[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 106 (Thursday, June 2, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31874-31881]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-13703]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 110321211-1289-02]
RIN 0648-BA94
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic;
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Gag Grouper Management
Measures
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Final temporary rule.
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SUMMARY: This final temporary rule, issued pursuant to NMFS' authority
to issue emergency and interim rules under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), replaces a
temporary rule made effective January 1, 2011, and implements interim
measures to reduce overfishing of gag in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf).
This rule reduces the commercial quota for gag and, thus, the combined
commercial quota for shallow-water grouper species (SWG), establishes a
2-month recreational season for gag, and suspends red grouper multi-use
allocation in the Gulf grouper and tilefish individual fishing quota
(IFQ) program, as recommended by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management
Council (Council). The rule will be effective for 180 days, unless
superseded by subsequent rulemaking, although NMFS may extend its
effectiveness for an additional 186 days pursuant to the Magnuson-
Stevens Act. The intended effect of this final temporary rule is to
reduce overfishing of the gag resource in the Gulf.
DATES: This rule is effective June 1, 2011, through November 29, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of documents supporting this final rule,
which include an environmental assessment, a regulatory impact review,
and a regulatory flexibility act analysis may be obtained from the
Southeast Regional Office Web site at: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sf/GrouperSnapperandReefFish.htm.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Hood, Southeast Regional Office,
NMFS, telephone: 727-824-5305, or e-mail: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The reef fish fishery of the Gulf of Mexico
is managed under the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish
Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the
Council and is implemented through regulations at 50 CFR part 622 under
the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
On April 21, 2011, in response to a finding that the gag resource
continues to be overfished and experiencing overfishing, NMFS published
a proposed temporary rule that is finalized here, and requested public
comment on that proposal (76 FR 22345).
This final temporary rule reduces the commercial quota for gag from
1.49 million lb (0.68 million kg) to 430,000 lb (195,045 kg), reduces
the commercial SWG quota from 6.22 million lb (2.82 million kg) to 5.16
million lb (2.34 million kg), suspends red grouper multi-use allocation
in the Gulf grouper and tilefish IFQ program, and implements a
recreational fishing season for gag from September 16 through November
15, with a 2-fish daily bag limit. The purpose of this final temporary
rule is to reduce overfishing of the gag resource in the Gulf. No
changes from the proposed temporary rule were made to this final rule
as a result of public comment.
This action reduces the commercial quota for SWG species to 5.16
million lb (2.34 million kg) from the 6.22 million lb (2.82 million kg)
SWG quota which was implemented through a regulatory amendment to the
FMP on January 1, 2011 (75 FR 74656, December 1, 2011). Because a gag
interim rule that reduced the SWG quota even further became effective
that same day on January 1, 2011 (75 FR 74650, December 1, 2011), NMFS
delayed effectiveness of the 6.22 million lb (2.82 million kg) quota
until further notification in the Federal Register. This temporary
final rule further delays the effectiveness of the 6.22 million lb
(2.82 million kg) SWG quota and implements a reduced SWG quota of 5.16
million lb (2.34 million kg). After termination or expiration of this
interim final rule, the timing of which is uncertain, NMFS will
announce the effective date of the 6.22 million lb (2.82 million kg)
SWG quota, unless this rule is superseded by subsequent rulemaking.
Comments and Responses
The following is a summary of the comments NMFS received on the
proposed rule and NMFS' respective responses. During the comment
period, NMFS received 24 comments on the proposed rule. Three comments
from non-governmental organizations supported the management measures
contained in the proposed temporary rule. The remaining comments came
primarily from the recreational sector of the Gulf reef fish fishery,
as well as one state agency and one commercial fisherman. Those
comments opposed one or more of the management measures contained in
the proposed temporary rule, and are addressed below.
Comment 1: A number of commenters questioned the scientific basis
used to assess the gag stock and how scientific information was applied
to support fishery management decisions. They indicated the data NMFS
used were outdated or flawed, or in some cases data were ignored.
Response: Stock assessments are conducted under the scientifically
peer reviewed Southeast Data, Assessment,
[[Page 31875]]
and Review (SEDAR) process, which was initiated in 2002 to improve the
quality and reliability of fishery stock assessments in the South
Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and U.S. Caribbean. SEDAR seeks improvements
in the scientific quality of stock assessments and supporting
information available to address existing and emerging fishery
management issues. This process emphasizes constituent and stakeholder
participation in assessment development, transparency in the assessment
process, and a rigorous and independent scientific review of completed
stock assessments. SEDAR is organized around 3 workshops: data,
assessment, and expert review. The data workshop documents, analyzes,
and reviews datasets to be used for assessment analyses. The assessment
workshop develops and refines quantitative population analyses and
estimates population parameters. The final workshop is conducted by a
panel of independent experts who review the data and the assessment and
recommend the most appropriate values of critical population and
management quantities. The 2006 gag assessment and 2009 update
assessment were conducted using the SEDAR process, including 2010
assessment reanalyses to better account for discarded fish. All of
these assessments were used in determining the management measures
contained in this temporary rule. All workshops and Council-initiated
meetings reviewing the assessment were open to the public and included
constituent participation on the various SEDAR panels to ensure the
transparency of the data and how it was applied in the assessments. In
addition, the Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC)
reviewed assessment results and made recommendations to the Council
about the adequacy of the assessments and at what level to set the
acceptable biological catch. The Council took all of this information
into consideration when recommending the management measures contained
in this temporary rule. The finding of the SSC and Council are
therefore the result of rigorous application of scientific principles.
Comment 2: Several individuals questioned that red tide could be
responsible for the 2005 mortality event modeled in the gag update
assessment.
Response: Red tide is believed to have contributed to the 2005
episodic mortality event. In the 2009 update assessment, 10 models were
run that varied different parameters within the assessment. The model
with the best fit was one which took into account decreases in indices
of abundance thought to have occurred because of the red tide event
documented in 2005. Although this model cannot show a direct link
between the red tide event and the decrease in gag abundance, it does
indicate a variable was present in 2005 that depressed the stock size.
The assessment panel felt that the 2005 red tide event was the factor
that best explained this depressed stock.
Comment 3: Several commenters indicated gag are plentiful and,
therefore, further management measures beyond those in place in 2010
are unnecessary. Other commenters indicated that although the gag
population does seem depressed, the proposed management measures seem
overly restrictive. Several commenters suggested alternative management
measures including different seasonal closures, reduced bag limits, or
increased size limits.
Response: The 2006 assessment and 2009 update assessment for gag
used a variety of data including those from fishery dependent and
fishery independent sources. Several models were used including models
that took into account a 2005 episodic mortality event. These models
consistently indicated the gag stock was depressed. The model
recommended by the Council's SSC was the one that took into account the
2005 episodic mortality event, and that best explained the current
estimated gag numbers. This model indicated the stock was overfished
and undergoing overfishing, prompting NMFS to inform the Council of
this condition and that, pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the
stock needs to be rebuilt. There was some question about the model
results because of how discards were estimated in the model. A SEDAR
panel was convened to address these questions and reanalyzed the 2009
update assessment. The reanalysis of the assessment did not
substantially alter the assessment outcome, that the stock was
overfished and undergoing overfishing.
In evaluating different management measures, the Council examined
alternative seasonal closures, area closures, bag limits, and size
limits. Because of the magnitude of discards by the recreational
sector, only the seasonal closure alternatives would meet the required
reductions. Bag limit changes would not substantially change season
lengths. Reducing size limits would substantially shorten the season
length, and increasing size limits would substantially increase the
number of dead discards. Public testimony given at Council meetings
either favored a summer or winter season, depending on where people
fished. In general, fishermen from Texas and southwest and central
Florida favored a winter season, and fishermen from other areas of the
Gulf favored a summer season. In seeking a compromise, the Council
recommended a fall season because it starts at the very end of the
summer and comes very close to the winter months. A fall season
maximizes the number of days gag would be open for fishing.
Comment 4: One commenter indicated regionalized gag management
should be considered to allow a greater proportion of the gag harvest
to occur in areas where gag are more abundant.
Response: Considering regionalized management is outside the scope
of this rulemaking because such an approach would not directly reduce
overfishing, as required by the Magnuson-Stevens Act. However, the
Council continues to examine regionalized management for reef fish
species. In the course of developing long-term management measures in
Amendment 32 to the FMP, the Council is considering seasonal-area
closures for grouper species which are considered to be a type of
regionalized management.
Comment 5: Several commenters indicated the management actions
contained in this temporary rule favor the commercial sector over the
recreational sector. These commenters suggest that the commercial
sector should either be closed, not be allowed to use longline gear, or
only harvest gag when the recreational sector is open.
Response: When the allocation of gag harvest was developed for the
recreational and commercial sectors in Amendment 30B to the FMP, it was
based on average landings for each sector between 1986 and 2005. The
resultant recreational and commercial allocation ratio is 61:39,
respectively. The management measures contained in this temporary rule
were designed to equally reduce the number of gag removals (harvest and
dead discards) for each sector to maintain this allocation ratio. Thus,
while the recreational regulations may seem more restrictive, they
actually allow for a much greater recreational harvest than will be
allowed for the commercial sector. It is beyond the scope of this
temporary rule to change the allocation ratio. It is also beyond the
scope of this temporary rule to ban longline gear; however, recently
implemented management measures contained in Amendment 31 to the FMP
have reduced the number of longline vessels and further limited where
longline vessels can fish.
The commercial sector is managed under an IFQ program where
individual fishermen are given an allocation of gag
[[Page 31876]]
based on the commercial quota and the number of IFQ shares owned by the
fisherman. This individual allocation allows commercial fishermen more
flexibility in how they can fish, including fishing year round as long
as they still have allocation remaining. If the commercial sector was
not allowed to keep gag when the recreational sector was closed, dead
discards would increase. Because the commercial sector fishes in waters
deeper than where most of the recreational sector fishes, the
likelihood of catching undersized fish is less and the chance a
discarded fish would die if released is very high. Therefore, by
allowing the commercial sector to keep gag year-round as long as an
individual fisherman still has allocation, gag could be counted towards
the quota and not wasted.
Comment 6: Several commenters indicated fishing effort is down due
to current economic conditions, including increased fuel prices.
Response: In developing fishing regulations to limit harvest,
recent fishing effort levels are taken into account. Recent data would
reflect trends in effort due to factors such as changes in the economy.
For example, as described in the environmental assessment, effort in
2009 was below the 2005-2008 average, in part due to changing economic
conditions. In addition, in recommending the management measures
contained in this temporary rule, the Council heard testimony from
constituents who described current conditions in the fishery, including
the effects of the economic situation, and how they perceived the rule
would affect them.
Comment 7: One commenter questioned why the proposed rule would
remove Sec. 622.34 paragraph (v) from the regulations and replace it
with Sec. 622.34 paragraph (w).
Response: Section 622.34, paragraph (v), was implemented through a
2010 temporary rule and prohibits the harvest and possession of gag in
the Gulf exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The 2010 temporary measure
expires on May 31, 2011, unless subsequent rulemaking supersedes this
measure. Because the timing of implementation of this new temporary
rule was uncertain at the proposed rule stage, the rule proposed to
remove paragraph (v) and add paragraph (w) to Sec. 622.34. However,
because this new temporary rule will become effective on June 1, 2011,
after the current temporary rule expires, NMFS can now add new
paragraph (v) instead of paragraph (w) to Sec. 622.34. The new
paragraph (v) implements a recreational gag seasonal closure in the
Gulf EEZ by setting the gag bag limit to zero from January 1 through
September 15, and from November 16 through December 31. This would
allow a recreational gag harvest from September 16 through November 15
under a 2-fish bag limit. This paragraph would also be temporary and
would remain in effect for 180 days from the rule's publication date,
and could be extended for up to an additional 186 days.
Comment 8: One commenter suggested one of the purposes of this
proposed rule is to force catch shares on the recreational sector.
Another commenter stated his opposition to IFQs in general.
Response: The development of catch shares and IFQ programs as
management tools is completely unrelated to this rule. The purpose of
this rule is to reduce overfishing of gag, as required by the Magnuson-
Stevens Act. Catch shares, or changes to the IFQ program, if
considered, would be examined through the deliberative Council system
and evaluated through a plan amendment to the FMP.
Comment 9: Several commenters expressed concern over the magnitude
of the economic effects on the recreational sector and associated
shore-side businesses expected to occur as a result of the proposed
temporary rule, and one comment stated that the economic assessment
grossly and inadequately understated the economic effects of the
recreational component of the proposed action.
Response: The magnitude of the expected economic effects on all
affected entities provided in the assessment is consistent with the
comments that expressed concern over the magnitude of the economic
effects. Substantial gag harvest reductions are necessary, however, to
reduce overfishing of the gag resource, and the actions selected are
expected to result in the best social and economic outcome.
The comment that claimed the economic assessment grossly and
inadequately understated the economic effects claimed that the proposed
action would result in the loss of 5,000 jobs and $3 billion in
economic activity per year in Florida. This comment also implied that
the analysis for the proposed action determined that the total economic
value of both gag and red grouper to the recreational fishing industry
is only $118 million when the total economic value of saltwater fishing
in west Florida is $23 billion.
The estimates of the expected losses in jobs and economic activity
provided by this comment were unsubstantiated by either source or
methodology, and the ``$118 million'' estimate of economic value, or a
reasonable proxy, cannot be found in the analysis provided for the
proposed temporary rule or associated environmental assessment.
Therefore, the origin of any of these numbers is unknown.
The assessment of the expected economic effects of the recreational
component of the proposed temporary rule included estimates of the
expected changes in economic value, as measured by changes in consumer
surplus (CS) to recreational anglers and net operating revenues (NOR)
to for-hire businesses, and economic impact, also known as economic
activity or business activity. Economic activity estimates provide a
measure of how expenditures re-circulate through a geographic region
and stimulate business sales in multiple production industries, wages
and salaries, and jobs.
Both of the measures of economic value (CS and NOR), are net sums,
meaning they equal the remaining portion of benefits to anglers and
revenues to for-hire vessels after expenditures have been deducted. As
described in the assessment, the expected change in economic value is
the appropriate measure for the calculation of the costs and benefits
to the nation of a proposed management change.
Estimates of changes in economic activity, though not an
appropriate measure of economic value, were provided because they may
be useful in characterizing potential community and shoreside effects
of proposed management actions. Unlike economic value, however,
measures of economic activity are not net sums. For example, in the
case of business sales, total gross expenditures for an initial
purchase of goods or services, as well as any expenditures that were
necessary to produce those goods or services and that occurred within
the same geographic area, are included in the measure of business
activity. It should be clearly understood, therefore, that economic
value and economic activity are not equivalent and it is incorrect to
equate the two. This comment confuses the two measures and errs in
characterizing the ``$23 billion'' as ``economic value'' when it should
correctly have been labeled ``economic activity.'' As a result,
comparisons of this total with others that may represent economic
value, in the case of the ``$118 million'' figure, or that are measures
of economic value, in the case of CS and NOR, are inappropriate and
misleading.
Beyond the issue of comparing disjointed concepts, the primary
issue associated with this comment is the difference in magnitude of
the estimated effects of the proposed action when
[[Page 31877]]
dealing with the common metric ``economic activity.'' Although details
of the methodology utilized to produce the estimates provided in this
comment were not given, the primary difference between the estimated
effects provided in the assessment and those provided in this comment
is likely the assumption of the number of trips that would be expected
to be affected. Calculating this number is a key factor in the effects
analysis.
Based on the documented model employed in NMFS' assessment, one
full-time equivalent (FTE) job was estimated to be lost for every 1,800
angler trips cancelled in response to the proposed action. As described
in the assessment, approximately 315,000 individual angler fishing
trips could be cancelled due to this rule. These cancellations would
result in the loss of 176 FTE jobs throughout the Gulf region, with 174
of these jobs occurring in Florida. These estimates do not include the
effects of trip cancellations in the headboat sector because business
activity estimates for this sector are not available. However, this
estimate of potentially cancelled trips is considered an upper bound
for cancellation in the shore, private, and charter sectors because it
assumes all trips that normally would be expected to target gag during
the affected period would be cancelled. In reality, many of these trips
would be expected to continue and target alternative species or be
shifted to the open season. As a result, the over-estimation of the
number of affected trips in these other recreational sectors is
expected to be sufficient to compensate for the absence of information
on the headboat sector. Applying the same ratio of affected trips to
jobs to the jobs estimate provided in this comment (5,000 jobs lost in
Florida) results in an estimate of approximately 9 million cancelled
fishing trips. Available data do not support this estimate. The average
number of trips that target gag each year throughout the Gulf of Mexico
is estimated to be less than 600,000 trips, while the average number of
trips that catch gag is estimated to be less than 1.2 million. The
total number of trips for all species in west Florida averages less
than 17 million trips per year. As a result, there is no foundation to
expect that more than 50 percent of all fishing trips in west Florida
would be cancelled as a result of an approximate 10-month prohibition
on the recreational harvest of gag.
Non-Substantive Change From the Proposed Rule
This final rule contains a change in the codified text from the
proposed rule. In the proposed rule, Sec. 622.34 would be amended by
removing and reserving paragraph (v), and adding paragraph (w).
However, because this final rule will become effective on June 1, 2011,
after the current interim rule that added paragraph (v) expires, NMFS
no longer needs to add paragraph (w), and can add paragraph (v) back
into the codified text instead.
Classification
The NMFS Assistant Administrator (AA) has determined that this
temporary rule is necessary for the conservation and management of the
Gulf gag resource. The AA has also determined that this final temporary
rule is consistent with the national standards of the Magnuson-Stevens
Act and other applicable laws. The rule may be extended for a period of
not more than 186 days, as described in section 305(c)(3)(B) of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act.
This final temporary rule has been determined to be not significant
for purposes of Executive Order 12866.
NMFS prepared a final regulatory flexibility analysis (FRFA) for
this rule. The FRFA incorporates the initial regulatory flexibility
analysis (IRFA), a summary of the significant economic issues raised by
public comments, NMFS' responses to those comments, and a summary of
the analyses completed to support the action. A copy of the full IRFA
is available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES). The FRFA follows.
The Magnuson-Stevens Act provides the statutory basis for this
final temporary rule. No duplicative, overlapping, or conflicting
Federal rules have been identified. This final temporary rule does not
establish any new reporting, record-keeping, or other compliance
requirements.
A statement of the need for and objectives of this final temporary
rule is provided in the supplementary information section of this
preamble and is not repeated here.
A summary of the comments received on the proposed temporary rule
is provided in the previous section of this preamble. Although NMFS
received no comments to the IRFA, some of the comments noted concerns
about the effects this rule would have on small businesses. For
example, several commenters expressed concern over the magnitude of the
economic effects on the recreational sector and associated shore-side
businesses expected to occur as a result of this temporary rule. One
commenter claimed the economic assessment in the proposed temporary
rule grossly and inadequately understated the economic effects that
would result from the proposed temporary rule and provided alternative
estimates of these effects.
NMFS responded to these comments in detail in the response to
comments section of the preamble to this rule. Moreover, in the IRFA,
NMFS analyzed the expected economic effects of the proposed action to
the recreational sector components of anglers, for-hire businesses, and
associated shore-side businesses. The effects of this temporary rule on
anglers and shore-side businesses are not germane to the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (RFA) analysis because anglers are not small entities
within the context of the RFA (see discussion below) and shore-side
entities would only be indirectly affected by the proposed action and
the RFA does not require NMFS to examine indirect effects. NMFS agrees
with the commenters that this rule will result in some economic effects
on small (and large) entities. However, as discussed in greater detail
below, there are no alternatives that would end overfishing of gag, as
is required by the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
With respect to the criticism that NMFS understates the economic
effects of this rule, as discussed in the previous section of this
preamble, these alternative estimates are undocumented and unsupported
by available data. NMFS' earlier response to this criticism is
sufficient and is not repeated here.
This temporary final rule is expected to directly affect commercial
harvesting and for-hire operations. The Small Business Administration
(SBA) has established size criteria for all major industry sectors in
the U.S., including fish harvesters. A business involved in fish
harvesting is classified as a small business if it is independently
owned and operated, is not dominant in its field of operation
(including its affiliates), and has combined annual receipts not in
excess of $4.0 million (NAICS code 114111, finfish fishing) for all its
affiliated operations worldwide. For for-hire vessels, the other
qualifiers apply and the receipts threshold is $7.0 million (NAICS code
713990, recreational industries).
This temporary final rule is expected to directly affect commercial
fishing vessels whose owners possess gag quota shares and for-hire
fishing vessels that harvest gag. As of October 1, 2009, 970 entities
owned a valid commercial Gulf reef fish permit and were eligible for
initial shares and allocation in the
[[Page 31878]]
grouper and tilefish IFQ program. Of these 970 entities, 908 received
shares and allocation of grouper or tilefish, including 875 that
received gag shares and an initial allocation of the commercial gag
quota in 2010. These 875 entities are expected to be directly affected
by this temporary final rule.
Of the 875 entities that initially received gag shares, 215 did not
record commercial landings or revenues in 2008 or 2009. On average,
these 215 entities received an initial allocation of 874 lb (397 kg) of
gag in 2010. Eight of these 215 entities also received a bottom
longline endorsement in 2010. These eight entities received a much
higher initial allocation of gag in 2010 than all 215 entities, with an
average of 3,139 lb (1,427 kg).
The other 660 entities that initially received gag shares and
allocations in 2010 were active in commercial fisheries in 2008 or
2009. The maximum annual commercial fishing revenue in 2008 or 2009 by
an individual vessel with commercial gag quota shares was approximately
$606,000 (2008 dollars).
The average charter vessel is estimated to earn approximately
$88,000 (2008 dollars) in annual revenue, while the average headboat is
estimated to earn approximately $461,000 (2008 dollars).
Based on the average revenue values provided above, all commercial
and for-hire fishing vessels expected to be directly affected by this
temporary final rule are determined, for the purpose of this analysis,
to be small business entities.
Of the 660 commercial fishing vessels with commercial landings in
2008 or 2009, 139 vessels did not have any gag landings in 2008 or
2009. The average annual gross revenue by these vessels in 2008 and
2009 was approximately $50,800 (2008 dollars). The vast majority of
these vessels' commercial fishing revenue came from snapper, mackerel,
dolphin, and wahoo landings. On average, these vessels received an
initial allocation of 540 lb (245 kg) of gag quota in 2010.
The remaining 521 commercially active fishing vessels that
initially received gag shares recorded landings of gag in 2008 or 2009.
Over that 2-year period, these vessels averaged approximately $71,000
(2008 dollars) in annual gross revenue from commercial fishing. On
average, these vessels had 2,375 lb (1,080 kg) and 1,300 lb (591 kg) of
gag landings in 2008 and 2009, respectively, or 1,835 lb (834 kg)
between the 2 years. Gag landings accounted for approximately 8 percent
of these vessels' annual average gross revenue and, thus, these vessels
were somewhat, though not significantly, dependent on revenue from gag
landings. The average initial gag allocation in 2010 for these 521
vessels was 2,121 lb (964 kg). Therefore, on average, the 2008 gag
landings for these vessels were very near their 2010 gag allocation,
but their 2009 gag landings were considerably less than their 2010
allocation.
Of these 521 vessels, 52 vessels also received a bottom longline
endorsement in 2010. The average annual revenue for these 52 vessels
was approximately $156,000 (2008 dollars) in 2008 and 2009. Revenue
from gag landings for these vessels decreased from approximately
$15,900 in 2008 to approximately $8,400 in 2009 and, thus, these
vessels became relatively less dependent on gag landings in 2009. These
vessels, however, were highly dependent on revenue from red grouper
landings, which accounted for 54 percent and 47 percent of their gross
revenue in 2008 and 2009, respectively. Revenue from deep-water grouper
(DWG) landings by these vessels decreased only slightly, from
approximately $36,000 in 2008 to approximately $31,000 in 2009 and,
thus, these vessels became relatively more dependent on revenue from
DWG landings. The average initial 2010 allocation of gag for these
vessels was approximately 5,507 lb (2,503 kg), while their average gag
landings were 3,933 lb (1,788 kg) and 2,204 lb (1,002 kg) in 2008 and
2009, respectively. Thus, vessels that have a bottom longline
endorsement have been harvesting well below their allocation in recent
years, particularly in 2009.
The for-hire fleet is comprised of charter vessels, which charge a
fee on a vessel basis, and headboats, which charge a fee on an
individual angler (head) basis. The harvest of gag in the EEZ by for-
hire vessels requires a charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef
fish. On March 23, 2010, there were 1,376 valid or renewable for-hire
Gulf reef fish permits. A valid permit is a non-expired permit. Expired
reef fish for-hire permits may not be actively fished, but are
renewable for up to 1 year after expiration. Because of the extended
permit renewal period, numerous permits may be expired but still
renewable at any given time of the year. The majority (823, or
approximately 60 percent) of the 1,376 valid or renewable permits were
registered with Florida addresses. The registration address for the
Federal permit does not restrict operation to Federal waters off that
state; however, vessels would be subject to any applicable state
permitting requirements. Although the permit does not distinguish
between headboats and charter vessels, NMFS estimates that 79 headboats
operate in the Gulf. The majority of these vessels (43, or
approximately 54 percent) operate from Florida ports. Because nearly 99
percent of gag target effort and 97 percent of the economic impacts
from recreational gag fishing in the Gulf occur in west Florida, NMFS
assumed that the 823 for-hire vessels (780 charter vessels and 43
headboats) with permit registration addresses in Florida will be
directly affected by this action.
The 215 entities with gag shares that did not participate in
commercial fishing in 2008 or 2009 have no commercial fishing revenue
and did not earn any profit from commercial fishing in those 2 years.
The reduction in this rule of the commercial gag quota from 1.49
million lb (0.68 million kg) to 430,000 lb (195,045 kg) will reduce
these vessels' average allocation of gag in 2011 from 952 lb (433 kg)
to 275 lb (125 kg), or by approximately 677 lb (308 kg). Using the
average 2008 gag price of $3.52 per pound, this loss in allocation
could potentially represent a loss of nearly $2,400 (2008 dollars) in
gross revenue per entity. Using the 2010 average price of $1.00 per
pound of gag allocation, this loss in allocation could potentially
represent a loss of $670 (2008 dollars) in net revenue per entity. For
the eight entities within this group that also possess longline
endorsements, their average allocation of gag in 2011 will be reduced
from 3,418 lb (1,554 kg) to 987 lb (449 kg), or by 2,431 lb (1,105 kg).
Thus, the potential loss in gross revenue and net revenue to these
eight entities is estimated to be approximately $8,600 and $2,500 (2008
dollars), respectively.
However, in general, these potential losses in gross revenue and
net revenue will only be realized if these 215 entities not only become
active in commercial fishing, but also intend to harvest gag in 2011 at
a level above their reduced allocation. That is, because they have not
used their quota (and thus gained revenue to lose) in recent years, a
reduction in allocation can only lead to a reduction in landings and,
thus, gross revenue, if these entities intend to harvest at levels
above their reduced allocation. Alternatively, these losses in gross
and net revenue could accrue to a loss of ability by these entities to
sell the allocations they will lose under the temporary action, though
this possibility presumes that a demand for these allocations will
exist. Regardless, the significance of these potential losses in gross
and net revenue to these 215 entities cannot be evaluated because of
[[Page 31879]]
the lack of information on potential gross revenue, net revenue, and
profits from commercial fishing in general and specifically for gag.
Similarly, the 139 entities with gag shares that participated in
commercial fisheries other than gag earned approximately $50,800 in
annual gross revenue on average in 2008 and 2009. Profit estimates for
these vessels are not currently available. However, because these
entities did not have any gag landings in 2008 or 2009, none of their
gross revenue or profit was the result of gag harvests. Under the
temporary rule, the average allocation of gag in 2011 for these
entities will be reduced from 588 lb (267 kg) to 170 lb (77 kg), or by
418 lb (190 kg). Using the average 2008 price of $3.52 per pound, this
loss in allocation could potentially represent a loss of nearly $1,500
(2008 dollars) in gross revenue per entity. Using the 2010 average
price of $1.00 per pound of gag allocation, this loss in allocation
could potentially represent a loss of approximately $410 (2008 dollars)
in net revenue per entity.
However, these potential losses in gross and net revenue will only
lead to a loss in profits if these 139 entities intend to commercially
harvest gag in 2011 at a level above their reduced allocation. That is,
a reduction in allocation can only lead to a reduction in landings if
these entities intend to harvest at levels above their reduced
allocation. For example, if these vessels intended to harvest gag in
2011 at a level equivalent to their 2011 allocation, and this harvest
was in addition to, rather than in place of, their recent commercial
fishing activities, the reduction in allocation could lead to a maximum
loss of approximately 3 percent in gross revenue, which could in turn
reduce net revenue and profits. Alternatively, losses in gross and net
revenue could be due to a potential inability to sell the allocations
lost under the temporary final rule, though this possibility presumes
that a demand for these allocations will exist.
The 521 entities with gag shares that commercially harvested gag in
2008 or 2009 earned an average gross revenue of approximately $71,000
(2008 dollars) per year. Profit estimates for these vessels are not
currently available. However, gag landings accounted for approximately
8 percent of these vessels' average annual gross revenue. As a result,
these vessels are somewhat, but not significantly, dependent on revenue
from gag landings. Under the temporary final rule, the gag allocations
for these vessels will be reduced from 2,310 lb (1,050 kg) to 667 lb
(303 kg), or 1,643 lb (747 kg) on average. Because these vessels have
been harvesting at levels near their 2010 allocation in recent years,
on average, this reduction in gag allocation is likely to lead to an
equivalent reduction in gag landings and, therefore, gross revenue.
Using the average 2008 price of $3.52 per pound, it is estimated that
these vessels could lose nearly $5,800 (2008 dollars), or approximately
8 percent, in annual gross revenue, on average. Using the 2010 average
price of $1.00 per pound of gag allocation, these vessels could lose
approximately $1,600 (2008 dollars) in net revenue, which is assumed to
be representative of profit for commercial vessels, per entity under
this temporary final rule.
However, 52 of these 521 vessels also received a bottom longline
endorsement in 2010. The average annual gross revenue for these 52
vessels was approximately $156,000 (2008 dollars) in 2008 and 2009,
with gag landings accounting for approximately 8 percent of gross
revenue. These vessels are more dependent on revenue from red grouper
than from gag. Under this action, the allocation of gag in 2011 for
these vessels will decrease from 6,215 lb (2,825 kg) to 1,953 lb (888
kg), or by 4,262 lb (1,937 kg). Because these vessels have been
harvesting gag at levels near their 2010 allocation on average in
recent years, the reduction in gag allocation is expected to lead to an
equivalent reduction in gag landings and gross revenue. Using the
average 2008 price of $3.52 per pound, it is estimated that these
vessels would lose approximately $15,000 (2008 dollars) in annual gross
revenue, or nearly 10 percent, on average. Using the 2010 average price
of $1.00 per pound of gag allocation, these vessels would lose
approximately $4,200 (2008 dollars) in net revenue, which is assumed to
be representative of profit, per entity.
No additional economic effects are expected to result from the
revised SWG quota because this quota simply reflects the reduction in
the commercial gag quota, the effects of which have already been
discussed.
Minimal adverse economic effects are expected to result from the
action to suspend the conversion of red grouper allocation into multi-
use allocation valid toward the harvest of red grouper or gag. Multi-
use allocation that has been converted from red grouper allocation can
only be used to possess, land, or sell gag after an entity's gag and
gag multi-use allocation has been landed, sold, or transferred. As a
result of the reduction in the commercial gag quota that will occur
under this temporary final rule, it is expected that vessels will
exhaust their gag and gag multi-use allocations relatively quickly. Gag
commands a higher market price. As a result, gross revenue from
commercial fishing revenue and profit per vessel could be reduced as a
result of the suspension of multi-use conversion.
NOR is assumed to be representative of profit for for-hire vessels.
As previously discussed, it is assumed that 823 for-hire vessels, of
which 780 are estimated to be charter vessels and 43 headboats,
participate in the gag component of the recreational sector of the Gulf
reef fish fishery. Estimates of NOR from recreational fishing for all
species by these charter vessels and headboats are not available.
However, on average, the NOR per year for vessels from trips targeting
gag is estimated to be approximately $1.56 million for all charter
vessels (approximately $2,000 per vessel) and approximately $91,300 for
all headboats (approximately $2,100 per vessel), or approximately $1.65
million per year for all for-hire vessels.
During the periods when the recreational harvest of gag is
prohibited, some trips that normally would be expected to target gag
are expected to target other species, while other trips are expected to
be cancelled. Estimates of NOR per trip by species targeted, however,
are unavailable. Assuming the NOR per trip is constant regardless of
the species targeted, for-hire operators will only lose NOR from
cancelled trips and not trips directed towards alternative species.
Estimates of the actual number of trips that would be expected to be
cancelled as a result of the shortened gag season are not available.
The following analysis assumes all for-hire trips that would normally
be expected to target gag will be cancelled when the recreational
sector is closed. Because not all of these trips are likely be
cancelled, this analysis overestimates the actual reduction in NOR
associated with a shorter season that is expected to occur and the
following estimates of losses in NOR and profit for charter vessels and
headboats should be considered maximum values.
The establishment of a recreational gag fishing season of September
16, 2011-November 15, 2011, is expected to result in a maximum
reduction of NOR of approximately $435,000 and $28,000 from trips
targeting gag on charter vessels and headboats, respectively, or
approximately $463,000 across both fleets. These reductions translate
into per-vessel averages of approximately $560 and $660 for charter
vessels and headboats, respectively, or approximately 28 percent and 31
percent of profits. If this temporary final
[[Page 31880]]
rule is extended an additional 186 days, as allowed under the Magnuson-
Stevens Act for interim or emergency measures, the reductions in NOR
for charter vessels and headboats are estimated to be, in total over
the entire period (366 days), approximately $1.41 million and $81,800,
respectively, or $1,808 and $1,902 per charter vessel and headboat.
This temporary rule is not expected to affect the profit from
charter vessel or headboat trips that do not target gag. For-hire
vessel dependence on fishing for individual species cannot be
determined with available data. Although some for-hire vessels are
likely more dependent on trips that target gag than other for-hire
vessels, overall, only approximately 3 percent of for-hire anglers are
estimated to target gag. As a result, while shortening the gag season
action is expected to substantially affect the NOR derived from gag
trips, overall, gag trips do not comprise a substantial portion of
total for-hire trips, nor are these trips, by extension, expected to
account for a substantial portion of total fleet-wide for-hire NOR.
Two alternatives, including the status quo, were considered to
setting the gag commercial quota at 430,000 lb (195,045 kg). The first
alternative, the status quo, would have maintained the gag commercial
quota at 1.49 million lb (0.68 million kg). This alternative is not
consistent with the goals and objectives of the Council's plan to
manage gag to achieve the mandates of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
Specifically, selection of this alternative would be inconsistent with
current National Standard 1 guidance because the commercial quota would
be above the commercial annual catch target (ACT) of 500,000 lb
(226,796 kg), which is based on the Council's defined FOY
(fishing mortality at the optimum yield) yield of 1.28 million lb (0.58
million kg) for 2011. In addition, this alternative would promote
overfishing and slow recovery of the stock.
The second alternative would have set the gag commercial quota at
100,000 lb (45,539 kg). This alternative is based on the request made
by the Council in August 2010 for the interim rule that published
December 1, 2010, and reflects the uncertainty in the stock status at
that time due to questions regarding how commercial and recreational
discards were treated in the assessment update. When this commercial
quota was recommended, it was unknown how revisions to the treatment of
discards might influence the reanalysis of the updated stock
assessment. If the reanalysis yielded a more pessimistic condition of
the stock, then setting the harvest based on the FOY yield,
estimated then at 390,000 lb (177,273 kg), would not reduce overfishing
sufficiently to allow the stock to begin to recover within the maximum
time frame allowed under the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The 100,000 lb
(45.539 kg) commercial quota was recommended because some gag are
expected to be incidentally caught by the commercial sector while
fishing for other species. Further, most discarded gag die after being
released due to the high discard mortality rate associated with fishing
at deeper depths. Rather than waste all of these fish, the Council set
the quota at a level that would allow some fish to be retained and be
counted towards the commercial quota.
As of March 2, 2011, over 65 percent of the gag IFQ shareholders
had less than 50 lb (23 kg) in allocation still available to them.
Thus, if the commercial quota were not set at a level above 100,000 lb
(45,539 kg), gag would likely be lost through dead discards rather than
kept and counted towards the commercial quota as fishermen run out of
allocation. However, the reanalysis of the assessment showed a slight
increase in the projected yields under the FOY if Florida
adopted compatible regulations for the recreational sector. Because
Florida adopted compatible regulations for the recreational sector, a
higher commercial quota is allowable.
One alternative, the status quo, was considered to suspending
vessels' ability to convert red grouper allocation into multi-use
allocation valid toward the harvest of red grouper or gag. This
alternative would have continued to allow 4 percent of the red grouper
allocation to be converted into multi-use allocation, and would be
expected to result in gag harvests exceeding the annual catch limit,
promote overfishing, and slow recovery of the stock, contrary to the
Council's objectives. Further, this alternative would also be expected
to result in greater adverse economic effects stemming from the
corrective measures that would be implemented to address the over-
harvesting of gag.
Three alternatives, including the status quo, were considered to
establishing a recreational fishing season for gag of September 16,
2011, through November 15, 2011. The first alternative, the status quo,
would maintain the recreational ACT at 2.20 million lb (1 million kg),
and anglers would be able to harvest the 2-fish daily bag limit for gag
starting June 1, 2011. Depending on whether 2006-08 or 2009 is used as
the baseline, the estimated reduction in removals under this
alternative would be between 15 percent and 20 percent, which is
insufficient to allow the stock to rebuild, and would be inconsistent
with the stock rebuilding plan being developed by the Council. In
addition, this alternative is inconsistent with the Magnuson-Stevens
Act and current National Standard 1 guidance because the expected level
of harvest would be above the recreational ACT of 780,000 lb (353,802
kg), which is based on the Council's defined FOY yield of
1.28 million lb (0.58 million kg) for 2011. Further, this alternative
would promote overfishing and slow recovery of the stock.
The second alternative would set the gag bag limit to zero and,
thereby, prohibit the recreational harvest of gag. This alternative
would reduce fishing mortality the most out of all the alternatives
considered and, therefore, generate the greatest biological benefits
for the gag stock. Although this alternative would not allow the
recreational harvest of gag while the interim rule is in effect, the
number of dead discards would also be expected to be reduced because no
recreational fishing trips would be expected to target gag. Because
Florida adopted compatible regulations, this alternative would reduce
the harvest sufficiently in 2011 to be consistent with the Council's
rebuilding plan in Amendment 30B to the FMP, as it would reduce
removals between 58 percent and 67 percent and, as such, end
overfishing. If Florida had not adopted compatible regulations, the
estimated reduction in removals would be between 43 percent and 61
percent, which would reduce, but might not be sufficient to end,
overfishing. Because no recreational harvest of gag would be allowed,
this alternative would be expected to result in greater economic losses
to the for-hire sector than this temporary rule. However, when the
Council requested the current temporary rule, it intended to allow some
recreational harvest of gag in 2011 and establish that level of harvest
under the long-term management measures being developed in Amendment 32
to the FMP. This alternative would not accomplish that goal, and so was
not selected.
The third alternative would establish a recreational fishing season
for gag of July 1, 2011, through August 15, 2011, and, thus, would
allow for some recreational harvest of gag in 2011 as the Council
intended when it requested the current interim rule. This alternative
would establish a 46-day recreational fishing season, which is less
than the 61-day season under this temporary rule. This alternative also
minimally overlaps with the red snapper season, which begins on June 1.
This alternative
[[Page 31881]]
would provide for-hire vessels with a greater number of options when
marketing summer trips. The reduction in removals under this
alternative would be expected to be between 49 percent and 60 percent
and, therefore, might be sufficient to end overfishing.
The Council heard public testimony regarding potential recreational
seasons for gag at its February 2011 meeting. Participants in the
recreational sector asked for either a summer or winter season
depending on their geographic location. In general, recreational
participants from Texas, southwest Florida, and central Florida favored
a winter season, while recreational participants from other areas of
the Gulf favored a summer season. In looking for a compromise, the
Council recommended the proposed recreational season with no changes to
the bag limit or size limit. The proposed recreational season would
cover the end of the summer recreational fishing season and run through
the beginning of the winter recreational fishing season. In addition,
the estimated reductions in removals under the proposed recreational
season are between 50 percent and 54 percent, which might be sufficient
to end overfishing.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), NMFS finds that delaying this
rule's effective date for 30 days is impracticable and contrary to the
public interest, and therefore there is good cause to waive the 30-day
delay in effectiveness of this rule.
A delay is impracticable, because it would contribute to
overfishing of gag, which is contrary to National Standard 1 of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act, which requires NMFS to conserve and manage ocean
resources to prevent overfishing while achieving the optimum yield from
each fishery. Without this rule, on June 1, 2011 the current gag
temporary rule will expire, which would allow the commercial sector to
harvest gag using red grouper multi-use allocation and the recreational
sector to harvest gag in Federal waters. These harvests could result in
further overfishing of gag, contrary to NMFS' statutory obligations. By
implementing this rule immediately, red grouper multi-use allocation
will be suspended and the recreational sector for gag will be closed to
gag harvest until the 2-month gag season, which opens on September 16
and closes on November 15, 2011.
In addition, delaying the effectiveness of this rule for 30-days is
contrary to the public interest. This rule replaces the current fishing
season for gag with a 2-month recreational fishing season for gag in
the fall. Recreational fishing businesses need to be able to plan for
this season, and any delay in implementing this rule will delay their
ability to plan for this new season, and risk economically injuring
these entities. Moreover, many Gulf reef fish fishermen have already
exhausted their gag allocation for the year, and this temporary rule
will allow them to catch more gag. Without the increased allocation of
gag, gag bycatch in the commercial sector would increase, leading in
turn to a higher gag mortality rate, and a further reduction of the gag
resource, which would be contrary to the public's interest.
Accordingly, the 30-day delay in effectiveness of the measures
contained in this temporary rule is waived.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 622
Fisheries, Fishing, Puerto Rico, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Virgin Islands.
Dated: May 27, 2011.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 622 is amended
as follows:
PART 622--FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC
0
1. The authority citation for part 622 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Sec. 622.20 [Amended]
0
2. In Sec. 622.20, paragraph (b)(2)(iv)(A) is suspended.
0
3. In Sec. 622.34, paragraph (v) is added to read as follows:
Sec. 622.34 Gulf EEZ seasonal and/or area closures.
* * * * *
(v) Seasonal closure of the recreational sector for gag. The
recreational sector for gag, in or from the Gulf EEZ, is closed from
January 1 through September 15 and November 16 through December 31 each
year. During the closure, the bag and possession limit for gag in or
from the Gulf EEZ is zero.
0
4. In Sec. 622.42, paragraphs (a)(1)(iii)(A)(3) and (a)(1)(iii)(B)(3)
are suspended and paragraphs (a)(1)(iii)(A)(4) and (a)(1)(iii)(B)(4)
are added to read as follows:
Sec. 622.42 Quotas.
(a) * * *
(1) * * *
(iii) * * *
(A) * * *
(4) For fishing year 2011 and subsequent fishing years--5.16
million lb (2.34 million kg).
(B) * * *
(4) For fishing year 2011 and subsequent fishing years--430,000 lb
(195,045 kg).
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2011-13703 Filed 5-27-11; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P