[Federal Register: December 4, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 232)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 70339-70359]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04de06-26]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 229
[Docket No. 061106290-6290-01, I.D. 101706C]
RIN 0648-AV01
List of Fisheries for 2007
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is publishing its
proposed List of Fisheries (LOF) for 2007, as required by the Marine
Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The proposed LOF for 2007 reflects new
information on interactions between commercial fisheries and marine
mammals. NMFS must categorize each commercial fishery on the LOF into
one of three categories under the MMPA based upon the level of serious
injury and mortality of marine mammals that occurs incidental to each
fishery. The categorization of a fishery in the LOF determines whether
participants in that fishery are subject to certain provisions of the
MMPA, such as registration, observer coverage, and take reduction plan
requirements.
DATES: Comments must be received by January 3, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Chief, Marine Mammal Conservation Division,
Attn: List of Fisheries, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315
East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Comments may also be sent
via email to 2007LOF.comments@noaa.gov or to the Federal eRulemaking
portal: http://www.regulations.gov (follow instructions for submitting
comments).
Comments regarding the burden-hour estimates, or any other aspect
of the collection of information requirements contained in this
proposed rule, should be submitted in writing to Chief, Marine Mammal
Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-
West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 and to David Rostker, OMB, by fax
to 202-395-7285 or by email to David_Rostker@omb.eop.gov.
See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for a listing of all Regional
offices.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa Andersen, Office of Protected
Resources, 301-713-2322; David Gouveia, Northeast Region, 978-281-9328;
Laura Engleby, Southeast Region, 727-824-5312; Elizabeth Petras,
Southwest Region, 562-980-3238; Brent Norberg, Northwest Region, 206-
526-6733; Bridget Mansfield, Alaska Region, 907-586-7642; Alecia Van
Atta, Pacific Islands Region, 808-973-2937. 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:
Availability of Published Materials
Information regarding the LOF and the Marine Mammal Authorization
Program, including registration procedures and forms, current and past
LOFs, observer requirements, and marine mammal injury/mortality
reporting forms and submittal procedures, may be obtained at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/interactions/mmap
, or from any NMFS Regional
Office at the addresses listed below.
Regional Offices
NMFS, Northeast Region, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-
2298, Attn: Marcia Hobbs;
NMFS, Southeast Region, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL
33701, Attn: Teletha Mincey;
[[Page 70340]]
NMFS, Southwest Region, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach,
CA 90802-4213, Attn: Lyle Enriquez;
NMFS, Northwest Region, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115,
Attn: Permits Office;
NMFS, Alaska Region, Protected Resources, P.O. Box 22668, 709 West
9th Street, Juneau, AK 99802; or
NMFS, Pacific Islands Region, Protected Resources, 1601 Kapiolani
Boulevard, Suite 1100, Honolulu, HI, 96814-4700.
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
serious injury and mortality of marine mammals occurring in each
fishery (16 U.S.C. 1387(c)(1)). The categorization of a fishery in the
LOF determines whether participants in that fishery may be required to
comply with certain provisions of the MMPA, such as registration,
observer coverage, and take reduction plan requirements. NMFS must
reexamine the LOF annually, considering new information in the Stock
Assessment Reports 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: 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 would be placed in Category III (unless those fisheries
interact with other stock(s) in which total annual mortality and
serious injury is greater than 10 percent of PBR). Otherwise, these
fisheries are subject to the next tier (Tier 2) of analysis to
determine their classification.
Tier 2, 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.
Tier 2, 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.
Tier 2, 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.
While Tier 1 considers the cumulative fishery mortality and serious
injury for a particular stock, Tier 2 considers fishery-specific
mortality and serious injury for a particular stock. 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).
Since fisheries are categorized 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
categorized 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).
Other Criteria That May Be Considered
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 serious
injury or mortality qualifies for Category II 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 fisher 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).
How Does NMFS Determine which Species or Stocks are Included as
Incidentally Killed or Seriously Injured in a Fishery?
The LOF includes a list of marine mammal species or stocks
incidentally killed or seriously injured in each commercial fishery,
based on the level of serious injury or mortality in each fishery
relative to the PBR level for each stock. To determine which species or
stocks are included as incidentally killed or seriously injured in a
fishery, NMFS annually reviews the information presented in the current
marine mammal Stock Assessment Reports (SARs). 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
mortality or serious injury incidental to commercial fishing
operations. NMFS also reviews other sources of new information,
including observer data, stranding data and fisher self-reports.
In the absence of reliable information on the level of mortality or
serious injury of a marine mammal stock, or insufficient observer data,
NMFS will determine whether a species or stock should be added to, or
deleted from, the list by considering other factors such as: changes in
gear types used, increases or decreases in fishing effort, increases or
decreases in the level of observer coverage, and/or changes in fishery
management that are expected to lead to decreases in interactions with
a given marine mammal stock (such as a Fishery Management Plan [FMP] or
a Take Reduction Plan [TRP]). NMFS will provide case specific
justification in the LOF for changes to the list of species or stocks
incidentally killed or seriously injured.
How do I Determine the Level of Observer Coverage in a Fishery?
Data obtained from observers and the level of observer coverage are
important tools in estimating the level of marine mammal mortality and
serious injury in commercial fishing operations. 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. Starting in 2005, each SAR includes an appendix
with detailed descriptions of each Category I and II fishery on the
LOF. The SARs generally do not provide detailed information on observer
coverage in Category III fisheries because Category III fisheries are
not required to accommodate observers aboard vessels due to the remote
likelihood of
[[Page 70341]]
mortality and serious injury of marine mammals. Information presented
in the SARs' appendices include: level of observer coverage, target
species, levels of fishing effort, spatial and temporal distribution of
fishing effort, gear characteristics, management and regulations, and
protected species interactions.
NMFS refers readers to the SARs for the most current information on
the level of observer coverage for each fishery. Copies of the SARs are
available on the NMFS Office of Protected Resource's Web site at:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/. Additional information on observer
coverage in commercial fisheries can be found on the National Observer
Program's website: http://www.st.nmfs.gov/st4/nop/.
How Do I Find Out if a Specific Fishery is in Category I, II, or III?
This proposed rule includes two tables that list all U.S.
commercial fisheries by LOF Category. Table 1 lists all of the
fisheries in the Pacific Ocean (including Alaska). Table 2 lists all of
the fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean.
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 from NMFS in order to lawfully incidentally take a marine
mammal in a commercial fishery. 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?
Vessel or gear owners must register with the Marine Mammal
Authorization Program (MMAP) by contacting the relevant NMFS Regional
Office (see ADDRESSES) unless they participate in a fishery that has an
integrated registration program (described below). Upon receipt of a
completed registration, NMFS will issue vessel or gear owners an
authorization certificate. The authorization certificate, or a copy,
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)).
What is the Process for Registering in an Integrated Fishery?
For some fisheries, NMFS has integrated the MMPA registration
process with existing state and Federal fishery license, registration,
or permit systems. Participants in these fisheries are automatically
registered under the MMPA and are not required to submit registration
or renewal materials or pay the $25 registration fee. The following
section indicates which fisheries are integrated fisheries and has a
summary of the integration process for each Region. Vessel or gear
owners who operate in an integrated fishery and have not received an
authorization certificate by January 1 of each new year or with renewed
state fishing licenses (as in Washington and Oregon) must contact their
NMFS Regional Office (see ADDRESSES). 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 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
permit is required must register with NMFS by contacting their
appropriate Regional Office (see ADDRESSES).
Which Fisheries Have Integrated Registration Programs?
The following fisheries have integrated registration programs under
the MMPA:
1. All Alaska Category II fisheries;
2. All Washington and Oregon Category II fisheries;
3. Northeast Regional fisheries for which a state or Federal permit
is required;
4. All Southeast Regional fisheries for which a Federal permit is
required, as well as fisheries permitted by the states of North
Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi,
Louisiana, and Texas; and
5. The Hawaii Swordfish, Tuna, Billfish, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Oceanic
Sharks Longline/Set line Fishery.
How Do I Renew My Registration Under the MMPA?
Vessel or gear owners that participate in fisheries that have
integrated registration programs (described above) are automatically
renewed and should receive an authorization certificate by January 1 of
each new year, with the exception of Washington and Oregon Category II
fisheries. Washington and Oregon fishers receive authorization with
each renewed state fishing license, the timing of which varies based on
target species. Vessel or gear owners who participate in an integrated
fishery and have not received authorization certificates by January 1
or with renewed fishing licenses (Washington and Oregon) must contact
the appropriate NMFS Regional Office (see ADDRESSES). Vessel or gear
owners that participate in fisheries that do not have integrated
registration programs and that have previously registered in a Category
I or II fishery will receive a renewal packet from the appropriate NMFS
Regional Office at least 30 days prior to January 1 of each new year.
It is the responsibility of the vessel or gear owner in these fisheries
to complete their renewal form and return it to the appropriate NMFS
Regional Office at least 30 days in advance of fishing. Individuals who
have not received a renewal packet by January 1 or are registering for
the first time must request a registration form from the appropriate
Regional Office (see ADDRESSES).
Am I Required to Submit Reports When I Injure or Kill 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 Category I, II, or III
fishery must report to NMFS all incidental injuries and mortalities of
marine mammals that occur during commercial fishing operations.
``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. Injury/
mortality report forms and instructions for submitting forms to NMFS
can be downloaded from: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/interactions/mmap_reporting_form.pdf.
Reporting requirements and procedures can be
found in 50 CFR 229.6.
Am I Required to Take an Observer Aboard My Vessel?
Fishers participating in a Category I or II fishery are required to
accommodate an observer aboard vessel(s) upon request. Observer
requirements can be found in 50 CFR 229.7.
Am I Required to Comply With Any Take Reduction Plan Regulations?
Fishers participating in a Category I or II fishery are required to
comply with
[[Page 70342]]
any applicable take reduction plans. Take reduction plan requirements
can be found at 50 CFR 229.30-34.
Sources of Information Reviewed for the Proposed 2007 LOF
NMFS reviewed the marine mammal incidental serious injury and
mortality information presented in the SARs for all observed fisheries
to determine whether changes in fishery classification were warranted.
NMFS' SARs are based on the best scientific information available at
the time of preparation, including the level of serious injury and
mortality of marine mammals that occurs incidental to commercial
fisheries 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 created by
the MMPA to review the science that informs the SARs, and to advise
NMFS on population status and trends, stock structure, uncertainties in
the science, research needs, and other issues.
NMFS also reviewed other sources of new information, including
marine mammal stranding data, observer program data, fisher self-
reports, and other information that may not be included in the SARs.
The LOF for 2007 was based, among other things, on information
provided in the final SARs for 1996 (63 FR 60, January 2, 1998), the
final SARs for 2001 (67 FR 10671, March 8, 2002), the final SARs for
2002 (68 FR 17920, April 14, 2003), the final SARs for 2003 (69 FR
54262, September 8, 2004), the final SARs for 2004 (70 FR 35397, June
20, 2005), the final SARs for 2005 (71 FR 26340, May 4, 2006), and the
draft SARs for 2006 (71 FR 42815, July 28. 2006). All SARs are
available at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/.
Summary of Changes to the LOF for 2007
The following summarizes changes to the LOF in 2007 in fishery
classification, fisheries listed on the LOF, the number of participants
in a particular fishery, and the species and/or stocks that are
incidentally killed or seriously injured in a particular fishery. The
placement and definition of U.S. commercial fisheries for 2007 are
identical to those provided in the LOF for 2006 with the following
exceptions.
Commercial Fisheries in the Pacific Ocean
Fishery Classification
AK Cook Inlet Salmon Set Gillnet Fishery
NMFS proposes to elevate the ``AK Cook Inlet salmon set gillnet
fishery'' from Category III to Category II based on a documented
serious injury/mortality of a Central North Pacific (CNP) humpback
whale from entanglement in 2005. From 2001-2005, 17 documented serious
injuries and mortalities of CNP humpback whales were directly
attributable to commercial U.S. fisheries under state or Federal
management. Therefore, annual average serious injury and mortality of
this stock is 3.4 animals per year for the same period, or 26.36
percent of the PBR (PBR = 12.9). The single serious injury/mortality in
the AK Cook Inlet salmon set gillnet fishery translates to an annual
average mortality and serious injury of 0.2 animals per year, or 1.55
percent of the stock's PBR (PBR= 12.9). Category II classification is
necessary based on the mean serious injury and mortality of humpback
whale (CNP) exceeding 1 percent of its PBR. Consequently, NMFS proposes
to elevate the AK Cook Inlet salmon set gillnet fishery to Category II.
Addition of Fisheries to the LOF
WA, OR Sardine Purse Seine Fishery
NMFS proposes to add the ``WA, OR sardine purse seine fishery'' as
a Category III fishery. This fishery has 42 participants. The 2006 LOF
contains the California portion of the fishery in the Category II ``CA
sardine purse seine fishery'' (proposed to be merged with the anchovy
and mackerel portion of the ``CA anchovy, mackerel, tuna purse seine
fishery'' to create the ``CA anchovy, mackerel, sardine purse seine
fishery'' on the 2007 LOF). The Washington and Oregon portion of the
sardine purse seine fishery should be listed separately because
incidental taking of marine mammals in the this fishery has not been
documented. Initially the coastwide sardine harvest guideline,
distributed across the entire west coast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ),
had separate allocations between the Federally managed limited entry
fishery off California and the state regulated fisheries off Oregon and
Washington. Observations made under the divided allocation indicated
that the California portion of the fishery warranted listing as a
Category II fishery, owing to rare incidental taking of California sea
lions and by analogy with other Category II purse seine fisheries.
However, no incidental take of marine mammals was observed in the
northern portion of the fishery off Oregon and Washington. Harvest
allocations for the two areas were combined in 2005, however fishing
effort in the northern state-managed fishery is expected to remain
limited in timing and area and the fishery should be listed separately
to reflect that no incidental take has been documented.
Oregon and Washington issued 26 and 16 permits, respectively, for
the fishery in 2004 and the fishery is managed as a limited entry
fishery. Observer coverage in the sardine purse seine fishery in the
Pacific Northwest, ranging from 4 to 27 percent between 2000-2004,
documented no incidental take of marine mammals off Oregon and
Washington. The absence of observed serious injuries or mortalities
indicates there is a remote likelihood of serious injuries or
mortalities in this fishery. Therefore, NMFS proposes to add this
fishery to the LOF in Category III.
CA Halibut Bottom Trawl Fishery
NMFS proposes to add the ``CA halibut bottom trawl fishery'' as a
Category III fishery. There has not been a Federal observer program
initiated for this fishery and there are no documented marine mammal
serious injury or mortalities incidental to this fishery.
The ``CA halibut bottom trawl fishery'' is currently an open-access
fishery operating primarily outside state waters. This fishery is not
part of the Federal Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP), or any
other FMP, and is therefore managed by the California Department of
Fish and Game (CDFG) in both state and Federal waters. There is limited
fishing allowed between one and three miles offshore within the halibut
fishing grounds between Point Arguello and Point Mugu, California. In
2006, the CDFG implemented a permit program for this fishery.
Approximately 125 vessels meet the minimum criteria established by CDFG
for permit but only 53 permits have been issued.
CA Tuna Purse Seine Fishery
See discussion below under ``CA purse seine fisheries''.
AK Cook Inlet Salmon Purse Seine Fishery
NMFS proposes to add the ``AK Cook Inlet salmon purse seine
fishery'' as a Category II based on a documented mortality of a Central
North Pacific (CNP) humpback whale in this fishery. The LOF has never
included this fishery, although it has existed under state management
for many years. This
[[Page 70343]]
fishery has 82 participants. This oversight is likely the result of an
incomplete inclusion in the LOF of AK state-managed fisheries, as well
as a lack of documented serious injuries or moralities in this fishery.
NMFS assumes that this humpback whale belongs to the CNP stock based on
the known distribution of the this stock, and because there is no known
overlap of this fishery with the Western Central North Pacific stock of
humpback whales.
From 2001-2005, 17 documented serious injuries and mortalities of
CNP humpback whales were directly attributable to commercial U.S.
fisheries under state or Federal management. Therefore, annual average
serious injury and mortality of this stock is 3.4 animals per year for
the same time period, or 26.36 percent of the PBR (PBR = 12.9). The
single mortality in the AK Cook Inlet salmon purse seine fishery
translates to an annual average mortality and serious injury of 0.2
animals per year, or 1.55 percent of the stock's PBR. Category II
classification is necessary based on the mean serious injury and
mortality of CNP humpback whales exceeding 1 percent of PBR.
Consequently, NMFS proposes to add the AK Cook Inlet salmon purse seine
fishery to the LOF as a Category II.
AK Kodiak Salmon Purse Seine Fishery
NMFS proposes to add the ``AK Kodiak salmon purse seine fishery''
as a Category II based on a documented mortality of a CNP humpback
whale in this fishery. The LOF has never included this fishery,
although it has existed under state management for many years. This
fishery has 370 participants. This oversight is likely the result of an
incomplete inclusion in the LOF of AK state-managed fisheries, as well
as a lack of documented serious injuries or moralities in this fishery.
NMFS assumes that this humpback whale belongs to the CNP stock based on
the known distribution of the this stock, and because there is no known
overlap of this fishery with the Western Central North Pacific stock of
humpback whales.
From 2001-2005, 17 documented serious injuries and mortalities of
CNP humpback whales were directly attributable to commercial U.S.
fisheries under state or Federal management. Therefore, annual average
serious injury and mortality of this stock is 3.4 animals per year for
the same time period, or 26.36 percent of the PBR (PBR = 12.9). The
single mortality in the AK Kodiak salmon purse seine fishery translates
to an annual average mortality and serious injury of 0.2 animals per
year, or 1.55 percent of the stock's PBR (PBR = 12.9). Category II
classification is necessary based on the mean serious injury and
mortality of CNP humpback whales exceeding 1 percent of PBR.
Consequently, NMFS proposes to add the AK Kodiak salmon purse seine
fishery to the LOF as a Category II.
Removal of Fisheries from the LOF
CA Sardine Purse Seine Fishery
See discussion for ``CA purse seine fisheries'' under Fishery Name
and Organizational Changes and Clarifications.
CA Herring Purse Seine Fishery
NMFS proposes to remove the ``CA herring purse seine fishery''.
This fishery was phased out by CDFG for biological and economic
reasons. The fishery was eliminated in 1998.
Fishery Name and Organizational Changes and Clarifications
NMFS proposes to modify the definition of superscript \(1)\in
``Table 1- List of Fisheries Commercial Fisheries in the Pacific
Ocean'' from ''...1 fishery classified based on serious injuries and
mortalities of this stock are greater than 1 percent, but less than 50
percent of the stock's PBR'' to read ''...\1\ fishery classified based
on serious injuries and mortalities of this stock are greater than 1
percent of the stock's PBR.'' The current definition only defines a
stock influencing the elevation of a fishery to Category II, and not to
Category I, where annual mortality and serious injury of a stock in a
given fishery is greater than or equal to 50 percent of the stock's PBR
(August 30, 1995; 60 FR 45088). Modifying the definition by deleting
''...but less than 50 percent'' allows marine mammal stocks responsible
for all Category I and II fishery classifications to be evident.
Hawaii Inshore Gillnet Fishery
NMFS proposes to modify the name of the ``Hawaii gillnet fishery''
to the ``Hawaii inshore gillnet fishery'' to reflect the location of
effort in this fishery.
Hawaii Inshore Purse Seine Fishery
NMFS proposes to modify the name of the ``Hawaii purse seine
fishery'' to the ``Hawaii inshore purse seine fishery'' to reflect the
location of effort in this fishery.
CA Yellowtail, Barracuda, and White Seabass Drift Gillnet (mesh size
>3.5 inches and <14 inches) Fishery
NMFS proposes to modify the name of the ``CA yellowtail, barracuda,
white seabass, and tuna drift gillnet (mesh size >3.5 inches and <14
inches) fishery'' to delete ``tuna'' from the title. Thus, the name
should be ``CA yellowtail, barracuda, and white seabass drift gillnet
(mesh size >3.5 inches and <14 inches) fishery''. Targeting tuna with
this type of drift gillnet was effectively prohibited with the adoption
of the Highly Migratory Species (HMS) FMP in April, 2004. The HMS FMP
allows vessels with drift gillnet of less than 14 inches to land no
more than 10 HMS species (including tuna and excluding swordfish) per
trip.
CA Purse Seine Fisheries
NMFS proposes to reorganize the ``CA anchovy, mackerel, tuna purse
seine fishery'' and the ``CA sardine purse seine fishery'' by moving
the tuna portion into a separate fishery and combining the sardine,
anchovy, and mackerel portions into one fishery. The end result is to
create the ``CA anchovy, mackerel, sardine purse seine fishery'' and
the ``CA tuna purse seine fishery''.
The purse seine gear used, fishing methods and areas fished to
target anchovy, mackerel, and sardine are similar, and all three fish
species may be taken by vessels in this fishery. Harvest of anchovy,
mackerel, and sardine is managed jointly by the state of California and
NMFS under the Coastal Pelagic Species (CPS) FMP. The current fleet in
the CA anchovy, mackerel, sardine purse seine fishery is approximately
100 vessels, with 61 permits issued to fish sardine.
The gear used and areas fished for tuna are different than for the
other three species. Harvest of tuna is managed under the Highly
Migratory Species FMP. Approximately 10 vessels made tuna landings
using this gear in 2005. There are no documented marine mammal
mortality or serious injuries in this fishery; however, NMFS proposes
to retain the CA tuna purse seine fishery as Category II by analogy
with other CA purse seine fisheries.
The Category II ``CA squid purse seine fishery'' will remain as
currently listed. Although this fishery, like other fisheries targeting
coastal pelagic species, is jointly managed by the state of California
and NMFS under the CPS FMP, the methods used to target squid differ
from those used to target other coastal pelagic species (i.e., gear is
set at night with the aid of lights).
Number of Vessels/Persons
NMFS proposes to update the estimated number of participants in the
``Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands tuna troll fishery'' from 50
to 88.
NMFS proposes to update the estimated number of participants in the
[[Page 70344]]
``Guam tuna troll fishery'' from 50 to 401.
NMFS proposes to update the estimated number of participants in the
``American Samoa longline fishery'' from 138 to 60.
NMFS proposes to update the estimated number of participants in the
``Guam bottomfish fishery'' from < 50 to 200.
NMFS proposes to update the estimated number of participants in the
``HI Main Hawaiian Islands, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands deep sea
bottomfish fishery'' from 387 to 300. The waters surrounding the
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI), out to a distance of
approximately 50 nmi from the islands, have been designated as part of
the NWHI Marine National Monument by Proclamation 8031 (June 15, 2006).
Proclamation 8031 limits the number of bottomfish fishery participants
in the Monument to 8 commercial fishermen permitted at the time of
designation to fish for certain species within particular zones in the
Monument. Commercial fishing in the Monument may continue until June
15, 2011.
List of Species That are Incidentally Injured or Killed
CA/OR Swordfish/Thresher Shark Drift Gillnet Fishery
NMFS proposes to remove the following marine mammals from the list
of marine mammal species and stocks incidentally killed or seriously
injured in the CA/OR swordfish/thresher shark drift gillnet fishery:
Baird's beaked whale (CA/OR/WA stock), bottlenose dolphin (CA/OR/WA
offshore stock), Cuvier's beaked whale (CA/OR/WA stock), killer whale
(Eastern North Pacific offshore stock), Mesoplodont beaked whale (CA/
OR/WA stock), northern fur seal (San Miguel Island stock), pygmy sperm
whale (CA/OR/WA stock), Steller sea lion (Eastern U.S. stock), and
striped dolphin (CA/OR/WA stock). None of these species have been
observed taken in the fishery since October 30, 1997, when regulations
were published implementing the Pacific Offshore Cetacean Take
Reduction Plan (POCTRP). The POCTRP requires pingers (acoustic
deterrent devices) be placed on drift gillnets and extenders (buoy
lines) be at least 36 feet long. In addition, following notification
from NMFS, vessel captains must attend skipper education workshops
provided by NMFS Southwest Regional Office. Since implementation of the
POCTRP, marine mammal bycatch in this fishery has declined and the
species listed above have not been observed killed or seriously injured
in this fishery.
NMFS also proposes to change name of the humpback whale stock from
``CA/OR/WA-Mexico'' to ``Eastern North Pacific''. The title for this
stock was changed in the 2001 SAR to be consistent with stock names of
other Pacific species. Due to a technical error, this change was not
made to the humpback whale stock under this fishery.
CA Lobster, Prawn, Shrimp, Rock Crab, Fish Pot Fishery
NMFS proposes to add the humpback whale (Eastern North Pacific
stock), gray whale (Eastern North Pacific stock), and harbor seal (CA
stock) to the list of marine mammal species and stocks incidentally
killed or seriously injured in the ``CA lobster, prawn, shrimp, rock
crab, fish pot fishery'' based upon data from the NMFS Southwest
Regional Office stranding and entanglement databases. Between 2000-
2005, there were 14 sightings of free swimming humpback whales, gray
whales, or unidentified whales entangled in fishing gear identified as
pot or trap gear. Of these sightings, 11 entanglements were identified
as crab pot gear and 3 were identified as other gear types (lobster and
spot prawn). In addition, the stranding database has recorded one dead
gray whale, one dead harbor seal, and one dead unidentified pinniped
entangled or trapped in pot or fish trap gear. Currently there are
insufficient data to elevate this fishery to Category II, but NMFS will
continue to monitor marine mammal interactions with pot/trap gear and
revisit the fishery's classification in future LOFs.
WA, OR, CA Crab Pot Fishery
NMFS proposes to add the humpback whale (Eastern North Pacific) to
the list of marine mammal species and stocks incidentally killed or
seriously injured in the ``WA, OR, CA crab pot fishery'' based upon
data from the NMFS Southwest Regional Office stranding and entanglement
databases. Between 2000-2005, there were 14 sightings of free swimming
humpback whales, gray whales, or unidentified whales entangled in
fishing gear identified as pot or trap gear. Of these sightings, 11
entanglements were identified as crab pot gear and 3 were identified as
other gear types (lobster and spot prawn). In addition, the stranding
database has recorded one dead gray whale, one dead harbor seal, and
one dead unidentified pinniped entangled or trapped in pot or fish trap
gear. Currently there are insufficient data to elevate this fishery to
Category II, but NMFS will continue to monitor marine mammal
interactions with pot/trap gear and revisit the fishery's
classification in future LOFs.
AK Prince William Sound Salmon Drift Gillnet
Due to a typographical error in the 2006 LOF, the South Central AK
stock of sea otters was inadvertently removed from the list of stocks
incidentally killed or seriously injured in the ``AK Prince William
Sound salmon drift gillnet fishery.'' NMFS proposes to correct this
error and place the stock back on the list of species and stocks
incidentally killed or seriously injured in this fishery.
Commercial Fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and
Caribbean
Fishery Classification
Mid-Atlantic Mid-Water Trawl (Including Pair Trawl) Fishery
NMFS proposes to downgrade the ``mid-Atlantic mid-water trawl
(including pair trawl) fishery'' from Category I to Category II based
on data presented in the draft 2006 SAR. This fishery was elevated to
Category I on the 2001 LOF based on the estimated incidental serious
injury and mortality of the western north Atlantic (WNA) stock of
common dolphins exceeding 50 percent of the stock's PBR during the
period from 1996-1998. Based on the most recent data presented in the
draft 2006 SAR, the mean serious injury and mortality of common
dolphins (WNA) in the mid-Atlantic mid-water trawl (including pair
trawl) fishery was 0, or 0 percent of PBR (PBR= 1000) while the mean
serious injury and mortality of white sided dolphins (WNA) was 4.3
percent of PBR (PBR= 379). As a result, NMFS has determined that a
Category I classification for the mid-Atlantic mid-water trawl fishery
is no longer warranted. However, a Category II classification is
necessary based on the mean serious injury and mortality of white sided
dolphins (WNA) exceeding 1 percent of its PBR. Consequently, NMFS
proposes to downgrade the mid-Atlantic mid-water trawl (including pair
trawl) fishery from Category I to Category II.
NMFS also proposes to remove the superscript (1) from common
dolphins (WNA), long-finned pilot whales (WNA), and short-finned pilot
whales (WNA) in Table 2. The mean mortality and serious injury levels
presented in the draft 2006 LOF for common dolphins (WNA) was 0 percent
of PBR, and for short-finned and long-finned pilot whales (WNA) was 0.3
percent of PBR; therefore, serious injury and mortality of common
dolphins (WNA) and long-finned and short-finned pilot
[[Page 70345]]
whales (WNA) is no longer driving the categorization of this fishery.
The serious injury and mortality of white-sided dolphins (WNA)
continues to drive the classification of this fishery as a Category II.
Addition of Fisheries to the LOF
Mid-Atlantic Flynet Fishery
NMFS proposes to add the ``Mid-Atlantic flynet'' fishery as
Category II. The flynet fishery currently operates from the Oregon
Inlet to Cape Hatteras, NC between October and April, and operates in
both Federal and state waters. Flynet fishing gear is characterized by
high profile trawls that fish just off the bottom, targeting summer
flounder, croaker, and weakfish. Flynets range from 8-12 ft (24 to 36
m) across, with wing mesh sizes of 16-64 in. (41-163 cm). Mesh size is
smaller closer to the tailbag, where the mesh size is 3.5 in (9 cm)
square hung. Flynet fishing is no longer permitted south of Cape
Hatteras in order to protect weakfish stocks. As of 2002, there were 21
vessels utilizing flynet fishing gear. This is largely an opportunistic
fishery, meaning that fishermen may have flynets on their vessels as
well as other gear, and generally use them to harvest large schools of
target fish. NMFS has placed observers on a voluntary basis on flynet
vessels operating out of Wanchese, NC, and approximately 12 trips have
been observed. Although no marine mammals have been observed
incidentally seriously injured or killed, the similarity of this gear
to other Category II bottom trawl fisheries warrants its classification
as a Category II fishery by analogy.
Fishery Name and Organizational Changes and Clarifications
NMFS proposes to modify the definition of superscript (1)in Table
2, ``List of Fisheries Commercial Fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf
of Mexico, and Caribbean'' from ''...1 fishery classified based on
serious injuries and mortalities of this stock are greater than 1
percent, but less than 50 percent of the stock's PBR'' to read ''...1
fishery classified based on serious injuries and mortalities of this
stock are greater than 1 percent of the stock's PBR.'' The current
definition only defines a stock influencing the elevation of a fishery
to Category II, and not to Category I, where annual mortality and
serious injury of a stock in a given fishery are greater than or equal
to 50 percent of the stock's PBR (60 FR 45088, August 30, 1995).
Modifying the definition by deleting ''...but less than 50 percent''
allows marine mammal stocks responsible for all Category I and II
fishery classifications to be evident.
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic Shark Gillnet Fishery
NMFS proposes to clarify that fishermen in the ``Southeastern U.S.
Atlantic shark gillnet'' fishery include those using gillnets set in a
sink, stab, set, strike, or drift fashion to target sharks.
Traditionally, the 6 vessels considered to comprise this fishery used
gillnets in either a drift or strikenet configuration. However,
observers placed on various gillnet vessels in the Southeast have also
documented the use of sink, stab, and set gillnets to target sharks by
fishermen with a directed shark permit issued by NMFS under the FMP for
Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks (50 CFR 635). A more accurate
estimate of the number of vessels currently targeting sharks in the
Southeast using gillnets is up to 30 vessels, although the fishery is
dynamic with vessels configuring their gear to target a variety of
other species as well.
Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico Large Pelagics Longline
Fishery
NMFS proposes to clarify the target species in the ``Atlantic
Ocean, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico large pelagics longline fishery'' to
also include fishermen using pelagic longlines to target or land
dolphin and wahoo. Fishing for dolphin and wahoo using longline gear
involves shortening the gangions (the lines that serve to attach the
hook to the mainline) so that they fish closer to the surface.
Observers have noted that fishermen generally modify only sections of
the pelagic longline gear set to target dolphin or wahoo, with the rest
of the gear configured to target swordfish, tuna, and/or sharks. The
number of vessels that regularly modify sections of their gear to
target dolphin and wahoo is unknown, and there is no record of any
observed vessel modifying their gear to fish only for dolphin and
wahoo. Although fishermen using longlines to catch dolphin or wahoo are
required to be permitted under the NMFS FMP for the Dolphin and Wahoo
Fishery of the Atlantic in order to land these species, because they
are only modifying a section of the gear to target dolphin or wahoo,
they must also have a permit issued by NMFS under the FMP for Atlantic
Tunas, Swordfish, and Sharks (50 CFR 635) to land pelagic species
caught on unmodified sections of the gear. For these reasons, fishing
for dolphin or wahoo using pelagic longline gear is considered part of
the ``Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico large pelagics longline
fishery''.
Northeast Sink Gillnet Fishery, Northeast Anchored Float Gillnet
Fishery, and Northeast Drift Gillnet Fishery
NMFS proposes to change the language defining the ``Northeast
sink gillnet'', the ``Northeast anchored float gillnet'', and the
``Northeast drift gillnet'' fisheries by removing ''...from the Maine/
Canada border through the waters east of 72[deg] 30'W...'' (62 FR 33,
January 2, 1997) from all three fisheries descriptions and replacing
this with ''...from the U.S./Canada border to Long Island, NY, at
72[deg] 30'W. long. South to 36[deg] 33.03'N. lat. And east to the
eastern edge of the EEZ...''. This wording is more consistent with
proposed management area boundaries for gillnet fisheries under the
Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP) regulations. As the
ALWTRP management areas for gillnet fisheries consider the LOF
definitions, consistency between the two boundaries may reduce
confusion.
Northeast Sink Gillnet Fishery
NMFS proposes to expand the list of target species associated with
the ``Northeast sink gillnet fishery''. Upon the classification of
sturgeon as a prohibited species in state and Federal waters, NMFS
removed the ``Gulf of Maine, Southeast U.S. Atlantic coastal shad,
sturgeon gillnet fishery'' from the LOF. Gillnet fishing for shad in
the Northeast was reorganized and recategorized into the ``Northeast
sink gillnet fishery'', ``Northeast anchored float gillnet fishery'',
and/or the ``Northeast drift gillnet fishery'' depending on the type of
gear used (66 FR 6545, January 22, 2001). The ``Offshore monkfish
gillnet fishery'' was also removed from the LOF in 1997 (62 FR 33,
January 2, 1997) and monkfish were to be integrated into either the
``Northeast sink gillnet fishery'' or the ``U.S. mid-Atlantic coastal
gillnet fishery'' depending on where the fish were targeted. Monkfish
gillnetting in the Gulf of Maine was already considered to be an
extension of the ``Northeast sink gillnet fishery'' (60 FR 67063,
December 28, 1995).
NMFS has recently become aware of additional species being targeted
and, therefore, proposes to expand the list of fish species to include,
but not be limited to: all species defined in the Northeast
Multispecies FMP (American plaice, Atlantic cod, Atlantic halibut,
haddock, ocean pout, offshore hake, pollock, red hake [ling], redfish,
silver hake [whiting], white hake, windowpane flounder, winter
flounder, witch flounder and yellowtail flounder),
[[Page 70346]]
as well as spiny dogfish, monkfish, shad, skate and mackerel.
Northeast Anchored Float Gillnet Fishery
NMFS proposes to expand the list of target species associated with
the ``Northeast anchored float gillnet fishery'' to include, but not be
limited to: shad, herring, mackerel and menhaden. NMFS proposed the
2001 reclassification of the ``Gulf of Maine small pelagics surface
gillnet fishery'' to the ``Northeast anchored pelagic gillnet fishery''
(66 FR 6545, January 22, 2001) to incorporate fishing effort in other
Northeast areas and to include catch other than small pelagics.
However, due to changes in recording gillnet fishing effort and the
need to better distinguish Atlantic gillnet fisheries by gear type, the
fishery was classified as the ``Northeast anchored float gillnet'' (66
FR 42780, August 15, 2001). Upon the classification of sturgeon as a
prohibited species in state and Federal waters, NMFS removed the ``Gulf
of Maine, Southeast U.S. Atlantic coastal shad, sturgeon gillnet
fishery'' from the LOF. Gillnet fishing for shad in the Northeast was
reorganized and recategorized into the ``Northeast sink gillnet
fishery'', ``Northeast anchored float gillnet fishery'', and/or the
``Northeast drift gillnet fishery depending on the type of gear used
(66 FR 6545, January 22, 2001).
Northeast Drift Gillnet Fishery
NMFS proposes to clarify the list of target species associated with
the ``Northeast drift gillnet fishery''. Upon the classification of
sturgeon as a prohibited species in state and Federal waters, NMFS
removed the ``Gulf of Maine, Southeast U.S. Atlantic coastal shad,
sturgeon gillnet fishery'' from the LOF. Gillnet fishing for shad in
the Northeast is included in the ``Northeast sink gillnet fishery'',
``Northeast anchored float gillnet fishery'', and/or the ``Northeast
drift gillnet fishery'' depending on the type of gear used. NMFS
therefore proposes to expand the list of target species in the
Northeast drift gillnet to include, but not be limited to, shad,
herring, mackerel and menhaden.
Mid-Atlantic Gillnet Fishery
NMFS proposes to expand the list of target species associated with
the ``Mid-Atlantic gillnet fishery'' to include, but not be limited to:
Atlantic croaker, mackerel, black drum, bluefish, herring, menhaden,
scup, shad, striped bass, weakfish, white perch, yellow perch, shark
(large and small coastal shark, dogfish), and monkfish. This fishery
includes recently expanded gillnet effort for large and small coastal
shark in the mid-Atlantic. Atlantic sturgeon are listed as a species of
concern under the Endangered Species Act, and a moratorium on
possession and harvest of this species currently exists throughout the
U.S. East Coast.
In addition, NMFS proposes to clarify the type of gear associated
with this fishery to include gillnets set in a sink, stab, set, strike,
or drift fashion. This fishery includes any residual large pelagic
driftnet effort in the mid-Atlantic.
NMFS also proposes to change language defining the mid-Atlantic
gillnet fishery by removing ''...west of 72[deg] 30'W. and north of a
line extending due east from the North Carolina/South Carolina
border...'' (62 FR 33, January 2, 1997) and replacing this with
''...west of a line drawn at 72[deg] 30'W. long south to 36[deg]
33.03'N. lat. and east to the eastern edge of the EEZ and north of the
North Carolina/South Carolina border...''. This wording is more
consistent with proposed management area boundaries for gillnet
fisheries under the ALWTRP regulations. As the ALWTRP management areas
for gillnet fisheries consider the LOF definitions, consistency between
the two boundaries may reduce confusion.
Atlantic Mixed Species Trap/Pot Fishery
NMFS proposes to expand the list of target species associated with
the ``Atlantic mixed species trap/pot fishery''. NMFS added the
category II ``Atlantic mixed species trap/pot fishery'' to the 2003 LOF
to encompass the ``Northeast trap/pot fishery'', the ``mid-Atlantic
mixed species trap/pot fishery'', the ``U.S. mid-Atlantic and Southeast
U.S. Atlantic black sea bass trap/pot'' fisheries and any other trap/
pot fisheries otherwise not identified in the LOF, based on the use of
similar gear and the potential for marine mammal entanglements. NMFS
has recently become aware of additional species being targeted in this
fishery. Therefore, NMFS proposes to expand the list of target species
to include, but not be limited to: hagfish, shrimp, conch/whelk, red
crab, Jonah crab, rock crab, black sea bass, scup, tautog, cod,
haddock, pollock, redfish (ocean perch), white hake, spot, skate,
catfish and American eel (not included in the LOF's ``U.S. mid-Atlantic
eel trap/pot fishery'' description).
Number of Vessels/Persons
NMFS proposes to update the number of participants in the
``Southeastern U.S. Atlantic shark gillnet fishery'' from 6 to 30.
NMFS proposes to update the number of participants in the ``Mid-
Atlantic gillnet fishery'' from >655 to >670 to include the 15
participants targeting shark (e.g., large and small coastal shark,
dogfish) in this fishery.
List of Species That are Incidentally Seriously Injured or Killed
Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico Large Pelagics Longline
Fishery
NMFS proposes to add Northern bottlenose whales (Western North
Atlantic stock) to the list of species and stocks incidentally killed
or seriously injured in the ``Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico
large pelagics longline fishery''. A bottlenose whale was observed to
be entangled and seriously injured in this fishery in 2001.
NMFS has reviewed the other species listed as incidentally killed
or seriously injured in this fishery. Although some species have not
been observed to have been seriously injured or killed within the most
recent 5-year timeframe for which estimates of marine mammal bycatch
are made, the fishery still operates in the same general areas and uses
the same type of gear, with the exception of the requirement for
fishermen to now use circle hooks. The impacts of the use of circle
hooks on reducing marine mammal incidental serious injury and mortality
are still being analyzed. Therefore, NMFS has determined that no other
changes to the list of species killed or seriously injured in this
fishery is warranted at this time. NMFS will reassess the list of
species incidentally seriously injured or killed in this fishery as
more information becomes available.
Mid-Atlantic Haul/Beach Seine Fishery
NMFS proposes to remove harbor porpoise (Gulf of Maine/Bay of Fundy
stock) from the list of species or stocks incidentally killed or
seriously injured in the ``Mid-Atlantic haul/beach seine fishery''. The
most recent SAR (2005) highlights the most recent 5-years of data (from
1999-2003), as well as anecdotal or historical information, as records
of interaction. There is no current evidence to indicate harbor
porpoises are killed or seriously injured in the Mid-Atlantic haul/
beach seine fishery.
Gulf of Maine Atlantic Herring Purse Seine Fishery
NMFS proposes to remove harbor porpoise (Gulf of Maine/Bay of Fundy
stock) from the list of species or stocks incidentally killed or
seriously injured in the ``Gulf of Maine Atlantic herring purse seine
fishery''. The most recent
[[Page 70347]]
SAR (2005) highlights the most recent 5-years of data (from 1999-2003),
as well as anecdotal or historical information, as records of
interaction. There is no current evidence to indicate harbor porpoises
are killed or seriously injured in the Gulf of Maine Atlantic herring
purse seine fishery.
Mid-Atlantic Gillnet Fishery
NMFS proposes to remove the superscript (1) from bottlenose dolphin
(Western North Atlantic offshore stock) and minke whale (Canadian east
coast stock) on the list of stocks incidentally killed or seriously
injured in the ``Mid-Atlantic gillnet fishery''. In 1996 the mid-
Atlantic gillnet fishery was elevated from category III to category II
based on a tier analysis focused on the incidental mortality and
serious injury of harbor porpoise, coastal bottlenose dolphin, and
humpback whales (60 FR 67081, December 28, 1995). For re-classification
to a category I fishery in the 2002 LOF, the tier analysis was based on
the incidental mortality and serious injury of coastal bottlenose
dolphins (68 FR 1422, January 10, 2003). Though offshore bottlenose
dolphins and minke whales have the potential to interact with the mid-
Atlantic gillnet fishery, these species have not influenced the fishery
classification or its elevation; therefore, NMFS proposes to remove the
superscript (1).
Northeast Bottom Trawl
NMFS proposes to correct a typographical error in the 2006 LOF,
Table 2, by removing the superscript \(1)\ after harp seals (WNA) in
the ``Northeast bottom trawl fishery''. Mortality and serious injury of
harp seals (WNA) does not drive the categorization of this fishery.
List of Fisheries
The following two tables list U.S. commercial fisheries according
to their assigned categories under section 118 of the MMPA. The
estimated number of vessels/participants 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 in a fishery,
the number from the most recent LOF is used.
The tables also list the marine mammal species and stocks
incidentally killed or injured in each fishery based on observer data,
logbook data, stranding reports, and fisher reports. This list includes
all species or stocks known to experience mortality or injury in a
given fishery, but also includes species or stocks for which there are
anecdotal records of interaction. Additionally, species identified by
logbook entries may not be verified. Not all species or stocks
identified are the reason for a fishery's placement in a given
category. NMFS has designated those stocks that are responsible for a
current fishery's classification by a ``\1\''.
There are several fisheries classified in Category II that have no
recently documented interactions with marine mammals, or interactions
that did not result in a serious injury or mortality. Justifications
for placement of these fisheries, which are greater than 1 percent of a
stock's PBR level, are by analogy to other gear types 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. NMFS has designated those fisheries originally listed by
analogy in Tables 1 and 2 by a ``2'' after the fishery's name.
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 1 - List of Fisheries Commercial Fisheries in the Pacific Ocean
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated
of Marine mammal species and
Fishery Description vessels/ stocks incidentally
persons killed/injured
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category I
-------------------------------- --------------------------
GILLNET FISHERIES: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA angel shark/halibut and 58 California sea lion, U.S.
other species set gillnet (> Harbor seal, CA
3.5 in. mesh) Harbor porpoise, Central
CA\1\
Long-beaked common
dolphin, CA
Northern elephant seal,
CA breedingSea otter, CA
Short-beaked common
dolphin, CA/OR/WA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA/OR thresher shark/swordfish 85 California sea lion, U.S.
drift gillnet ([gteqt] 14 in. Dall's porpoise, CA/OR/WA
mesh) Fin whale, CA/OR/WA
Gray whale, Eastern North
Pacific
Humpback whale, Eastern
North Pacific
Long-beaked common
dolphin, CA
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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONGLINE/SET LINE FISHERIES: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 70348]]
HI swordfish, tuna, billfish, 140 Blainville's beaked
mahi mahi, wahoo, oceanic whale, HI
sharks longline/set line Bottlenose dolphin, HI
False killer whale, HI\1\
Humpback whale, Central
North Pacific
Pantropical spotted
dolphin, HI
Risso's dolphin, HI
Short-finned pilot whale,
HI
Spinner dolphin, HI
Sperm whale, HI
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category II
-------------------------------- --------------------------
GILLNET FISHERIES: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Bristol Bay salmon drift 1,903 Beluga whale, Bristol Bay
gillnet\2\ Gray whale, Eastern North
Pacific
Harbor seal, Bering Sea
Northern fur seal,
Eastern Pacific
Pacific white-sided
dolphin, North Pacific
Spotted seal, AK
Steller sea lion, Western
U.S.\1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Bristol Bay salmon set 1,014 Beluga whale, Bristol Bay
gillnet\2\ Gray whale, Eastern North
Pacific
Harbor seal, Bering Sea
Northern fur seal,
Eastern Pacific
Spotted seal, AK
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Cook Inlet salmon set 745 Beluga whale, Cook Inlet
gillnet Dall's porpoise, AK
Harbor porpoise, GOA
Harbor seal, GOA
Humpback whale, Central
North Pacific\1\
Steller sea lion, Western
U.S.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Cook Inlet salmon drift 576 Beluga whale, Cook Inlet
gillnet Dall's porpoise, AK
Harbor porpoise, GOA\1\
Harbor seal, GOA
Steller sea lion, Western
U.S.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Kodiak salmon set gillnet 188 Harbor porpoise, GOA\1\
Harbor seal, GOA
Sea otter, Southwest AK
Steller sea lion, Western
U.S.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Metlakatla/Annette Island 60 None documented
salmon drift gillnet\2\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Peninsula/Aleutian Islands 164 Dall's porpoise, AK
salmon drift gillnet\2\ Harbor porpoise, GOA
Harbor seal, GOA
Northern fur seal,
Eastern Pacific
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Peninsula/Aleutian Islands 116 Harbor porpoise, Bering
salmon set gillnet\2\ Sea
Steller sea lion, Western
U.S.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Prince William Sound salmon 541 Dall's porpoise, AK
drift gillnet Harbor porpoise, GOA\1\
Harbor seal, GOA
Northern fur seal,
Eastern Pacific
Pacific white-sided
dolphin, North Pacific
Steller sea lion, Western
U.S.\1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 70349]]
AK Southeast salmon drift 481 Dall's porpoise, AK
gillnet Harbor porpoise,
Southeast AK
Harbor seal, Southeast AK
Humpback whale, Central
North Pacific\1\
Pacific white-sided
dolphin, North Pacific
Steller sea lion, Eastern
U.S.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Yakutat salmon set 170 Gray whale, Eastern North
gillnet\2\ Pacific
Harbor seal, Southeast AK
Humpback whale, Central
North Pacific (Southeast
AK)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA yellowtail, barracuda, and 24 California sea lion, U.S.
white seabass drift gillnet Long-beaked common
fishery (mesh size > 3.5 dolphin, CA
inches and < 14 inches)\2\ Short-beaked common
dolphin, CA/OR/WA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WA Puget Sound Region salmon 210 Dall's porpoise, CA/OR/WA
drift gillnet (includes all Harbor porpoise, inland
inland waters south of US- WA\1\
Canada border and eastward of Harbor seal, WA inland
the Bonilla-Tatoosh line-
Treaty Indian fishing is
excluded)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PURSE SEINE FISHERIES: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Southeast salmon purse seine 416 Humpback whale, Central
North Pacific\1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Kodiak salmon purse seine 370 Humpback whale, Central
North Pacific\1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA anchovy, mackerel, tuna 110 Bottlenose dolphin, CA/OR/
purse seine WA offshore1
California sea lion, U.S.
Harbor seal, CA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA squid purse seine 65 Common dolphin, unknown
Short-finned pilot whale,
CA/OR/WA\1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA tuna purse seine\2\ 10 Common dolphin, unknown
None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRAWL FISHERIES: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands 26 Bearded seal, AK
flatfish trawl Harbor porpoise, Bering
Sea
Harbor seal, Bering Sea
Killer whale, AK
resident\1\
Northern fur seal,
Eastern North Pacific
Spotted seal, AK
Steller sea lion, Western
U.S.\1\
Walrus, AK
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands 120 Dall's porpoise, AK
pollock trawl Harbor seal, AK
Humpback whale, Central
North Pacific\1\
Humpback whale, Western
North Pacific\1\
Killer whale, Eastern
North Pacific, GOA,
Aleutian Islands, and
Bering Sea transient\1\
Minke whale, AK
Ribbon seal, AK
Spotted seal, AK
Steller sea lion, Western
U.S.\1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONGLINE/SET LINE FISHERIES: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands 114 Killer whale, AK
Pacific cod longline resident\1\
Killer whale, Eastern
North Pacific, GOA,
Aleutian Islands, and
Bering Sea transient\1\
Ribbon seal, AK
Steller sea lion, Western
U.S.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA pelagic longline\2\ 6 California sea lion, U.S.
Risso's dolphin, CA/OR/WA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 70350]]
OR swordfish floating 0 None documented
longline\2\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OR blue shark floating 1 None documented
longline\2\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
POT, RING NET, AND TRAP ............ .........................
FISHERIES:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Bering Sea sablefish pot 6 Humpback whale, Central
North Pacific\1\
Humpback whale, Western
North Pacific\1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category III
-------------------------------- --------------------------
GILLNET FISHERIES: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Kuskokwim, Yukon, Norton 1,922 Harbor porpoise, Bering
Sound, Kotzebue salmon gillnet Sea
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK miscellaneous finfish set 3 Steller sea lion, Western
gillnet U.S.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Prince William Sound salmon 30 Harbor seal, GOA
set gillnet Steller sea lion, Western
U.S.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK roe herring and food/bait 2,034 None documented
herring gillnet
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA set and drift gillnet 341 None documented
fisheries that use a stretched
mesh size of 3.5 in or less
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hawaii inshore gillnet 35 Bottlenose dolphin, HI
Spinner dolphin, HI
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WA Grays Harbor salmon drift 24 Harbor seal, OR/WA coast
gillnet (excluding treaty
Tribal fishing)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WA, OR herring, smelt, shad, 913 None documented
sturgeon, bottom fish, mullet,
perch, rockfish gillnet
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WA, OR lower Columbia River 110 California sea lion,
(includes tributaries) drift U.S.Harbor seal, OR/WA
gillnet coast
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WA Willapa Bay drift gillnet 82 Harbor seal, OR/WA coast
Northern elephant seal,
CA breeding
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PURSE SEINE, BEACH SEINE, ROUND ............
HAUL AND THROW NET FISHERIES:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Metlakatla salmon purse 10 None documented
seine
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK miscellaneous finfish beach 1 None documented
seine
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK miscellaneous finfish purse 3 None documented
seine
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK octopus/squid purse seine 2 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK roe herring and food/bait 8 None documented
herring beach seine
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK roe herring and food/bait 624 None documented
herring purse seine
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK salmon beach seine 34 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK salmon purse seine (except 953 Harbor seal, GOA
Southeast Alaska, which is in
Category II)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WA, OR sardine purse seine 42 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HI Kona crab loop net 42 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HI opelu/akule net 12 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HI inshore purse seine 23 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 70351]]
HI throw net, cast net 14 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WA (all species) beach seine or 235 None documented
drag seine
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WA, OR herring, smelt, squid 130 None documented
purse seine or lampara
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WA salmon purse seine 440 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WA salmon reef net 53 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DIP NET FISHERIES: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA squid dip net 115 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WA, OR smelt, herring dip net 119 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MARINE AQUACULTURE FISHERIES: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA marine shellfish aquaculture unknown None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA salmon enhancement rearing >1 None documented
pen
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA white seabass enhancement 13 California sea lion, U.S.
net pens
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HI offshore pen culture 2 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OR salmon ranch 1 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WA, OR salmon net pens 14 California sea lion, U.S.
Harbor seal, WA inland
waters
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TROLL FISHERIES: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK North Pacific halibut, AK 1,530 (330 None documented
bottom fish, WA, OR, CA AK)
albacore, groundfish, bottom
fish, CA halibut non-salmonid
troll fisheries
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK salmon troll 2,335 Steller sea lion, Eastern
U.S. Steller sea lion,
Western U.S.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Samoa tuna troll > 50 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA/OR/WA salmon troll 4,300 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commonwealth of the Northern 88 None documented
Mariana Islands tuna troll
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guam tuna troll 401 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HI trolling, rod and reel 1,321 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONGLINE/SET LINE FISHERIES: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands 12 Killer whale, AK resident
Greenland turbot longline Killer whale, Eastern
North Pacific, GOA,
Aleutian Islands, and
Bering Sea transient
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands 17 None documented
rockfish longline
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands 63 None documented
sablefish longline
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Gulf of Alaska halibut 1,302 None documented
longline
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod 440 None documented
longline
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Gulf of Alaska rockfish 421 None documented
longline
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Gulf of Alaska sablefish 412 Sperm whale, North
longline Pacific
Steller sea lion, Eastern
U.S.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK halibut longline/set line 3,079 Steller sea lion, Western
(State and Federal waters) U.S.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 70352]]
AK octopus/squid longline 7 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK state-managed waters 731 None documented
groundfish longline/setline
(including sablefish,
rockfish, and miscellaneous
finfish)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Samoa longline 60 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WA, OR, CA groundfish, 367 None documented
bottomfish longline/set line
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WA, OR North Pacific halibut 350 None documented
longline/set line
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRAWL FISHERIES: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands 8 Steller sea lion, Western
Atka mackerel trawl U.S.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands 87 Harbor seal, Bering Sea
Pacific cod trawl Steller sea lion, Western
U.S.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands 9 None documented
rockfish trawl
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Gulf of Alaska flatfish 52 None documented
trawl
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod 101 Steller sea lion, Western
trawl U.S.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Gulf of Alaska pollock trawl 83 Fin whale, Northeast
Pacific
Northern elephant seal,
North Pacific
Steller sea lion, Western
U.S.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Gulf of Alaska rockfish 45 None documented
trawl
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK food/bait herring trawl 3 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK miscellaneous finfish otter 6 None documented
or beam trawl
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK shrimp otter trawl and beam 58 None documented
trawl (statewide and Cook
Inlet)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK state-managed waters of Cook 2 None documented
Inlet, Kachemak Bay, Prince
William Sound, Southeast AK
groundfish trawl
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA halibut bottom trawl 53 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WA, OR, CA groundfish trawl 585 California sea lion, U.S.
Dall's porpoise, CA/OR/WA
Harbor seal, OR/WA coast
Northern fur seal,
Eastern Pacific
Pacific white-sided
dolphin, CA/OR/WA
Steller sea lion, Eastern
U.S.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WA, OR, CA shrimp trawl 300 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
POT, RING NET, AND TRAP ............ .........................
FISHERIES:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Aleutian Islands sablefish 8 None documented
pot
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands 76 None documented
Pacific cod pot
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands 329 None documented
crab pot
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Gulf of Alaska crab pot unknown None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod 154 Harbor seal, GOA
pot
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Southeast Alaska crab pot unknown Humpback whale, Central
North Pacific (Southeast
AK)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Southeast Alaska shrimp pot unknown Humpback whale, Central
North Pacific (Southeast
AK)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK octopus/squid pot 72 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 70353]]
AK snail pot 2 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA lobster, prawn, shrimp, rock 608 Gray whale, Eastern North
crab, fish pot Pacific
Harbor seal, CA
Humpback whale, Eastern
North Pacific
Sea otter, CA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OR, CA hagfish pot or trap 25 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WA, OR, CA crab pot 1,478 Humpback whale, Eastern
North Pacific
Gray whale, Eastern North
Pacific
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WA, OR, CA sablefish pot 176 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WA, OR shrimp pot/trap 254 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HI crab trap 22 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HI fish trap 19 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HI lobster trap 0 Hawaiian monk seal
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HI shrimp trap 5 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HANDLINE AND JIG FISHERIES: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK miscellaneous finfish 100 None documented
handline and mechanical jig
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK North Pacific halibut 93 None documented
handline and mechanical jig
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK octopus/squid handline 2 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Samoa bottomfish < 50 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commonwealth of the Northern < 50 None documented
Mariana Islands bottomfish
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guam bottomfish 200 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HI aku boat, pole and line 4 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HI Main Hawaiian Islands, 300 Hawaiian monk seal
Northwest Hawaiian Islands
deep sea bottomfish
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HI inshore handline 307 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HI tuna handline 298 Hawaiian monk seal
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WA groundfish, bottomfish jig 679 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western Pacific squid jig 6 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HARPOON FISHERIES: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA swordfish harpoon 30 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
POUND NET/WEIR FISHERIES: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK herring spawn on kelp pound 452 None documented
net
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK Southeast herring roe/food/ 3 None documented
bait pound net
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WA herring brush weir 1 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BAIT PENS: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WA/OR/CA bait pens 13 California sea lion, U.S.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DREDGE FISHERIES: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 70354]]
Coastwide scallop dredge 108 (12 AK) None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DIVE, HAND/MECHANICAL ............ .........................
COLLECTION FISHERIES:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK abalone 1 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK clam 156 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WA herring spawn on kelp 4 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK dungeness crab 3 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK herring spawn on kelp 363 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK urchin and other fish/ 471 None documented
shellfish
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA abalone 111 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA sea urchin 583 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HI black coral diving 1 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HI fish pond N/A None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HI handpick 37 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HI lobster diving 19 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HI squiding, spear 91 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WA, CA kelp 4 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WA/OR sea urchin, other clam, 637 None documented
octopus, oyster, sea cucumber,
scallop, ghost shrimp hand,
dive, or mechanical collection
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WA shellfish aquaculture 684 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMERCIAL PASSENGER FISHING ............ .........................
VESSEL (CHARTER BOAT)
FISHERIES:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK, WA, OR, CA commercial >7,000 Killer whale, stock
passenger fishing vessel (1,107 AK) unknown
Steller sea lion, Eastern
U.S.
Steller sea lion, Western
U.S.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HI charter vessel 114 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIVE FINFISH/SHELLFISH ............ .........................
FISHERIES:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA finfish and shellfish live 93 None documented
trap/hook-and-line
------------------------------------------------------------------------
List of Abbreviations and Symbols Used in Table 1: AK - Alaska; CA -
California; GOA - Gulf of Alaska; HI - Hawaii; OR - Oregon; WA -
Washington; \1\ - Fishery classified based on serious injuries and
mortalities of this stock are greater than 1 percent of the stock's
PBR; \2\ - Fishery classified by analogy.
Table 2 - List of Fisheries Commercial Fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean,
Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated
of Marine mammal species and
Fishery Description vessels/ stocks incidentally
persons killed/injured
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category I
-------------------------------- --------------------------
GILLNET FISHERIES: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 70355]]
Mid-Atlantic gillnet >670 Bottlenose dolphin, WNA
coastal\1\
Bottlenose dolphin, WNA
offshore
Common dolphin, WNA
Gray seal, WNA
Harbor porpoise, GME/
BF\1\
Harbor seal, WNA
Harp seal, WNA
Humpback whale, Gulf of
Maine\1\
Long-finned pilot whale,
WNA
Minke whale, Canadian
east coast
Short-finned pilot whale,
WNA
White-sided dolphin, WNA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northeast sink gillnet 341 Bottlenose dolphin, WNA
offshore
Common dolphin, WNA
Fin whale, WNA
Gray seal, WNA
Harbor porpoise, GME/
BF\1\
Harbor seal, WNA
Harp sea\l\, WNA
Hooded seal, WNA
Humpback whale, WNA\1\
Minke whale, Canadian
east coast\1\
North Atlantic right
whale, WNA\1\
Risso's dolphin, WNA
White-sided dolphin, WNA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONGLINE FISHERIES: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, Gulf 94 Atlantic spotted dolphin,
of Mexico large pelagics Northern GMX
longline Atlantic spotted dolphin,
WNA
Bottlenose dolphin, GMX
outer continental shelf
Bottlenose dolphin, GMX,
continental shelf edge
and slope
Bottlenose dolphin, WNA
offshore
Common dolphin, WNA
Cuvier's beaked whale,
WNA
Long-finned pilot whale,
WNA\1\
Mesoplodon beaked whale,
WNA
Northern bottlenose
whale, WNA
Pantropical spotted
dolphin, Northern GMX
Pantropical spotted
dolphin, WNA
Pygmy sperm whale, WNA\1\
Risso's dolphin, Northern
GMX
Risso's dolphin, WNA
Short-finned pilot whale,
Northern GMX
Short-finned pilot whale,
WNA\1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRAP/POT FISHERIES: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northeast/Mid-Atlantic American 13,000 Fin whale, WNA
lobster trap/pot Harbor seal, WNA
Humpback whale, WNA\1\
Minke whale, Canadian
east coast\1\
North Atlantic right
whale, WNA\1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category II
-------------------------------- --------------------------
GILLNET FISHERIES: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chesapeake Bay inshore 45 None documented
gillnet\2\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gulf of Mexico gillnet\2\ 724 Bottlenose dolphin,
Eastern GMX coastal
Bottlenose dolphin, GMX
bay, sound, and
estuarine
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern GMX coastal
Bottlenose dolphin,
Western GMX coastal
------------------------------------------------------------------------
North Carolina inshore gillnet 94 Bottlenose dolphin, WNA
coastal\1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 70356]]
Northeast anchored float 133 Harbor seal, WNA
gillnet\2\ Humpback whale, WNA
White-sided dolphin, WNA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northeast drift gillnet\2\ unknown None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southeast Atlantic gillnet\2\ 779 Bottlenose dolphin, WNA
coastal
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic 30 Atlantic spotted dolphin,
shark gillnet WNA
Bottlenose dolphin, WNA
coastal\1\
North Atlantic right
whale, WNA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRAWL FISHERIES: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mid-Atlantic mid-water trawl 620 Bottlenose dolphin, WNA
(including pair trawl) offshore
Common dolphin, WNA
Long-finned pilot whale,
WNA
Risso's dolphin, WNA
Short-finned pilot whale,
WNA
White-sided dolphin,
WNA\1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mid-Atlantic bottom trawl >1,000 Common dolphin, WNA\1\
Long-finned pilot whale,
WNA\1\
Short-finned pilot whale,
WNA\1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mid-Atlantic flynet\2\ 21 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northeast mid-water trawl 17 Harbor seal, WNA
(including pair trawl) Long-finned pilot whale,
WNA\1\
Short-finned pilot whale,
WNA\1\
White-sided dolphin, WNA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northeast bottom trawl 1,052 Common dolphin, WNA
Harbor porpoise, GME/BF
Harp seal, WNA\1\
Long-finned pilot whale,
WNA
Short-finned pilot whale,
WNA
White-sided dolphin,
WNA\1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRAP/POT FISHERIES: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atlantic blue crab trap/pot >16,000 Bottlenose dolphin, WNA
coastal\1\
West Indian manatee,
FL\1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atlantic mixed species trap/ unknown Fin whale, WNA
pot\2\ Humpback whale, Gulf of
Maine
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PURSE SEINE FISHERIES: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gulf of Mexico menhaden purse 50 Bottlenose dolphin,
seine Eastern GMX coastal
Bottlenose dolphin, GMX
bay, sound, estuarine
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern GMX coastal\1\
Bottlenose dolphin,
Western GMX coastal
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mid-Atlantic menhaden purse 22 Bottlenose dolphin, WNA
seine\2\ coastal
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HAUL/BEACH SEINE FISHERIES: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mid-Atlantic haul/beach seine 25 Bottlenose dolphin, WNA
coastal\1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
North Carolina long haul seine 33 Bottlenose dolphin, WNA
coastal\1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
STOP NET FISHERIES: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
North Carolina roe mullet stop 13 Bottlenose dolphin, WNA
net coastal\1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
POUND NET FISHERIES: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Virginia pound net 187 Bottlenose dolphin, WNA
coastal\1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 70357]]
Category III
-------------------------------- --------------------------
GILLNET FISHERIES: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Caribbean gillnet >991 Dwarf sperm whale, WNA
West Indian manatee,
Antillean
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delaware River inshore gillnet 60 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long Island Sound inshore 20 None documented
gillnet
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rhode Island, southern 32 None documented
Massachusetts (to Monomoy
Island), and New York Bight
(Raritan and Lower New York
Bays) inshore gillnet
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southeast Atlantic inshore unknown None documented
gillnet
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRAWL FISHERIES: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atlantic shellfish bottom trawl 972 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gulf of Mexico butterfish trawl 2 Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern GMX outer
continental shelf
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern GMX continental
shelf edge and slope
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gulf of Mexico mixed species 20 None documented
trawl
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, >18,000 Bottlenose dolphin,
Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawl Eastern GMX coastal
Bottlenose dolphin,
Western GMX coastal
Bottlenose dolphin, GMX
bay, sound, estuarine
West Indian Manatee, FL
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MARINE AQUACULTURE FISHERIES: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finfish aquaculture 48 Harbor seal, WNA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shellfish aquaculture unknown None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PURSE SEINE FISHERIES: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gulf of Maine Atlantic herring 30 Harbor seal, WNA
purse seine Gray seal, WNA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gulf of Maine menhaden purse 50 None documented
seine
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Florida west coast sardine 10 Bottlenose dolphin,
purse seine Eastern GMX coastal
------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Atlantic tuna purse seine 5 Long-finned pilot whale,
WNA
Short-finned pilot whale,
WNA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Mid-Atlantic hand seine >250 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONGLINE/HOOK-AND-LINE ............ .........................
FISHERIES:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northeast/Mid-Atlantic bottom 46 None documented
longline/hook-and-line
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gulf of Maine, U.S. Mid- 26,223 Humpback whale, WNA
Atlantic tuna, shark swordfish
hook-and-line/harpoon
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, >5,000 None documented
Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean
snapper-grouper and other reef
fish bottom longline/hook-and-
line
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, < 125 None documented
Gulf of Mexico shark bottom
longline/hook-and-line
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, 1,446 None documented
Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean
pelagic hook-and-line/harpoon
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 70358]]
TRAP/POT FISHERIES ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Caribbean mixed species trap/ >501 None documented
pot
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Caribbean spiny lobster trap/ >197 None documented
pot
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Florida spiny lobster trap/pot 2,145 Bottlenose dolphin,
Eastern GMX coastal
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gulf of Mexico blue crab trap/ 4,113 Bottlenose dolphin,
pot Western GMX coastal
Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern GMX coastal
Bottlenose dolphin,
Eastern GMX coastal
Bottlenose dolphin, GMX
Bay, Sound, & Estuarine
West Indian manatee, FL
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gulf of Mexico mixed species unknown None documented
trap/pot
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, 10 None documented
Gulf of Mexico golden crab
trap/pot
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, 4,453 None documented
Gulf of Mexico stone crab trap/
pot
------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Mid-Atlantic eel trap/pot >700 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
STOP SEINE/WEIR/POUND NET ............ .........................
FISHERIES:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gulf of Maine herring and 50 Gray seal, Northwest
Atlantic mackerel stop seine/ North Atlantic
weir Harbor porpoise, GME/BF
Harbor seal, WNA
Minke whale, Canadian
east coast
White-sided dolphin, WNA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Mid-Atlantic crab stop 2,600 None documented
seine/weir
------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Mid-Atlantic mixed species 751 None documented
stop seine/weir/pound net
(except the North Carolina roe
mullet stop net)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DREDGE FISHERIES: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gulf of Maine mussel >50 None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gulf of Maine, U.S. Mid- 233 None documented
Atlantic sea scallop dredge
------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Mid-Atlantic/Gulf of 7,000 None documented
Mexico oyster
------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Mid-Atlantic offshore surf 100 None documented
clam and quahog dredge
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HAUL/BEACH SEINE FISHERIES: ............ .........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Caribbean haul/beach seine 15 West Indian manatee,
Antillean
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gulf of Mexico haul/beach seine unknown None documented
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, 25 None documented
haul/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/ >50 None documented
mechanical collection
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gulf of Mexico, Southeast unknown None documented
Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, and
Caribbean cast net
------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMERCIAL PASSENGER FISHING ............ .........................
VESSEL (CHARTER BOAT)
FISHERIES:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 70359]]
Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, 4,000 Bottlenose dolphin,
Caribbean commercial passenger Eastern GMX coastal
fishing vessel Bottlenose dolphin,
Northern GMX coastal
Bottlenose dolphin,
Western GMX coastal
Bottlenose dolphin, WNA
coastal
------------------------------------------------------------------------
List of Abbreviations and Symbols Used in Table 2: FL - Florida; GA -
Georgia; GME/BF - Gulf of Maine/Bay of Fundy; GMX - Gulf of Mexico; NC
- North Carolina; SC - South Carolina; TX - Texas; WNA - Western North
Atlantic; \1\ - Fishery classified based on serious injuries and
mortalities of this stock are greater than 1 percent of the stock's
PBR; \2\ - Fishery classified by analogy.
Classification
The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business
Administration that this proposed rule would not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. For
convenience, the factual basis leading to the certification is repeated
below.
Under existing regulations, all fishers participating in Category I
or II fisheries must register under the MMPA, obtain an Authorization
Certificate, and pay a fee of $25 (with the exception of those in
regions with a registration integrated with existing state and Federal
permitting processes). Additionally, fishers may be subject to a take
reduction plan and requested to carry an observer. The Authorization
Certificate authorizes the taking of marine mammals incidental to
commercial fishing operations. NMFS has estimated that approximately
42,000 fishing vessels, most of which are small entities, operate in
Category I or II fisheries, and therefore, are required to register.
However, registration has been integrated with existing state or
Federal registration programs for the majority of these fisheries so
that the majority of fishers do not need to register separately under
the MMPA. Currently, less than 360 fishers register directly with NMFS
under the MMPA authorization program.
Though this proposed rule would affect less than 360 small
entities, the $25 registration fee, with respect to anticipated
revenues, is not considered a significant economic impact. If a vessel
is requested to carry an observer, fishers will not incur any economic
costs associated with carrying that observer. As a result of this
certification, an initial regulatory flexibility analysis was not
prepared. In the event that reclassification of a fishery to Category I
or II results in a take reduction plan, economic analyses of the
effects of that plan will be summarized in subsequent rulemaking
actions.
This proposed rule contains collection-of-information requirements
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The collection of information
for the registration of fishers 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 and 0.09 hours per
report for renewals). The requirement for reporting marine mammal
injuries or mortalities 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