 3: CA--
California; GMX--Gulf of Mexico; HI--Hawaii; OR--Oregon; WA--
Washington; WNA--Western North Atlantic;
* Fishery is an extension/component of an existing fishery operating
within U.S. waters listed in table 1 or 2. The number of permits
listed in table 3 represents only the number of permits for the high
seas component of the fishery; and
[supcaret] The list of marine mammal species and/or stocks killed or
injured in this fishery is identical to the list of marine mammal
species and/or stocks killed or injured in U.S. waters component of
the fishery, minus species and/or stocks that have geographic ranges
exclusively in coastal waters, because the marine mammal species and/
or stocks are also found on the high seas and the fishery remains the
same on both sides of the EEZ boundary. Therefore, the high seas
components of these fisheries pose the same risk to marine mammals as
the components of these fisheries operating in U.S. waters.
Table 4--Fisheries Affected by Take Reduction Teams and Plans
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Take reduction plans Affected fisheries
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Category I:
Plan (ALWTRP)--50 CFR 229.32. Mid-Atlantic gillnet.
Northeast/Mid-Atlantic American
lobster and Jonah crab trap/
pot.
Northeast sink gillnet.
[[Page 12281]]
Category II:
Atlantic blue crab trap/pot.
Atlantic mixed species trap/
pot.
MA mixed species trap/pot.
Northeast drift gillnet.
Southeast Atlantic gillnet.
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic
shark gillnet.*
Southeastern, U.S. Atlantic,
Gulf of Mexico stone crab trap/
pot.[supcaret]
Bottlenose Dolphin Take Reduction Plan Category I:
(BDTRP)--50 CFR 229.35. Mid-Atlantic gillnet.
Category II:
Atlantic blue crab trap/pot.
Chesapeake Bay inshore gillnet
fishery.
Mid-Atlantic haul/beach seine.
Mid-Atlantic menhaden purse
seine.
NC inshore gillnet.
NC long haul seine.
NC roe mullet stop net.
Southeast Atlantic gillnet.
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic
shark gillnet.
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic,
Gulf of Mexico shrimp
trawl.[supcaret]
Southeastern, U.S. Atlantic,
Gulf of Mexico stone crab trap/
pot.[supcaret]
U.S. Mid-Atlantic mixed species
stop seine/weir/pound net
(except the NC roe mullet stop
net).
VA pound net.
False Killer Whale Take Reduction Plan Category I:
(FKWTRP)--50 CFR 229.37. HI deep-set longline.
Category II:
HI shallow-set longline.
Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction Plan Category I:
(HPTRP)--50 CFR 229.33 (New England) Mid-Atlantic gillnet.
and 229.34 (Mid-Atlantic). Northeast sink gillnet.
Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Plan Category I:
(PLTRP)--50 CFR 229.36. Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, Gulf
of Mexico large pelagics
longline.
Pacific Offshore Cetacean Take Category II:
Reduction Plan (POCTRP)--50 CFR 229.31. CA thresher shark/swordfish
drift gillnet (>=14 in mesh).
Atlantic Trawl Gear Take Reduction Team Category II:
(ATGTRT). Mid-Atlantic bottom trawl.
Mid-Atlantic mid-water trawl
(including pair trawl).
Northeast bottom trawl.
Northeast mid-water trawl
(including pair trawl).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
List of Symbols Used in table 4:
* Only applicable to the portion of the fishery operating in U.S.
waters; and
[supcaret] Only applicable to the portion of the fishery operating in
the Atlantic Ocean
Classification
The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business
Administration (SBA) at the proposed rule stage that this rule would
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities. No comments were received on that certification, and no new
information has been discovered to change that conclusion. Accordingly,
no regulatory flexibility analysis is required, and none has been
prepared.
This rule contains existing collection-of-information (COI)
requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act but would not
impose additional or new COI requirements. The COI for the registration
of individuals under the MMPA has been approved by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Number 0648-0293 (0.15
hours per report for new registrants). The requirement for reporting
marine mammal mortalities or injuries has been approved by OMB under
OMB Control Number 0648-0292 (0.15 hours per report). These estimates
include the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data
sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and
reviewing the COI. Send comments regarding these reporting burden
estimates or any other aspect of the COI, including suggestions for
reducing burden, to NMFS (see ADDRESSES). You may also submit comments
on these or any other aspects of the collection of information at
<a href="https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a>.
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 COI, subject to the requirements of the Paperwork
Reduction Act, unless that COI displays a currently valid OMB control
number.
This rule has been determined to be not significant for the
purposes of Executive Orders 12866 and 13563.
In accordance with the Companion Manual for NOAA Administrative
Order (NAO) 216-6A, NMFS determined that the publication of this LOF
qualifies to be categorically excluded from further NEPA review,
consistent with categories of activities identified in Categorical
Exclusion G7 (``Preparation of policy directives, rules, regulations,
and guidelines of an administrative, financial, legal, technical, or
procedural nature, or for which the environmental effects are too
broad, speculative or conjectural to lend themselves to
[[Page 12282]]
meaningful analysis and will be subject later to the NEPA process,
either collectively or on a case-by-case basis'') of the Companion
Manual and we have not identified any extraordinary circumstances
listed in Chapter 4 of the Companion Manual for NAO 216-6A that would
preclude application of this categorical exclusion. If NMFS takes a
management action, for example, through the development of a TRP, NMFS
would first prepare an Environmental Impact Statement or Environmental
Assessment, as required under NEPA, specific to that action.
This rule would not affect species listed as threatened or
endangered under the ESA or their associated critical habitat. The
impacts of numerous fisheries have been analyzed in various biological
opinions, and this rule will not affect the conclusions of those
opinions. The classification of fisheries on the LOF is not considered
to be a management action that would adversely affect threatened or
endangered species. If NMFS takes a management action, for example,
through the development of a TRP, NMFS would consult under ESA section
7 on that action.
This rule would have no adverse impacts on marine mammals and may
have a positive impact on marine mammals by improving knowledge of
marine mammals and the fisheries interacting with marine mammals
through information collected from observer programs, stranding and
sighting data, or take reduction teams.
This rule would not affect the land or water uses or natural
resources of the coastal zone, as specified under section 307 of the
Coastal Zone Management Act.
References
Baird, R.W., S.D. Mahaffy, A.M. Gorgone, T. Cullins, D.J. McSweeney,
E.M. Oelson, A.L. Bradford, J. Barlow, D.L. Webster. 2014. False
Killer Whales and Fisheries Interaction in Hawaiian Waters: Evidence
for Sex Bias and Variation Among Populations and Social Groups.
Marine Mammal Science 31(2): 579-590.
Bradford, A.L., E.M. Oleson, R.W. Baird, C.H. Boggs, K.A. Forney,
and N.C. Young. 2015. Revised stock boundaries for false killer
whales (Pseudorca crassidens) in Hawaiian waters. U.S. Department.
Commerce, NOAA Technical Memorandum. NOAA-NMFS-PIFSC-47, 29p.
Carretta, J.W., E.M. Oleson, K.A. Forney, M.M. Muto, D.W. Weller,
A.R. Lang, J. Baker, B. Hanson, A.J. Orr, J. Barlow, J.E. Moore, and
R.L. Brownell. 2023. U.S. Pacific Marine Mammal Stock Assessments:
2022. U.S. Department of Commerce. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-
SWFSC-684. 409 p.
Carretta, J.W., J. Greenman, K. Wilkinson, L. Saez, D. Lawson and J.
Viezbicke. 2023a. Sources of Human-Related Injury and Mortality for
U.S. Pacific West coast Marine Mammal Stock Assessments, 2017-2021.
U.S. Department of Commerce. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SWFSC-
690. 225 p.
Carretta, J.W., E.M. Oleson, K.A. Forney, M.M. Muto, D.W. Weller,
A.R. Lang, J. Baker, B. Hanson, A.J. Orr, J. Barlow, J.E. Moore, and
R.L. Brownell. 2022. U.S. Pacific Marine Mammal Stock Assessments:
2021. U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-
SWFSC-663. 395 p.
Young, N.C, M.M. Muto, V.T. Helker, B.J. Delean, N.C. Young, J.C.
Freed R.P. Angliss, N.A. Friday, P.L. Boveng, J.M. Breiwick, B.M.
Brost, M.F. Cameron, P.J. Clapham, J.L. Crance, S.P. Dahle, M.E.
Dahlheim, B.S. Fadely, M.C. Ferguson, L.W. Fritz, K.T. Goetz, R.C.
Hobbs, Y.V. Ivashchenko, A.S. Kennedy, J.M. London, S.A. Mizroch,
R.R. Ream, E.L. Richmond, K.E.W. Shelden, K.L. Sweeney, R.G. Towell,
P.R. Wade, J.M. Waite, and Alexandre N. Zerbini. 2023. Alaska Marine
Mammal Stock Assessments 2022. U.S. Department of Commerce. NOAA
Technical Memorandum NMFS-AFSC-474, 316 p.
Dated: February 9, 2024.
Samuel D. Rauch, III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-03013 Filed 2-15-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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