[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 13, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6152-6158]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-02916]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 648
[Docket No.: 180110024-8024-01]
RIN 0648-BH33
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Special Management
Zones for 13 New Jersey Artificial Reefs
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS proposes management measures to implement special
management zones for 13 New Jersey artificial reefs under the black sea
bass provisions of the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass
Fishery Management Plan. The implementing regulations for the special
management zones require NMFS to publish proposed measures to provide
an opportunity for public comment. The intent of these measures is to
reduce user group conflicts and help maintain the intended
socioeconomic benefits of the artificial reefs to the maximum extent
practicable.
DATES: Comments must be received by March 15, 2018.
ADDRESSES: NMFS prepared a draft environmental assessment (EA) and an
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) for this action that
describe the proposed measures and other considered alternatives and
analyzes of the impacts of the proposed measures and alternatives.
Copies of the the draft EA and the IRFA are available upon request from
Travis Ford, NOAA/NMFS, Sustainable Fisheries Division, 55 Great
Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. The special management zone
measures document is also accessible via the internet at: https://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/.
You may submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA-NMFS-
2017-0150, by either of the following methods:
Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-0150, click the
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or
attach your comments.
Mail: Regional Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic
Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA
01930. Mark the outside of the envelope, ``Comments on New Jersey
Special Management Zones Designation.''
Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period,
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain
anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Travis Ford, Fishery Policy Analyst,
978-281-9233.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has
requested and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council has
recommended that NMFS designate 13 New Jersey artificial reef sites,
currently permitted in Federal waters by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, as special management zones (SMZs) under the applicable
regulations implementing the Council's Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black
Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP), 50 CFR 648.148.
The summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries are managed
cooperatively under the provisions of the FMP developed by the Council
and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, in consultation
with the New England and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils.
General regulations governing fisheries of the Northeastern U.S. also
appear at 50 CFR part 648. States manage these three species within 3
nautical miles (4.83 km) of their coasts, under the Commission's plan
for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass. The applicable species-
specific Federal regulations govern vessels and individual fishermen
fishing in Federal waters of the EEZ, as well as vessels possessing a
summer flounder, scup, or black sea bass Federal charter/party vessel
permit, regardless of where they fish.
Special Management Zone Measures Background
On November 6, 2015, the NJDEP requested that the Council designate
13 artificial reef sites, currently permitted in Federal waters by the
U.S. Corps of Engineers, as SMZs under the regulations implementing the
Council's Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass FMP. The SMZ
request noted that the NJDEP has received complaints from rod and reel
anglers regarding fouling of their fishing gear in commercial pots and
lines on ocean reef sites for more than 20 years. The request also
noted that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Sportfish
Restoration Program (SRP), which was the primary funding
[[Page 6153]]
source of the New Jersey Reef Program, discontinued its funding of the
program and all reef construction and monitoring activities until the
gear conflicts are resolved. These gear conflicts are not consistent
with the objectives of the SRP program, which provides funding for the
building and maintenance of the artificial reefs. In order to comply
with the goals of the SRP, the FWS is requiring that state artificial
reef programs be able to limit gear conflicts by state regulations in
state waters or by SMZs for sites in the EEZ.
The Council process for devising SMZ management measures is to
recommend measures to NMFS for rulemaking, and is described in the
following section. All meetings are open to the public and the
materials used during such meetings, as well as any documents created
to summarize the meeting results, are public information and typically
posted on the Council's website (www.mafmc.org) or are available from
the Council by request.
The SMZ recommendations from the Council were established under the
FMP's black sea bass provisions (Sec. 648.148). A monitoring
committee, consisting of representatives from the Council, NMFS Greater
Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, and NMFS Northeast Fisheries
Science Center, was formed to review the NJDEP SMZ request. The FMP's
implementing regulations require the monitoring committee to review
scientific and other relevant information to evaluate the SMZ requests
and prepare a written report, considering the following criteria:
(1) Fairness and equity;
(2) Promotion of conservation;
(3) Avoidance of excessive shares;
(4) Consistency with the objectives of Amendment 9 to the FMP, the
Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable law;
(5) The natural bottom in and surrounding potential SMZs; and
(6) Impacts on historical uses.
The Council considered the Monitoring Committee's recommendations
and any public comment in finalizing its recommendations. The Council
forwarded its final recommendations to NMFS for review. NMFS is
required to review the Council's recommendations to ensure that they
are consistent with the FMP and all applicable laws and Executive
Orders before ultimately implementing measures for Federal waters.
The timeline for establishing the SMZs is summarized here: The
NJDEP requested SMZ status for the artificial reefs in November 2015;
the Council and NMFS established a monitoring committee to review the
request in February 2016; the monitoring committee provided a report to
the Council evaluating the SMZ request at its October 5, 2016, meeting
in Galloway, NJ.
Following this meeting, the Council held three public hearings on
the proposed SMZs (Brooklyn, NY, November 16, 2016; Toms River, NJ,
November 16, 2016; and Cape May, NJ, November 17, 2016), and the
Council made final recommendations on the SMZs at its December 21,
2016, meeting in Baltimore, Maryland. NMFS subsequently has reviewed
the Council's recommendations through the development of an EA (see
ADDRESSES for how to obtain a copy of the EA) and this proposed rule.
Proposed SMZ Measures
NMFS is proposing the Council's recommended measures that would
apply in the Federal waters of the EEZ and to all vessels: That all 13
New Jersey artificial reefs be established as year-round SMZs. Within
the established areas of the SMZs, all vessels would only be allowed to
conduct fishing by handline, rod and reel, or spear fishing (including
the taking of fish by hand).
The boundaries of the proposed SMZs artificial reef sites encompass
19.71 nm\2\ (67.6 km\2\) and are in Federal waters bounded by the
following coordinates connected by straight lines in the sequence
specified in Tables 1-13 below.
The coordinates of the 13 SMZ reef areas proposed to be created by
this rule would be codified at 50 CFR 648.148(b)(2). This requires a
re-organization of the existing SMZ regulations in CFR 648.148(b); no
substantive changes are proposed for those provisions.
Table 1--Sea Girt Reef Site
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N Latitude W Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NE Corner....................... 40[deg]08.22' 73[deg]55.52'
ME Corner....................... 40[deg]07.30' 73[deg]56.67'
SE Corner....................... 40[deg]06.13' 73[deg]57.12'
SW Corner....................... 40[deg]06.17' 73[deg]57.57'
MW Corner....................... 40[deg]07.48' 73[deg]57.15'
NW Corner....................... 40[deg]08.63' 73[deg]55.73'
NE Corner....................... 40[deg]08.22' 73[deg]55.52'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 2--Garden State North Reef Site
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N Latitude W Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NE Corner....................... 39[deg]38.05' 74[deg]00.70'
SE Corner....................... 39[deg]37.05' 74[deg]01.00'
SW Corner....................... 39[deg]37.00' 74[deg]02.50'
NW Corner....................... 39[deg]37.98' 74[deg]02.20'
NE Corner....................... 39[deg]38.05' 74[deg]00.70'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 3--Garden State South Reef Site
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N Latitude W Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NE Corner....................... 39[deg]33.82' 74[deg]05.75'
SE Corner....................... 39[deg]33.33' 74[deg]05.85'
SW Corner....................... 39[deg]33.33' 74[deg]07.35'
NW Corner....................... 39[deg]33.80' 74[deg]07.20'
NE Corner....................... 39[deg]33.82' 74[deg]05.75'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 4--Little Egg Reef Site
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N Latitude W Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NE Corner....................... 39[deg]29.00' 74[deg]10.00'
SE Corner....................... 39[deg]28.00' 74[deg]10.00'
SW Corner....................... 39[deg]28.00' 74[deg]12.00'
NW Corner....................... 39[deg]29.00' 74[deg]12.00'
NE Corner....................... 39[deg]29.00' 74[deg]10.00'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 5--Atlantic City Reef Site
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N Latitude W Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NE Corner....................... 39[deg]16.90' 74[deg]15.28'
SE Corner....................... 39[deg]13.93' 74[deg]11.80'
SW Corner....................... 39[deg]13.30' 74[deg]12.70'
NW Corner....................... 39[deg]16.22' 74[deg]16.18'
NE Corner....................... 39[deg]16.90' 74[deg]15.28'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 6--Great Egg Reef Site
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N Latitude W Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NE Corner....................... 39[deg]15.00' 74[deg]21.00'
SE Corner....................... 39[deg]14.00' 74[deg]21.00'
SW Corner....................... 39[deg]14.00' 74[deg]22.00'
NW Corner....................... 39[deg]15.00' 74[deg]22.00'
NE Corner....................... 39[deg]15.00' 74[deg]21.00'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 7--Ocean City Reef Site
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N Latitude W Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NE Corner....................... 39[deg]10.75' 74[deg]32.35'
SE Corner....................... 39[deg]09.40' 74[deg]34.62'
SW Corner....................... 39[deg]09.82' 74[deg]34.97'
NW Corner....................... 39[deg]11.10' 74[deg]32.85'
NE Corner....................... 39[deg]10.75' 74[deg]32.35'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 8--Shark River Reef Site
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N Latitude W Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NE Corner....................... 40[deg]07.33' 73[deg]41.08'
SE Corner....................... 40[deg]06.20' 73[deg]41.08'
SW Corner....................... 40[deg]20.20' 73[deg]41.80'
NW Corner....................... 40[deg]07.33' 73[deg]41.80'
NE Corner....................... 40[deg]07.33' 73[deg]41.08'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 6154]]
Table 9--Barnegat Light Reef Site
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N Latitude W Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NE Corner....................... 39[deg]45.87' 74[deg]01.10'
SE Corner....................... 39[deg]44.62' 74[deg]01.10'
SW Corner....................... 39[deg]44.62' 74[deg]01.95'
NW Corner....................... 39[deg]45.87' 74[deg]01.95'
NE Corner....................... 39[deg]45.87' 74[deg]01.10'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 10--Wildwood Reef Site
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N Latitude W Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NE Corner....................... 38[deg]57.85' 74[deg]39.70'
SE Corner....................... 38[deg]56.58' 74[deg]41.40'
SW Corner....................... 38[deg]57.55' 74[deg]42.60'
NW Corner....................... 38[deg]58.80' 74[deg]40.90'
NE Corner....................... 38[deg]57.85' 74[deg]39.70'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 11--Deepwater Reef Site
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N Latitude W Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NE Corner....................... 38[deg]59.00' 74[deg]10.50'
SE Corner....................... 38[deg]58.00' 74[deg]10.50'
SW Corner....................... 38[deg]58.00' 74[deg]11.50'
NW Corner....................... 38[deg]59.00' 74[deg]11.50'
NE Corner....................... 38[deg]59.00' 74[deg]10.50'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 12--Cape May Reef Site
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N Latitude W Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NE Corner....................... 38[deg]53.45' 74[deg]39.43'
SE Corner....................... 38[deg]50.07' 74[deg]42.25'
SW Corner....................... 38[deg]50.67' 74[deg]43.25'
NW Corner....................... 38[deg]53.97' 74[deg]40.62'
NE Corner....................... 38[deg]53.45' 74[deg]39.43'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 13--Townsend Inlet Reef Site
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N Latitude W Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NE Corner....................... 39[deg]06.70' 74[deg]36.00'
SE Corner....................... 39[deg]06.25' 74[deg]36.00'
SW Corner....................... 39[deg]06.25' 74[deg]37.50'
NW Corner....................... 39[deg]06.70' 74[deg]37.50'
NE Corner....................... 39[deg]06.70' 74[deg]36.00'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Figure 1. shows the location of the 13 proposed artificial reef
sites off the coast of New Jersey.
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
[[Page 6155]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP13FE18.007
BILLING CODE 3510-22-C
Regulatory Corrections Under Regional Administrator Authority
This proposed rule includes a revision to the regulatory text to
address text that is unnecessary, outdated, unclear, or NMFS could
otherwise improve. NMFS proposes this changes consistent with section
305(d) of the MSA which provides that the Secretary of Commerce may
promulgate regulations necessary to ensure that amendments to an FMP
are carried out in accordance with the FMP and the MSA. The revision,
at Sec. 648.148(a), would clarify the Council may prohibit or restrain
the use of specific types of fishing gear that are not compatible with
the purpose of the artificial reef or fish attraction device or other
habitat modification within the SMZ.
Classification
Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act, the Assistant Administrator has
determined that this proposed rule is consistent with the Summer
Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass FMP, other provisions of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other
[[Page 6156]]
applicable law, subject to further consideration after public comment.
This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
NMFS prepared an IRFA, as required by section 603 of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (RFA), which is included in the EA and supplemented by
information contained in the preamble to this proposed rule. The IRFA
describes the economic impact this proposed rule, if adopted, would
have on small entities. A summary of the IRFA follows. A copy of this
analysis is available from the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries
Office (see ADDRESSES).
Description of the Reasons Why Action by the Agency Is Being Considered
NJDEP requested and the Council recommended that 13 New Jersey
artificial reef sites, currently permitted by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers in the EEZ, be designated as SMZs to limit recreational/
commercial gear conflicts on the artificial reefs, and to maintain FWS
SRP funding for the building, monitoring, and maintenance of the
artificial reefs.
Statement of the Objectives of and the Legal Basis for This Proposed
Rule
The action in this proposed rule would prohibit certain types
fishing in the proposed SMZs. This would reduce current and/or future
potential for recreational/commercial gear conflicts on the 13 New
Jersey artificial reefs in order to maintain access to the reefs for
recreational fishing. This action is proposed under the Magnuson-
Stevens Act, 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Description of an Estimate of the Number of Small Entities To Which the
Proposed Rule Would Apply
The Small Business Administration (SBA) defines a small commercial
finfishing or shellfishing business as a firm with annual receipts
(gross revenue) of up to $11.0 million. A small for-hire recreational
fishing business is defined as a firm with receipts of up to $7.5
million.
This rule would apply to all Federal permit holders except
recreational for-hire permit holders and commercial permit holders
using hand gear or dive gear. While virtually all commercial fishing
permit holders employing gear other than pot/trap gear would
technically be regulated if the artificial reefs are granted SMZ
status, the vast majority of the commercial fishing effort on these
artificial reefs comes from the pot/trap gear sector. Therefore, only
pot/trap gear vessel trips are considered in this analysis. Hand gear
and dive gear activities would continue to be allowed under SMZ
designation, and vessels using other mobile gears and fixed gears stay
clear of the reef site areas to avoid bottom hang-ups with reef
materials. Additionally, not all business entities that hold Federal
fishing permits fish in the areas identified as potential SMZs. Those
who actively participate (i.e., catch and land fish in and from at
least one of the areas) in the areas identified as potential SMZs would
be the group of business entities that are directly impacted by the
regulations.
During 2013, 2014, and 2015: 24 Vessels reported landings of fish
caught at the reef sites in all 3 of those years; 10 vessels reported
landings of fish caught at the reef sites in 2 of the 3 years; and 18
vessels reported landings of fish caught at the reef sites in only 1 of
the 3 years. A total of 52 unique commercial vessels reported landings
of catch estimated to be from within the coordinates of the 13 reef
sites from 2013-2015.
Based on the ownership data classification process described above,
the 52 directly affected participating commercial fishing vessels were
owned by 45 unique fishing business entities. All revenue earned by
these businesses was derived from finfishing or shellfishing, and no
revenue was earned from for-hire recreational fishing. Thus, all 45 of
the potentially affected businesses are classified as commercial
fishing business entities.
Average annual gross revenue estimates calculated from 2013-2015
Northeast region dealer data indicate that only one of the potentially
affected business entities under the preferred alternative would be
considered large according to the SBA size standards. In other words,
one business, classified as a commercial fishing business, averaged
more than $11 million annually in gross revenues from all of its
fishing activities during 2013-2015. Therefore, 44 of the 45
potentially affected business entities are considered small and one
business entity is considered large.
Description of the Projected Reporting, Record-Keeping, and Other
Compliance Requirements of the Proposed Rule
This action does not introduce any new reporting, recordkeeping, or
other compliance requirements.
Federal Rules Which May Duplicate, Overlap, or Conflict With This
Proposed Rule
This proposed action will not duplicate, overlap, or conflict with
any other Federal rules.
Description of Significant Alternatives to the Proposed Action Which
Accomplish the Stated Objectives of Applicable Statutes and Which
Minimize Any Significant Economic Impact on Small Entities
The Council only considered the proposed action (Alternative 2) and
the No Action alternative (Alternative 1). However, NMFS also
considered a slightly less restrictive alternative after receiving the
Council's recommendation (Alternative 3). Under the No Action
alternative, vessels would still be able to fish with pot/trap gear on
the 13 artificial reef sites. Alternative 3 would designate 11 of the
13 artificial reefs as SMZs (excludes Shark River and Wildwood); 41
unique fishing business entities were estimated to have landings within
the coordinates of the 11 reef sites from 2013-2015. The Shark River
and Wildwood reef site were excluded under this alternative because
these sites had higher percentage of commercial effort when compared to
the percentage of recreational effort. One of the potentially affected
business entities under this alternative would be considered large (the
same entity identified as large under the preferred alternative).
Table 14 compares the number of potentially affected business
entities by percent of total average annual gross revenue landed within
the actual latitude and longitude coordinates of the two alternatives.
Under both the preferred alternative and the Alternative 3, all
commercial fishing businesses categorized as small in this assessment
obtained less than 5 percent of their total average annual gross
revenues from landings within the coordinates of the reef sites. The
only business entity defined as large for this assessment earned less
than 0.5 percent of its total average annual gross revenues from
landings at the reef sites.
Alternative 2 was selected as the preferred alternative because it
would reduce gear conflicts on all 13 of the artificial reefs. For
Alternatives 1 and 3, gear conflicts would remain on all reefs not
designated as SMZs. Alternative 2 would result in slight positive
economic impacts to the recreational fleet and likely have slight
negative to negligible economic effects on the commercial fishery
compared to the No Action alternative. Further, under Alternative 2,
the program to maintain the artificial reefs would not be in jeopardy
of losing its USFWS funding.
[[Page 6157]]
Table 14--Number of Potential Business Entities Affected by Percent of Total Average Annual Gross Revenue
Landed Within the Coordinates of the Reef Sites
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percent of total average annual gross revenue (2013-2016)
---------------------------------------------------------------
<0.5% 0.5% to 1.0% 1.0% to 5.0% >5.0%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed Action
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commercial Fishing (Small)...................... 35 2 7 0
Commercial Fishing (Large)...................... 1 0 0 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alternative
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commercial Fishing (Small)...................... 32 2 6 0
Commercial Fishing (Large)...................... 1 0 0 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
List of Subjects 50 CFR Part 648
Fisheries, Fishing, Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.
Dated: February 8, 2018.
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 648 is
proposed to be amended as follows:
PART 648--FISHERIES OF THE NORTHEAST UNITED STATES
0
1. The authority citation for part 648 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
0
2. In Sec. 648.148, revise paragraphs (a) introductory text and (b) to
read as follows:
Sec. 648.148 Special management zones.
(a) General. The recipient of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit
for an artificial reef, fish attraction device, or other modification
of habitat for purposes of fishing may request that an area surrounding
and including the site be designated by the MAFMC as a special
management zone (SMZ). The MAFMC may prohibit or restrain the use of
specific types of fishing gear that are not compatible with the purpose
of the artificial reef or fish attraction device or other habitat
modification within the SMZ. The establishment of an SMZ will be
effected by a regulatory amendment, pursuant to the following
procedure: An SMZ monitoring team comprised of members of staff from
the MAFMC, NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, and NMFS
Northeast Fisheries Science Center will evaluate the request in the
form of a written report.
* * * * *
(b) Approved/Established SMZs--(1) Delaware Special Management Zone
Areas. Special management zones are established for Delaware artificial
reef permit areas #9, 10, 11, and 13, in the area of the U.S. Exclusive
Economic Zone. From January 1 through December 31 of each year, no
person may fish in the Delaware Special Management Zones except by
handline, rod and reel, or spear fishing (including the taking of fish
by hand). The Delaware Special Management Zones are defined by rhumb
lines connecting the following coordinates in the order stated:
(i) Delaware artificial reef #9.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point Corner N Latitude W Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............................ 9SE 38[deg]39.972 74[deg]59.298'
'
2............................ 9SW 38[deg]40.05' 75[deg]0.702'
3............................ 9NW 38[deg]40.848 75[deg]0.402'
'
4............................ 9NE 38[deg]40.8' 74[deg]58.902'
5............................ 9SE 38[deg]39.972 74[deg]59.298'
'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(ii) Delaware artificial reef #10.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point Corner N Latitude W Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............................ 10SE 38[deg]36.198 74[deg]55.674'
'
2............................ 10SW 38[deg]36.294 74[deg]57.15'
'
3............................ 10NW 38[deg]37.098 74[deg]56.802'
'
4............................ 10NE 38[deg]37.002 74[deg]55.374'
'
5............................ 10SE 38[deg]36.198 74[deg]55.674'
'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(iii) Delaware artificial reef #11.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point Corner N Latitude W Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............................ 11SE 38[deg]39.882 74[deg]43.05'
'
2............................ 11SW 38[deg]40.002 74[deg]44.802'
'
3............................ 11NW 38[deg]40.848 74[deg]44.502'
'
4............................ 11NE 38[deg]40.752 74[deg]42.75'
'
5............................ 11SE 38[deg]39.882 74[deg]43.05'
'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(iv) Delaware artificial reef #13.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point Corner N Latitude W Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............................ 13SE 38[deg]30.138 74[deg]30.582'
'
2............................ 13SW 38[deg]30.222 74[deg]31.5'
'
3............................ 13NW 38[deg]31.614 74[deg]30.864'
'
4............................ 13NE 38[deg]31.734 74[deg]30.018'
'
5............................ 13SE 38[deg]30.138 74[deg]30.582'
'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) New Jersey Special Management Zone Areas. Special management
zones are established for New Jersey artificial reef permit areas, in
the area of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. From January 1 through
December 31 of each year, no person may fish in the New Jersey Special
Management Zones except by handline, rod and reel, or spear fishing
(including the taking of fish by hand). The New Jersey Special
Management Zones are defined by rhumb lines connecting the following
coordinates in the order stated:
(i) Sea Girt Reef Site.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N Latitude W Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NE Corner....................... 40[deg]08.22' 73[deg]55.52'
ME Corner....................... 40[deg]07.30' 73[deg]56.67'
SE Corner....................... 40[deg]06.13' 73[deg]57.12'
SW Corner....................... 40[deg]06.17' 73[deg]57.57'
MW Corner....................... 40[deg]07.48' 73[deg]57.15'
NW Corner....................... 40[deg]08.63' 73[deg]55.73'
NE Corner....................... 40[deg]08.22' 73[deg]55.52'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(ii) Garden State North Reef Site.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N Latitude W Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NE Corner....................... 39[deg]38.05' 74[deg]00.70'
SE Corner....................... 39[deg]37.05' 74[deg]01.00'
SW Corner....................... 39[deg]37.00' 74[deg]02.50'
NW Corner....................... 39[deg]37.98' 74[deg]02.20'
NE Corner....................... 39[deg]38.05' 74[deg]00.70'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(iii) Garden State South Reef Site.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N Latitude W Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NE Corner....................... 39[deg]33.82' 74[deg]05.75'
SE Corner....................... 39[deg]33.33' 74[deg]05.85'
SW Corner....................... 39[deg]33.33' 74[deg]07.35'
NW Corner....................... 39[deg]33.80' 74[deg]07.20'
NE Corner....................... 39[deg]33.82' 74[deg]05.75'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(iv) Little Egg Reef Site.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N Latitude W Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NE Corner....................... 39[deg]29.00' 74[deg]10.00'
SE Corner....................... 39[deg]28.00' 74[deg]10.00'
SW Corner....................... 39[deg]28.00' 74[deg]12.00'
NW Corner....................... 39[deg]29.00' 74[deg]12.00'
NE Corner....................... 39[deg]29.00' 74[deg]10.00'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 6158]]
(v) Atlantic City Reef Site.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N Latitude W Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NE Corner....................... 39[deg]16.90' 74[deg]15.28'
SE Corner....................... 39[deg]13.93' 74[deg]11.80'
SW Corner....................... 39[deg]13.30' 74[deg]12.70'
NW Corner....................... 39[deg]16.22' 74[deg]16.18'
NE Corner....................... 39[deg]16.90' 74[deg]15.28'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(vi) Great Egg Reef Site.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N Latitude W Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NE Corner....................... 39[deg]15.00' 74[deg]21.00'
SE Corner....................... 39[deg]14.00' 74[deg]21.00'
SW Corner....................... 39[deg]14.00' 74[deg]22.00'
NW Corner....................... 39[deg]15.00' 74[deg]22.00'
NE Corner....................... 39[deg]15.00' 74[deg]21.00'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(vii) Ocean City Reef Site.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N Latitude W Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NE Corner....................... 39[deg]10.75' 74[deg]32.35'
SE Corner....................... 39[deg]09.40' 74[deg]34.62'
SW Corner....................... 39[deg]09.82' 74[deg]34.97'
NW Corner....................... 39[deg]11.10' 74[deg]32.85'
NE Corner....................... 39[deg]10.75' 74[deg] 32.35'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(viii) Shark River Reef Site.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N Latitude W Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NE Corner....................... 40[deg]07.33' 73[deg]41.08'
SE Corner....................... 40[deg]06.20' 73[deg]41.08'
SW Corner....................... 40[deg]20.20' 73[deg]41.80'
NW Corner....................... 40[deg]07.33' 73[deg]41.80'
NE Corner....................... 40[deg]07.33' 73[deg]41.08'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(ix) Barnegat Light Reef Site.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N Latitude W Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NE Corner....................... 39[deg]45.87' 74[deg]01.10'
SE Corner....................... 39[deg]44.62' 74[deg]01.10'
SW Corner....................... 39[deg]44.62' 74[deg]01.95'
NW Corner....................... 39[deg]45.87' 74[deg]01.95'
NE Corner....................... 39[deg]45.87' 74[deg]01.10'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(x) Wildwood Reef Site.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N Latitude W Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NE Corner....................... 38[deg]57.85' 74[deg]39.70'
SE Corner....................... 38[deg]56.58' 74[deg]41.40'
SW Corner....................... 38[deg]57.55' 74[deg]42.60'
NW Corner....................... 38[deg]58.80' 74[deg]40.90'
NE Corner....................... 38[deg]57.85' 74[deg]39.70'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(xi) Deepwater Reef Site.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N Latitude W Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NE Corner....................... 38[deg]59.00' 74[deg]10.50'
SE Corner....................... 38[deg]58.00' 74[deg]10.50'
SW Corner....................... 38[deg]58.00' 74[deg]11.50'
NW Corner....................... 38[deg]59.00' 74[deg]11.50'
NE Corner....................... 38[deg]59.00' 74[deg]10.50'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(xii) Cape May Reef Site.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N Latitude W Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NE Corner....................... 38[deg]53.45' 74[deg]39.43'
SE Corner....................... 38[deg]50.07' 74[deg]42.25'
SW Corner....................... 38[deg]50.67' 74[deg]43.25'
NW Corner....................... 38[deg]53.97' 74[deg]40.62'
NE Corner....................... 38[deg]53.45' 74[deg]39.43'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(xiii) Townsend Inlet Reef Site.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N Latitude W Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NE Corner....................... 39[deg]06.70' 74[deg]36.00'
SE Corner....................... 39[deg]06.25' 74[deg]36.00'
SW Corner....................... 39[deg]06.25' 74[deg]37.50'
NW Corner....................... 39[deg]06.70' 74[deg]37.50'
NE Corner....................... 39[deg]06.70' 74[deg]36.00'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[FR Doc. 2018-02916 Filed 2-12-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P