They experience more pronounced boom and bust population dynamics. The Groundfish Trawl Catch Share Program freed fishermen from having to race each other to catch the most fish. There is a very low amount of eulachon bycatch in West Coast groundfish fisheries. MHI insular false killer whales have been satellite tracked as far as 115 km from the MHI, while pelagic stock animals have been tracked to within 11 kilometers (km) of the MHI and throughout the NWHI. 03/03/2023, 159 2022. Groundfish inhabit a variety of depths, ranging from intertidal and nearshore to waters as deep as 3,500 meters (1,900 fathoms). MLA alleges there are no documented M/SI in the Maine Federal lobster fishery, but the Category II classification may be warranted under an abundance of precaution that a future interaction could occur due to the offshore migration of North Atlantic right whales. In 2006, through Amendment 19, over 100,000 square miles of the EEZ, including approximately 14,000 square miles of some of the most sensitive ocean floor habitats off Washington, Oregon, and California, were closed to bottom trawling, or to all bottom-contacting gears. The following summarizes changes to the LOF for 2021, including the classification of fisheries, fisheries listed, the estimated number of vessels/persons in a particular fishery, and the species and/or stocks that are incidentally killed or injured in a particular fishery. Jaclyn Taylor, Office of Protected Resources, 301-427-8402; Allison Rosner, Greater Atlantic Region, 978-281-9328; Jessica Powell, Southeast Region, 727-824-5312; Dan Lawson, West Coast Region, 206-526-4740; Suzie Teerlink, Alaska Region, 907-586-7240; Diana Kramer, Pacific Islands Region, 808-725-5167. In this Issue, Documents Generally, each listed entity has one layer. 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. NMFS adds a superscript 1 to the following four stocks to indicate they are driving the Category II classification of the Northeast trawl fishery: (1) Western North Atlantic stock of Risso's dolphin, (2) Western North Atlantic stock of long-finned pilot whale, (3) Western North Atlantic offshore stock of bottlenose dolphin, and (4) Western North Atlantic stock of gray seal. Individuals fishing in Category I and II fisheries for which no state or Federal license or permit is required must register with NMFS by contacting their appropriate Regional Office (see ADDRESSES). An additional case from 2011, previously noted in our 2020 Final LOF response to comments (85 FR 21079, April 16, 2020) but not mentioned in MLA's comment, also included recovered gear with these red tracers, though the location of that entanglement remains unknown (E11-11/RW 4040). As stated in the 2020 Final LOF (85 FR 21079, April 16, 2020), fisheries are classified based on the gear types used, how the gear is fished, and the behavior of the fishery related to the risk to marine mammals. Bottlenose dolphin, Mobile Bay, Bonsecour Bay. 230. Owners of vessels or gear engaged in a Category III fishery are not required to register with NMFS or obtain a marine mammal authorization.Start Printed Page 3031. NMFS adds the Aleutian Islands stock of harbor seal to the list of species/stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category III AK Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands Atka mackerel trawl fishery. This provides directives for consistently assigning M/SI to stocks, including times when the M/SI is documented in an area of overlapping stocks. NMFS reclassifies the AK BSAI Pacific cod longline fishery from at Category II to Category III fishery. The SARs are based on the best scientific information available at the time of preparation, including the level of mortality and serious injury of marine mammals that occurs incidental to commercial fishery operations and the PBR levels of marine mammal stocks. 1387(c)(1)). Vessel or gear owners participating in previous Category III fisheries reclassified as a Category II fishery in this final 2021 LOF can obtain their MMAP certificate on our website https://go.usa.gov/xArUW. In January 2019, there was an observed mortality of a false killer whale incidental to the Hawaii deep-set longline fishery that occurred within the Start Printed Page 3034range of the NWHI stock. Our charge is to manage fisheries sustainably for future generations. The classification of a fishery on 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 (TRP) requirements. The tribal West Coast groundfish fisheries include tribal commercial fishermen who have a federally recognized treaty right to fish for federally managed groundfish in their "usual and accustomed" fishing areas. That final rule was effective January 1, 2023. FLC provides evidence that from 2013 through 2017 the only marine mammal stock incidentally killed or injured in the BSAI Pacific cod longline fishery was the Western U.S. stock of Steller sea lions and these did not result in annual M/SI greater than 1 percent of the stock's PBR level. Bottlenose dolphin, Northern GMX coastal. Atlantic highly migratory species longline fishery from 53 to 45 HSFCA permits; Western Pacific pelagic longline (HI deep-set component) fishery from 145 to 143 HSFCA permits; South Pacific tuna purse seine fishery from 33 to 26 HSFCA permits; South Pacific tuna longline fishery from 2 to 3 HSFCA permits; Western Pacific pelagic longline (HI shallow-set component) fishery from 18 to 11 HSFCA permits; Atlantic highly migratory species handline/pole and line fishery from 2 to 1 HSFCA permits; Pacific highly migratory species handline/pole and line fishery from 41 to 43 HSFCA permits; South Pacific albacore troll handline/pole and line fishery from 11 to 10 HSFCA permits; South Pacific albacore troll fishery from 17 to 18 HSFCA permits; Western Pacific pelagic troll fishery from 5 to 4 HSFCA permits; Northwest Atlantic bottom longline fishery from 3 to 2 HSFCA permits; Pacific highly migratory species longline fishery from 108 to 105 HSFCA permits; and. NMFS clarifies the fishery description of the Category II Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico shrimp trawl fishery. We work with partners to manage salmon and steelhead, groundfish, and coastal pelagic species in ocean and inland waters. From left: Kourtney Burger and Cory Hom-Weaver in the technology tank at Southwest Fisheries Science Center testing surface buoys for the ADRIFT project. The SARs referenced in this LOF include: 2016 (82 FR 29039; June 27, 2017), 2018 (84 FR 28489; June 19, 2019), and 2019 (84 FR 65353; November 27, 2019). NMFS must classify each commercial fishery on the LOF into one of three categories under the MMPA based upon the level of mortality and serious injury of marine mammals that occurs incidental to each fishery. MLA also alleges that Maine's state and Federal lobster fisheries do not meet the criteria of a Category I fishery under the MMPA. After publication of the final rule, NMFS noted the need for corrections to The main types of fishing gear include trawls (which can be in the middle of the water column or near the bottom), longlines, fish pots, and other variations of similar gear. on FederalRegister.gov Bottlenose dolphin, Southern migratory coastal. Is Action Sign-up toreceive bulletins and notices by email. Humpback whale, Central North Pacific (Southeast AK). Electronic monitoring consists of video cameras, an integrated Global Positioning System (GPS), and associated sensors. This prototype edition of the RI, southern MA (to Monomoy Island), and NY Bight (Raritan and Lower NY Bays) inshore gillnet. 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. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOAA-TM-NMFS-AFSC-355. For questions related to West Coast groundfish permits and licenses or the associated forms, please contact the NOAA Fisheries Permit Office at (206) 526-4353. Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico golden crab trap/pot, Gulf of Maine herring and Atlantic mackerel stop seine/weir. Because there were no data to indicate specific stock or reliable data that could be used to partition the 2012 killer whale M/SI, the M/SI was assigned to both stocks as prescribed by NMFS' Guidelines for Preparing Stock Assessment Reports Pursuant to the 1994 Amendments to the MMPA. Most individual species tend to localize by depth more than latitude. Literature citations should read as . NMFS also removes both the Eastern North Pacific AK resident stock and Gulf of Alaska, BSAI transient stock of killer whales from the list of species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured in the BSAI Pacific cod longline fishery. Under Section 4(f)(1)(B), to the maximum . That 2016 SAR also reported a total annual M/SI estimate of 34 animals for the two fisheries combined. It is the responsibility of fishery participants to comply with applicable take reduction regulations. Several shark species have been identified as future priority species . Fishing the Pacific lifts spirits, feeds families and supports the economies of California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. This document has been published in the Federal Register. There are two primary species of salmon that are caught as bycatch in the Pacific Groundfish fishery, Chinook and coho salmon. 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 portfolio effect plays a critical role in population productivity and stability. NMFS addressed FWS' concern by deciding that when an ESU contained both steelhead and rainbow trout, NMFS would list only the steelhead population within that ESU as threatened or endangered. documents in the last year, by the Executive Office of the President The management of West Coast groundfish fisheries relies on ongoing scientific efforts in federal, state, and academic programs. In Tables 1 and 2, NMFS has designated those species/stocks driving a fishery's classification (i.e., the fishery is classified based on mortalities and serious injuries of a marine mammal stock that are greater than or equal to 50 percent (Category I), or greater than 1 percent and less than 50 percent (Category II), of a stock's PBR) by a 1 after the stock's name. Scott is also currently the U.S. Federal Commissioner to the Pacific Salmon Commission. Bottlenose dolphin, Sarasota Bay, Little Sarasota Bay. NMFS also determined PORTLAND, OR 97232-1274. Because fisheries are classified on a per-stock basis, a fishery may qualify as one category for one marine mammal stock and another category for a different marine mammal stock. Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce, through its National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has awarded grants of up to $30 million, over a five-year period, to two Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Florida A&M University and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Bottlenose dolphin, Charleston estuarine system. In Tables 1 and 2, the estimated number of vessels or persons participating in fisheries operating within U.S. waters is expressed in terms of the number of active participants in the fishery, when possible. Portland, Oregon 97208-2946 . NMFS Office of Protected Resources (OPR) has authorized take of four species of marine mammals which are listed under the ESA, including the North Atlantic right, fin, sei, and sperm whale, and . If the total annual mortality and serious injury of a marine mammal stock, across all fisheries, is less than or equal to 10 percent of the PBR level of the stock, all fisheries interacting with the stock will be placed in Category III (unless those fisheries interact with other stock(s) for which total annual mortality and serious injury is greater than 10 percent of PBR). biennium). Title: September 2014 Eulachon Newsletter This rule has been determined to be not significant for the purposes of Executive Orders 12866 and 13563. Southeastern U.S. Atlantic shark gillnet. Register (ACFR) issues a regulation granting it official legal status. No comments were received on that certification, and no new information has been discovered to change that conclusion. There are approximately 50 ESA-listed species, distinct population segments, and evolutionarily significant units under our jurisdiction, including species of whales, pinnipeds (seals and sea lions), sea turtles, fish, and mollusks. She has served as Assistant Regional Administrator for Operations, Management and Informations for the last few years. We work with numerous partners and our NOAA Fisheries counterpartsthe Northwest, Pacific Islands and Alaska Fisheries Science Centers and the West Coast Regional Officeto provide sound science for domestic and international management decisions. In 2017, a spotted dolphin from the 4-Islands stock was observed with a band of debris around its rostrum preventing it from opening its mouth (Bradford and Lyman, 2019). documents in the last year, 1411 Allen, P.L. From floodplains to estuaries, nearshore habitats to kelp forests, urban waterways to rural streams, NOAA Fisheries is responsible for the stewardship of our nations living marine resources and their habitats. Caribbean haul/beach seine fishery from 15 to 38 vessels/person. ESUs/DPSs of west coast anadromous salmonids was published in the Federal Register on February 6, 2015 (80 FR 6695). These fishery fact sheets provide the full history of each Category I and II fishery, including: When the fishery was added to the LOF; the basis for the fishery's initial classification; classification changes to the fishery; changes to the list of species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured in the fishery; fishery gear and methods used; observer coverage levels; fishery management and regulation; and applicable TRPs or TRTs, if any. These seabirds are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and some are listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The commenter notes that the primary information used in the 2021 LOF comes from 2019 SARs, which are based on data from 2013-2017. Reporting requirements and procedures are found in 50 CFR 229.6. For the 2021 LOF, NMFS retains the Category II classification for the Yakutat salmon set gillnet and SE Alaska salmon drift gillnet fisheries until more data are available. The LOF includes a list of marine mammal species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured in each commercial fishery. Harbor seal, WNA. How do I register, renew and receive my Marine Mammal Authorization Program authorization certificate? Category II: Annual mortality and serious injury of a stock in a given fishery is greater than 1 percent and less than 50 percent of the PBR level (i.e., occasional incidental mortality and serious injury of marine mammals). : WCRO-2021-03107 . Additionally, species identified by logbook entries, stranding data, or fishermen self-reports (i.e., MMAP reports) may not be verified. With our partners, we are working on hundreds of projects to protect and restore vital habitat for West Coast fish and wildlife populations. Northern elephant seal, California breeding. This includes relying on the SARs, which are peer reviewed by the U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Scientific Review Group. Humpback whale, Western North Pacific. This is relevant to the discussion since Maine state and Federal lobster fisheries are functionally equivalent to gear found in these entanglements; and, therefore, gear fished in Maine presents similar risks. NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite 1100 . Towell, P.R. Over the last year, NMFS has made substantial progress in analyzing genetic data to resolve stock structure of harbor porpoise in Southeast Alaska. NMFS reviewed the marine mammal incidental mortality and serious injury information presented in the SARs for all fisheries to determine whether changes in fishery classification are warranted. Species with shorter life expectancies tend to have more variable reproductive success. For fisheries with no observer coverage and for observed fisheries with evidence indicating that undocumented interactions may be occurring (e.g., fishery has low observer coverage and stranding network data include evidence of fisheries interactions that cannot be attributed to a specific Start Printed Page 3030fishery) species and stocks may be retained for longer than 5 years. So I'm glad we're 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. better and aid in comparing the online edition to the print edition. NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, and Southwest Fisheries Science Center work together to apply the latest science to sustainably manage the rich marine resources of the region for generations to come. West Coast Region 1201 NE Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 1100 PORTLAND, OR 97232-1274 Refer to NMFS No: WCRO-2021-01232 December 20, 2022 Todd Tillinger Chief, Regulatory Branch U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District 4735 East Marginal Way South, Bldg. The fishery fact sheets summarize LOF classification information for the public and we will review and correct this error. Bottlenose dolphin, unknown (Northern migratory coastal or Southern migratory coastal). 2018. Responses to substantive comments are below; comments on actions not related to the LOF are not included. NMFS began posting Category III fishery fact sheets online with the LOF for 2016. There are no documented interactions with pantropical spotted dolphins in commercial troll fisheries on the high seas (2020 LOF). Both of these injuries are considered serious injuries and the responsible fishery is not known for either case. Atlantic spotted dolphin, Northern Gulf of Mexico. At this time, we consider it appropriate to retain North Atlantic right whales as a species listed as driving the classification of the Northeast/mid-Atlantic lobster trap/pot fishery given that PBR is 0.8 and the further detail provided below, which reiterates responses provided in the 2020 Final LOF (85 FR 21079, April 16, 2020). MLA states that this requirement differentiates the Maine lobster fishery from all other lobster fisheries throughout the Northeast and mid-Atlantic. Bottlenose dolphin, Eastern GMX coastal. Using dolphins to catch tuna: Assessment of associations between pantropical spotted dolphins and yellowfin tuna hook and line fisheries in Hawai`i. 1201 NE Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 1100 . The criteria are also summarized here. There are two additional non-serious injury entanglement cases that involved Maine lobster gear. While every effort has been made to ensure that Comment 9: The Commission recommends that NMFS reclassify the Category III Hawaii troll fishery as a Category II fishery. Under the Endangered Species Act, we develop protections, designate critical habitat, implement recovery, and authorize scientific research permits for threatened and endangered species. Pacific highly migratory species troll fishery from 119 to 111 HSFCA permits. on Dahle, M.E. This information suggests hookings and/or entanglements may occur, and the fishing technique of trolling through groups and repositioning presents a heightened risk of hooking or entanglement to pantropical spotted dolphins. We also provide technical assistance and funding to support. Critical habitat has not been designated for all listed entities. The SARs do not provide detailed information on observer coverage in Category III fisheries because, under the MMPA, Category III fisheries are not required to accommodate observers aboard vessels due to the remote likelihood of mortality and serious injury of marine mammals. Only official editions of the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. 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. ^The list of marine mammal species and/or stocks killed or injured in this fishery is identical to the list of marine mammal species and/or stocks killed or injured in U.S. waters component of the fishery, minus species and/or stocks that have geographic ranges exclusively in coastal waters, because the marine mammal species and/or stocks are also found on the high seas and the fishery remains the same on both sides of the EEZ boundary. Learn more about the work of the West Coast Area Offices. The HI shallow-set longline fishery has 100 percent observer coverage and therefore, the Central North Pacific stock of humpback whale stock should be removed the list of species and/or stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category II HI shallow-set longline fishery. Send comments regarding these reporting burden estimates or any other aspect of the COI, including suggestions for reducing burden, to NMFS (see ADDRESSES). NMFS adds to the Western North Pacific stock of humpback whale to the list of species/stocks incidentally killed or injured in the Category III AK/WA/OR/CA commercial passenger fishing vessel fishery. Harvest specifications include annual catch limits for a species or species complex. Fisheries observers on fishing vessels, transmit real time data electronically to NMFS. NMFS adds the Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands stock of bottlenose dolphin to the list of species/stocks incidentally killed or injured in Category III Caribbean mixed species trap/pot fishery. The Northwest Fisheries Science Center, with its headquarters in Seattle, Washington and five research stations in Washington and Oregon is home to more than 350 people with a wide range of expertise. Should major changes to lobster gear and fishing practices be required and implemented for all Massachusetts state lobster fishing gear, making this gear unique and easily identified from other state and Federal gear, NMFS will re-evaluate the status of this fishery and consider it in a future proposed LOF. In the absence of reliable information indicating the frequency of incidental mortality and serious injury of marine mammals by a commercial fishery, NMFS will determine whether the incidental mortality or serious injury is occasional by evaluating other factors such as fishing techniques, gear used, methods used to deter marine mammals, target species, seasons and areas fished, qualitative data from logbooks or fishermen reports, stranding data, and the species and distribution of marine mammals in the area, or at the discretion of the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries (50 CFR 229.2). documents in the last year, by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission The Commission continues to state that this M/SI estimate is based on data collected in salmon management areas 6-8 in 2012 and 2013, and is a conservative estimate since salmon management areas 6-8 comprise only a small portion of the total area surveyed. CA nearshore finfish live trap/hook-and-line. At this time, NMFS retains the Category I classification for the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic American lobster trap/pot fishery, which includes the state waters of Massachusetts. Southeastern U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean pelagic hook-and-line/harpoon. publication in the future. the material on FederalRegister.gov is accurately displayed, consistent with As a result, the recovery of some rockfish species has occurred more than a decade earlier than the timeline estimated by scientists. While most groundfish share this characteristic, a wide variety of life history traits can be found. As noted, a fishery is classified under Category I if the annual M/SI of a stock in a given fishery is greater than or equal to 50 percent of the stock's PBR level. AOLA states to that according to the 2019 North Atlantic right whale SAR the 5-year mean estimated M/SI from entanglements is 5.55. NMFS updates the estimated number of HSFCA permits for high seas fisheries (Table 3) as follows: The following tables set forth the list of U.S. commercial fisheries according to their classification under section 118 of the MMPA. The President of the United States communicates information on holidays, commemorations, special observances, trade, and policy through Proclamations. 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. Although this likely overestimates the number of active participants in many of these fisheries, the number of valid HSFCA permits is the most reliable data on the potential effort in high seas fisheries at this time. Scott joined NOAA Fisheries in 2001 and has served in several positions including as the Portland (Oregon) Branch Chief for the Protected Resources Division, and as the program manager for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund. Northeast/Mid-Atlantic American lobster trap/pot. Below are links to learn about a few of our West Coast species. SUMMARY: We, NMFS, have completed a status review of the northern right whale under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Starting with the 2010 LOF, NMFS developed summary documents, or fishery fact sheets, for each Category I and II fishery on the LOF. Injury determinations for humpback whales and other cetaceans reported to NOAA response networks in the Hawaiian Islands during 2017. 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. The NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region uses a variety of required methods to reduce the bycatch of seabirds in its fisheries. Groundfish Stock Assessments and Fishery Evaluations, NMFS will make a decision regarding an Amendment to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management, Several types of closed areas, including Rockfish Conservation Areas, or RCAs, and Block Area, Federal Register Notices Establishing the Trawl Catch Share Program Cost Recovery Program and, Stay informed of all the latest regional news around NOAA Fisheries, Sustainable Fisheries, Sustainable Seafood, Rebound in Groundfish Leads to New Flexibility for Fishermen, Protection for Deep-Sea Corals, Devastating Collapse of Groundfish Fishery Forces a More Sustainable Future, NOAA Fisheries Releases Draft National Seafood Strategy, Requests Public Input, NOAA Fisheries Strategic Plan for 20222025.
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