[Federal Register: November 5, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 213)]
[Notices]
[Page 62441-62444]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05no07-25]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XD57
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS); Pelagic Longline
Research
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the availability of an Environmental Assessment
(EA) analyzing the impacts of conducting research with pelagic longline
(PLL) vessels in portions of the East Florida Coast (EFC) and
Charleston Bump closed areas. Given the nearly rebuilt status of north
Atlantic swordfish and recent bycatch reduction measures implemented
throughout the U.S. PLL fishery, NMFS is proposing to collect baseline
PLL fishery data in the closed areas to evaluate the effectiveness of
existing bycatch reduction measures. The EA analyzes monthly and annual
PLL logbook and pelagic observer program (POP) data on catch and
bycatch rates of all species in the proposed research area from 1995-
2000 to determine potential impacts of the research fishery on target
and non-target species. NMFS invites comments from interested parties
on the EA.
DATES: Written comments on the EA must be received by 5 p.m. on
November 20, 2007.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
Email: PLL.ResearchEA@noaa.gov. Include in the subject
line the following identifier: I.D. PLL Research EA.
Mail: Margo Schulze-Haugen, Highly Migratory Species
Management Division (F/SF1), NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver
Spring, MD 20910. Please mark the outside of the envelope ``Comments on
PLL Research EA.''
Fax: (301)713-1917
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Russell Dunn, 727-824-5399; fax: 727-
824-5398, or Chris Rilling 301-713-2347; fax: 301-713-1917.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS proposes to conduct research with a
limited number of vessels (two are proposed, but backup vessels may be
used if breakdowns occur) in portions of the EFC and Charleston Bump
closed areas (Figure 1). The latitude and longitude coordinates of the
proposed research area are provided in Table 1. In the EFC closed area,
the proposed research area would be north of Fort Pierce, FL, beginning
at 28 degrees north latitude and proceeding north, seaward of the axis
of the Gulf Stream, to the northern boundary of the EFC closed area at
31 degrees north latitude. In the Charleston Bump, the proposed
research area would be north of 31 degrees north latitude and following
the 200 meter isobath ( ~100 fathom contour) to the northern and
eastern boundaries of the Charleston Bump closed area. The two areas
are hereafter referred to collectively as the proposed research area.
NMFS closed the EFC and Charleston Bump closed areas to PLL gear in
early 2001 to reduce bycatch of juvenile swordfish, billfish, and other
HMS (65 FR 47214, August 1, 2000). The Charleston Bump closed area is a
seasonal closure from February through April every year, whereas the
EFC closed area is closed year-round to PLL gear. Since that time, the
swordfish stock has been nearly rebuilt (B=0.99BMSY) and new
bycatch reduction measures have been implemented throughout the PLL
fishery (e.g., circle hook requirements, bait requirements, bycatch
release gear, and careful handling and release workshops). No PLL
fishing has been authorized in the closed areas since 2001, and NMFS
has not collected information on the effectiveness of current bycatch
reduction measures in closed areas where bycatch rates may be
[[Page 62442]]
higher than in other areas. NMFS thus proposes to collect information
under scientifically rigorous protocols to determine the effectiveness
of bycatch reduction measures in these closed areas. This information
will assist NMFS in making appropriate management decisions regarding
the effectiveness of existing closed areas and bycatch reduction
technologies, as well as any potential modifications to the closed
areas.
NMFS proposes to make a total of 289 sets distributed inside and
outside the proposed research area over a 12 month period beginning in
late 2007 or early 2008. Each set would consist of 500 18/0 circle
hooks with an offset not to exceed 10 degrees with whole dead finfish
bait and/or squid bait. Vessels would be subject to 100 percent
observer coverage, and observers or research staff would collect data
that includes, but is not limited to, catch per unit effort (CPUE) for
target and bycatch species; discard rates; interaction rates with
protected species; size of target species; hooking location; mortality
at haul back; bycatch mortality; and if possible, an evaluation of the
condition of fish at haul back to allow post-release mortality
estimates.
All targeted catch (tunas, swordfish, and sharks) that can be
legally landed could be harvested and sold by the vessel owners. No
other compensation would be provided to the vessels. All bycatch would
be released using NMFS-approved dehooking equipment and appropriate
safe handling and release protocols. Incidental catch of bluefin tuna
would be landed consistent with existing regulations. Any mortalities
of Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA) regulated species (i.e., tunas
and swordfish) and sharks would be counted against the appropriate
quotas. Non-target species and protected resources would be tagged and
released alive, consistent with requirements of the Terms and
Conditions of the 2004 Biological Opinion issued for the fishery, and
research objectives.
The EA analyzed the status quo and two alternatives on different
proposed research areas within the EFC and Charleston Bump areas. A
fourth alternative to conduct research throughout the entire EFC and
Charleston Bump closed areas was considered but not further analyzed.
Based on analysis in the EA of PLL and POP data from 1995-2000 and
prior to the closures and circle hook requirements going into effect, a
limited number of interactions with leatherback sea turtles (four based
on PLL data and six based on POP data over six years) and loggerhead
sea turtles (five based on PLL data and 12 based on POP data over six
years) occurred in the proposed research area. Under a worst case
scenario using estimates from the POP data, and applying anticipated
fishing effort in the research fishery to pre-closure J-hook catch
rates, two leatherback and six loggerhead sea turtle interactions may
occur as a result of the research fishery. Given the significantly
lower interaction and mortality rates of Atlantic sea turtles with
circle hooks, this action is not expected to significantly increase
fishery interactions with, or mortalities of, sea turtles. The
predicted interactions would not cause the Incidental Take Statement in
the 2004 Biological Opinion for the PLL fishery to be exceeded, and
would not be expected to jeopardize the continued existence of sea
turtles. Incidental takes of, or interactions with, protected species
that are listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered
Species Act taking place under the research fishery would be counted
against the authorized incidental take levels specified in the 2004
Biological Opinion for the PLL fishery.
The EA includes similar analyses of PLL and POP data from 1995-2000
on catch rates, live and dead discard rates, and retained numbers of
swordfish, bluefin, yellowfin, and bigeye tunas, large coastal sharks,
and pelagic sharks. Based on the worst case scenario from the POP data,
and applying anticipated fishing effort in the research fishery to pre-
closure J-hook catch rates, an estimated 1,083 swordfish are predicted
to be retained, 973 discarded alive, and 360 discarded dead; zero (0)
bluefin tuna are predicted to be caught or discarded; nine white marlin
are predicted to be discarded alive and 13 dead; 10 blue marlin are
predicted to be discarded alive and 14 dead; 113 large coastal sharks
are predicted to be kept; 124 discarded alive, and 50 discarded dead
(depending upon available quota); and 21 pelagic sharks are predicted
to be kept, 81 discarded alive, and 11 discarded dead (depending upon
available quota). Given the known and anticipated mortality reduction
benefits of circle hooks for Atlantic HMS relative to J-hooks, the
estimates above are likely over-estimates. As a result, this action is
not expected to significantly increase the retention or bycatch of HMS.
All fishing activities would be monitored by Federal fisheries
observers or trained research staff to provide data on longline gear
configuration; target and incidental catch; bycatch of billfish,
juvenile swordfish, and bluefin tuna; and sea turtle interactions. NMFS
currently collects this information on selected PLL vessels through the
POP.
Even though fishing effort will increase in the proposed research
area, fishing effort across the entire fishery is not anticipated to
increase because vessels participating in the research fishery would
have otherwise been fishing commercially for HMS in open areas.
The regulations that prohibit the proposed activities absent
issuance of an EFP, include requirements for vessel reporting (50 CFR
635.4) and fishing in a closed area (50 CFR 635.21(c)(2)). All other
relevant regulations concerning HMS at 50 CFR Part 635 would apply.
NMFS is requesting public comment on the EA because the fishing
activities are proposed to occur in closed areas, specifically the EFC
and Charleston Bump. If NMFS proceeds with the proposed research as
described in the EA, then NMFS would issue the necessary exempted
fishing permits to authorize the research activity.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: October 30, 2007.
Emily H. Menashes
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
[[Page 62443]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN05NO07.001
[[Page 62444]]
Table 1. Coordinates of the proposed research area (preferred alternative 3) shown in Figure 1 beginning with
location number 1 and proceeding clockwise through location number 12.
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Latitude Longitude
Point --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds
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1 34 0 0 76 0 0
2 31 0 0 76 0 0
3 31 0 0 78 0 0
4 28 17 6.8 79 11 54.5
5 28 0 0 79 23 47.9
6 28 0 0 79 40 0
7 31 0 0 79 40 0
8 31 0 0 79 54 38.9
9 31 47 7.2 78 21 50.5
10 32 29 12.1 78 40 21.0
11 33 5 35.8 77 27 15.7
12 34 0 0 76 15 26.5
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[FR Doc. 07-5474 Filed 11-2-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-C