Bottlenose dolphin, Jacksonville estuarine system. Individual Fishery Management and Evaluation plans for Coastal Pelagic Species, Groundfish, Highly Migratory Species, and Pacific Coast Salmon can be found at the Pacific Fishery New Documents To reduce impacts on seabirds, streamer lines (tori lines, bird scaring lines) or night setting are required for longline vessels with an overall length greater than 26 feet (see streamer line regulations). Credit: NOAA Fisheries. AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Atka mackerel trawl, AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Pacific cod trawl, AK state-managed waters of Prince William Sound groundfish trawl, AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands sablefish pot, AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands groundfish jig, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands bottomfish, AK Southeast herring roe/food/bait pound net, WA/OR bait shrimp, clam hand, dive, or mechanical collection, OR/CA sea urchin, sea cucumber hand, dive, or mechanical collection, AK/WA/OR/CA commercial passenger fishing vessel. Am I required to register under the MMPA? However, U.S. Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, or Gulf of Mexico large pelagics longline vessels operating in special areas designated by the Pelagic Longline Take Reduction Plan implementing regulations (50 CFR 229.36(d)) will not be exempted from observer requirements, regardless of their size. Also, MHI Insular false killer whale range overlaps with areas that are open to deep-set longline fishing and MHI Insular false killer whales have been documented with injuries consistent with fisheries interactions that have not been attributed to a specific fishery (Baird et al., 2014). Below are links to learn about a few of our West Coast species. Longer-lived species tend to produce fewer offspring that grow to adulthood, but have other life history traits for coping with environmental variability. Category I: Annual mortality and serious injury of a stock in a given fishery is greater than or equal to 50 percent of the PBR level (i.e., frequent incidental mortality and serious injury of marine mammals). 2019. The President of the United States issues other types of documents, including but not limited to; memoranda, notices, determinations, letters, messages, and orders. Therefore, some vessels/participants may possess valid HSFCA permits without the ability to fish under the permit because it was issued for a gear type that is no longer authorized under the most current FMP. Refer to NMFS No. Comment 13: AOLA expresses concern with how NMFS assigns M/SI when the origin of entanglement is unknown. Use the PDF linked in the document sidebar for the official electronic format. NMFS adds the Cook Inlet stock of harbor seal to the list of species/stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category III AK Gulf of Alaska halibut longline fishery. Comment 2: FLC recommends NMFS reclassify the AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Pacific cod longline fishery from a Category II to Category III. That 2016 SAR also reported a total annual M/SI estimate of 34 animals for the two fisheries combined. We collaborate extensively with the Pacific Fishery Management Council, Native American Indian tribes, and the four states within the region in our management of highly migratory species (e.g., tunas, sharks), coastal pelagic species (e.g., sardine and anchovy), groundfish, and salmon, as well as the habitats upon which they rely. The LOF for 2021 reflects new information on interactions between commercial fisheries and marine mammals. After publication of the final rule, NMFS noted the need for corrections to Landed catch is tracked primarily on fish tickets, which are administered by the West Coast States through the Pacific Fisheries Information Network (PacFIN). Revised stock boundaries for false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) in Hawaiian waters. NOAA Technical Memorandum . Bottlenose dolphin, GMX bay, sound, estuarine (FL west coast portion). The West Coast groundfish recreational fisheries are managed by the coastal states with management coordinated in the Pacific Fishery Management Council process. Comment 15: MA DMF recommends NMFS reclassify the Massachusetts state waters lobster trap/pot fishery as its own non-Category I fishery, separate from the Category I Northeast/mid-Atlantic American lobster trap/pot fishery based on the gear restrictions and large whale conservation programs that are unique to Massachusetts. Life history information continues to be evaluated and incorporated into the stock assessments which provide the basis for fishery management decisions. Additional detail on how gear would be considered unique to differentiate it from other state lobster and trap/pot fisheries is included in response to Comment #11. Response: NMFS agrees that the Agency has the flexibility to separate out individual fisheries where it is appropriate; however, the commenter has not presented adequate information to substantiate any difference in risk that Maine state and Federal lobster fisheries pose to North Atlantic right whales, or other large whale species, that would warrant a current change in classification for these fisheries. The fishery is also split into two groups based on whether vessels are required to hold a federal limited entry permit to participate or whether they fish without a federal permit in the open access fishery. It was viewed 41 times while on Public Inspection. On the West Coast and in the watersheds of Washington, Oregon, California, and Idaho, we manage commercial and recreational fisheries for more than 100 species of salmon, groundfish, coastal pelagics such as anchovy and sardine, and highly migratory species such as billfish, sharks, and tunas. However, a close look at these cases reveals that the entangling gear is no longer fished, efforts to trace registration numbers to U.S. fishery were unsuccessful, or a Maine fishery was explicitly ruled out. Groundfish populations on the West Coast have rebounded from lows experienced in the 1990s. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern GMX coastal. Authority: These tribes, all located in Washington State, include the Quinault Indian Nation, the Hoh Tribe, the Quileute Nation, and the Makah Tribe. MLA states that according to the 2019 North Atlantic right whale SAR, PBR is 0.8, and M/SI for commercial fisheries is 5.55. on NARA's archives.gov. Response: As stated above in response to Comments #11 and 15, NMFS retains the Category I classification of the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic American lobster trap/pot fishery. In addition to the SARs, NMFS also reviews other sources of new information for the LOF, including injury determination reports, bycatch estimation reports, and observer data. by the Foreign Assets Control Office In Comment #14, MLA notes there has been only one right whale entangled in Maine gear in April 2002, and the entanglement was determined to be a non-serious injury. MA DMF states that they are the only state lobster trap/trap fishery implementing the following actions either currently or in the future: (1) Lobster trap/pot fishery closure from February 1st to April 30th (currently in place for the Massachusetts Bay Restricted Area, proposed closure of all state waters beginning February 1, 2021); (2) dynamic extension of the lobster trap/pot fishery closure to ensure Start Printed Page 3038safe passage of right whales from our waters prior to fixed gear being set (currently in place for the Massachusetts Bay Restricted Area, proposed for all state waters beginning February 1, 2021); (3) ban use of vertical buoy lines greater than 3/8 inch diameter (proposed to begin February 1, 2021); (4) ban fishing single traps by the majority of its active fleet (proposed to begin January 1, 2022); (5) universal requirement of 1,700 pound breaking strength line or equivalent contrivance (proposed to begin February 1, 2021); (6) permitting and regulatory scheme designed to reduce participation and effort over time (currently in place); and (7) demonstrated substantial decline in the number of participants and the number of buoy lines deployed (currently in place). We also conduct research on the impacts of environmental variability and climate change on marine ecosystems and on fishery and conservation socio-economics. The documents posted on this site are XML renditions of published Federal In the West Coast groundfish fishery, the position data is primarily used to monitor fishing activity relative to closed areas. 2014. While most groundfish share this characteristic, a wide variety of life history traits can be found. Harbor seal, GOA. Four Massachusetts lobstermen have filed a class action suit against the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Marine Stewardship Council, groups that urged distributors and grocery stores to avoid purchasing lobster because of the fishery's impact on North Atlantic right whales. This rule is not expected to be an Executive Order 13771 regulatory action because this rule is not significant under Executive Order 12866. The impacts of numerous fisheries have been analyzed in various biological opinions, and this rule will not affect the conclusions of those opinions. By list-ing subdivisions of an ESU, NMFS was able to protect declin-ing steelhead populations while acceding to FWS . Re: Endangered Species Act Section 7(a)(2) Biological Opinion and Magnuson-Stevens The common entangling mechanism of these gear types are the lazy or easy line. NMFS clarifies that the fishery does not target bluefin tuna, shortfin mako sharks and other shark species. After publication of the final rule, NMFS noted the need for corrections to Non-trawl (commercial, including limited entry and open access), Specifications of OFL, ABC, ACL, ACT and Fishery HG, Sablefish North of 36 N lat. Further, eligible commercial fisheries not specifically identified on the LOF are deemed to be Category II fisheries until the next LOF is published (50 CFR 229.2). It is not an official legal edition of the Federal Injury is defined in 50 CFR 229.2 as a wound or other physical harm. Some species are long-lived, with life spans exceeding 30 years. Therefore, some vessel or gear owners in Category III fisheries may receive authorization certificates even though they are not required for Category III fisheries. Therefore, the Commission reiterates its recommendation that NMFS reclassify the SE Alaska salmon drift gillnet as a Category I fishery. 230. Most individual species tend to localize by depth more than latitude. Bottlenose dolphin, Indian River Lagoon estuarine system. 2019. MMAP certificates issued in 2020 remain in effect, valid through December 31, 2021, for vessel or gear owners participating in all Category I and II fisheries as of the final 2021 LOF. 1387 (c)(1)(C)). Photo by Jeff Bash/NOAA Fisheries. Beginning with the 2009 LOF, NMFS includes high seas fisheries in Table 3 of the LOF, along with the number of valid High Seas Fishing Compliance Act (HSFCA) permits in each fishery. In addition, Maine's state and Federal waters lobstermen must declare a lobster zone and are required to fish the majority of gear in their home zone, limiting the spatial footprint of where individual lobstermen can set gear. Partnership Profiles: A Queen Conch Hatchery and the Local Fish Initiative, The NOAA Aquaculture Strategic Plan (20232028) includes goals and objectives to sustainably develop the aquaculture industry in the United States. However, there have been a number of life-threatening entanglements since 2010 that have resulted in a non-serious injury due to disentanglement intervention. Humpback whale, Central North Pacific (Southeast AK). NMFS began posting Category III fishery fact sheets online with the LOF for 2016. The ocean also shapes our communities and culture, from the colorful heritage of Cannery Row to tribes celebrating the seasons first salmon to return from the sea. "We've always been like the punching bag for, like, the whale people. No comments were received on that certification, and no new information has been discovered to change that conclusion. Western Pacific Pelagic (HI Shallow-set component)*^. As of 2004, NMFS issues HSFCA permits only for high seas fisheries analyzed in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). They work with project applicants and NOAA Fisheries biologists to optimize project designs, construction, operations, instream flows, and habitat for the protection and recovery of aquatic species at both the project and watershed scale. and services, go to We help other federal agencies conserve habitat for protected species and for essential fish habitat to support commercial, tribal, and recreational fisheries. documents in the last year, 35 We, NMFS, announce a 90-day finding on a petition to list the Oregon Coast (OC) and Southern Oregon and Northern California Coastal (SONCC) Chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs) as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) or, alternatively, list only the spring-run Chinook salmon MLA's further analysis shows zero M/SI attributed to the Maine lobster fishery over this most recent 5 year period, while there were six documented cases in Canadian trap/pot fisheries. West Coast Region 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite 1100 PORTLAND, OREGON 97232-1274 . the official SGML-based PDF version on govinfo.gov, those relying on it for Discarded catch is accounted for by the West Coast Groundfish Observer Program. Response: The LOF is the annual process NMFS conducts to place all U.S. commercial fisheries into one of three categories based on the level of incidental mortality and serious injury of marine mammals occurring in each fishery. NMFS published the final rule to implement harvest specifications and management measures for the 2023-2024 biennium for most species managed under the PCGFMP on December 16, 2022 (87 FR 77007). William Abadie . This list includes all species and/or stocks known to be killed or injured in a given fishery, but also includes species and/or stocks for which there are anecdotal records of a mortality or injury. Ghrist. biennium). Although efforts are made to limit the issuance of authorization certificates to only those vessel or gear owners that participate in Category I or II fisheries, not all state and Federal license or permit systems distinguish between fisheries as classified by the LOF. However, this information alone does not provide sufficient evidence with which to conclude that spotted dolphins are being seriously injured or killed on an Start Printed Page 3035occasional basis as necessary for a Category II fishery classification. Forms may be submitted via any of the following means: (1) Online using the electronic form; (2) emailed as an attachment to nmfs.mireport@noaa.gov; (3) faxed to the NMFS Office of Protected Resources at 301-713-0376; or (4) mailed to the NMFS Office of Protected Resources (mailing address is provided on the postage-paid form that can be printed from the web address listed above). is increasingly concentrated into fewer and younger ages, which may . Theseare used to record fishing activity at sea. Under Section 4(f)(1)(B), to the maximum . 1387(c)(2)), as described in 50 CFR 229.4, to register with NMFS and obtain a marine mammal authorization to lawfully take non-endangered and non-threatened marine mammals incidental to commercial fishing operations. Alaska Marine Mammal Stock Assessments, 2016. The MMPA established this SRG, along with two others, to review the science that informs the SARs, and to advise NMFS on marine mammal population status, trends, and stock structure, uncertainties in the science, research needs, and other issues. We conserve and restore marine resources on the West Coast. 2020. NMFS reclassifies the AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Pacific cod pot fishery from a Category III to a Category II fishery. They note that the state of Massachusetts has a number of actions currently in place, as well as a number of additional actions that will be in place for the 2021 fishing season, that distinguish the Massachusetts state lobster trap/pot fishery as unique from the rest of the Category I Northeast/mid-Atlantic American lobster trap/pot fishery. Korie is the Acting Deputy Regional Administrator for NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region. Comment 7: HLA restates a previous comment opposing the inclusion of the Hawaii stocks of Kogia species (pygmy or dwarf sperm whales) on the list of species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category I HI deep-set longline fishery. The Commission states that the estimated annual M/SI has not changed, and although the stock's PBR increased to 12 in the 2019 SAR, fishery-related M/SI still exceed PBR by nearly threefold. NMFS and the U.S. NMFS adds a superscript 1 to the CA/OR/WA stock of minke whale indicating it is driving the Category II classification of the CA thresher shark/swordfish drift gillnet (14 in mesh) fishery. NMFS adds the Western North Atlantic offshore stock of bottlenose dolphin to the list of species/stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category II mid-Atlantic mid-water trawl (including pair trawl) fishery. How do I find out if a specific fishery is in Category I, II, or III? Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean pelagic hook-and-line/harpoon. in some extreme cases they may reach ages of 100 years or greater. 1361 et seq. Therefore, NMFS retains both the MHI insular and NWHI false killer whale stocks on the list of species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category I Hawaii deep-set longline fishery. 01/13/2021 at 8:45 am. Bottlenose dolphin, Biscayne Bay estuarine. Groundfish inhabit a variety of depths, ranging from intertidal and nearshore to waters as deep as 3,500 meters (1,900 fathoms). Ferguson, L.W. Aurioles-Gamboa, D. and C. J. Hernadez-Camacho. Counts are subject to sampling, reprocessing and revision (up or down) throughout the day. The COI for the registration of individuals under the MMPA has been approved by the OMB under OMB Control Number 0648-0293 (0.15 hours per report for new registrants). NMFS has integrated the MMPA registration process, implemented through the Marine Mammal Authorization Program (MMAP), with existing state and Federal fishery license, registration, or permit systems for Category I and II fisheries on the LOF. That final rule was effective January 1, 2023. biennium). In the 2020 LOF final rule, NMFS cites all U.S. undetermined M/SI, potential M/SI prevented by intervention, and North Atlantic right whale entanglement scarring rates as data used for the Category I classification of the Northeast/mid-Atlantic American lobster trap/pot fishery. Cameron, P.J. The U.S. west coast widow rockfish stock has declined since the mid-1980s, leading to implementation of increasingly stringent management restrictions upon the commercial fishery. Open Access (OA) Gears North of 4010' N Lat. documents in the last year, 513 NOAA Fisheries announces a correcting amendment published today in the Federal Register. The study did not estimate mortality or injury rates incidental to fisheries. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration I National Marine Fisheries Service I West Coast Region Goal 2 - Safeguard Protected Species and Propel Their Recovery Advance Reintroduction Efforts for At-Risk Species Identify the steps and resources needed to restore the Kingfisher Flat Hatchery in Santa Cruz County, California which was The SARs are based upon the best available scientific information and provide the most current and inclusive information on each stock's PBR level and level of interaction with commercial fishing operations. The West Coast Regions Area OfficesCalifornia Coastal, California Central Valley, Interior Columbia Basin, and Oregon and Washington Coastalcarry out integrated watershed-based approaches by focusing on the conservation of anadromous fish, their habitats, and the ecosystems on which they depend. Document Drafting Handbook Many of the closed areas are gear-specific, meaning that they are closed to some particular gear types but not others. With 85 percent of all observed right whales exhibiting entanglement scars, it is likely that entanglements are indeed occurring in areas where entanglements have not yet been observed and/or reported. and E.G. NMFS designates those fisheries in Tables 1, 2, and 3 with an asterisk (*) after the fishery's name. State and regional abbreviations used in the following paragraphs include: AK (Alaska), CA (California), HI (Hawaii), OR (Oregon), WA (Washington), and WNA (Western North Atlantic). NMFS removes three stocks from the list of species/stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category II AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands pollock trawl fishery: (1) Alaska stock of ringed seal, (2) Central North Pacific stock of humpback whale and (3) Western North Pacific stock of humpback whale. In addition, the spotted dolphin stock considered in 2011, was later split into four stocks (three insular and one pelagic) in the 2013 SAR, and each of the insular stocks is likely to have a smaller PBR than the estimates used in 2012 proposed LOF. The ultimate goal of these efforts is to ensure that the regions living marine resources remain at healthy and sustainable levels, as functioning parts of their ecosystems, and continue to enhance the quality of life for the public. The President of the United States communicates information on holidays, commemorations, special observances, trade, and policy through Proclamations. Portland, OR 97232-1274 . Owners of vessels or gear engaging in a Category I or II fishery are required under the MMPA (16 U.S.C. This rule contains existing collection-of-information (COI) requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act and would not impose additional or new COI requirements. headings within the legal text of Federal Register documents. The Magnuson-Stevens Act, along with other federal laws, guides NOAA Fisheries and the Council's development of policy. 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 (OSP).

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